Background information

TENCompetence is building an infrastructure for use by anyone in the field of lifelong competence development. To secure the interoperability of the technical infrastructure, an architecture based on open standards is being developed. To secure future development and deployment all software, technical documentation, business models, training manuals, etc. produced from project funds are made available to the public as soon as they have passed the required quality assessment procedures.

TENCompetence is constantly seeking to extend and sustain its objectives by inviting associate partners to join in its activities. This call for proposals is an invitation to SME’s to join and participate as associate partners in this process. Depending on the scope and quality of the proposal, allowances from 2.500 up to 25,000 euros are available.

 Three types of activity are eligible for funding:

1.  Participation in, and contribution to, events organized by TENCompetence, for which travel and acommodation costs can be claimed in line with Consortium practice (economy class, budget hotels);
2. Development or adaptation of (an) existing service(s) to extend the use and application of of the TENCompetence services - including both ‘software services’ and customer services;
3.  Design and development of a business model to supply one or more TENCompetence services.

 For the first activity type eligibility will be judged on the basis of notification of the applicant’s intended participation in an event as well as the results expected to be obtained in attending.

 In the last two activity types, proposals should describe in detail how applicants will derive empirical evidence of (for 2) the added value of the new service, or (for 3) the applicability and sustainability of the proposed business model. This is preferably done by means of a demonstrator. The demonstrator may be organized within your own organization; together with external organizations; or with a group of professionals centered around a topic; within your locality, or at a national or international level.

How to apply

Application is open until 1-12-2008 or until the budget is exhausted. Successful candidates will be linked to one of the TENCompetence core partners as a ‘subcontractor’. TENCompetence Criteria for approval SMEs wishing to put in a proposal will need to demonstrate:

For a travel allowance: 

•  A clear explanation of your intended participation;
•  what your contribution will be; 
•  what results you expect.

 For a new service:

• Evidence of expertise to design and develop e-services in general;
• Evidence of ability to develop service(s) conforming to the TENCompetence service architecture and requirements; 
• Ability to deliver and execute the proposal within the specified period;
• Ability to link to an existing pilot – of their choice or assigned- to verify pre-defined success criteria for their service(s).

For a business model:

• Evidence of experience to deliver, support and organize e-learning or e-services in general;
• Ability to deliver and execute the proposal within the specified period;
• Ability to link to an existing pilot – of their choice or assigned- to verify pre-defined success criteria for their business model;
• Evidence of ability to continue with their business model once successful.

Successful applications

Successful applicants will be notified within twelve weeks of receipt of their proposals. In addition to the agreed funding, organizations will be able to call on support from the TENCompetence management and partners. Final details will depend on the proposal and will be negotiatable.

To apply you need to complete the SME Subcontractor form available here and send to c.kew@bolton.ac.uk