TIGAworking with EDGF to improve developers’ access to finance
TIGA, the trade association
representing the UK games industry, has opened up a new front in its campaign
to support the video games industry by working with the European Games
Developer Federation (EGDF) to lobby Brussels to improve access to finance for
the video games industry.
The EGDF, of which TIGA is a
key member, has published a Report (Game
Development and Digital Growth) which makes a series of recommendations for
the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament to consider.
TIGA, with other EDGF members, will be making the following proposals to
European policy makers in Brussels today:
·
Recognise video games as a form of cultural
expression and make them eligible in all member states for public funding, as
is the case with a growing number of non-European countries.
·
Recognise that sector specific tax breaks for
games production are vital for enabling the European games development sector
to achieve its potential.
·
Make video games a pillar of the upcoming
MEDIA programme or create an EU video game specific programme.
·
Balance EU funding schemes for SMEs between
loan guarantees and prototype funding.
·
Introduce a 50 per cent SME quota for EU RTD
projects because SMEs are the driving force in innovation.
·
Simplify the paper work associated with
funding programmes for SMEs and promote EU funding programmes more effectively.
The network of Media Desks throughout Europe could be used as contact points
for information about EU support programs. Additionally, EU innovation
programmes should be marketed at major games industry events.
Dr. Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, commented:
“TIGA
is focussed on fighting for the interests of the games industry. Many TIGA
members have difficulties accessing finance. Improving access to capital is one
of the biggest challenges facing the UK and wider European games industries. Whilst,
we continue to lobby the UK Government to introduce proposals supporting the
domestic industry, TIGA is keen to engage with policy makers in Brussels too.
“The
EDGF Report makes sensible recommendations, including the need for EU policy
makers to recognise the cultural value of video games and the importance of
improving access to finance. TIGA will work closely on behalf of our members
with our European counterparts to try and deliver changes from Brussels which
will benefit the UK industry. We call on the European Commission to carefully
consider the EGDF’s proposals.””
Ends-
Notes
to editors:
About
TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry.The
majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house
publisher owned developers.We also have games publishers, outsourcing
companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA
was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’
at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been
named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National
Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding
Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an Investors in People
organisation.
TIGA’s
vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games
business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation,
generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the
competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are effectively
represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and
they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses,
including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
For
further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on 07875939643:
or email richard.wilson@tiga.org; or contact David Hodges on 02070911653
1.
‘Funding for EU research and innovation from 2014: a UK
perspective’ can be downloaded in PDF format at http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/science/docs/f/11-901-funding-eu-research-innovation-from-2014.
2.
The position paper comes after the publication of the European
Commission’s Green Paper ‘From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common
Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding’ published in
February 2011. This proposes that all EU instruments for research and
innovation should work together to improve efficiency of funding at national
and EU levels.
3.
The Framework Programme is the EU’s main programme for funding
research, technological development and demonstration. The current iteration is
FP7 (2007-2013) with a budget of €50.5 billion. The programme sets out to
deliver a number of EU-wide benefits including economies of scale, the
development of public goods such as low carbon technologies and the creation of
cross-European networks.
4.
The EC budget currently funds around 5 per cent of overall EU
investment in research and innovation (the rest coming from national
governments and the private sector). Research and innovation is currently the
third largest area of the EU budget after agriculture and cohesion/development
funding.
5.
FP7 currently funds the following broad areas of research:
- Cooperation: collaborative
research projects involving universities and businesses from at least
three countries - Ideas: projects driven
by a single, highly-regarded “investigator”” and funded through the
European Research Council. These are often, but not necessarily, highly
innovative “blue skies”” research projects - People: a number of
projects aimed at boosting researcher skills and mobility under the Marie
Curie programme - Capacities: a numbers of
programmes aimed at boosting the research capacity of Europe - The
Joint Research Centre supports EU policy-making and delivery e.g. in
nuclear and environmental science through a number of research centres.
6.
The UK continues to do well in relation to other member states in
respect of securing FP funding. During FP6 (2003-2006) UK organisations
received over 14 per cent of the budget allocated which was exceeded only by
Germany. The annual average of over €500m to UK participants over the four year
cycle of FP6 indicates the significant contribution EU funding makes to R&D
spending in the UK.
7.
The UK remains a strong player in FP7, receiving the second
largest share of funding to date, €2,699m, equivalent to 14.5 per cent of the
total FP7 funding; only Germany has received more funding.
8.
BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches,
as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list
of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information