European Tribune - Comments - Meta

Okay, the plan was then to expand that Op-Ed into a chapter of the book on "France is not in Decline and the last thing it needs is Neoliberal Reform" that Jerome is supposed to be writing with afew, and then that chapter would provide an outline of the Anglo Disease book in which bits and pieces of research and writing could be outsourced.

diary - op-ed - chapter - outline is a nice sequence of incresing goals and it works towards two separate book projects, an op-ed, and focusing the people's energies.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 08:06:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The advantage of having a literary agent, whether for articles, books and so forth is that the agent knows the market - needs, prices, delivery demands etc. An agent comes ready networked.

They take a percentage, of course.

Patrick Walsh appears to be in tune with the blogging world - he signed blogger Belle de Jour. She happens to be a former call girl - but Walsh's interests (as claimed on the site) are very wide.

As in the movie business, it is hard to get into print media without an agent. There is a ravenous demand for print content - outside newspapers. We have to start somewhere, and I think the agent route is worthy of consideration.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 08:30:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Or why not propose the Anglo Disease book as a collaborative research project to be grant aided by the EU to elucidate the policy choices open to EU decision makers?

This could include elements of original research, public consultation, trans EU collaboration, public engagement in policy debate, together with a set of document outcomes and cost/benefit analysed policy options - all central to the EU project.

If the EU want "balance" they can always commission one of innumerable free market think tanks to consider market based solutions....

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 09:06:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I am forever in amazement at the largesse available from the EU. But what I discovered is that you need to couch your application in very special language that uses specific keywords linked to the particular initiatives. Without these you get nothing.

Discovering what these magic open sesame commands are, is not easy. Now, Frank, you sound like the sort of chap, with your talk of 'document outcomes', who speaks the lingo. ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 10:15:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

BTW Getting EU funding does not necessariy preclude commercial publishing.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 10:16:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I know there is a specific language you have to use - to tie in with specific policies, initiatives and budget headings, but I do not know the language. We could do with some help from an EU insider - just on the jargon aspects.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 02:46:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Literary agent (4.00 / 5)

Well, I am used to design and draft European projects, to find the right budget lines (if they exist) and to obtain EU financing... Also I know a few people in the European institutions. So, if I can help, just let me know.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 03:54:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As usual on ET, it is unclear who is running with this issue, but of the FP's Migeru was going to check with his sister re: funding opportunities. Basically we need someone with authority to speak on behalf of ET to speak to someone with knowledge of the labyrinthine ways of EU funding - to see if a viable funding application can be put together - possibly for some specific ET projects rather than ET itself.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:10:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As I said, I know quite well how to do that (I mentioned it in a previous meta diary), but:

first, you have to have a clearly identified project with a well-stated purpose, objectives, content and method.
it must fit in the existing policy pramework. Given the wide range of policies, this is not hard, but you have to word it properly.
for many budget lines, it is required to have partners from several European countries involved in the project in order to be eligible.
only a non-profit or public organisation is eligible to benefit from EU subsidies. Otherwise, you have to go through a public tender. That means ET would have to create a non-profit organisation or to find a friendly one willing to be the leader on a project.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:53:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

In addition: I know personnaly several European Commission directors and head of units in charge of structural funds (ESF, ERDF, EGF...) and I am regularly in contact with them, so it would be easy to find the right budget headers once we have defined a project.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:59:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Paradoxically I don't see the availability of funds as the problem. However trying to get "ET" to actually formulate a proposal on the lines you state necessary is a bit like trying to herd cats - and wild ones at that. We are very, very good at the brainstorming/ideas generation - and almost useless at the disciplines required to turn these into actionable, manageable, and viable projects from a funding perspective. I suggest Jerome appoint an FP with specific responsibility for creating and pursuing funding applications. Would you be prepared to take that on? I would be happy to help, but have no EU specific expertise or experience.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 05:01:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't see ET as a whole working on a project but, as for the petition, it could be discussed first on ET, then designed by a small group of people really committed. Once the first draft of the project is completed, this "task force" would present the project on ET and discuss it with the other ET users. In parallel, we could start looking for funding opportunities and partners.

As you will see in my third comment above, I agree with you: I don't see tha availability of funds as a problem.

I suggest Jerome appoint an FP with specific responsibility for creating and pursuing funding applications. Would you be prepared to take that on?

It's the other way around: once there is an idea for a project, I would be happy to help those willing to work on it to:

structure it and draft it in a presentable way
find the relevant funding opportunities and evaluate the odds to obtain subsidies
help to find partners in Europe
draft the project's budget (it must very detailed and follow the EC presentaion rules) and the final submission documents...

But that's a lot of work, so it must be done only if a team is really committed to the project.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 05:20:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How about writing a diary documenting the project formulation/funding application process - together with suitable links to EU guidelines for applications, possibly appropriate budget heatings etc. and then invite ET members to submit ideas for projects - and take them thru the process - provided sufficient people with appropriate expertise indicate a willingness to work on it?

Some top of the head ideas for projects include:

The Anglo-Disease - alternative models for socio-economic development
Media representations of market failure - the credit crisis
Role models for the new President of the EU Council
The negotiating process at EU Council level
The role of Blogging/networking sites in developing a new EU civil society....

etc.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 05:36:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How about writing a diary documenting the project formulation/funding application process... and then invite ET members to submit ideas for projects..?

I agree to do it, but I have not enough time at the moment.

About the ideas you listed, we must be aware that any request for subsidies must go through a process called an "open call for proposals", where the submitted project is assessed by a committee which takes into account the credibility and reliability of the project leader and partners. The problem is: even if Et creates a non-profit organisation, this organisation will not have any background (former studies, projects or publications), nor project management experience and no financial reliability.

The only domain in which we could claim some knowledge and experience is n°5: "The role of Blogging/networking sites in developing a new EU civil society", which could be a good way to start. For other themes, we would have to find credible partners (it is not impossible).

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 06:59:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Alternatively, someone could look at the open tenders, post them in a diary and ask for interest in taking on one of them. I did something similar with the EU Commission's Consultations page nearly two years ago.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 07:07:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

We must not mix "open calls for tender", like this one and "open calls for proposals", like this one

Open calls for tender are very well defined with detailed specifications and tight rules and criteria. They open to everybody, including for-profit organisation, so ET would be in competition with established think-tanks, universities and consultants with a robust background in the field.

"open calls for proposals" are, well, open, which means they don't have detailed specifications. However, they must fit in the policy framework and still follow the same tight rules. They are only open to public organisations, universities and non-profit organisations.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

by Melanchthon on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 08:14:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks, so "open calls for proposals", then.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon May 12th, 2008 at 02:54:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, Jerome has the authority and he can talk both to melanchthon and to my sister, so there you have it.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 06:57:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ok - so we can all blame Jerome if nothing happens on the funding front?

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 08:10:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon May 12th, 2008 at 02:54:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]