History
It was initially established on 23 December 2003 as the Intelligent Energy Executive Agency (IEEA) to implement the ‘Intelligent Energy – Europe’ programme which seeks to "creat market conditions for acceptance of new energy technology". It was the first Executive Agency to be established.
In 2007 its remit was extended to include the ‘Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-2013’ and the second ‘Marco Polo Programme’ 2007-2013. In practice, this meant that the bulk of the Agency's work was split into three parts: the Intelligent Energy - Europe programme, the Eco Innovation programme (which provides assistance to pre-market environmental products) and the Marco Polo programme (which works to shift road haulage to rail and water transport).
The Agency also manages EU Sustainable Energy Week. During this time of expansion, it moved from Madou Tower to a new building near Place Rogier.
While the agency has its own legal identity, it reports to several DGs, which remain responsible for programming and evaluation of the programmes. The IEE programme is overseen by DG Energy, Eco Innovation by DG Environment, and Marco Polo by DG Mobility and Transport.
It is a temporary agency, initially established for a period beginning on 1 January 2004 and ending on 31 December 2008, although this was later extended to 31 December 2015.
Read more about this topic: Executive Agency For Competitiveness And Innovation
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