A WORLD OF LANGUAGES & A COMMON INTEREST

Now here is a great info graphic that points out how popular languages are in the world. If you were under the impression that it is the English language, you couldn’t be more wrong. English hardly makes it to the third or fourth place, tying closely with Arabic that dominates most of the Middle Eastern countries as well as most of the African countries. It is interesting to note that Spanish makes up for the second most popular language and the first, well that goes to Chinese. This infographic does a great job compiling the information and putting it up in a visual bubble. It puts things into perspective.

 AFRICA FORCE of common interest is formed with the focus in creating sustainable educational lifestyle and experiential environments and objects, demonstrating a fixation with materiality, concept and tangible spatial experiences.

We aim to create projects that balance between the long lasting and the ephemeral projects in time and objects whose creative approach stems from an abstract realm enriched with layers of conceptual readings: moments of unfamiliar simplicity, sculptural and material self-expression, structural articulation,

Our work roots from an amalgamation of thinking and making between two diverse factors, Inequity and equity , switching between the formal and the intuitive, embracing the handmade and the tactile, the experimental and the poetic.

Projects of Common Interest

Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key infrastructure projects, especially cross-border projects, that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Every two years, the European Commission draws up a new list of PCIs.

To become a PCI, a project must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two EU countries, boost competition on energy markets and help the EU's energy security by diversifying sources, and contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals by integrating renewables. The selection process gives preference to projects in priority corridors, as identified in the TEN-E strategy.

PCIs may benefit from accelerated planning and permit granting, a single national authority for obtaining permits, improved regulatory conditions, lower administrative costs due to streamlined environmental assessment processes, increased public participation via consultations, and increased visibility to investors. They also have the right to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility(CEF).

Selection of Projects of Common Interest

• Projects are selected as PCIs on the basis of five criteria. They must:
• have a significant impact on at least two EU countries
• enhance market integration and contribute to the integration of EU countries' networks
• increase competition on energy markets by offering alternatives to consumers
• enhance security of supply
• contribute to the EU's energy and climate goals. They should facilitate the integration of an increasing share of energy from variable renewable energy sources.

Candidate projects are proposed by their promoters. They are then assessed by Regional Groups that include representatives from EU countries, the Commission, transmission system operators and their European networks, project promoters, regulatory authorities, as well as the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). ACER is responsible for assessing electricity and gas projects' compliance with the PCI criteria and their European added value. The Commission is solely responsible for the appraisal of projects linked to oil supply connections in central and eastern Europe and cross-border carbon dioxide networks.

After these assessments, the Commission adopts the list of approved PCIs via a delegated act procedure.

The list of projects is then submitted by the Commission to the European Parliament and Council. These institutions have two months to oppose the list, or they may ask for an extension of two months to finalise their position. If neither the Parliament nor the Council rejects the list, it enters into force. The Parliament and the Council cannot request amendments to the list.
Funding for Projects of Common Interest

PCIs have access to a total of €5.35 billion in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU's €30 billion fund for boosting energy, transport, and digital infrastructure between 2014 and 2020. This funding is intended to speed up the projects and attract private investors.
Regional Groups' activities

Work on PCIs is coordinated by Regional Groups. Information on these groups can be accessed via the Communication and Information Resource Centre for Administrations, Businesses and Citizens(CIRCABC) (when accessing this site, select Browse categories > European Commission > Energy > 13 TEN-E Regional Group Meetings). CIRCABC is a collaborative platform that makes the easy distribution and management of documents possible. It is accessible to the general public.

Ghetto Beats Launching FORCE & LES^SENCE  for the benefit of people.