How can the European Commission make life better for startups? It wants your ideas.

The European Commission is looking to strengthen conditions for EU startups, and it has launched a consultation to collect views from the continent’s tech entrepreneurs about what its priorities should be.

When it comes to embracing startups, the European Commission has come a long way in a short time. In summer 2011 we criticized the lack of emphasis on entrepreneurs at its Digital Agenda Assembly in Brussels, but things have changed quickly and by this summer it was holding a low-key but promising Tech AllStars competition for startups from accelerators around Europe, which culminated in the winners attending the well-respected Founders Forum event near London.

Now it’s looking to take meaningful actions to benefit Web-based entrepreneurship and Web businesses as part of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It’s important to note that the Commission isn’t talking about new laws here, this is more about funding and support measures. Successful ideas will be funded by the EU.

Some of the examples the Commission suggests include grants to encourage latent entrepreneurs to start new companies; measures to help successful European startups scale globally; online networking platforms; mentoring programs; supporting awareness creation events and campaigns; supporting accelerators programs in Europe; supporting crowdfunding platforms, and more.

The European Commission recognizes that startups are an important factor in the EU’s future, it wants to support them, and it has the money to do that. So, where should its priorities lie?

The Commission is asking for a brief description of your idea, along with an idea of the budget you think would be needed for it to have an impact on Europe and why you think it is important for tech startups in Europe. Also, they’d like you to include who you are or who you represent.

If you have any ideas to throw into the hat, you can email them to cnect-webentrepreneurs@ec.europa.eu before the 5th of December 2012. You’ll find more details here.

Image credit: AFP / Getty Images