Europe for Citizens

 

Introduction to Europe for Citizens Programme

This website is designed to provide information and assistance to Irish organisations making applications for funding under the EU ‘Europe for Citizens’ Programme. This website will be redevelped in the coming months.

From 2007-2013, the ‘Europe for Citizens’ Programme can provide financial assistance for a number of different projects in the areas of town twinning, cross-border cooperation between NGOs and other projects promoting “active European citizenship”.

Further information on the different types of projects that are eligible is outlined below, and links are provided to relevant documentation and application forms.

The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) is the National Contact Point for the Europe for Citizens Programme in Ireland. For further assistance and advice on making applications under the programme, please contact Laura Sherry at europeforcitizens@ipa.ie or (01) 240 36 00

 

General Aim and Objectives of Programme

The Europe for Citizens Programme aims to try to bridge the gap between citizens and the European project, to bring Europe closer to citizens at local level, and to facilitate discussion on European issues and developments. The programme aims to assist in the organisation of exchanges and cooperation between citizens in different EU countries, with a view to contributing to a sense of affinity with common European ideals, and encouraging the process of European integration.

The general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme are to contribute to:
  • Giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union
  • Developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture
  • Fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens
  • Enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue

There are Four Main Actions that form part of the Programme, and these are explained in the sections below. All funding applications must be made using the appropriate application form, depending on which category of the programme applies.

 

Action 1 – Active Citizens for Europe

Activities under Action 1 include exchanges or events linked to town twinning and active citizenship.

Town Twinning
This includes applications for both ‘one-off’ twinning exchanges, and for thematic or multiannual programmes between twinned towns. Applicants planning a one-off exchange as part of an existing twinning arrangement must make their application under the ‘town twinning: citizens’ meetings’ category. These exchanges must include a strong European dimension – this can involve widening the participants’ knowledge of the EU and its policies, and/or concrete exchange of experience on various issues. It is the responsibility of the host town to make the application.

Citizens’ Projects and Support Measures
A range of different projects that directly involve citizens (for example through citizens’ panels) in discussing key European challenges and feeding into the policy-making process at European level, can be financed under this category.


Action 2 – Active Civil Society for Europe

Activities under Action 2 include support to civil society organisations, NGOs, ‘think tanks’ for their operations and programmes in three different categories:

Structural support for European public policy research organisations / think tanks
Financial support to cover part of the running costs of European public policy research organisations (think tanks) is available, where such organisations provide new ideas and reflections on European issues, on active European citizenship or on European values.

Structural support for civil society organisations at European level
Financial support to cover part of the running costs of civil society organizations working on European-related issues.

Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations
Financial support for NGOs and community and voluntary organizations at local, national or European level undertaking projects that raise awareness on the various objectives and themes of the programme through seminars, workshops, publications, information campaigns, debate, reflection and networking between civil society organizations across Europe.
Action 3 – Together for Europe

Activities under Action 3 include a range of events, studies and information tools that are designed to deepen the understanding of active European citizenship.


Action 4 – Active European Remembrance

Activities under Action 4 include support for projects that aim at preserving the sites and archives associated with, and commemorating the victims of, both Nazism and Stalinism.
Links to Guidelines, Application Forms and Deadlines

Further details on the different Actions, including guidelines, deadlines, and application forms are available through the following links:

Programme Guide for Europe for Citizens Programme

Action 1: Town Twinning: Citizens Meetings / Twinning Exchanges

Action 1: Thematic Networking of Twinned Towns

Action 1: Citizens’ Projects

Action 1: Support Projects

Action 2: Support for Think Tanks

Action 2: Projects Initiated by Civil Society Organisations

Action 3: Together for Europe (this is managed directly by the European Commission – see Programme Guide for further details)

Action 4: Active European Remembrance

National Contact Point for Ireland

If you have any queries about the programme, please feel free to contact Laura Sherry at europeforcitizens@ipa.ie or (01) 240 36 00

 

This website is sponsored by the European Commission and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

 

© IPA 2009