​Today the EACEA has published it's results for 2019 and you can download it here. Last year our programme received 12,489 applications for funding and selected 2171, meaning a success rate of 17%.

If you are looking to analyse the statistics within Europe for Citizens, this is an essential read.  In this document you will find an overview of the Europe for Citizens programme implementation in 2019 together with some data measuring the overall impact for the period 2014 - 2019.

If you have more questions about how to apply and when the deadlines are, see our home page or contact Deirdre at The Wheel - europe@wheel.ie 

The EACEA position on the impact of the Corona Virus on the projects / beneficiaries of Europe for Citizens is the following:

In the context of the measure taken by national competent authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus infection, the EACEA has been consulted on the potential effect of such measures on EU funded projects whose implementation could be hindered, or partially / temporarily affected, by mobility restrictions. In that regards, EACEA reminds that participating organisations should contact the individual participants who already are in, or are planning to leave to or from the affected areas within the coming weeks; they should follow the formal and official prescription issued and/or adopted by the local competent authorities.

Within this context, the ordinary implementation of the planned actions shall be normally carried out, as far as possible, and it is for the participating organisations and individuals to decide on the appropriate and proportionate course of action to take in the light of the measures formally adopted by the competent authorities. Participants should also be reminded of the assistance that can be provided by embassies, consulates and honorary consulates in the country of their stay.

EACEA also reminds that all the Agreements contain a “force majeure” clause which may apply to mobility restrictions, as a direct consequence of the measures taken by the competent national authorities in charge. However, please note that the existence of an event of “force majeure” suitable to concretely hinder the ordinary implementation of the planned actions will be analysed on a “case-by-case” basis, and in due time, i.e. when the eligibility of the costs will be assessed.

You can find additional information on the situation on the Commission website https://ec.europa.eu/health/coronavirus_en, and on the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/coronavirus, https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers.

Are you working at a county council and looking to develop ideas that are sustainable and replicable in other countries? Or are you keen to learn how other county councils around Europe tackle social and environmental challenges? ​

Local authorities and nonprofits working together across Europe can develop networks of towns to engage deeply on shared learning and make their cooperation more sustainable. Projects are up to 24 months long.  Networks created by a series of town twinning links should be used for developing long-lasting cooperation between towns. Deadline for proposals: Tuesday 3 March 2020 @4pm GMT. Apply through this link.

"Town Twinning" supports projects that aim to bring together a wide range of citizens from twinned towns around topics in line with the objectives of the programme. It funds great projects that mobilise citizens at local and EU level, encouraging them to debate issues on the European agenda. 

We were delighted to learn this month that Skerries Town Twinning Association have been successful in their application for funding for their project "Our future in Europe - The effects of Brexit and the challenges facing local communities in EU border countries". Upon completion of the project in Skerries this Summer and submission of their final report, they will receive funding of €7560 from the Europe for Citizens Programme. Well done all! 

The Call for Proposals under European Remembrance is NOW open.  In addition to this, the Commission has now published an updated Programme Guide for 2020 - Read it here.

If you are applying for funding, also don't forget to consult the Programme Priorities for 2020. This lists the dates in 20th century European history that are to be commemorated via projects i.e.:

• 1950 Robert Schuman Declaration
• 1990 German reunification and democratic transition of other countries in Europe
• 2000 Proclamation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Other priorities that can form the basis of your project are:  

• Civil society and civic participation under totalitarian regimes
• Antisemitism, anti-gypsyism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance: drawing the lessons for today 
• Democratic transition and accession to the European Union 

Please contact europe@wheel.ie in the New Year for application and technical advice and we'd be delighted to help.

Engaging in European partnerships can benefit organisations of all sizes, allowing them to develop new research, ideas, programmes and resources. It can facilitate collaboration and learning between partners throughout Europe and enable organisations to build an international profile.

So how can you find and keep good partners for your Europe for Citizens project?

The Wheel will be hosting a webinar on Friday 13 December 2019 at 10am introducing EU partnership building and best practice. The session will feature a guest who can provide a contextual background to partnership building and management based on their first-hand experience.  

By the end of this event, participants will have:

• Increased their understanding of how European funding partnerships and consortia work
• Improved their understanding of how to find partners within the EU
• Gained an understanding of good practice in partnership building
• Head a real-life experience and case study from a guest on the webinar who has worked on multiple EU partnerships
• Heard about the upcoming funding deadlines for the Europe for Citizens programme

​Sign up here