This week the European Commission launched an open public consultation on EU funds in the area of values and mobility, targeted at stakeholders such as nonprofits, local authorities and citizens who wish to have their say.

Why contribute to the questionnaire? 
In 2018, the Commission will make comprehensive proposals for the next generation of financial programmes for the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, which is the EU's long–term budget.  The Commission's proposals will be designed to make it possible for the EU to deliver on the things that matter most to European citizens, in areas where it can achieve more than Member States acting alone.

​How do I participate?
Simply visit this link and complete the survey by Thursday 8 March.  Any questions or thoughts on the future of the Europe for Citizens programme post 2020 - contact Deirdre at The Wheel. 

The call is now OPEN under all strands (civil society, remembrance, twinning, town networking) for groups looking to apply for funding from Europe for Citizens. The closing date for applications is 1 March 2018 @11am GMT - don't miss this opportunity.

To apply for funding you will need to have European partners, be a legal entity and have a project idea that is line with the 2018 priorities.  We recommend that all applicants attend a workshop to prepare themselves plus you must be familiar with the 2018 Programme Guide document.

Not sure where to start? Get in touch with Deirdre at The Wheel today - help is at hand. 

This month results of the second Europe for Citizens deadline in 2017 were announced -  read the details here.

Happily Irish organisation Arklow Town Twinning are confirmed for funding of €5000 as a lead partner for their Solidarity in Social Inclusion.  The aim of the project is to build on 35 years of twinning relationship with French town Châteaudun, as well as establishing collaborative action with a new twin town, Aberystwyth in Wales.  The project will take place over four days in May inviting 25 participants from both towns. Ak

Two Irish groups have been included as twinning partners in French and German projects respectively:  Roscommon-Chartres Twinning and Muitearatas Teoranta. We are delighted for all successful groups! If you wish to apply, contact europe@wheel.ie today. 

You may think that it's a long way off...but we're determined to get organisations preparing their applications for the Europe for Citizens Programme very early in advance of 1 March 2018. 

In order to hone your project idea, become familiar with the application form, budget and priorities, The Wheel will be running two specialist workshops on 5 and 7 December 2017 in Dublin. Each event will be targeted at organisations per strand i. e. European Remembrance or Civil Society. 

If you want to secure a place we recommend contacting europe@wheel.ie today stating your name, organisation and intended project idea. We'll put you on the list and look forward to meeting you then!

The Wheel is the National Contact Point for the Europe for Citizens Programme, spreading the word about possibilities under the programme to nonprofits around Ireland.

For the last quarter of the year, our European Programme is joining forces with The Wheel's Regional Programme to deliver two engaging and informative events in Louth and Waterford in the coming weeks.

These two and a half hour interactive forums are an opportunity to learn about The Wheel's Regional Support Programme, meet Regional Champions for each area and hear about how nonprofits can fund projects through Europe for Citizens in 2018 and beyond. 

Sign up for the Louth event on Tuesday 24 October 2017 here and our Waterford event on Tuesday 7 November here.  We look forward to sharing the 2018 Work Programme with you and answering your questions on EU funding in general.  

Heading to the 2017 National Ploughing Championships? Well, Europe for Citizens will be there ! Find us at the large and lively EU tent, located on Block 3, Row 14, Stand 315.  The Ploughing is Ireland's largest public event.  Taking place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly it will run from 19-21 September 2017 and attract over 225,000 visitors from around Ireland. 

Information officers from the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Office in Ireland will be available to assist the public with questions on EU policies. In addition, staff from The Wheel will be promoting the Europe for Citizens Programme and can also be found at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's stand, promoting the National Rural Network.

If you're making the trip to Screggan, the EU stand must not be missed. See you there! 

Good news today for anyone considering applying to Europe for Citizens in 2018. The EACEA has published the priorities of the programme for 2018, an important document to study if you are preparing an application for next year.

Have you struggled to understand what what kind of projects will be funded by Europe for Citizens?
​Priorities include:

 - Key dates in 20th century history to be commemorated
 - Civil Society and participation under totalitarian regimes
 - Anti-semitism, Anti-Gypsyism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance
 - Democratic transition and accession to the EU
 - Debating the Future of Europe and euroscepticsm
 - Promoting solidarity in times of crisis
 - Combatting the stigmatisation of migrants and minority groups
 - European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
 - European Solidarity Corps

 Read the 2018 Work Programme now! 

We were very pleased to be hosted by the Galway 2020 team in their bright and lively space for a specialised workshop in July on how to make a winning proposal under the Town Twinning and Networking strands.  We had twenty attendees from across the West of Ireland.

In Dublin on Friday 28th July, we hosted a special application clinic in our own offices in Dublin  for seven people, all considering preparing an an application. Do you need similar support? Please don't hesitate to contact us with your queries on PIC numbers, e-form, project ideas etc.  Email europe@wheel.ie