The overall aim is to bring the Union closer to citizens. The general objectives of the Programme are the following:
- To contribute to citizens’ understanding of the Union, its history and diversity;
- To foster European citizenship and to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level.
The European Commission is currently accepting applications for the calls below.
- Network of towns
Municipalities and associations working together may wish to develop networks of towns to make their cooperation more sustainable. Twinning is a strong link that binds municipalities, so the networks created by a series of town twinning links should be used for developing thematic and long-lasting cooperation between towns.
Priority is given to networks targeting annual priority themes.
Networks of Towns are expected to:
- Integrate a range of activities around the subject(s) of common interest to be addressed in the context of the Programme’s objectives or annual priorities
- Have defined target groups for which the selected themes are particularly relevant and involve community members active in the subject area (i.e. experts, local associations, citizens and citizens’ groups directly affected by the theme, etc.)
- Serve as a basis for future initiatives and actions between the towns involved, on the issues addressed or possibly on further issues of common interest.
Eligible applicants:
- Towns/municipalities or their twinning committees or networks;
- Other levels of local/regional authorities;
- Federations/associations of local authorities.
- Non-profit organisations representing local authorities.
Deadline: 1 March 2016 – 12pm (CET/CEST, midday Brussels time).
Maximum eligible grant for a project: 150,000 EUR.
For further information please click here.
- Town twinning
This measure aims to support projects bringing together a wide range of citizens from twinned towns around topics in line with the objectives of the Programme. Priority is given to projects targeting the priorities annually defined for this measure.
By mobilizing citizens at local and EU level to debate on concrete issues from the European political agenda, this measure will seek to promote civic participation in the Union policy making process and develop opportunities for societal engagement and volunteering at EU level.
Twinning must be understood to refer to the municipalities which signed or plan to sign twinning agreements, as well as those that have other forms of partnership that fostering cooperation and cultural links.
Eligible applicants:
- Towns/municipalities or their twinning committees or other non-profit organisations representing local authorities.
Deadline: 1 March 2016 – 12pm (CET/CEST, midday Brussels time).
Maximum eligible grant for a project: 25 000 EUR.
For further information please click here.
- Civil society projects 2016
This measure aims to support projects that are promoted by transnational partnerships and organised via networks that directly involve citizens. Projects gather citizens from different horizons on activities directly linked to Union policies, with a view to giving them an opportunity to participate in the policy-making process of the EU. Participation in the process needs to be within areas related to the objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme.
Projects can be centred around agenda-setting activities; advocating during the preparation phase and negotiation of EU policy; and providing feedback on relevant initiatives that are being implemented. Projects will invite citizens to act together or debate on the annual priority themes of the Programme at local and European level.
A Civil Society Project must include two of the following three types of activities:
- Promotion of Societal Engagement and Solidarity: activities that promote debate on the themes of common interest in the larger framework of the rights and responsibilities of EU citizens and make the link to the European political agenda and policy-making process
- Gathering of Opinions: Activities aiming to gather the opinions of citizens on the specific topic (to be defined yearly), favouring a bottom-up approach and media literacy
- Volunteering: Activities promoting solidarity among EU citizens and beyond.
Eligible applicants:
- NGOs including civil society organisations, educational, cultural or research institutions.
- A project must involve organisations from at least 3 countries. Partners can be local authorities, NGOs, educational, cultural or research institutions, town-twinning committees and networks.
Deadline: 1 March 2016 – 12pm (CET/CEST, midday Brussels time).
Maximum eligible grant for a project: 150 000 EUR.
For further information please click here.
- European Remembrance 2016
Actions funded under this strand will invite reflection on European cultural diversity and on common values e.g. reflecting on the causes of totalitarian regimes in Europe’s modern history and to commemorate the victims of their crimes. This strand also encompasses activities concerning other defining moments in recent European history.
Preference will be given to projects which encourage tolerance, mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue and reconciliation.
Eligible applicants:
- Local and regional authorities
- NGOs including civil society organisations, survivors’ associations, educational, cultural, youth, educational or research associations.
- A project must involve organisations from at least 1 Member State. Preference is given to transnational projects.
Deadline: 1 March 2016 – 12pm (CET/CEST, midday Brussels time).
Maximum eligible grant for a project: 100 000 EUR.
For further information please click here.