Victims of terrorist acts

In the Hague Programme of December 2004, the European Council underlined the need to ensure appropriate protection and aid for the victims of terrorism. In 2004 and 2005, a pilot project has supported projects intended to help the victims of terrorist acts and promote solidarity among European citizens. In 2006, a preparatory action has been adopted in order to finance new projects.

This Call for proposals aims at providing financial support to actions which contribute to the realisation of the general objectives of this preparatory action.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The two general objectives of this preparatory action are the following:

1. the financing of projects to help the victims of terrorist acts and/or family members to recover from the consequences of what they experienced, by means of social or psychological support provided by organisations and/or their networks - part of the appropriations is intended in particular for improved legal support and advice to victims and their families;
2. the financing of projects to mobilise the public against terrorism in all its forms.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS ELIGIBLE
The preparatory action provides financial support for actions in the following fields:

Section A covers aid for the victims of terrorism through:

• Pooling resources with a view to improving, preferably at European level, assistance and legal advice (including access to compensation), material assistance, and psychological support to victims and their families.
• Strengthening co-operation, training, exchanges of information and dissemination of best practice between practitioners of victim support and victim support organisations in the EU (including the setting up of European networks).

Section B covers mobilising the public against terrorism through:

• Developing networks or organisations to represent victims at European level.
• Public events, seminars, or conferences with a European dimension to develop a spirit of solidarity with regard to victims (including commemorations of 11 March, European Day for the Victims of Terrorism).

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Projects may be submitted by any legal persons, either companies, private or public or semi-public, to non-governmental organisations, national, regional and local authorities registered in one of the 25 EU Member States, as well as international organisations working on a strictly non-profit basis, with proven experience and expertise in the fields to be covered.

Participants from acceding and candidate countries and non-EU countries may be involved if project justifies it; however, they are not permitted to submit projects.

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European Commission
Directorate-general Justice, Freedom, Security
Directorate D - Unit D4
Preparatory action for victims of terrorist acts – Call for proposals
Office LX-46 2/106
B-1049 Brussels

Email: JLS-CFP2006-VICT@ec.europa.eu

Closing date: 5 September 2006.