Promotion of active european citizenship

The European Commission has set aside €500,000 in 2006 for a number of pilot projects designed to promote active European citizenship.

The general objectives of this call for proposals are to:

• encourage the emergence of an active and participatory European citizenship;
• demonstrate how the democratic and participatory nature of European construction can be enhanced by engaging citizens;
• stimulate the active participation of citizens in activities linked to the further integration of Europe;

The call for proposals is aimed at supporting projects in the following two categories:

Category 1: Citizens’ panels
The specific objective of citizen’s panels is to provide a model for stimulating active interaction between citizens of the EU, supporting the formulation of their opinions concerning the European integration process and encouraging dialogue between European citizens and the institutions of the EU.

Citizens’ panels should:

• involve directly citizens who would not have spontaneously participated in projects of a European nature;
• develop innovative methods to involve citizens;
• encourage a real bottom up approach to allow citizens to express their views.

Category 2: Capacity building for active European citizenship
The specific objective is to encourage capacity building with regard to active European citizenship and to empower a group of active European citizens, such as NGO leaders, municipal representatives, youth workers, community representatives, trade union leaders and journalists, to transmit their commitment to active European citizenship.

Capacity building projects should:

• develop the participant’s potential to transmit to others their commitment to active European citizenship;
• encourage making EU/ trans-national cooperation part of everyday reality in the organisations of the participants;
• develop innovative approaches and means to encourage citizens participation in the European integration process;
• explore possible new links between decision-makers from the local, regional and European level and European citizens;
• develop means to encourage direct participation of citizens, who would not have spontaneously participated in projects of a European nature;
• have a trans-national dimension and bring together participants from the partner countries
• encourage exchange of experience and good practices.

Applications should come from public bodies or non-profit making organisations based in the EU. The Commission will award grants of up to 50% of the project’s costs, with funding between €50,000 and €150,000.

For all information on this call please click on this link

Alternatively relevant information can be obtained from:

European Commission
Education and Culture Directorate-General
Civil Society - Partnerships and Visits
Rue Van Maerlant, 2 (office 4/48)
B-1049 Brussels

E-mail: eac-soc-civile@cec.eu.int
Fax: +32 2 2999302

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2006.