Support for European civil society

This call is aimed at organisations, whose main mission is linked to Europe. The Programme is intended to contribute to the general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme 2007 - 2013 which aims to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to enable them to participate fully in the European construction.

Through this programme, citizens have the opportunity to be involved in transnational exchanges and cooperation activities, contributing to developing a sense of belonging to common European ideals and encouraging the process of European integration.

The Programme is intended to contribute to the following general objectives:

1. Giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union;
2. Developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture;
3. Fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens;
4. Enhancing mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

This call is part of Action 2: - Measure 1 and 2 : Active civil society in Europe and the call specifically relates to

The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:

• to foster action, debate and reflection related to European citizenship and democracy, shared values, common history and culture through cooperation within civil society organisations at European level;
• to encourage interaction between citizens and civil society organisations from all participating countries, contributing to intercultural dialogue and bringing to the fore both Europe's diversity and unity, with particular attention to activities aimed at developing closer ties between citizens from Member States which acceded to the European Union before and those which have acceded since 30 April 2004.

Eligibility
This call is aimed at organisations from the 27 EU Member States, whose main mission is linked to Europe. In concrete terms this means that grants will be awarded to organisations with the following profiles:

• Measure 1: a European public policy research organisation (think-thank) Or
• Measure 2: a Civil society organisation at European level, promoting European citizenship
  - Umbrella organisations (platforms) representing civil society organisations or local and regional authorities at European level:
  - European networks
  - Civil society organisations dedicated to European Integration:
• Organisations have to be active in at least 12 European eligible countries, applying for a multi annual partnership and in at least 8 European eligible countries, applying for an annual operating grant.

This structural support is in the form of operating grants which are different from project grants. Operating grants provide financial support to costs necessary for the proper conduct of the normal and permanent activities of an organisation selected. These costs include in particular personnel costs, overheads (rental and property charges, equipment, office supplies, telecommunications, postal charges, etc.) costs of internal meetings, publications, information and dissemination costs and costs directly linked to the organisation's work programme.

The closing date is 23 November 2007. Successful applicants will be notified at the end of March 2008.

For more information please visit : http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/action2/call3007/index_en.htm

All relevant information can be obtained from:

EACEA - Unit P7 Citizenship
Call EACEA 30/07 - Operating grants
Avenue du Bourget, 1 (BOUR 00/13)
B-1140 Brussels - Belgium
Email : eacea-p7-civilsociety@ec.europa.eu
Fax:+32 2 296 23 89
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/