By Decision 1904/2006/EC of 12 December 2006 the European Parliament and the Council adopted the 'Europe for Citizens Programme' for the period 2007-2013, which put into place the legal framework to support a wide range of activities and organisations promoting ‘active European citizenship' and therefore the involvement of citizens and civil society organisations in the process of European integration.
The Europe for Citizens Programme builds on the experience of the previous Programme which ran from 2004 to 2006. The current Programme was proposed by the Commission after a large consultation with the different stakeholders and an ‘ex ante’ evaluation, which has identified the need for an intervention at Community level and the expected impact of the Programme on the sector. Thanks to these experiences and reflections, this Programme of second generation demonstrates a certain level of maturity, combining continuity and
innovation.
The Programme will run from 2007 to 2013.
The Programme is targeting ‘European’ citizens, which includes for the purpose of this Programme citizens of EU-Member States, citizens of other participating countries as well as legal residents in the participating countries.
What budget is available?
The Programme has an overall budget of 215 million euro for the seven years (2007-2013).
The annual budget is subject to decision of the budgetary authorities. The following site enables you to follow the different steps of the adoption of the budget. This Programme is concerned with the budget line 15 06 66.
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/budget_current_year_en.htm#table-1_3
The decision establishing the Programme specified that the overall breakdown between the different actions should be the following:
• Action 1: at least 45%
• Action 2: approximately 31%
• Action 3: approximately 10%
• Action 4: approximately 4%.
Action 1/ Measure 2 – Citizens' projects and support measures
Measure 2.1 Citizens' projects
Specific Objectives
A major challenge of the European Union today is to bridge the gap between the European citizens and the European institutions. In this framework this measure aims at exploring innovative methodologies and approaches to encourage citizens’ active participation at European level and to stimulate the dialogue between European citizens and European institutions. This measure is built on the basis of the Pilot Action of 'Citizens' Projects', run by the European Commission in 2006-2007, which proved to be successful. This experience proved also that a thematic approach in this type of projects is needed to better use the potentials of those activities and assure interaction with the decision makers.
Under this measure, a variety of projects of a trans-national and cross sector dimension, directly involving citizens, will be supported. Priority is given to projects aimed at encouraging local level participation.
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria specific to this measure are the following:
Applicants
The applicant must be
- a local authority, or
- a non profit organisation of the civil society with a legal status (legal personality)
It must be established in one of the countries participating to the Programme.
Duration
Maximum project duration is 12 months.
How is the activity financed?
The amount of the grant will be calculated on the basis of a balanced, detailed forecast budget, expressed in euro and submitted using the table provided with the application form.
The grant may not exceed a maximum rate of 60% of eligible costs of the action concerned. Accordingly, at least 40% of the total estimated eligible expenses must come from sources other than the European Union budget. Under no circumstances will the amount awarded exceed the amount applied for.
Maximum grant eligible for a project within this measure is 250.000 euros.
The minimum grant awarded will be € 100.000 euros.
When to apply?
The deadlines for submitting applications for 'Citizens' Projects' will be as follows:
Deadline for submission/ For projects starting between:
1 June/ 1 December of the same year of the deadline and 28 February of the year after the deadline
Measure 2.2. Support measures
Specific Objectives
This measure is a tool to develop the quality of projects submitted within Action 1 "Active Citizens for Europe". It also supports the exchange of experiences, expertise and good practice, as well as activities which may lead to the establishment of long-lasting partnerships
and networks.
A large number of municipalities across Europe are involved and participate in town twinning activities. As a pan-European movement, town twinning has however an important unused potential. This measure is targeted to associations and federations of local authorities and other actors who has expertise and experience on town twinning and who can reach a significant number of municipalities.
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria specific to this measure are the following:
Applicants
The applicant must be
- an association or federation of local authorities or
- a non profit organisation with a legal status (legal personality)
It must be established in one of the countries participating to the Programme.
Duration
The maximum project duration is 12 months.
When to apply?
The deadlines for submitting applications for 'Support Measures' will be as follows:
Project starting between/ Deadline for submission:
1 January and 31 March of the year after the deadline/ 1 June
How is the activity financed?
The amount of the grant will be calculated on the basis of a balanced, detailed forecast budget, expressed in euro and submitted using the table provided with the application form.
The grant may not exceed a maximum rate of 80% of eligible costs of the action concerned. Accordingly, at least 20% of the total estimated eligible expenses must come from sources other than the European Union budget. Under no circumstances will the amount awarded
exceed the amount applied for.
Maximum eligible grant for a project within this measure is 100.000 euros.
The minimum grant eligible is 30.000 euros.
For more information: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/index_en.htm (en)
