Deadline: 22-Apr-25
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking applications for the Communicating Europe Initiative to provide funding to voluntary organisations, educational bodies, civil society groups and Local Authorities for projects intended to deepen public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in the daily lives, and improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local, regional or national level.
Theme
- The Theme for the 2025 programme is “The EU as a catalyst for change”.
Funding Information
- The Department does not specify the number of projects to be funded or the individual grant amounts. €400,000 will be available for CEI projects. The maximum individual grant is likely to be in the region of €10,000. The amount granted may however be lower than the amount sought and, in this event, applicants should have contingency plans to enable the project to proceed.
Project Eligibility
- Project proposals should communicate European issues, the role of the European Union and Ireland’s place in Europe.
- Proposals are encouraged to focus on how particular EU policies have impacted on Ireland and how Irish policies have impacted on the EU. This should not necessarily be a backward looking exercise, proposals for how the EU could improve the lives of Irish citizens in the future are also welcomed.
- Projects which seek to foster citizens awareness of and participation in EU Policy making.
- Proposals involving youth/schools/third level institutions and inter-generational engagement are also encouraged.
- As the number of applications received is likely to exceed the available funds, priority will be given to proposals which are not direct replicates of previously funded CEI projects. Priority will also be given to projects which seek to engage with sections of society which have traditionally not been engaged with on EU matters.
Terms and Conditions
- The grant should only be used in support of the project as set out in the funding application.
- The proposed activities are not profit-making, and associated costings demonstrate good value for money and an appropriate use of public funds.
- Any proposed substantial amendment to the programme or to its timing should be notified in advance to the Department and agreed in writing.
- Financial support is given on the understanding that the grant is properly administered, that activities funded under the budget shall be recorded fully and accurately and that funds shall be assigned to the project only by persons whom you have empowered to doo.
- As the Department cannot fund projects retrospectively, the work to be funded must begin after the Department’s offer is accepted. As the Department cannot roll over funding from one year to the next, all projects must, if at all possible, be completed by 5 th December 2025, unless previously agreed with the Department.
- Applicants must provide their bank details and tax clearance certificate at time of application.
- The assistance of the Communicating Europe Initiative and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade must be acknowledged in all publicity relating to the project. The Communicating Europe Logo will be provided for downloading.
- If you are successful, you may be asked if you are happy for your contact details to be shared with other successful applicants. This is optional. This is solely for networking purposes as it may be of assistance for groups to share best practice/expertise.
- Successful participants are asked to share advance notice of events with the Department, for possible inclusion on the Department’s website and on social media.
For more information, visit Ireland.ie.