CFPs for Selection of Partners to carry out EUROPE DIRECT Activities (2021-2025) in Croatia

Deadline: 15-Oct-20

The European Commission through its Representation in Croatia has announced a call for proposals for the selection of partners to lead EUROPE DIRECT in the period 2021-2025.

EUROPE DIRECT proactively and continuously cooperates with citizens in order to expand the sense of responsibility for the European project. By organizing information and citizen involvement activities, EUROPE DIRECT enables them to make informed decisions about the future of the EU by actively participating in the European democratic process.

By instructing citizens in the way the EU and its parliamentary democracy work and clarifying what is within the EU’s remit, EUROPE DIRECT introduces citizens to the benefits they have from the EU in their daily lives and highlights its added value.

EUROPE DIRECT helps to identify aspects of EU policies that are important at the local level and adapts messages and activities to local needs. Through information and citizen involvement activities, EUROPE DIRECT helps prepare the ground for the strategic political priorities of the Commission and Parliament.

EUROPE DIRECT listens to the expectations of citizens and enables them to give feedback to the EU institutions.

EUROPE DIRECT works closely with the Commission Representations and Liaison Offices of the European Parliament in the Member States. It also seeks to cooperate with other EU public relations networks and their local contact points, including relevant local networks (if any) and promotes communication and coordination between them.

Five Basic Tasks

Task 1: Informing and involving citizens
Task 2: Relations with local media and information carriers
Task 3: Awareness of sensitive EU issues at the local level
Task 4: The EU in schools
Task 5: Promote a regional network of networks

Funding Information

To co-finance projects under this call for proposals for the first year of implementation (2021) is intended for 234 670 EUR.
The amount of individual annual grants for the years 2022-2025 will be EUR 30,400.

Eligibility Criteria

Proposals can be submitted by all of the following applicants:
- a public body, such as a municipality or other level of local/regional government, or
- a private sector body providing public services; or
- association of local bodies, non-profit organizations, social partners, educational, or vocational training institutions.
Natural persons are not eligible.

Requirements

Each EUROPE DIRECT must have:
- recognizable space (hereinafter referred to as “ EUROPE DIRECTheadquarters ”) plate 13 on the front of the building at ground level and as close as possible to that plate prominently working hours and/or possibility to schedule an appointment and contact telephone number
- a special telephone line and e-mail address
- Internet presence
Each EUROPE DIRECT must:
- support communication activities and citizen involvement activities that organize a Commission Representation and a European Parliament Liaison Office, including community development together.eu;
- respond to individual requests for meetings;
- answer questions or refer citizens to the relevant EU networks, or Europe Direct Contact Center;
- communicate with citizens on social networks;
- distribute publications, information, videos, and messages on the EU;
- a survey prepared by the Commission to examine user satisfaction in order to evaluated EUROPE DIRECT activities;
- report monthly on their activities in English using an online reporting tool made available by the Commission.