Deadline: 15-Oct-20
The European Commission (hereinafter “the Commission”), through its Representation in Belgium, is launching a call for proposals for the selection of partners for the management of a EUROPE DIRECT in the period 2021-2025.
EUROPE DIRECT engages with citizens on a proactive and ongoing basis to ensure greater involvement in the European project. By organizing information and engagement activities, EUROPE DIRECT enables citizens to make informed choices about the future of the EU by participating fully in the European democratic process.
It helps to identify those aspects of EU policy that are important at local level and can tailor messages and activities to local needs. Through information and engagement activities, EUROPE DIRECT helps pave the way for the strategic policy priorities of the Commission and Parliament.
EUROPE DIRECT also listens to the expectations of citizens and can provide feedback to the EU institutions. It works closely with the Commission Representations and with the Liaison Offices of the European Parliament (hereinafter “the EPLOs”) in the respective Member States. EUROPE DIRECT also cooperates with other EU outreach networks and local contact points, including relevant local networks (where they exist), and promotes mutual exchanges and cooperation.
Funding Information
- The annual subsidy for the years 2022-2025 is EUR 38,000.
- The annual subsidy for the year 2021 is EUR 25,333.
- A one-off extra subsidy in 2021 for an event to promote EUROPE DIRECT amounts to 4,000 EUR.
Core Tasks
EUROPE DIRECT must perform the following tasks:
- Task 1: Information for and involvement with citizens: EUROPE DIRECT addresses the public on EU matters through organizing information and engagement activities such as events, workshops, dialogues with citizens, and any other form of offline or online Interaction.
- Task 2: Contacts with local media and multipliers: EUROPE DIRECT maintains regular contacts and strives for solid work partnerships with local media and multipliers such as:
- local press and journalists;
- local TV channels and their newsrooms;
- local radio stations and broadcasters;
- social media influencers active or involved in the region concerned topics considered sensitive in the region;
- bloggers and vloggers active or involved in the region concerned topics considered sensitive in the region;
- other local multipliers or opinion makers.
- Task 3: Awareness of sensitive EU issues at the local level: EUROPE DIRECT reports to the Commission Representation all significant concerns and local perceptions of EU policies or projects site likely to have negative effects on local public opinion about the EU. This includes biased or incorrect information about the EU with a specific local perspective (different from the rest of the country) that gives rise to such concerns.
- Task 4: The EU in schools: EUROPE DIRECT contacts and promotes schools in action area official EU teaching materials, such as the materials in Leerhoek, can be found at the web page with Parliament’s educational offerings and other official material created by the EU institutions.
- Task 5: Promote a regional network of networks: EUROPE DIRECT must get a clear picture of the presence and the mission of other EU outreach and information networks in its region, zone, or activity area.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following applicants may submit proposals:
- government agencies, such as a municipal or other local/regional government, or
- private bodies with a public function
- federations/associations of local authorities, non-profit associations, social partners, education or training institutions.
- Natural persons are not eligible
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/322fs4X