Deadline: 15-Oct-20
The European Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”), through its Representation in the Czech Republic, announces a call for proposals for the selection of partners for the operation of EUROPE DIRECT centers in the period 2021–2025.
It centers proactively and systematically communicate with citizens in order to ensure a greater sense of co-responsibility for the European project. By organizing information and engagement activities, they enable citizens to make informed decisions about the future of the EU through full participation in the European democratic process.
EUROPE DIRECT centers also listen to citizens’ expectations and provide feedback to the EU institutions. EUROPE DIRECT centers work closely with the Commission Representations and the European Parliament’s liaison offices in the Member States concerned. They also seek to cooperate with other EU and local contact points, including any relevant local networks, and promote exchanges and coordination.
Funding Information
- The grant for the annual communication plan will be implemented in the form of a flat-rate contribution of EUR 30,400.
- The grant for 2021 will exceptionally amount to EUR 20 267, as it will be used launched on 1 May to cover 8 months of operation of EUROPE DIRECT.
- In addition, the one-off additional grant in 2021 will be in the form of a one-off the contribution for the action promoting EUROPE DIRECT is EUR 3200.
Core Tasks
EUROPE DIRECT centers must perform the following tasks:
- Task 1: Informing and involving citizens: EUROPE DIRECT centers address the EU-related public by organizing the information and citizen involvement activities, such as events, seminars, dialogues with citizens, and any other forms of interaction both offline and online.
- Task 2: Relations with local media and persons who play an important role in shaping public opinion: EUROPE DIRECT centers establish regular contacts and try to conclude strong ones partnerships with local media and those with a significant role in shaping public opinion, such as:
- local press and journalists;
- local television channels and their editorial boards;
- local radio stations and broadcasters;
- influential social media users operating in the region or engaged in topics considered sensitive to the region;
- bloggers and loggers operating in the region or dealing with topics that are considered sensitive for this region;
- other persons who make a significant contribution to the formation of public opinion, or persons forming public opinion in a given catchment area.
- Task 3: Awareness of sensitive EU issues at the local level: EUROPE DIRECT centers draw the attention of the Commission Representation to all serious one’s concerns and perceptions of EU policies or projects on the ground that may adversely affect them influence local public opinion about the EU. This includes distorted or inaccurate information viewed from a specific local angle (ie different from other parts of the country) in which such concerns arise.
- Task 4: The EU in schools: EUROPE DIRECT centers are in contact with schools in their catchment area and provide official EU teaching materials, such as those available at “Europe for Schools”, the European Parliament “Teaching and Training”, as well as all other official materials produced EU institutions.
- Task 5: Support and role in European information networks: EUROPE DIRECT centers gain a clear overview of the presence and mission of other EU contact or information networks in their region, district or catchment area covered by.
Eligibility Criteria
Proposals may be submitted by any of the following applicants:
- a public authority, such as a municipality or local/regional authority at another level, or
- a private body performing public service tasks, or
- federations/associations of local authorities, non-profit organizations, social partner, educational or training establishments.
- Natural persons are not eligible.
- A separate application must be submitted by the applicant for each center.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2Q23sdZ
