Deadline: 15-Oct-20
The European Commission via its Representation in Ireland, has launched a call for proposals to select partners to run EUROPE DIRECT in 2021-2025.
EUROPE DIRECT engage with citizens on a pro-active and continuous basis to ensure greater ownership of the European project. By organizing information and engagement activities, EUROPE DIRECT enable citizens to make informed choices about the future of the EU by fully participating in the European democratic process.
By cultivating a better understanding of how the EU and its parliamentary democracy work and which issues fall under the EU responsibility, EUROPE DIRECT raise citizens’ awareness of how they benefit from the EU on a daily basis, while also highlighting its added value.
EUROPE DIRECT helps to identify the aspects of EU policies that are important at local level and can frame messages and activities to match local needs. Through outreach and citizen engagement activities, EUROPE DIRECT help prepare the ground for the strategic political priorities of the Commission and of the Parliament.
EUROPE DIRECT also listen to citizens’ expectations and enable feedback to the EU institutions.
EUROPE DIRECT work closely with the Commission Representations and with the European Parliament Liaison Offices (hereafter ‘the EPLOs’) in the respective Member States. They also seek cooperation with other EU outreach networks and local contact points, including relevant local networks (where these exist), and promote exchanges and coordination between them.
Five Core Tasks
- Task 1: Information and engagement with citizens
- Task 2: Relations with local media and multipliers
- Task 3: Awareness about sensitive EU topics at local level
- Task 4: The EU in schools
- Task 5: Promoting a regional network of networksF
Funding Information
- The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects under this call for proposals for the first year of implementation (2021) is €246,400.00.
- The amount of each annual grant for the years 2022 – 2025 will be €45,600.
- The amount of each annual grant for 2021 will be €30,400.
- In addition, a one-off extra grant in 2021 for an event promoting EUROPE DIRECT amounts to €4,800.
Country of Establishment
- Only applications from legal entities established in Ireland are eligible.
Requirements
- All EUROPE DIRECT must have:
- a recognisable space hosting a walk-in centre (hereinafter referred to as the ‘seat of the EUROPE DIRECT’) with a plaque13 fixed to the front side of the premises at street level and displaying as close as possible to the plaque the EUROPE DIRECT opening hours or/and appointment arrangements, and the contact telephone number;
- a dedicated phone line and email address;
- online presence
- All EUROPE DIRECT must:
- support the communication and engagement activities organised by the Commission Representation and the EPLO, including the development of together.eu community;
- respond to individual requests for meetings;
- reply to questions or direct people to the appropriate EU networks or to the Europe Direct Contact Centre;
- interact with the public via social media;
- distribute EU publications/information/video clips/messages;
- use a satisfaction survey tool to be provided by the Commission to evaluate EUROPE DIRECT activities;
- provide monthly reporting in English on the activities of their EUROPE DIRECT via an online reporting tool put at disposal by the Commission
Eligibility Criteria
Proposals may be submitted by any of the following applicants:
- public body, such as municipality or other level of local/regional authority
- federation/association of local authorities, non-profit organisation, social partner, educational or training establishment.
- Natural persons are not eligible
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2FeR0Fr