This year the European Union is celebrating the European Year of Citizens. Apart from the promotion of EU citizens’ rights with a particular focus on the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, the European Year of Citizens is intended to stimulate dialogue at all levels of government, civil society and businesses, and to help the EU citizens explore where they want to stand by the year 2020 in terms of rights, policies and governance.

Throughout this year a number of events will be held in all Member States. Viviane Reding, the European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, together with other EU commissioners and national politicians will hold a number of debates in the Member States with the aim to enhance debate and awareness on EU citizens’ rights. However, this opportunity should not be a one-off event. MEUSAC, which is the official National Contact Point in Malta for the European Year of Citizens 2013, will be organising a number of events, in order to give the opportunity to all citizens to participate. The European Year is an opportunity for more active involvement of citizens at the local level.

How can civil society organisations play an active part in this European Year and promote EU citizenship?

Interested civil society organisations can tap into a number of EU funds linked to the European Year of Citizens, namely:

Europe for Citizens Programme

The aim of this EU funding programme is to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to enable them to participate fully in the European project. Through this programme, citizens have the opportunity to be involved in transnational meetings and exchanges and joint activities, developing a sense of belonging to common European principles.

Through town twinning and networking of twinned towns, local councils will be in a better position to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation from their established links with other municipalities.

Civil society organisations - important pillars of citizens’ active participation in society - are the entities which can stimulate active participation in all aspects of public life and thus they are the ones which play a critical role in providing ideas on European issues, European values and European citizenship.

The ‘Europe for Citizens’ Programme has three measures dedicated to civil society organisations: the Structural Support for think-tanks; the Structural Support for Civil Society organisations at European level; and the Support to projects initiated by civil society organisations.

Youth in Action Programme

The Youth in Action Programme is the EU’s funding programme for youths between 13 and 30 years of age. The aim of this EU funding programme is to instigate a sense of active citizenship, solidarity, tolerance among young people and involve youths in determining the future of the EU. One of this year’s priority areas involves projects proposing awareness-raising activities about EU citizenship and the rights that go with it, in the context of the European Year for Citizens. The following initiatives are eligible under this Programme: youth exchanges, democracy projects, training and networking among youth organisations and youth workers, meetings of young people and those responsible for youth policy, and projects stimulating youths’ spirit of initiative, creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Media Programme

This funding programme helps the  film and audiovisual industries in the EU with financial support in the expansion, distribution and endorsement of their audiovisual works. Projects under the ‘Media Programme’ will have a European dimension off the ground and in fostering new technologies. There are two main funding strands within the ‘Media Programme’: financial support to partnerships between European film makers, and awareness-raising on accessing different forms of media.

Lifelong Learning Programme

This programme enables people at all stages of their lives to take part in stimulating learning experiences, as well as helping to develop the education and training sector across Europe. The target audiences are: pupils, students, enterprises, workers, teachers, educators and individuals involved in adult education. This funding programme supports projects which foster exchanges, the support of bilateral and multilateral partnerships, transnational mobility of individuals and the promotion in education and training systems throughout Europe. The Lifelong Learning Programme is sub-divided into four actions: Comenius for schools and colleges; Erasmus for students, lecturers and other staff in higher education institutions; Leonardo da Vinci for staff, learners and workforce to increase the expertise and skills in their respective fields; and Grundtvig for adult education organisations, providers and learners.

European Commission Grants

The European Commission makes direct financial contributions in the form of grants to projects or organisations which help implement EU programmes or policies related to EU citizens’ rights. Such projects should be intended to contribute towards the respect for fundamental rights; active EU citizenship and free movement within the Member States; the promotion of gender equality; and projects addressing non-discrimination.

As the National Contact Point for the European Year 2013, MEUSAC is facilitating the access to EU funding. Therefore, those entities that are interested in applying for funds under any of the above-mentioned programmes or any other EU funding programmes, are urged to contact MEUSAC on 22003300 or send an e-mail on [email protected]. In order to keep updated on events and funds dedicated to the European Year of Citizens 2013, like MEUSAC facebook page and subscribe to www.funding360.eu