Europe for Citizens Contact Point - Malta

intermediary role between these stakeholders and the European Commission. The ECP in Malta will:

• ensure the promotion of the Europe for Citizens Programme

• facilitate the participation in the programme by the widest number of potential candidates;

• provide information to potential candidates on the different actions of the Europe for Citizens programme through various means: 1) answering requests for information, 2) organising information meetings;

• provide advice to applicants;

• facilitate partner search;

• enhance dissemination activities to promote the results of the programme and provide citizens with information on the Europe for Citizens Programme and on its achievements.

• ensure a balanced geographical distribution of the events organised at national level. Programme Name: Europe for Citizens Programme 2014-2020

Brief Description of Programme:

The Europe for Citizens Programme aims at contributing to the citizens’ understanding of the European Union, its history and diversity. This programme aims to do so through raising awareness on the common history and values of the European Union in order to promote long-term peace and well-being of its peoples. Furthermore, it seeks to encourage the democratic and civic participation of citizens at Union level by promoting opportunities for societal and intercultural engagement and volunteering on a European level. The overall objective of the Europe for Citizens Programme is to encourage citizens to become more aware of their rights as European citizens and, therefore, enhance their sense of European identity. Projects funded under this programme can be undertaken by local authorities, non-governmental organisations, public policy research organisations, educational and research institutions and other stakeholders promoting European integration. Such projects should be intended to bring people together, discuss and share best practices about the EU integration, policies and values with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding between them. Funding Strands for Action Grants:

Strand 1 - European Remembrance

The objective of this strand is to support projects which focus on historical events that are of significant importance to the European culture. The eligible applicants under this strand can be public local and/or regional authorities or non-profit organisations. Projects which have a transnational aspect are highly encouraged to submit proposals under this strand. Strand 2 - Democratic Engagement of Civic Participation

This strand will support activities that cover civic participation in the broadest sense with a particular focus on activities directly linked to Union policies, with a view to participate in the Union policy process in areas related to the objectives of the Programme. This Strand shall cover projects and initiatives that develop opportunities for mutual understanding, intercultural learning, solidarity, societal engagement and volunteering at European level. Eligible applicants under this action may be public local and/or regional authorities or non-profit organisations. There are three different measures under this strand:

• Measure Town-Twinning – This measure aims to bring together people from different countries in order to exchange experiences and learn from each other’s history and values. By mobilising citizens at local and EU level to debate on concrete issues on the European political agenda. This measure seeks to promote civic participation in the Union policy making process and develop opportunities for societal engagement and volunteering at Union level.

• Measure Network of Twinned Towns – Under this measure local councils and associations working together on a common theme in a long-term perspective are invited to develop networks of twinned towns to make their cooperation more sustainable and to exchange good practices. Networks of Twinned Towns are expected to integrate a range of activities around a subject of common interest and to have defined target groups for which the selected themes are particularly relevant.

• Measure Civil Society Projects – This grant is aimed at non-governmental organisations which are interested in developing projects which directly involve citizens in order to tackle common European issues. Projects should actively involve a large number of citizens in the implementation and aim at setting the basis for, or encouraging the development of, long-lasting networking between many organisations active in the field. For more information please contact the Europe for Citizens Contact Point in Malta. Contact persons:

- Malta Office: Ms. Yanica Ellul – 22478421 – [email protected]

- Gozo Office: Mr. Fabian Galea – 22002335 – [email protected]

- Generic Email Address: [email protected]