merrion street

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, has today (14 February) invited voluntary organisations, educational bodies, and civil society groups to apply for funding under the Department of the Taoiseach’s Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI). The initiative aims to support projects that will help improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues and promote an understanding and awareness of the European Union.

€50,000 has been made available under the scheme and projects which focus on secondary schools and the 18-25 age group will have the greatest chance of success.

“As the EU grows and develops, there is a greater onus to ensure that the gap between the Union and the citizen is minimized. Raising awareness and promoting an understanding of the EU is the best way of doing that.

“These funds are being made available for voluntary organization and civil society groups which, through their work in their communities, can deepen public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in our daily lives. By improving the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local or national level, we can encourage greater participation by people in matters that directly affect them.

“Any group with an interest in securing funding should apply before the closing date of Friday 7 March 2014. Project proposals should:

· Seek to communicate European issues, the role of the European Union and Ireland’s place in Europe;

· Aim to explain and inform the audience about the major institutional changes in 2014, including the European Parliament elections and the appointment of a new Commission.

“In selecting proposals for funding, priority will be given to projects that target communications at secondary-school level and the 18-25 age groups. Promoting public awareness and knowledge about Ireland’s role in - and relationship with - the EU is a priority for me and the Government. Bringing this message to our young adults is an essential step in that process.”

Download the application form

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Note for Editors: The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues. The programme is administered by the Department of the Taoiseach. €50,000 will be available in 2014 for Communicating Europe Initiative funded projects.

The closing date for funding applications is Friday 7 March 2014. Successful applicants will be notified by end March. Further details and an application form are now available from www.merrionstreet.ie