The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Thomas Byrne T.D., today welcomed the announcement that 14 civil society organisations from Ireland have been successful in the latest funding round of the Europe for Citizens programme.
€252,000 has been awarded to three Irish organisations as project coordinators – University of Maynooth, Smashing Times Theatre Company, and Inniscarra Twinning Association (ITA).
University of Maynooth will coordinate civil society projects in partnership with EU Anti-Poverty Network, Akina Dada Wa Africa, Think Tank for Action on Social Change, and European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland. Under a European Remembrance project, Smashing Times will partner with Macra Na Feirme. ITA will lead a Town Twinning project that will include Killarney Town Twinning and Sister Cities Association, and Culture Bridge. Human Rights in Action, Limerick City and County Council, Twilight Community Group and Tipperary County Council will partner in a Network for Towns project.
Since 2013, Irish organisations have managed 27 projects with a total value of over €5 million through the Europe for Citizens programme.
On the results of the latest round of funding, the Minister said:
‘I am very happy to see the continued strong level of support given to our civil society through the Europe for Citizens programme, during what is a critical time for the sector. I look forward to engaging with these successful projects in due course’.
The Minister also highlighted that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ new EU Capacity Building Programme (‘Access Europe’), managed by The Wheel, which aims to publicise EU funding opportunities and offer support services for Irish NGOs and civil society groups. The Minister said that he would encourage NGOs, civil society groups, local authorities and others who are interested in applying for EU funding to consult the dedicated website, https://www.accesseurope.ie/ for further details.
Notes for Editors
Please see attached list of Irish organisations involved in the latest round of Europe for Citizens projects.
The general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme 2014-2020 are to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the Union, its history and diversity; to foster European citizenship and to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level.
The programme is implemented by the European Commission’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
The Wheel is the National Contact Point in Ireland for the Europe for Citizens programme and the Access Europe programme.