The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, has welcomed the awarding of over €200,000 of EU funding in 2016 to Irish NGOs and community groups for projects under the Europe for Citizens programme.
Commenting on this year’s increased funding of Irish groups, Minister Flanagan said:
“As Ireland and other European Union Member States prepare for a post-Brexit EU, promoting better understanding of what Europe is about has become increasingly important. Europe for Citizens is therefore an important initiative, focused as it is on connecting citizens and communities with, and educating them about, the EU.
“Valuable initiatives like this reinforce the practical importance of Ireland’s membership of the EU. One striking aspect of the awards is the diverse range of groups which have received funding, illustrating once again that the EU, and Ireland’s membership of the EU, impacts positively on all facets of Irish life and Irish society.
“I would therefore encourage all local authorities, NGOs and other community groups to consider seeking funding under the Europe for Citizens programme in 2017 and beyond.”
Among the Irish not-for-profit organisations which received funding in 2016 were:
- Inniscarra-Plougonven Town Twinning
- Ballymun Job Centre
- Holocaust Education Trust of Ireland;
- Smashing Times Theatre Company; and
- Killarney Town Twinning and Sisters Association
Notes for Editors
• The aim of the Europe for Citizens Programme is to ‘’contribute to citizens' understanding of the EU, its history and diversity”.
• The increase in funding for Ireland follows from the appointment last year of The Wheel, the NGO umbrella as the National Contact Point for the programme. The Wheel has increased the publicity for the programme as well as organising workshops throughout the country for those who may be interested in applying.