European Funding. What is it for? Why is it important? ENPS Annual Forum York Emilie Goller Austrian Red Cross

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1 European Funding What is it for? Why is it important? ENPS Annual Forum York Emilie Goller Austrian Red Cross

2 Funding Partnerships Implementation

3 European Union What is the EU? Cooperation project by 27 countries to Promote peace, EU values and the well-being of its peoples Offer EU citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured Establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable development of Europe In its relations with the wider world, uphold and promote European values and interests and contribute to the protection of EU citizens

4 European Union Why is the EU important? Legal: Community law allows Member States to establish joint legal frameworks to be translated into national legislation in all Member States e.g. state aid rules, equal rights, employment) Political: Member States agree on common policy strategies to join forces on common challenges or particular issues (e.g. EU2020 Strategy, Cohesion policies, Asylum policies) Financial: The EU budget serves as major resource to support the implementing of joint legislation, strategies and policies (e.g. structural funds, research, education, external borders)

5 EU institutions Which are the EU institutions? European Council Council of the EU European Parliament European Commission European Central Bank Court of Justice of the European Union Court of Auditors

6 EU institutions European Council The European Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, it became one of the seven EU institutions President: Herman Van Rompuy (Belgium) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Catherine Ashton (United Kingdom) Members: Heads of State/Government of the Member States, the President of the Council and the President of the Commission

7 EU institutions Council of the EU One of the two main decision making bodies of the EU One of the seven EU institutions Rotating EU Presidency (6 months; currently Poland 2 nd half 2012) Secretary General: Pierre de Boissieu(France) Ministers of Member States in 10 different Council configurations (e.g. foreign, justice and home, agriculture, employment)

8 EU institutions European Parliament One of the two main decision making bodies of the EU The three Parliament powers: legislative, budgetary, supervisory 736 Members of Parliament (MEPs) elected for 5 years Works in Belgium (Brussels), France (Strasbourg) and Luxembourg. President: Jerzy Busek (Poland) 7 political groups in the European Parliament 20 standing committees to prepare work for plenary sittings Can set up special committees and committees of inquiry Citizens right of petition to the European Parliament

9 EU Institutions European Commission Executive body of the EU Proposes new legislation and strategies, manages the EU budget Coordinates implementation of EU laws, policies and programmes Safeguards the application and implementation of EU legislation Co-finances actions (projects) with EU grants President: José Manuel Barroso(Portugal) College of 27 Commissioners Directorates-General, services and agencies

10 Goals of the EU Keeping the peace Area of freedom security and justice Less frontiers, more jobs A singe currency -Euro Caring about our environment Information society for everybody Freedom to move Stronger and more stable Europe through enlargement Keeping the EU democratic, fair and efficient

11 EU Funding What is it? How to get it? How does it work for us?

12 EU Funding The EU wheelwork Laws Funds Policies

13 EU Funding EU budget lines of interest intra-community Health Programme Civil Protection Daphne III Drug Prevention & Information Fundamental Rights & Citizenship European Refugee Fund European Return Fund European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals Youth in Action Europe for Citizens Lifelong Learning Programme PROGRESS European Social Fund (ESF) European Regional Development Fund Cohesion Fund

14 EU FundingProgrammes ofrelevance Health Programme: Public health programmefocused on transnational projects to support EU health policies; limited scope (research, co-operation, networking). Objectives -Improve health security, Promote health and reduction of health inequalities, Generate and disseminate health information and knowledge. Civil Protection Financial Instrument: support and complement MS efforts at national, regional and local levels for the protection of persons, property and environment in the event of natural and technological disasters.

15 Daphne III: contributes to the protection of children, young people and women against all forms of violence, also aspects of protection linked to public health, human rights and gender equality, children s rights, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Lifelong Learning Programme: fosters exchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the EU. Main target group are formal education and vocational training institutions. (Leonardo da Vinci: vocational training, Grundtvig: adult education)

16 EU Programmes and Funds Further information and support Funding Opportunities EU:2012 QuickGuide EU funding for Red Cross activities within EU/EFTA service (monthly) Calendar of open and expected calls for proposals at EU-level Website

17 Applying for EU Grants EU procedures Planning ahead Calls for proposals

18 Proposal development

19 Applying for EU grants Plan your EU funding European Funding Be proactive, plan activity, look into EU policies and Commission workplans EU programmesare long-term funding instruments, they are predictable for several years, currently Most of the information you require for preparing a proposal is available months before (policies, work plans, previous calls) A very valuable source of information for preparing your proposal: public lists, compendia and reports of previously funded projects Find your project partners (inside and outside Red Cross) at early stage and draft together with them your project proposal Stay flexible and expect delays. Calls for proposals are often launched later than planned, selection processes are slow, and you might have to wait several months for decisions

20 Successful partnerships

21 Applying for EU grants Project partners If your project is supposed to be transnational, your partner organisations are important for proposal acceptance and project implementation. Transnational project partnerships need to Involve partner organisations form different countries Share the same aims and objectives Agree to a joint action plan with defined roles and duties for all Settle an agreement for shared commitments, risks and results Cover the legal aspects of a funding agreement with the EU Have own financial resources co-financing Clarify the financial burden and duties linked to the EU funding

22 Geographical balance Networking Partner Partner Partner Relationships Lead partner

23 Applying for EU grants Ingredients for the ideal project Aims and objectives are clearly defined and in line with the call Partnerships & cooperation is well defined and in line with the call The project contains EU added value -EU funding is justified The project has European dimension eg. is a transnational project and/or has high relevance for activities in other countries The project is innovative and transferable The project proposals foresees evaluation and follow-up The project is financially secured including own resources by the project coordinator and partners (20-50% depending on the call)

24 Important to remember - A grant agreement gives a provisional grant approval - Read your financial agreement before you sign it - Start writing your reports already when you start your project - Try toensurethateu fundingdoesnot costmorethanit gives - The communitycontributionwillnot increaseifmoremoneyis spent, butit willbe decrease, ifnot all activitesarecarriedoutand less budget is used - There is no EU funding for organsiations, but for activities - WorkingwithEU fundingneedsinvestment

25 Whatcanwedo? Own psycho-social project Psycho-social component as part of another EU project EU Project experience and ideas in the Forum?