Guide to
Funding and Participation
in European Union Programmes

in the area of the Soros foundations network's activities

for
Non-Governmental Organizations
in Central and Eastern Europe
and the Newly Independent States

Prepared by the Open Society Institute-Brussels

Preface

Like any large bureaucracy, the European Commission can often appear daunting and inaccessible. It has been known to inspire fear and loathing among some, awe and admiration among others. Having said this, it is an institution that is playing an increasingly significant role in many of the countries of the Soros foundations network (SFN), especially in the ten candidate countries for accession to the European Union (EU). But the Commission's policies and activities are also significant in the Western Balkans, the Newly Independent States (NIS) and Mongolia.

With this guide we have tried to give an overview of the relevant programmes of the EU in the area of the SFN's activities that are open to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Although applying for EU funding may not be recommended for the faint-hearted, efforts are underway within the European Commission to make the process less painful.

We plan to update this guide regularly. Any comments, enquiries or suggestions should be sent to:

Open Society Institute-Brussels
Rue des Minimes, 26
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 505 46 46
Fax: + 32 2 502 46 46
E-mail: osi@osi-brussels.be