Abbreviations

CEE Central and Eastern European

CoE Council of Europe

COREPER Committee of Permanent Representatives

DG Directorate General

EC European Commission

EEA European Economic Area

EP European Parliament

EU European Union

EURO European Union single currency unit

ISPA Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession

NPAA National Program for the Adoption of the Acquis

NIS Newly Independent States

Phare Poland, Hungary: assistance for economic reconstruction

RTD Research and Technological Development

SAPARD Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development

SCR Joint External Relations Service

SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprise

Tacis Technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States

Introduction

This guide is intended for use by the Soros national foundations, network programs and their grantees. The guide provides an overview of EU programs that are open to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and NIS. The guide also includes programs that, although not open to CEE and NIS yet, will soon be available for the ten candidate countries for accession. In some instances, NGOs based in the candidate countries are now eligible to participate as partners in programs and this has been signalled where applicable. Also included are programs that, while not open to NGOs, are nonetheless worth noting.

Although most EU funding to CEE and NIS is channelled through national governments, various programs exist that provide direct financial support to NGOs (including institutes of higher education). Given the limited amount of resources of these programs and the ‘well-funded’ image of the Soros Foundations, it is unrealistic to think that the Soros Foundations themselves can apply for considerable levels of EU funding. However, collaboration is possible either by informing grantees about EU programs that provide funding for NGOs or by the co-financing of our grantees with the European Commission through the programs mentioned in the following pages.

This past year has seen a move from centralised control over management and implementation of programs in Brussels to more responsibility for the local delegations of the European Commission. This shift in responsibility means that the delegations will be more involved in funding decisions. Therefore, potential applicants (if they have not already done so) are encouraged to establish contacts with the European Commission delegation in their country.

In order for OSI-Brussels to be of optimum assistance to you in your dealings with the European Commission, we strongly urge you to consult with us prior to submitting proposals to either the Commission or its delegations. Since we have frequent contacts with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels, it is important that OSI-Brussels is completely up to date concerning requests for funding.

In preparing this guide, it quickly became apparent that one has to be extremely vigilant in following the publications of the Official Journal of the European Communities and the relevant websites for calls for proposals. Often, a call for proposal is published only a couple of months before the deadline. The reader will note that many of the deadlines for 1999 have already expired. OSI-Brussels has, however, been sending out email notices to the Soros Foundations Network program coordinators, informing them of upcoming deadlines and will continue to do so.

Finally, this guide owes much to the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) guide The Way through the Labyrinth (Charity Aid Foundation, 1998). We would like to thank ECAS for allowing us to reproduce some of the information.

Application Check List

Before submitting an application for one of the programs described in this guide, you might want to consider the following questions.

• If you are part of the Soros Foundations Network, have you consulted OSI-Brussels about your chances of obtaining EU funding and possible application tactics?

• Have you looked at all possible programs of the European Commission to ensure that you have chosen the best opportunity for funding? You might want to check with OSI-Brussels to ensure that you have not overlooked other available programs. Remember that you may not apply to more than one program for the same project.

• Have you checked the relevant website to ensure that you have the latest information and application forms?

• Does your project meet the eligibility requirements? Are you financially eligible? For example, have you been legally registered for more than a year?

• Does your project meet some or all of the priorities and selection criteria for the particular budget line?

• If you are part of the Soros Foundations Network, have you submitted a draft of your project to OSI-Brussels for review?

• If the program you are applying under requires partners, have you found them?

• Can you meet the financial management requirements?

• Have you attached all required documents to your application? For example, resumes of relevant personnel, statutes and/or articles of association, and a project summary?

• Have you completed all questions on the application form? The European Commission will reject an incomplete application.

• Have you specified in your application how your project falls within the priorities of the particular EU program? Does your project meet the needs of the country concerned and the target beneficiaries?

• Have you specified in your application how your project complements or differs from similar projects that are being or have been carried out by other organisations?

• Did you include a description of how you will implement the project?

• Have you calculated your budget in Euros?

• Have you specified how the results of your project will be disseminated?

• Do you have sufficient capacity to implement the project?

• Have you specified how you will evaluate the project?

• If you are part of the Soros Foundations Network, have you informed OSI-Brussels about your application and sent them a copy?

Section 2

EU Programs - Introduction

The following pages describe EU programs that are either currently open to NGOs from CEE and NIS, or will be in the near future.

Each description begins with the title of the program, and where available, the budget line number and the budget amount. The aims or goals of each program are summarised in the section on objectives. The section concerning eligibility states what kinds of organisations are entitled to apply and under which conditions.

The section called geographical area specifies which countries are entitled to participate in the programs. For the purpose of this guide, the geographical areas are:

• EU: the 15 countries that are members of the European Union;

• EEA: the European Economic Area, comprising all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway;

• CEE: refers to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia;

• Applicant countries: refers to the ten CEE countries that have applied for membership in the EU – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia – plus Cyprus, Malta and Turkey. Also referred to as accession countries or candidate countries;

• NIS: refers to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. In the context of this guide, Mongolia is also included in references to NIS countries.

The section contact address includes the contact information for both the individual and/or the unit within the directorate general (DG) that administers the program and the budget. Where applicable, it also mentions the individual and/or the unit within the European Commission's Joint External Relations Service (SCR) that is responsible for implementation.

The SCR, created in 1998, manages all technical aspects of the Commission's aid to non-member countries including the preparation and signing of contracts, financial transfers, interim and final reporting, audits, and evaluations. In practical terms, this means that NGOs will be in contact with the relevant DG concerning the program guidelines, content and application process. Once a project has been selected for funding, the signing of the contract, payments, extensions and reports will be handled by SCR.

Access

This program is currently in preparation and it is not certain whether the name Access will remain. The program will combine and replace the former LIEN-Phare and Partnership programs and will be strongly linked with the reinforced pre-accession strategy. It is, however, highly unlikely that this program will begin before 2000.

LIEN was designed to assist in the development of NGOs working with disadvantaged groups, while Partnership aimed at developing initiatives encouraging local economic development and institutional strengthening.

European Union and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

Ariane

The aim of the program is to encourage cooperation between the EU member states in the field of books and reading. The idea is to support and complement the EU member states activities in this area, by contributing to the development of their cultures while respecting national and regional diversity. Other objectives include increasing the knowledge and dissemination of the literature and history of the European peoples.

Who is eligible to apply, and the conditions that must be met, vary with each action:

Action 1.1: assistance for translation of works of 20^th century literature – to qualify, works must already have been translated and published in two EU languages (in addition to the original language).

Action 1.2: grants for the translation of plays with a view to wider dissemination through public performance – to qualify works must have already been performed on stage or broadcast in audio-visual media, and have already received some critical and popular acclaim.

Action 2: support for cooperation projects and partnership initiatives with a view to promoting citizens access to books and reading – to qualify the project must involve partners from at least three EU member states.

Action 3: further training of professionals with a view to improving mutual knowledge and a better circulation of European literature – to qualify the organisers must provide a guarantee that the selection criteria for grant recipients will be clear and objective.

European Union and European Economic Area. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia may apply if an agreement with the European Union has been concluded. Please consult the EC delegation in your country to see if your country has opted for this program.

 

7 May 1999

Bistro (Tacis)

The Tacis Bistro program is designed to respond quickly to requests for support to small-scale projects (with a duration of no more than 9 months and a budget of up to EUR 100,000) anywhere in the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

The priority areas include enterprise support and financial services, human resources (education and training, public administration), social protection, food production, processing and distribution, agriculture, energy, transport, telecommunications and environment.

The projects may involve:

• study tours, to enable Russian/Ukrainian participants to access western know-how;
• conferences and seminars, to bring together people with particular expertise and knowledge;
• written expertise (studies, reports);
• small pilot projects.

Bistro does not pay for scholarships or other individual educational activities, nor does it support equipment purchases only.

Any EU, Russian or Ukrainian-based organisation may propose a project.

Bistro does not provide complementary funding for projects already financed through the main Tacis program. Application forms and guidelines are available from the EC delegations mentioned below.

Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Consensus II (PHARE)

B7-500 MEUR 10 (1996-1999)

Consensus II was a multi-national program in the framework of the Phare program aiming to provide concrete and efficient support to CEE countries in their reform of social protection systems.

The program’s immediate objectives were to help design an inter-institutional social protection reform policy, to assist in preparing adequate strategies and tools for its implementation, and to exchange experience on a multi-country basis through concrete cooperation between CEE countries and between CEE countries and EU member states.

Although not primarily designed for NGOs, the program would like to see more NGOs involved in the future. There must be a partnership with at least two EU member states.

European Union and Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

A call for proposals for the Consensus III program will be made in mid-year 1999.

Daphne Initiative (Measures for combating violence against children, young persons and women)

B3-4109 MEUR 5

The Daphne Initiative aims to prevent and protect children, young persons and women from violence, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Below are some examples of programs that have been supported under this program:

• establishing or reinforcing networks at European level amongst themselves and with the public authorities to promote measures aimed at protecting and preventing violence towards children, young persons and women;
• running pilot projects of an innovative nature in support of these aims;
• supporting awareness-raising measures and training against violence;
• assisting training and exchanges;
• carring out studies and research;
• disseminating information and ‘best practices’ through conferences, seminars, publications and publicity campaigns;
• assisting victims of violence to recover and reintegrate into their families and into society and the workplace.

Although NGOs from CEE countries may not themselves apply in 1999, they are encouraged to enter into partnerships in projects led by EU-based NGOs. The Daphne Initiative will be open to CEE-based NGOs from 2000 onwards.

European Union

8 May 1999, 18 June1999

 

Anthony Simpson

Support for Democracy for Countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Including the Republics Formerly Part of Yugoslavia

This program, formerly known as the Phare Democracy program, is now part of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. It focuses its support on the objectives of the pre-accession strategy as outlined in the Copenhagen Criteria. The frist criteria states that EU membership requires that the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.

More specifically, the program aims to support:

• the development of democracy, the rule of law and civil society;
• the peace process, efforts to appease tensions and develop democracy, including the promotion of free and independent media in the republics of former Yugoslavia;
• interethnic dialogue;
• organisations involved in re-establishing democracy in civil society (including regional NGOs, trade unions and women’s organisations);
• equal participation of women in decision-making processes;
• vulnerable groups.

Regional or international organisations, NGOs, national, regional and local authorities and official agencies, community-based organisations and public or private sector institutes and operators acting either individually or in consortium with other eligible entities are eligible for funding.

Although the program is open to smaller NGOs, there has been a tendency within the Commission to fund mainly large-scale projects by Western European NGOs with a significant track record. The minimum size of most grants is EUR 500,000. There will, however, be a limited number of small (EUR 50,000-150,000) and medium-sized grants (EUR 150,000-500,000).

There is also a facility within this budget line for micro-projects, which provides grants up to EUR 50,000. This facility is managed by the delegations of the European Commission in the countries concerned. The closing dates for applications vary from country to country. To obtain further information on the micro-project facility, please contact the delegation of the European Commission in your country.

 

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, FR Yugoslavia, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

27 August 1999

Support for Democracy in the Newly Independent States and Mongolia

This program, formerly known as the Tacis Democracy program, is now part of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. The program aims to help further the democratisation in countries of the former-USSR and Mongolia through micro- and large-scale projects.

More specifically, the program will support:

• democracy, the rule of law, the implementation of human rights recognised at international level and rights concerning the protection of minorities, and the development of civil society in the countries concerned;
• the establishment of the infrastructure necessary for public and democratic life, with the widest participation of NGOs;
• awareness-raising measures with a view to strengthening civil society, including through civic education and the independent media.

Regional or international organisations, NGOs, national, regional and local authorities and official agencies, community-based organisations and public or private sector institutes and operators acting either individually or in consortium with other eligible entities.

Although the program is open to smaller NGOs, there has been a tendency within the Commission to fund mainly large-scale projects by Western European NGOs with a significant track record. The minimum size of most grants is EUR 500,000. There will, however, be a limited number of small (EUR 50,000-150,000) and medium-sized grants (EUR 150,000-500,000).

For micro-projects (up to EUR 50,000), NGOs should address the delegation of the European Commission in their country for deadlines and information.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

27 August 1999

 

Ecos-Ouverture (Phare and Tacis)

N/A N/A

The aim of this program was to support and promote the role of local and regional authorities in the regional development and political and economic transformation process underway in the beneficiary countries. The main objectives for 1998 were to:

• encourage cooperation between regional actors from different geographical zones through the development of common projects based on the exchange of experience and know-how;
• encourage decentralisation and the development of local and regional initiatives by helping improve competencies at regional and local level;
• strengthen the capacity and working methods of local and regional authorities and actors in CEE, NIS, non-EU Mediterranean countries and EU regions in the field of economic and social development;
• promote concrete pilot regional and local development actions in a region or in neighbouring regions to serve as models of good practice for other regions;
• enhance and strengthen pre-accession strategies of regional and local authorities in CEE by familiarising them with EU policy, in particular in relation to the structural funds.

The 1998, the guidelines required cooperation projects between 3 and 6 main partners, at least two of which had to be from an EU member state and at least one from CEE. Although the principal partners had to be regional/local authorities or organisations controlled by an authority, NGOs could be associated with the project.

European Union, Central and Eastern European countries, the Newly Independent States, and non-European Union Mediterranean countries.

European Training Foundation

This budget line funds the European Training Foundation, which promotes cooperation and co-ordination of EU assistance for vocational training reform in Central Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States.

European Union, Central and Eastern Europe and Newly Independent States.

Some training schemes can be carried out in partnership between civil society training institutions. NGOs specialised in this field should contact the Foundation for details of the work program and procedures for NGO participation.

European Voluntary Service

B3-1011 MEUR 22.4

This program aims to provide a complementary voluntary service to young people. The program allows volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25 to broaden their horizons, to become familiar with a different social and cultural environment and to develop self-confidence. The period of service may be undertaken in any one of the main fields, and can serve several purposes. Examples include:

• provision of assistance to the elderly, sick or disabled;
• creation of a drop-in centre for the homeless or a catering facility for the destitute or a youth centre;
• development of a multi-purpose youth centre which offers different kinds of activities in the cultural and recreation field, computer training, or career advice;
• urban renovation or restoration of rural habitats;
• intercultural activities to promote integration and fight against racism.

There is a wide range of potential partners: NGOs, youth organisations, local authorities, voluntary organisations and co-operatives.

At the moment, this program is only open to young people who are legal residents in the EU.

Fifth Framework Program (Research, Technological Development and Demonstration)

B6-600 EUR 14.96 billion (1998-2002)

The Fifth Framework Program establishes the priorities for the EU in the fields of research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) for the period of 1998-2002. The priorities of the Fifth Framework Program focus on a limited number of research areas that combine technological, industrial, economic and social and cultural aspects. The Fifth Framework Program is divided into four thematic programs that contain ‘key actions’:

First Activity

• Quality of life and management of living resources

• food, nutrition and health
• control of infectious diseases
• the ‘cell factory’
• environment and health
• sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry and integrated development of rural areas including mountains

• the ageing population and disabilities

• User-friendly information society

• systems and services for citizens
• new methods of work and electronic commerce
• multimedia content and tools
• essential technologies and infrastructures

• Energy, environment and sustainable development

• sustainable management and quality of water
• global change, climate and biodiversity
• sustainable marine ecosystems
• the city of tomorrow and cultural heritage
• cleaner energy systems, including renewables
• economic and efficient energy for a competitive Europe
• controlled thermonuclear fusion
• nuclear fission

Second Activity

Confirming the international role of European Community research.

 

Third Activity

Promotion of innovation and encouragement of participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Fourth Activity

Improving human research potential and socio-economic knowledge base.

Individuals, industrial and commercial firms, universities and research organisations may apply.

European Union and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia (if the country has agreed to participate).

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine may participate on a project-by-project self-financing basis.

Different rules apply for the second activity of the program ‘Confirming the international role of Community research’. Please check the website for the specifics.

Grants to Certain Activities of Human Rights Organisations

This program, part of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, covers the following areas:

• promotion of Community and international initiatives aimed at abolishing the death penalty in all countries;
• training of people responsible for enforcing human rights (judges, lawyers, civil servants, those responsible for the training of police and security forces, teachers);
• children’s rights;
• promotion and protection of women’s rights, including measures to combat the trafficking of women;
• rights of minorities such as Roma;
• rights of indigenous people world-wide;
• support for organisations specialised in the defence of human rights;
• human rights education and training;
• an European human rights and democratisation network to guarantee the collection, analysis, updating and dissemination of information concerning the EU’s human rights policies.

Regional or international organisations, NGOs, national, regional and local authorities and official agencies, community-based organisations and public or private sector institutes and operators acting either individually or in consortium with other eligible entities.

International

Grotius

B5-800 MEUR 2

The program aims to foster mutual knowledge of legal and judicial systems and to facilitate judicial cooperation between EU member states and CEE countries. Projects should aim to improve awareness of other EU member states judicial procedures, institutions and cultures. Projects should also incorporate the European dimension.

National and international institutions, whether public or non-governmental, can apply. Projects must be of European interest and involve more than one EU member state. CEE-based organisations may participate as partners.

European Union

31 March 1999

Kaleidoscope

The aim of the Kaleidoscope program is to encourage creation and to promote knowledge and dissemination of the culture and cultural life of the European peoples by supporting projects with a European dimension, i.e. those involving partnerships of organisations from at least three EU member states.

The program consists of two actions under which applications can be submitted:

Action 1: Support for events and cultural projects carried out in partnership or through networks or by partnerships of organisations from at least three EU member states, and which also involve participants from at least three EU member states.

Projects should either involve creative work intended for public display or dissemination in Europe or help to promote greater cultural exchanges and access to culture of the public. This program covers the performing arts, visual or spatial arts, the applied arts, and multimedia as a form of artistic expression.

Action 2: Large-scale European cooperation actions. These projects are open to the same type of cultural and artistic projects and under the same conditions as Action 1. They must, however, be jointly organised by cultural networks or cultural co-organisers from at least four EU member states and must involve participants from at least four EU member states.

Associations, institutes and cultural centres which carry out these kinds of projects.

European Union and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia may participate under certain conditions. It is best to check with the EC delegation in your country to see if your country is eligible.

2 March 1999

 

Leonardo da Vinci Program

The objective of the Leonardo da Vinci program is to promote new approaches to vocational training policies and practices. The program covers three strands: pilot and multiplier-effect projects, exchanges/placements, and surveys and analysis.

The Leonardo da Vinci program is open to public and private organisations involved in the development of vocational training at national and European levels. All proposals presented must be designed and implemented on a transnational basis.

European Union, European Economic Area, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia.

There are three different application forms for the Leonardo da Vinci program that coincide with the three strands. Forms are available from the National Co-ordination Units listed below.

23 March 1999

 

LIEN – Tacis

The LIEN program specifically targets NGOs whose activities involve the integration of disadvantaged groups (such as unemployed people, women, handicapped people, elderly, homeless, and orphans) from both rural and urban areas. The program aims at promoting the development of NGOs working in the social sector, helping them increase their capacity and support for their projects.

This program supports NGOs working in partnerships. There must be at least one NGO from an EU member state and one from a Tacis country.

Financing of the LIEN Tacis program is based on the allocations made from the national Tacis program, which varies from country to country. A call for proposals will be launched by the end of the year 1999. The call will only concern the Tacis countries that have allocated a budget for this year. In 1999, the eligible countries are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. The call will be launched directly by the European Commission.

Measures to Achieve Equality Between Men and Women

The program aims to promote integration of the equal opportunities for men and women in all policies and activities, and to mobilise all individuals in the economic and social sphere to achieve equal opportunities. In addition, it aims to promote equal opportunities in the face of economic change, especially in the fields of education, vocational training and the labour market; to reconcile working and family life for men and women; and to promote a gender balance in decision-making.

Employers and employees’ organisations, NGOs, local and regional authorities are all eligible to apply.

European Union, EEA, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and, pending adoption of the Association Council decision, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

1 March 1999

Odysseus

B5-800 MEUR 3

The program has three main objectives: exchanges, training and cooperation for law enforcement authorities in the fields of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders.

Administrations of EU member states responsible for asylum, immigration and the crossing of external borders, or other civil service departments, in particular those responsible for training officials in these fields, and higher education and research institutions, NGOs, associations and foundations.

European Union

31 March 1999

OISIN

B5-800 MEUR 3

The program aims at encouraging cooperation between law enforcement authorities in different EU member states (and applicant countries) through training and exchanges so each may pool knowledge on research methods, compare law enforcement techniques and improve understanding of other legal systems in the fight against drugs and terrorism.

Project leaders may be public or private institutions including associations and establishments of training and research institutes.

European Union

28 February 1999

Program of Community Action on the Prevention of AIDS and Certain Other Communicable Diseases

B3-4303 MEUR 10.5

The aim of this program is to control and prevent the spread of the HIV virus and other communicable diseases. The main interests of the program are the following areas:

• Surveillance and control of communicable diseases;
• Combating transmission;
• Information, education and training;
• Support for persons with HIV/AIDS and combating discrimination.

Public bodies and non-governmental organisations active in the above areas are eligible to apply.

European Union. The candidate countries for accession to the EU are encouraged to participate by joining important European projects/networks that have already been established by the Community program. Participation also depends on whether the country has opted to participate in this program. For more information please consult European Commission delegation in your country.

15 September 1999

Raphael (Community Action Program in the Field of Cultural Heritage)

This program funds projects of European dimension in the field of cultural heritage. These projects must highlight common cultural features and transnational currents that have contributed to the emergence of a common cultural heritage.

The program covers three actions:

Action 1: conservation, safeguarding and enhancement of the movable cultural heritage through European cooperation.

Action 2: cooperation for the exchange of experiences and the development of techniques applied to the heritage.

Action 3: public access to, participation in and awareness of the immovable cultural heritage.

Cultural heritage organisations, institutes and NGOs are eligible to apply.

European Union, European Economic Area and those countries in Central and Eastern Europe that have signed relevant agreements.

26 March 1999

Royaumont

B7-504 MEUR 5

The full title of this program is “support for the Royaumont process for stability and good-neighbourliness in Southeast Europe.”

The following are the programs priorities:

• institution-building with the aim of enabling representatives of civil society and NGOs to propose projects on a trans-frontier basis;
• fostering parliamentary democracy and cooperation among national parliaments;
• fostering social dialogue and cooperation among trade unions;
• facilitating cooperation among public administrations in the fight against corruption;
• developing best practices in the spheres of law, human rights and equal opportunities for men and women;
• fostering and strengthening democracy and society and active cooperation in the spheres of justice and home affairs;
• promote freedom of the press;
• fostering inter-ethnic dialogue.

N/A

South East Europe

Socrates

The Socrates program aims to develop the European dimension of education, as well as to improve the quality of education through European cooperation. It also promotes the mobility of teachers and students. The program covers six actions:

• higher education (Erasmus);
• school education (Comenius) – which contains an action for Roma children;
• promotion of language learning (Lingua);
• promotion of open and distance learning (ODL);
• adult education;
• exchange of information and experience on education systems and policies.

Universities, schools and higher education establishments are eligible for funding

European Union, European Economic Area, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic.

STOP

B5-800 MEUR 1.5

The aim of the STOP program is to encourage and reinforce networks and practical cooperation between the various persons responsible for action against the trade in human beings and sexual exploitation of children in the EU member states. It seeks to improve and adapt the training and skills of persons responsible for combating this form of crime in the EU member states.

Public and private organisations, in particular legal training institutes, or bodies competent in the field of prevention or combating sexual exploitation of children and other human beings. Involvement of more than one EU member state is required.

European Union

31 March 1999

TEMPUS III

The Tempus program is a trans-European cooperation program for higher education. More specifically, Tempus III is intended to facilitate the adaptation of higher education to the new socio-economic and cultural needs of the eligible countries by addressing:

• the reform of higher education structures and institutions and their

management;

• issues of curriculum development and overhaul in priority areas;
• the development of training providing qualifications that may be used in the period of economic reform, particularly by improving and increasing links with industry.

Funding is available for different types of programs: joint European projects (university management and academic), individual mobility grants, and Tempus institution building projects.

Universities, industries, companies, local authorities, chambers of commerce, professional associations, employers’ and workers’ organisations.

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

Tempus funds may only be used for activities between EU member states and

the above-mentioned partner countries.

TEMPUS - Tacis

These funds are intended for trans-European cooperation for higher education.

The main goals of Tempus are:

• the reform of higher education structures and institutions and their management;
• issues of curriculum development and overhaul in priority areas;
• development of skill-related training to address specific higher and advanced level skill shortages during economic reform, in particular through improved and extended links with industry.

Funding is available for different types of programs: joint European projects (university management and academic), individual mobility grants and Tempus institution building projects.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Tempus funds may only be used for activities between EU member states and the partner countries.

Youth for Europe

Youth for Europe aims at contributing to the educational process of young people (aged 15-25). This contribution takes the form of exchanges, both intra-Community and with third countries, by encouraging youth actions at local level and facilitating access of disadvantaged young people to the Program’s activities.

The program covers the following actions:

1. Intra-Community activities directly involving young people
2. Youth workers
3. Cooperation between EU member states’ structures
4. Exchanges with third countries
5. Information for young people and youth research

NGOs and youth organisations may apply. The transnational activities must include at least one EU member state.

EU and European Economic Area. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia may apply for all actions except Action D.

The following third countries may co-operate with EU member states in Action D: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine.

There are two procedures that may be followed when submitting an application:

• decentralised actions – these should be addressed to the national agencies;
• centralised actions – these should be addressed directly to the Commission, with a copy sent to the Youth for Europe National Agency for their information.

In order to ascertain which area your project falls under please contact the National Agency (see address below) or the European Commission in Brussels.

Deadlines vary greatly depending on which form of action you are submitting. Please contact the relevant National Agency for specific information.

 

 

Section 3

Glossary

The ten countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic region which have applied for membership to the European Union. These countries are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, plus Cyprus, Malta and Turkey.

Document that sets out in a single framework the priority areas for further work identified in the Commission’s Opinion on the relevant accession country; the financial means available to help the relevant accession country implement these priorities; and the conditions that will apply to that assistance. The document has been decided by the European Commission in consultation with the government of the relevant accession country and on the basis of the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives, and conditions that have been decided by the Council. Approved by the Commission in March 1998. The Accession Partnerships will be revised on a yearly basis, beginning at the end of 1999.

Approximately 20,000 laws and regulations that have been developed over the years by the EU member states. The full acceptance of the rights and obligations by the candidate countries is an important aspect of the accession process.

The document which contains the European Commission’s recommendations for the Union’s financial framework for the years 2000-2006; the future development of the Union’s policies; and the strategy for enlargement of the Union. Submitted to the Council and European Parliament on 15 July 1997.

See Accession Countries.

In June 1993, the European Union’s Heads of State and Government met in Copenhagen for the European Council and agreed on set of political criteria that must be met by countries posing their candidature for EU membership. These criteria are:

• The achievement of stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities,

• The existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union and,

• The ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political and monetary union.

The Council of Europe is an international organisation based in Strasbourg, France. Comprising forty member states, its main role is to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout its membership. Its most important instrument is the adoption of conventions, in particular the European Convention on Human Rights. On 1 November 1998, a permanent European Court of Human Rights was established to enforce the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Council of the European Union (Council) is the organ that represents the 15 EU member states. It performs the role of legislative chamber and also has executive powers.

The Council is comprised of one representative at ministerial level from each member state. Council members are politically accountable to their national parliaments. Each of the members acts as President for a period of six months.

The Council exerts legislative and decision-making powers. It is also the forum in which the representatives of the governments of the EU member states can declare their interests and try to reach compromises.

The Council ensures general coordination of the activities of the European Union, in particular the establishment of an internal market. The Council is also responsible for intergovernmental cooperation, in common foreign and security policy and in the areas of justice and home affairs, including matters such as immigration and asylum, combating terrorism and drugs and judicial cooperation.

Each member state has a Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels. The fifteen Permanent Representatives meet each week in the Permanent Representative Committee (COREPER). This Committee is divided into two parts, one composed of ambassadors and the other of their deputies. This Committee is tasked with preparing the Council’s work.

The administrative apparatus of the European Commission consists of twenty-six directorates general covering areas of Community policy. The directorates general are structured hierarchically on a departmental basis similar to a national ministry. DGs act in response to initiatives coming either from the Commission, Council and/or Parliament. In principle, the DGs covering areas of interest to NGOs are:

DGIA – External Relations Political Relations: Europe (including CEE) and the Newly Independent States, Common Foreign and Security Policy

DGV – Employment, Industrial Relations and Social Affairs

DGVIII – Development (External Relations and Development Cooperation with Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific – Lomé Convention)

DGX – Information, Communication, Culture and Audio-visual Media

DGXI – Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection

DGXII – Science, Research and Development

DGXIII – Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research

DGXXII – Education, Training and Youth

DGXXIII – Enterprise Policy, Distributive Trades, Tourism and Cooperatives

DGXXIV – Consumer Policy and Consumer Health Protection

Bilateral agreements providing for cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural and other areas such as competition, state aids, and approximation of laws. These agreements form the legal basis for the EU’s relationships with the relevant countries. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia have all signed Europe Agreements.

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The European Commission fulfils three main functions:

• It initiates European policies, by making proposals for all new legislation on the basis of what is considered best for the Union and its citizens. Once a Commission proposal has been submitted to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, the three institutions work together to produce a law.

• It acts as the guardian of the EU treaties to ensure that EU legislation is applied correctly by the EU member states. If necessary, it may take action against those who fail to respect their treaty obligations.

• It is the executive body of the EU responsible for implementing and managing policy. For instance, it is responsible for managing the Union’s annual budget and running the Structural Funds. The Commission also negotiates trade and cooperation agreements with non-EU member states and groups of countries on behalf of the Union.

Leading the Commission are 20 Commissioners, persons who have often either sat in national parliaments or the European Parliament, or who have held high office in their home countries. The EU heads of state or government, meeting in the European Council, choose the President of the Commission. The remaining Commissioners are nominated by the governments of the 15 EU member states in consultation with the new Commission President. The President and other Commissioners must be approved by the parliament.

The European Economic Area was created in January 1994. It is currently comprised of all EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EEA agreement grants the three countries the freedoms of the single market (free movement of goods, services and people) and requires them to adopt most EU policies on mergers, state aids, consumer protection, labour markets and the environment.

The power of the European Parliament is divided into three categories:

• Legislative – originally given only a consultative role, the EP now has the power to amend and adopt legislation.

• Budgetary – the EP approves the European Union’s annual budget. It can propose modifications and amendments to the Commission’s initial proposals and positions taken by the EU member states in the Council. In extraordinary circumstances, the EP may even vote to reject the budget. The President of the Parliament signs the budget into law.

• Supervision – the EP exercises overall political supervision over the manner in which the Union’s policies are conducted.

The current Parliament (re-elected in June 1999) consists of 626 members from approximately 100 political parties, organised in eight political groups. Most of the work of the EP is conducted in its 20 committees covering all areas of the Union’s activities from agriculture to common security policy.

The Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA) is a program of assistance for the CEE countries. ISPA will be effective from the year 2000 until each country’s date of accession. The assistance from this fund will be targeted at two areas: the environment (help to the candidate countries to meet with the investment requirements needed to conform to the Community legislation) and transport (to improve connections between CEE countries and trans-European networks). The annual budget for ISPA will be EUR 1 billion per year (2000-2006).

There are fifteen member states of the European Union. The EU member states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The NPAA is the document adopted by each applicant country that sets out a timetable for achieving the priorities and intermediate objectives as defined in the Accession Partnership and, where possible and relevant, indicates the necessary staff and financial resources. Thus, the NPAA is the applicant country’s response to the Accession Partnership and outlines how it aims to adopt and apply the acquis.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Although technically not part of NIS, Mongolia is often grouped with these countries for the purposes of EU programs.

The overall objective of the Phare program is to help the candidate countries prepare to join the European Union. Initially covering only Poland and Hungary, it has since been extended to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Croatia remains eligible even though its activities have been suspended.

Following the publication of the European Commission’s Opinions (July 1997) on accession of the candidate EU member states, the Phare Program switched from being ‘demand driven’ to ‘accession driven’. From 1998 onwards, the Phare program is based on the Accession Partnerships, which indicate the areas of the ‘acquis communautaire’ (the set of EU legislation and regulations) where candidate EU member states need to make further progress in order to become full members of the EU. Phare provides both technical assistance and investment support to help candidate EU member states implement their own National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis. The five-year financial allocation for Phare for 1995-99 was EUR 6.7 billion. For the period 2000-2006, the annual budget of the Phare program for the CEE accession countries will be approximately EUR 1.5 billion per year.

The Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (SAPARD) will help candidate countries deal with the implementation of the acquis communautaire in the area of common agricultural policy and structural development for the agricultural sector and rural areas. The annual budget for SAPARD will be approximately EUR 500 million per year. Funds will be available from 2000 until each country has joined the EU. Among the priorities for funding under this program are diversifying economic activities in rural areas, and improving vocational training.

The structural funds are used to finance Community structural aid, mainly to the poorer regions, in order to strengthen the EU’s economic and social cohesion making a single market across the EU possible. Currently under reform, the new structural funds will cover three objectives:

Objective 1: development of regions that are progressing at a slower pace and the development of regions with extremely low population density (regions in Finland and Sweden) (approximately 70 percent of funds);

Objective 2: economic and social conversion of regions in structural crisis (approximately 12 percent);

Objective 3: development of human resources (approximately 12 percent).

At present, these funds are only available to EU member states.

The Tacis Program (soon to be renamed) is an initiative for the Newly Independent States and Mongolia, which promotes the development of economic and political links between the European Union and partner countries. Since it’s inception in 1991, it has launched more than 3,000 projects worth over EUR 3.3 billion.

The current legal basis for Tacis expires on 31 December 1999. A new regulation has been proposed for the years 2000-2006. The new program will focus on the following objectives: democracy and the rule of law; the private sector and economic development; the social consequences of transition; regional and cross border cooperation; environmental protection; rural economy; and nuclear safety.