Europe for Citizens seeks to contribute to citizens' understanding of the Union, its history and diversity; and to foster European citizenship and improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level.

Specific objectives include raising awareness of remembrance, common history and values of the European Union's aim that is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its people by stimulating debate, reflection and development of networks; and

encourage democratic and civic participation of citizens at Union level, by developing citizens' understanding of the Union's policy-making process and promoting opportunities for societal and intercultural engagement and volunteering at Union level.

Two supported activities

European remembrance - the EU as a peace project

This part of the programme focusses on Europe as a peace project. We must keep the memories of the past alive while we build the future. The programme will support initiatives which reflect on the causes of the totalitarian regimes that blighted Europe's modern history, look at its other defining moments and reference points, and consider different historical perspectives. Remembering the lessons of the past is a pre-requisite for building a brighter future.

Priorities for 2014: 100^th anniversary of the start of World War I; 25^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall; 10^th anniversary of the arrival of central and eastern European countries as EU members.

• Project duration: maximum 18 months.
• Grant allocation: the grant awarded may not exceed 70 % of the total amount of the project's eligible costs. The maximum grant awarded is €100 000.

Democratic engagement & civic participation - getting citizens involved

Town twinning

Projects will bring together citizens from twinned towns to debate issues from the European political agenda. They will develop opportunities for societal engagement and volunteering at Union level.

• Project duration: maximum 21 days
• Grant allocation: the maximum grant to be awarded is € 25 000 per project

Networks of towns

Towns are encouraged to cooperate with other towns on a long term basis to explore particular topics or themes, share resources or interests, gain influence or face common challenges.

• Project duration: the maximum project duration is 24 months and the maximum duration of each event is 21 days.
• Grant allocation: the maximum grant awarded is €150 000, and the minimum grant awarded is €10 000. The grant calculation is based on flat rates.

Civil society projects

Projects will gather citizens from different horizons in activities directly linked to Union policies, with a view to give them an opportunity to concretely participate in the Union policy-making process. They will stimulate and organise reflection, debates or other activities and propose concrete solutions that can be found through cooperation at European level, and ensure a link with the policy making process. Projects should involve a large number of citizens in the implementation and aim at developing long-term networking between organisations.

• Projects duration: maximum 18 months.
• Grant allocation: The maximum grant awarded is €150 000.

Priorities for 2014: The 2014 elections to the European Parliament and citizens' participation in the democratic life of Europe.

How do I apply?

The Commission has entrusted the implementation of this programme to an Executive Agency, namely the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

You will find all the information on how to apply for funding and the conditions and procedures for the selection of beneficiaries on the EACEA website.

The Commission remains in charge of all tasks implying political choices, notably defining strategies and priorities of action, and supervises the work of the EACEA.

The Commission also takes care of disseminating good practices and sharing results, and of organising the Structured Dialogue with key stakeholders.

For more information

Contact the Europe for Citizens Point in your country.

2014 Work programme (109 kB)