EESC Prize 2009 for organised civil society:
Rewarding or encouraging creative and innovative achievements or initiatives which make a significant contribution to the promotion of European identity and integration

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

DEADLINE EXTENDED

Through the award of this prize, which has been awarded twice, the Committee's aim is to raise awareness of the important contribution which civil society organisations can make to the creation of a European identity and citizenship capable of underpinning the common values which shore up European integration.

The prize aims at rewarding or encouraging concrete achievements or initiatives which significantly contribute to promoting of European identity and integration. Such achievements and initiatives have to be creative and innovative and make a long-lasting and positive impact on the public's perception of Europe and the integration process.

The prize, which will be awarded in September 2009,  is open to civil society organisations established in the European Union. The deadline for submitting applications is 15 June 2009.

You can find the operational details about the prize, including application and selection procedures, by clicking on this link.
http://www.eesc.europa.eu/sco/prize_civ_soc/info_en.asp

See previous editions of the Prize:
2007: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/sco/prize_civ_soc/archive/2007/index_en.asp
2006: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/sco/prize_civ_soc/archive/2006/index_en.asp
For any further information, please contact:
Mr Patrick FÈVE
Phone: +32.2.546.96.16
fax: +32.2.546.94.69
E-mail: Patrick FÈVE

European Neighbours’ Day – 2009 Edition

Neighbours’ Day is coming soon! Get ready for Tuesday, 26th may !
The theme of this year’s Neighbours’ Day will be European citizenship.
9 million people will share a moment with their neighbours to get to know each other better in a friendly atmosphere. This year Neighbours’ day celebrations will take place in 29 countries worldwide, including 20 EU countries.
More than 1 100 city councils and housing associations will mark the day!
New countries :
Should it be in Cyprus (Nicosia, Pano Lefkara) or in Bosnia Herzegovina (Mostar), Neighbours’ Day gives the opportunity to renew bonds of friendship.
9 may

European Neighbours’ Day award ceremony :
Since 2004, around 80 towns, cities and social housing associations have been awarded by Atanase Perifan, President of the European Federation of Local Solidarity with the "European Neighbours’ Day" diploma.

Albania is an eligible country within the Europe for Citizens programme as from 28 April 2009.

The Memorandum of Understanding with Albania allowing its participation from the budget year 2009 has entered into force the 28 April 2009. Participants from this country are therefore eligible for all the application deadlines after 28 April 2009.

Results of the selection for Action 1 – Measures 1.1 and 1.2 (fase 1)

On March 4, 2009, the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture published the list of selected projects for Action 1 – fase 1A for 2009. There are 5 Romanian municipalities which received grants: Mizil, Sangeorgiu de Padure, Orastie, Sibiu and Bistrita. More information on: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/funding/2009/selection/selection_action1_11_2009_en.php.

Measure 1.1 Town Twinning Citizens’ Meetings

Measure 1.2 Networks of Twinned Towns

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is an eligible country within the Europe for Citizens programme as from 19 March 2009.

A Memorandum of Understanding with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia allowing its participation from the budget year 2009 has been signed on 19 March 2009 by an exchange of letters . Participants from this country are therefore eligible for all the application deadlines after 19 March 2009.

CLOSURE OF THE TOWN TWINNING HOTLINE AND OPENING OF EUROPE FOR CITIZENS POINTS

Europe for Citizens Points are being established in countries eligible to participate in the Europe for Citizens Programme. Part of their remit is to answer questions and information requests from potential applicants to the programme.

The EACEA town twinning hotline will therefore cease operation with effect from 30thApril 2009. After this date the following contact procedures should be followed:

If you are applying for a town twinning grant and need assistance, contact your national Europe for Citizens Point .

As of April 2009 town twinning application forms will be available for submission on-line using an up-dated procedure. If you have a technical question concerning the use of the on-line form you can email the EACEA External Helpdesk at eacea-external-helpdesk@ec.europa.eu or call on +32 2 29 90705 (Monday - Friday 9:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 16:30).

If you have a question about your project following selection, or you do not have a national Europe for Citizens Point, contact the P7 town twining sector via e-mail or directly to the contact person / telephone number mentioned in the correspondence received from the EACEA – always remembering  to quote where appropriate your project number.

In Prague, on May 1

On May 1, in Prague, within the Czech Presidency of the European Union, will take place a complex event composed of an exhibition, an international forum and an artistic event (drama performance and concert) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and 5th anniversary of the EU enlargement.

More information on: http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/news/news778_en.htm

20 years support for town twinning

2009 will be the occasion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EU support to Town twinning projects

The European Commission is looking for testimonies of people involved in town twinning projects supported by the European Commission in 1989 and with activities still running today. If you wish to share your, please contact Stéphanie Demart at the following email address: stephanie.demart@ec.europa.eu

This 20th anniversary will be in part celebrated during the General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions next 22-24 April in Malmö in Sweden. It will be the occasion for more than 1200 local and regional representatives to debate on how can local and regional governments prepare for today and tomorrow's challenges.

For more information in this event, please consult the CEMR webpage http://www.ccre2009.se/?m=1&p=1&l=1

HERITAGE CARE THROUGH ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP – Conferinţa Europeană a organizaţiilor societăţii civile active în domeniul patrimoniului (Mechelen, Belgia, 23 – 24 martie 2009)

Această Conferinţă europeană privind organizaţiile societăţii civile în domeniul patrimoniului va ridica probleme despre cetăţenia activă, societatea civilă şi organizaţiile de voluntari (ONG) în sectorul european de patrimoniu. Conferinţa va oferi o platformă pentru organizaţiile europene active în toate domeniile de patrimoniu – material şi imaterial – relevante şi o ocazie de a împărtăşi experienţe relevante, bune practici şi proiecte de succes.

Temele vor include: sprijin pentru de iniţiative voluntare în sfera patrimoniului, managementul calităţii în ONG din sfera patrimoniului, vizibilitatea organizaţiilor de patrimoniu, crearea de reţelele (internaţionale) de patrimoniu, valoarea patrimoniului cultural pentru societate, dialogul intercultural

Pe pagina www.heritageorganisations.eu sunt disponibile informaţii actualizate despre programul conferinţei.

Document atasat: first_announcement.pdf

Consiliului European al Municipalităţilor şi Regiunilor (CEMR) a lansat noua pagină dedicată înfrăţirii oraşelor

La 13 noiembrie 2008, Consiliul Municipiilor şi Regiunilor Europene a lansat noul său site multilingv dedicat înfrăţirii oraşelor cu scopul de a ajuta guvernele locale europene în găsirea de noi parteneri de înfrăţire peste tot în Europa şi de a da informaţii despre înfrăţirea oraşelor. Domnul Janusz Marszalek, primarul oraşului Oswiecim şi preşedintele reţelei de înfrăţire a CEMR, şi domnul Jeremy Smith, secretar general al CEMR, au prezentat noul site interactiv în timpul unei conferinţe de presă care a avut loc pe 13 noiembrie 2008, la Bruxelles, la sediul CEMR.

Noul site (partea ”înfrăţire în Europa”) este deschis autorităţilor locale europene pentru căutarea de noi parteneri pentru înfrăţiri pe orice temă. Site-ul, disponibil în 20 de limbi, oferă de asemenea informaţii despre înfrăţire în general şi despre posibilităţile de finanţare oferite de Programul Europa pentru Cetăţeni. De asemenea, site-ul conţine o secţiune internaţională dedicată înfrăţirii peste tot în lume.

Pagina CEMR: http://www.ccre.org/homepage.htm , pagina CMRE dedicată înfrăţirii : http://www.twinning.org/