Press release
Minister Byrne welcomes Europe for Citizens programme funding for Irish projects
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Thomas Byrne TD, today welcomed the announcement that 14 civil society organisations from Ireland have been successful in the latest funding round of the Europe for Citizens programme.
€252,000 has been awarded to three Irish organisations as project coordinators – University of Maynooth, Smashing Times Theatre Company, and Inniscarra Twinning Association (ITA).
University of Maynooth will coordinate a civil society project, in partnership with another Irish organisation, the EU Anti-Poverty Network, and a host of European partners. Smashing Times Theatre Company have been awarded their fourth grant under the “European Remembrance” strand and ITA have won their second town twining project. In addition to these projects coordinated by organisations here in Ireland, several Irish civil society groups are joining projects coordinated by their partners throughout Europe. This includes Akina Dada Wa Africa, the Think Tank for Action on Social Change, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland, Human Rights in Action, Limerick City and County Council, Twilight Community Group, Tipperary County Council, Killarney Town Twinning And Sister Cities Association, and Culture Bridge.
Since 2014, Irish organisations have coordinated 27 projects with a total value of over €5 million through the Europe for Citizens programme.
On the results of the latest round of funding, the Minister said:
"I am very happy to see the continued strong level of support given to our civil society through the Europe for Citizens programme, during what is a critical time for the sector. I look forward to engaging with these successful projects in due course."
The Minister also highlighted that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ new EU Capacity Building Programme (‘Access Europe’), managed by The Wheel, which aims to publicise EU funding opportunities and offer support services for Irish NGOs and civil society groups. The Minister said that he would encourage NGOs, civil society groups, local authorities and others who are interested in applying for EU funding to consult the dedicated website, https://www.accesseurope.ie/ for further details.
The general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme 2014-2020 are to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the Union, its history and diversity; to foster European citizenship and to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level.
The programme is implemented by the European Commission’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
The Wheel is the National Contact Point in Ireland for the Europe for Citizens programme and the Access Europe programme.