€100,000 available to community and voluntary organisations to promote dialogue

€100,000 available to community and voluntary organisations to promote dialogue on Ireland’s relationship with Europe – Minister Byrne

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, has today invited voluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups to apply for funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Communicating Europe Initiative.

The Communicating Europe Initiative is aimed at deepening public awareness of the

role the EU plays in our daily lives and at improving the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, particularly at regional or national level.

Projects should seek to communicate European issues, the role of the European Union and Ireland’s place in Europe. Projects in 2022 that are aligned with out EU50 programme and which encourage reflection or celebration on our 50 years as members of the EU will be particularly welcome.

Funding of €100,000 has been made available under the scheme this year.

Announcing the launch of the scheme, the Minister said:

"As Minister of State for European Affairs my priority is to promote a national debate around Ireland’s place in Europe and the impact our EU membership continues to play on our daily lives. The type of programmes awarded funding – from school events, to podcast and radio programmes - is really varied and it’s always exciting to see the creativity and energy that are put into these projects."

Previous projects funded have included local media projects and competitions, school initiatives and interactions, employment opportunities in EU Institutions and EU-related Citizens’ Dialogues. Projects have promoted themes on the role of women and young people in the EU, climate action and the importance of diversity in Ireland to our relationship with the EU. Along with EU50, the themes of the Conference on the Future of Europe and Youth will also be welcomed.

Further details including application forms are now available from www.dfa.ie and EU50 materials can be found on EU50 - this is Ireland. The closing date is Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Notes

The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues.

The programme is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. €100,000 will be available this year for Communicating Europe Initiative funded projects.

EU50 is a series of events beginning in January 2022, which marks the key milestones of Ireland’s entry into the European Union. Beginning with the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession in January 2022, this will include events on the anniversary of the referendum on that treaty as well as formal accession on 1 January 2023.