EU – Turkey Civil Society Dialogue: Applications for Four New Grant Schemes End in August

The application deadlines for four new grant schemes launched within the framework of the EU-Turkey Civil Society Dialogue will end in August 2007. The 20 million euro-worth grants aim to support towns and municipalities (€5 million), professional organisations (€3 million), universities (€9.3 million) and youth initiatives (€2 million).

Commenting on the grant schemes, Michael Vögele, Head of Section on Institution Building and Civil Society at the EC Delegation in Turkey says “there is a need to improve Turkey’s image in Europe but also to enhance the EU’s perception in Turkey. The EU-Turkey Civil Society Dialogue addresses this shortcoming – but of course, this is only the beginning. More needs to follow.” Vögele underlines that close collaboration and partnerships between European and Turkish organisations are required to qualify for funding.

The grant scheme for towns and municipalities aims to foster effective, transparent and participatory local government as well as the delivery of higher quality municipal services. The projects in this category may include various activities including urban planning, environment protection, adult education as well as tourism and culture. The deadline for applications to this grant scheme is 14 August 2007.

The professional organisations grant scheme seeks to encourage exchange of knowledge and best practices on planning and implementation of EU policies. The projects in this category may include activities ranging from social and health policies, sustainable rural development to corporate responsibility. The deadline for this grant scheme is 17 August 2007.

The grant programme for universities, think tanks, and research institutes includes thematic areas such as scientific collaboration, networking, multiculturalism, EU institutions and policies, enlargement as well as Turkey’s EU candidature. The deadline for this grant scheme is 20 August 2007.

The youth initiatives grant programme aims to support a wide range of activities including networking events, summer universities, youth festivals, summer camps, seminars, conferences, and awareness-raising events. This grant scheme is open until 21 August 2007.

The European Commission's contribution to the projects will be between 50 to 90 per cent of the total cost. While preparing their proposals, the applicants must have at least one eligible partner organisation from an EU Member State or another Candidate Country. In addition the proposed activities have to take place either in Turkey, EU Member States or other Candidate Countries and the duration of the projects needs to be between 12 to 18 months. The programme is implemented under the responsibility of the Turkish EU Secretariat General.

For more information please visit the EC Delegation's website at www.avrupa.info.tr or contact Ms Camilla Sağnak at (+90 312) 4598700, Camilla.Sagnak@ec.europa.eu  


Annexes:

1) Civil Society Dialogue – Info Sheet
2) Civil Society Dialogue – Four New Grant Schemes