Untitled - Narodowe Centrum Kultury

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Another important programme in the context of local cultural
projects is Europe for Citizens. Its main beneficiaries, as indicated
by the programme’s name, are citizens of the European Union and
of other European countries that have joined the programme. The
thrust of the programme is to encourage cooperation, discussion
and reflection on various aspects of European integration. Some
of the programme’s specific aims are to bring together community
members from all over Europe to exchange experiences, opinions
and values; reach conclusions about history and build the future;
encourage citizens and civic society organisations from participant
countries to establish mutual contacts that would strengthen intercultural
dialogue and underline both the diversity and the unity of
Europe (founded on shared values, history and culture). The programme
is primarily aimed at representatives and staff of local government
bodies, public institutions, NGOs and other public benefit
entities, and therefore at individuals and institutions rooted in local
communities and capable of meeting the expectations of these communities
as effectively as possible and engaging their members. In
addition to projects with a European dimension, grants are awarded
to grassroots transnational initiatives. For more information on the
programme, visit the website of the Polish Europe for Citizens Contact
Point at www.europadlaobywateli.pl.
Also worthy of note is the Youth in Action Programme, geared
to youth, individuals working with youth and organisations working
for the benefit of youth that wish to improve their skills, develop their
sphere of activity, or establish international partnerships. The programme’s
long-term goals are: overcoming barriers, prejudices and
stereotypes among young people and replacing them with the spirit
of solidarity and tolerance, supporting youth mobility, and promoting
civic participation, especially the sense of European citizenship. Cultural
diversity is one of the programme’s priorities. Projects should
foster reflection on differences in values, traditions, worldviews and
historical perspectives. For information on the Youth in Action programme,
visit the website of the Polish National Agency for Youth in
Action at www.mlodziez.org.pl.
Grants are awarded to projects aimed at reducing economic and social
differences within the EEA. Who can apply: private and public entities,
both commercial and non-commercial, NGOs constituted as legal entities
in Poland, as well as intergovernmental organisations registered in
Poland. The priorities of the new edition of the Mechanisms include Conservation
and Revitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage, which offers
support to soft activities aimed at promoting culture and art, raising
awareness of cultural diversity and strengthening intercultural dialogue
(70 million EUR), and Local and Regional Initiatives to Reduce National
Inequalities and to Promote Social Inclusion (9.5 million EUR). The minimum
amount of financial aid is 170,000 EUR. Under some programmes,
it is possible to set up a Small Grant Fund (from 5,000 to 250,000 EUR).
For information on the Financial Mechanisms, visit the website of the
Ministry of Regional Development at www.eog.gov.pl.
The aim of the International Visegrad Fund is to facilitate and
promote the development and close cooperation between the four
Visegrad countries: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, and
between them and Central European, Balkan and Eastern Caucasus
countries, by supporting joint cultural, scientific and educational projects,
youth exchange, transborder projects and tourism promotion.
Through Small Grants and Standard Grants, the Fund supports projects
focused, among other things, on cultural cooperation (including festivals
and publications), youth exchange (including educational and cultural
events for children and young people) and tourism promotion (including
guides and presentations). Most applications are submitted by
NGOs, cities and towns, schools and other public institutions. For detailed
information, visit the Fund’s website at www.visegradfund.org.
marcela wasilewska
has been engaged with issues of European integration and European funds for Polish
NGOs for several years. She is the author of a number of guides to EU funds.
a Romance studies graduate, Marcela also trained as a foreign service officer.
European public funds
The first calls for applications for the second edition of the European Economic
Area (EEA) and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms are expected
to be announced in the first half of 2012. EEA Financial Mechanisms offer
financial aid for 2009-2014 for 15 EU beneficiary countries, provided by
three countries of the European Economic Area: Norway, Liechtenstein
and Iceland. Under this programme Poland will receive 578 million EUR.