EU Info Centre and BiH Ministry of Justice present Europe for Citizens Programme

The EU Info Centre in cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Justice organised two presentations of the EU Programme Europe for Citizens 2014 – 2020, in Sarajevo and Mostar on 21 and 25 April 2016, respectively. This Programme supports citizens’ involvement in the process of European integration, strengthening the European identity based on common values, development of a sense of belonging to the EU, and understanding and tolerance among citizens. The total budget of the programme for the period 2014-2020 amounts to 184 million EUR.

The aim of this programme is to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the EU, its history and diversity, and foster European citizenship and improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at EU level.

The financed projects usually raise awareness of remembrance, the common history and values of the EU and the EU’s aim – namely to promote peace, the values of the EU and the well-being of its peoples, encourage the democratic and civic participation of citizens at EU level, and stimulate interest and involvement in EU policy making. Goran Kučera, Senior Advisor for Civil Society Development in the Ministry of Justice, stressed the importance of the project’s human dimension, which is achieved through a variety of aspects such as the inclusion of a large number of citizens and partner countries from the European Union.

“The core of the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ is the opportunity for networking, since there are various civil society organisations that deal with different issues, but often not having enough experience to articulate their voice. This programme provides them with an opportunity to find project partners abroad,” Kučera said.

Kučera noted that numerous BiH organisations also participated in the predecessor of this programme in 2012 and 2013. On 5 such projects, BiH organisations held a status of leaders, while on 33 projects they were partners. Kučera is of an opinion that the country can do even more in the forthcoming period.

“The application form is quite simple and it aims to prepare applicants for the much advanced and more developed EU programmes. The application deadline was March 1, and we expect to be informed about the results of the BiH applicants by the end of May and mid-July,” Kučera concluded.

Representatives of the local authorities, civil society organizations, educational institutions, sports associations attended the presentations.

The EU Info Centre (EUIC) and BiH Ministry of Justice will continue to promote the Europe for Citizens 2014 – 2020 Programme across the country. All the presentations will be announced on the EUIC website www.euinfo.ba.

More info on the Europe for Citizens Programme available at:

www.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/europe-for-citizens-programme/index_en.htm

Europa.ba