NOTE: The Calls are now closed.  

Calls for Proposals from the European Commission

There were two calls for proposals:

1. European Projects (up to 10 trans-national projects will be funded across Europe)

2. UK Project (funding is available for one additional project from the UK. The deadline for this UK project was Monday 9 July 2007. Further information is provided via this link)   

A. EUROPEAN PROJECTS

1.The EC will support up to 10 trans-national projects which address the themes of the Year. 

2. The deadline for submission was 31July 2007.

3. All the official information and forms were available from the EC website .

BACKGROUND TO THE OPEN CALL:  

These projects should be "emblematic actions on a European scale aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, through involving directly or otherwise reaching as many people as possible, and highlighting achievements and experiences on the theme of the EYID 2008".

Applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation (including independent organisations, NGOs, local authorities, universities, etc.) having experience in the field of intercultural dialogue, and carrying out their activities at the European level, and with a potential influence at the European level.  They must have the financial and operational capacity to complete the action proposed.

The EC will provide up to 80% of the project costs, and between 200,000 - 400,000 euros.  Projects should begin between 1 January and 30 March 2008, and can last for up to 15 months.

The detailed criteria for applications are listed below.  Up to 5 points is available for each of these, and applicants must score at least 3 for each of the first two, and a minimum total of 18/25.  Note that although there is no specific requirement for a minimum number of partner organisations, we would recommend that there should be at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different countries.

• European dimension – involvement of partner organisations from different Member States, involvement of a significant number of participants from several Member States; the geographical spread of local activities and the added value of common activities; a theme which relates to European belonging and citizenship based on EU common values, through promoting a positive image of cultural diversity
• Number of persons directly and indirectly affected – participants; those coming from disadvantaged or excluded social groups; those participating "virtually" through the new technologies; as well as a good communication plan which includes those reached through media tools or partnerships
• Youth and education dimensions – the numbers of young people directly or indirectly participating; the features of the project targeting young people; the involvement of formal and informal education activities; the use or development of pedagogical material
• Sustainabilty, trans-sectoral approach, and innovation – is it building on best practices identified from past experiences ?  does it have potential to lead to sustainability beyond 2008 ?  are the stakeholders will to share results and best practices ?  is there a trans-sectoral dimension through the active participation of several sectors and civil society networks ?  to what degree does it present innovative features (scale of project, creative features or methodologies) ?
• Project management – quality of the planning, past experience of project managers, relevance of financial plan, timetable for implementation

B. UK PROJECT

The deadline for UK projects was Monday 9 July 2007 (on the basis that the UK project had to be submitted to the EC by 31 July 2007). 

BACKGROUND TO THE RESTRICTED CALL: 

The selection process is being led by an independent jury convened by The Department of Culture, Media & Sport and Euclid. The successful project will be informed at the earliest opportunity from week commencing 16 July 2007.  The final stage for the successful UK proposal will then occur –including the drafting of all forms requested on the EACEA web site for Intercultural Dialogue 2008. This complete proposal will be submitted to the Directorate General charged with decision making ahead of the official deadline: 31 July 2007.  

As the national co-ordination body for “Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008” Euclid would like to take this opportunity to thank all organisations that have consulted us in 2007 during the idea stage and/or the drafting of their applications. 

Context: 

1. The EU will also fund one project for each Member State, on the basis of a project nominated by that Member State, and submitted to the EC by late July 2007.

2. The UK undertook an open call for proposals for this project and EUCLID has organised the UK selection process as part of their remit as UK Contact Point for EYID:

An independent jury of expert individuals, agreed in conjunction with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is meeting to assess the applications and select the one to be forwarded to the EC by the 31 July deadline

3. Applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation (including independent organisations, NGOs, local authorities, universities, etc.) having experience in the field of intercultural dialogue, and should reflect a "real European dimension" in their work.  They must have the financial and operational capacity to complete the action proposed.

4. The EC will provide up to 50% of the project costs, and, for the UK, up to around 300,000 euros may be available for the UK project.  Projects should occur between 1 October 2007 and 31 December 2008.

5. The detailed criteria for applications are listed below.  Up to 5 points is available for each of these, and applicants must score at least 3 for each of the first two, and a minimum total of 18/25.  Note that although there is no specific requirement for a minimum number of partner organisations, we would recommend that there should be at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different countries.

• European dimension – involvement of partner organisations from different Member States, involvement of a significant number of participants from several Member States; the geographical spread of local activities and the added value of common activities; a theme which relates to European belonging and citizenship based on EU common values, through promoting a positive image of cultural diversity
• Number of persons directly and indirectly affected – participants; those coming from disadvantaged or excluded social groups; those participating "virtually" through the new technologies; as well as a good communication plan which includes those reached through media tools or partnerships
• Youth and education dimensions – the numbers of young people directly or indirectly participating; the features of the project targeting young people; the involvement of formal and informal education activities; the use or development of pedagogical material
• Sustainabilty, trans-sectoral approach, and innovation – is it building on best practices identified from past experiences ?  does it have potential to lead to sustainability beyond 2008 ?  are the stakeholders will to share results and best practices ?  is there a trans-sectoral dimension through the active participation of several sectors and civil society networks ?  to what degree does it present innovative features (scale of project, creative features or methodologies) ?
• Project management – quality of the planning, past experience of project managers, relevance of financial plan, timetable for implementation

6.  UK applications should be submitted on the official forms which can be downloaded from the official EC website please note that UK applications needed to be returned by Monday 9 July so they can be assessed by the UK jury before being submitted to the EC by 31 July.