Minister for European Affairs announces funding under the Communicating Europe Initiative

Mr Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for European Affairs, today announced an allocation of grants totalling almost €235,000 under the Communicating Europe Initiative 2008 scheme. 
These grants are being made to 26 groups for a broad range of Europe-related activities in different parts of the country.   These groups responded to a recent call for proposals designed to promote awareness of the European Union and to explain the EU’s impact on Ireland and on daily life here.   

Announcing these grants, Minister Roche said

“It is a priority of the Government to encourage greater public awareness and understanding of developments within the European Union.  The Programme for Government 2007-2012 contains a particular commitment to assist with local events commemorating Europe Day on 9 May.

I am pleased that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in a position to provide support for such a wide range of activities aimed at making Irish people more aware of the implications of our EU membership.   These grants are intended to foster awareness of Ireland’s place in Europe and of the role and the significance of the European Union.  It is particularly gratifying that so many diverse groups intend to mark Europe Day on 9 May, a day when people across our continent celebrate the achievements of the European Union.  The EU  is built on the legacy of Schuman and the founding generation of European leaders who paved the way for today’s peaceful, united and prosperous Europe.  These immense, historic achievements are well worth celebrating.”

Note for Editors:

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 Department of Foreign Affairs administers the funding.  This year exchequer funding totalling €240,000 is available for eligible projects. 

Europe Day, which is celebrated across Europe each year, marks the historic declaration made by Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 which inspired the development of the European Union.

Events that celebrate  Europe Day:

Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Caisleán Nua Thir, Co Luimnigh is an all-Irish medium school. Its proposal is to recreate Europe within the school by hosting various activities via live synchronised web-link with schools in Italy, Spain, Poland, France and Germany. This will be followed by a Commemoration of Europe dance. Allocation  € 5,000.

Community Creations (SpunOut.ie) is an independent youth-led national charity based in Galway working with people aged 16-25.  Community Creations proposes to organise and host a Europe Day Celebration Concert featuring Irish and European acts living in or around Galway.  Allocation €3,500.

The Rathfarnham Concert Band Society (RCBS) is a leading community based organisation.  The RCBS proposes to have a free outdoor concert in Rathfarnham Castle on the evening of Europe Day.  The concert will feature a new musical composition specifically written for the occasion as well as a composition from each Member State.  Allocation  €7,500.

The European Schuman Declaration Committee (Bray) brings together European interests in Bray and aims to create a greater awareness of the European Union and its impact on life in Bray.  It proposes to host a European festival around the town civic plaza on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May.  The activities will include a European Food and Craft Market, promotion of Bray’s twining association with towns in France and Germany, a theatre event and Europe themed family and children entertainment. Allocation €15,000

The Cork Jazz Week Committee is proposing to host “Euro Jazz Day” featuring jazz groups from five European countries.  Each would give a school concert during the day and an evening concert in a selected venue in the week leading up to the 9 May.  Allocation €12,000

Sports Against Racism Ireland supports and promotes cultural integration and social inclusion through sport.  It proposes to host a Sports Festival for boys and girls from Dublin’s inner city to celebrate Europe Day as part of a programmed event of the EU Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008.  Allocation €4,500.

The 50+ Active Age Group in Portlaoise proposes to celebrate Europe Day by hosting an event which will commence with a presentation on European issues followed by a parade by children in local schools and an evening recital of European Classical music which will be given by the Laois Youth Orchestra.  Allocation €700

St Andrew’s College, Dublin has requested funding for their Model European Parliament Conference which will take place on 9-12 May. 80-100 transition year students from 20 schools have been invited to attend the conference. Allocation €12,000

Scoil Chaitríona Senior School, Renmore, Co Galway plans to host a Flag Ceremony and a parade by the pupils May 9th to celebrate Europe Day.  A photographic record of the event, which is set to become an annual event, will be uploaded on to the school website. Allocation €2,000

Grange & District Residents Association, Carlingford, Co Louth proposes to host a social function on Europe Day which will involve music and dance from various European countries.  Allocation  €1,700

St Laurence’s National School, Greystones, Co Wicklow will celebrate Europe Day by hosting a European themed “Sports for All Day”.  The day will commence with a school parade to be reviewed by the Board of Management, local community representatives and assembled parents.  The parade will be followed by a sports day and will be co-ordinated by class teachers. Allocation €2,000

Projects that promote awareness of the EU

The European Youth Parliament aims to address the growing apathy among young people in political affairs with particular regard to the European Union.  Their 2008 work will include 3 regional conferences and a national conference.  Allocation €30,000

The European Studies Specialist  Group (ESSG) is a specialist group of the Political Studies Association of Ireland group in UCC. It is proposing to host its inaugural conference on Monday 28 April on the theme “Party politics and the EU on the Island of Ireland”  Allocation €6,000

The National Association Citizens Information Service (NACIS) acts as the voice of Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Citizens Information Centres (CIC).   NACIS proposes to hold an interactive day of information and debate on “The Lisbon Treaty and the Citizen” in April.  Allocation €12,000

Voter Education Fund responsible for Rock the Vote Ireland and My Candidate Campaigns was established to tackle low levels of voter participation in Ireland, particularly amongst youth.  For the forthcoming referendum they propose running a campaign which would target voters between 18 and 35.  Allocation €20,000

Lifestyle Development Group Ltd and New Life Directions, Drogheda Co Louth provides education, training and counselling in the local community.  Its project will entail a series of workshops on European culture and tradition.  It also plans to mark Europe Day by having a food festival celebrating European cuisine.   Allocation €5,000.

The European Anti-poverty Network (EAPN) is a network of community and voluntary groups working against poverty.  EAPN’s project is aimed at raising awareness of the social aspects of the Lisbon Reform Treaty and how the EU impacts on the lives of people who experience poverty.  The project will encompass a series of information awareness activities including issuing a thematic newsletter; three regional meetings and one National seminar which will be held on Europe Day. 
Allocation  €4,000 

Chambers Ireland  proposes to issue a “Smarter Business Guide” on how the EU has been good for Irish business which will be formally launched on May 9.  Allocation  €10,000.
 
The Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) plans to host two day information seminar for its membership on the Reform Treaty in April Allocation €15,000

The Maynooth Centre for Study of Wider Europe was set up at NUI Maynooth in late 2007 as a new dedicated inter-disciplinary centre of excellence in research and teaching on contemporary Europe This project seeks funding to run a public seminar series to communicate the costs and benefits of enlargement. Allocation  €8,000.

The Faculty of Law, NUI, Galway proposes to publish a collection of essays examining the transformation of the EU since 1957 from an Irish perspective.  Allocation €5,000

The West Cork Carers’ Support Group aims to raise awareness amongst Carers of the relevance and importance of the EU in the area of social policy and how it can impact on their lives.  During National Carers Week in the June they will hold a Seminar on how Carer’s needs are addressed though EU policy.  Allocation €1,220

The EU Villages Programme which was established last year in Kerry under the Kerry Education Service to address the communication gap between the EU and its Citizens. It has established links with “ordinary citizens” in Sweden, Romania and Cyprus and proposes to host a seminar on the theme “Sustaining Community  Buildings contributes to the quality of life of EU Citizens” . Allocation  €4,000.

The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP) is a representative organisation of older people in Ireland.  The ISCP proposes to hold 5 workshops around the country on the theme “Europe, Equality and Older People – how the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament promotes the principles of European Citizenship.  Allocation €12,500.

The European Consumer Centre, Ireland (ECC) provides information on European consumer rights.  It proposes to broadcast information on the means of redress available to consumers, on local radio stations.  Allocation €9,000.

The Environment Education Unit (EEU) was set up within An Taisce in 1993 with its aim to deliver, sustain and develop programmes such as Green Schools.  It proposes to develop a pilot “European & Global Citizenship” as a theme within the Green Schools.  Allocation €27,000.

Ends + + +
Press
7/4/08