- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Strengthening Civic Space
- Grant Amount $100,000
- Grant Period March 1, 2003–December 31, 2004
- Location Brussels, Belgium
- Geographic Focus Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
About this grant
The Future of Europe debate offers an opportunity for the European Union (EU) to better address the needs and desires of its citizens — both within the existing EU members states, as well as within the EU accession countries. The Convention on the Future of the EU was created to encourage this process and make recommendations for the future direction of the EU. There is a critical need to inform and engage non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating at the national level within current and future member states about the work of the Convention and the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference.Funding will support a campaign to promote the Future of Europe debate within national-level NGOs throughout Europe. The largest of the European NGO networks, the Social Platform, is taking the lead in coordinating the act4europe campaign and facilitating participation of EU accession countries. Activities include organizing cross-sector civil dialogues; promoting the flow of information on EU issues; providing training; and encouraging networking.The Social Platform is a European-level membership organization made up of more than 1,700 organizations, associations and other voluntary groups promoting social inclusion throughout Europe.