What ist the Europe for Citizens Programme?

The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, have agreed to establish the Europe for Citizens Programme, which materialises the legal framework to support a wide range of activities and organisations promotin g ‘active European citizenship’, i.e. the involvement of citizens and civil society organisations in the process of European integration.

The Europe for Citizens Programme builds on the experience of the previous Programme to promote active European citizenship, which ran from 2004 to 2006. This Programme was presented by the Commission after a large consultation with the different stakeholders and an ‘ex ante’ evaluation, which analysed the need for an intervention at Community level and the expected impact of the Programme on the sector. Thanks to these experiences and reflections, this Programme of 2nd generation demonstrates a certain level of maturity, combining continuity and innovation.

The Programme will run from 2007 to 2013.

The general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme are to contribute to:

• giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union;
• developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture;
• fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens;
• enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.