European Union Funding
NCVO is excited to announce that we now bring together rapidly growing expertise on EU funding sources and include key national and regional experts in the European Funding Network (formerly TSEN).
As on-going economic uncertainty continues to affect European countries, EU Member States are increasingly working together to find a common response to address this unprecedented economic and social crisis. As demonstrated by recent events in Greece and Italy all economies are interlocked and solutions must reach across borders as never before.
European Funds, both those available domestically through ESF and those accessible directly from Brussels, can provide precious resources to civil society organisations to bring a sense of social cohesion in their communities by reaching, engaging and involving the most disadvantaged; by offering help to solve the barriers to entry in the labour market; by providing opportunities to learn from peers across Europe through exchanges of volunteers or staff; by exchanging views and identifying knowledge to shape policy.
NCVO brings you shared knowledge on areas including:
European Structural Funds
Civil society organisations are a key partner in the delivery of European Social Funds (ESF) and European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). These are primarily delivered at the local and regional level to enable frontline service users to access new opportunities. in the current programme the total funds available in this country are approximately 6 Billion Euros, of which ESF includes some 3 Billion Euros; but civil society organisations only received approximately 9% of this funding. There is now a real opportunity to increase this proportion by:
- Better information and training on how to access the funds
- Simplification of the application and accounting processes
- Recognition of different forms of match funding, including volunteer time as match
- Wider range of size of contracts to ensure they are accessible to smaller civil society organisations
Greater opportunities for civil society to participate in the ESF and ERDF Programmes post 2013 is increasingly likely, given the strategic involvelment of the sector in the design, implementation and monitoring of the programmes. We are working with regional partners of the European Funding Network (formerly TSEN) to ensure the Funds reach those who need them most and are directly accessible to civil society organisations of all different organisational sizes.
European funds for exchange of good practice
There are a wide range of funds available: including ‘Europe for Citizens’ Programme, Grundtvig, Leonardo: these funds are grants rather than contracts and provide direct access to civil society organisations, of all sizes, volunteers and learners, to get involved in transnational work through placements, seminars, workshops and much more.
The proposed EU Budget 2014-2020
The negotiations on the EU budget (Multi-annual Financial Framework) are currently underway with different Member States negotiating on the optimum size of the EU budget; we are working closely with partners across Europe through the European Network of National Associations (ENNA) to identify opportunities for the sector in the budget post 2013. This will include
- Specific size of EU Structural Funds Programmes and priority areas
- New programmes for civil society, including the Programme for Social Change and Social Innovation (see below)
Developments in social innovation opportunities across Europe
As the focus on innovation intensifies both at home and Europe we will follow, contribute to key debates, and relate this information to our members with a view to maximise participation of Civil Society in EU funded programmes. The Social Business Initiative, launched by European Commission President Barosso at a high profile event on 18 November set out the future direction in this area.
It is increasingly clear that future programmes will develop a direct strand for social innovation and social enterprise through:
- European Investment Bank, this infrastructure bank is in the process of setting up the European Social Investment and Entrepreneurship Fund, which will aim to invest between 50-100 Million Euros in coming two years
- European Structural Funds, it is proposed that the next cycle of ESF and ERDF include an express priority for investment in social enterprise
- The Progress programme will provide the basis for a new European Union Programme for Social Change and Social Innovation from 2014, which will aim to invest a further 90 Million Euros in this area
Further resources
Find more sources of practical support on EU funding in our Advice and Support section, including other websites and newsletters, publications and training.
