Council Decision of 27 November 2009 on the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship (2011) (2010/37/EC)

ANNEX Details of the measures referred to in Article 3

As a guiding principle, implementation of the European Year will build on the ownership, large-scale mobilisation and active involvement of civil society and other stakeholders. In addition, implementation will be carried out through the following measures:

A. DIRECT COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Financing will generally take the form of direct purchase of goods and services under existing framework contracts. It may also take the form of grants.

1. Information and promotion campaigns including:

• high visibility events and forums for exchanging experience and good practices,

• contests with or without prizes,

• cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other media as partners for disseminating information on voluntary activities and the European Year,

• the production of material and tools for media available throughout the EU to stimulate public interest,

• measures to publicise the results and raise the profile of Community programmes, schemes and initiatives contributing to the objectives of the European Year,

• the establishment of an information website on the Europa site, including a portal for promoters of projects on volunteering, to guide them through the various Community programmes and initiatives.

2. Other initiatives:

• surveys and studies at Community level to assess and report on the preparation, effectiveness, impact and long-term monitoring of the European Year.

B. CO-FINANCING COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

High-visibility events on a European scale that aim to raise awareness of the objectives of the European Year, possibly organised in cooperation with the Presidencies in office during 2011, may receive a Community grant of up to 80 % of the total eligible cost.

C. CO-FINANCING NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Each national coordinating body shall submit a single application for Community funding. That grant application shall describe the national coordinating body’s work programme or the action to be funded and promote the European Year. The grant application shall be accompanied by a detailed budget setting out the total costs of the initiatives/work programme proposed and the amount and sources of co-funding. The Community grant can cover up to 80 % of the total eligible cost.

The Commission shall determine the indicative amounts available for grants to each national coordinating body and the deadline for submission of the applications. The criteria should take into account the population, the cost of living and a fixed amount per Member State to guarantee a minimum level of activities.

The final amounts awarded shall be determined on the basis of the individual grant applications submitted by the national coordinating body. The maximum Community co-financing is set at 80 % of the total eligible cost.

The work programmes/actions may include:

• meetings and events connected with the objectives of the European Year, including national events to launch and promote the European Year, create a catalyst effect and provide open space for debate on concrete initiatives,

• conferences and seminars at national, regional and local levels allowing for mutual learning and exchange of good practices,

• information, research activities and related studies, educational and promotional campaigns at national, regional and local levels, including the organisation of awards and competitions,

• cooperation with the media.

D. INITIATIVES NOT RECEIVING ANY COMMUNITY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Community will grant non-financial support, including written authorisation to use the logo, once developed, and other materials associated with the European Year, to initiatives carried out by public or private organisations, in so far as they provide assurances to the Commission that the initiatives in question are or will be carried out during 2011 and are likely to make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the European Year.