ECAS

EUROPEAN CITIZEN ACTION SERVICE

GUIDE TO EUROPEAN
FUNDING FOR
ASSOCIATIONS
2010
ACCESSING EUROPE’S LARGEST DONORS

ECAS

77 Avenue de la Toison d’Or

1060 Brussels
Tel +32 2 548 0490
Fax +32 2 548 0499
publication@ecas.org
www.ecas-citicens.eu

Main Author: Anda SCARLAT

With the guidance of: Pietro EMILI
Responsible Editor: Tony VENABLES

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© ECAS 2010 All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced without permission in

writing from the publisher.

Cover design: Alicia KARPETSKY

Printer: LEBLICQ PAPER & PRINT

Rue du Métal 32
B-1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels
Tel +32 2 735 52 42

ISBN: 2–87451–013–0

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Table of Contents
Introduction 6
Who are we? 6
What can ECAS do for you? 7
What are ECAS’ goals? 7
Are you convinced? 8

Chapter 1: The EU Budget and funding Prospects 9

for 2007 - 2013
1.1 General Information regarding the EU 9
Budget
1.1.1 How is the EU Budget Adopted? 10
1.1.2 How is the EU Budget Financed? 10
1.1.3 How is the EU Budget Managed? 11
1.2 Financial Perspectives and Financial 11
Framework for 2007-2013
1.3 Useful Sources of Information 12
1.3.1 Useful Documents and Websites 12
1.3.2 Additional Information Regarding NGOs 13
which are active in the Resolution of
Budgetary Problems

Chapter 2: How to Gain Access to European Union 14

Funding
2.1 Introduction 14
2.1.1 Financial Provisions 15
2.2 Tips for gaining European Funding 19
2.2.1 How to develop a good strategy for Gaining 19
Access to Community Funds
2.2.2 Ensuring a Well Managed Project 22
2.2.3 Useful Information and Links 27

Chapter 3: Internal Budget Lines 29

3.1 Introduction 29
3.2 The Budget Lines 30
3.2.1 List of internal budget lines 30

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Chapter 4: External Budget Lines 83
4.1 Introduction 83
4.2 Information 84
4.3 The Relevant Structures and Areas of 84
Activity
4.3.1 EuropeAid 84
4.3.2 Directorate General « External Relations » 85
(RELEX)
4.3.3 Directorate General « Development» 85
4.3.4 ECHO – Humanitarian Aid Office 86
4.4 Funding 86
4.4.1 List of External Budget Lines 87
4.5 Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions 123

Chapter 5: Structural Funds and the Cohesion 126

Fund
5.1 Brief Introduction to the Structural Funds 126
and the Cohesion Fund
5.2 The EU Policy for Economic, Social and 127
Territorial Cohesion
5.2.1 General 127
5.3 The Structural Funds and the Cohesion 129
Fund
5.3.1 Objectives 129
5.3.2 Financial Instruments 131
5.4 Tips on Applying for the Structural Funds 137
5.5 The Evolution of the Structural Funds 140
5.6 Useful Links and Contacts 141

Chapter 6: Pre-Accession Aid 144

6.1 Introduction to Pre-Accession Aid 144
6.1.1 Reform or Pre-Accession Aid 145
6.2 The Instrument for Pre-Accession 145
Assistance
6.2.1 Implementation 146
6.2.2 IPA Components 147
6.3 Information on Countries covered by the 154
IPA
6.3.1 Candidate Countries 154
6.3.2 Potential Candidate Countries 158

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Chapter 7: The European Neighbourhood Policy 164
7.1 Introduction 164
7.2 Programming and Management 165
7.2.1 Programming 165
7.2.2 Management 166
7.2.3 Monitoring and Evaluation 167
7.3 Priorities and Actions 168

Chapter 8: Looking for Co-Funding 177

8.1 Introduction 177
8.2 The foundations 179

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Introduction

This guide enables associations to develop their European strategies

by using this practical information which facilitate contact with the
Commission, the other European Institutions, those responsible for
European funds and the most important Foundations.

WHO ARE WE?

The European Citizen Action Service

(ECAS), the publisher of this guide,
is an international non-profit
association, established in 1990. It
is independent of political parties, commercial interests and of the
European Institutions. The assiciation’s mission is enabling NGOs
and individuals to make their voices heard by the European Union,
by giving advice regarding lobbying, finding funding and defending
European citizenship rights.

ECAS is also an important trans-sectorial

European organization, having members
from different fields of activity (civil
liberty, culture, development, health,
social policy), and an agency for the
development of civil society.

ECAS has a contract with the European Commission to run the

Citizen Signpost Service
(http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/front_end/index_en.htm).This
service, which has recently been linked to SOLVIT, uses independent

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 legal experts to provide free personalized advice on European
citizenship rights. The answers are given in any of the EU languages
within one week.

For more information on ECAS’ Three-Year-Strategy, our projects and

publications, please refer to our website: www.ecas.org

WHAT CAN ECAS DO FOR YOU?

If you are thinking about:

x developing your association in the European context,

x reorganizing your contacts with the European Institutions,
x creating a new European association,
x planning a new European network, or
searching for funding for your projects,

ECAS can help you make your plans a reality quickly and with ease
by providing you with the following:
x A multilingual staff within a solid infrastructure specialised in
lobbying, searching for funding and European legal questions.
x Access to Community funding as has already been done by
thousands of NGOs who have succeded in their projects
thanks to our expertise in European funding.
x Access to the contact details of the various Departments of
the European Institutions and European associations.

WHAT ARE ECAS’ GOALS?

According to its Statute, ECAS has the following main goals:

1. Civil Society: ECAS provides practical help to NGOs regarding their

funding and lobbying needs.

@ For more information, see http://www.ecas-

citizens.eu/content/category/7/915/144/.

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2. Citizens’ Rights: many citizens do not enjoy a full freedom of
movement within the European Union. One of ECAS’ goals is to allow
them to have their voices heard by the European Institutions.

@ For more information, see http://www.ecas-

citizens.eu/content/view/54/147/.

3. Citizenship and governance: since its establishment, ECAS has

contributed to the emergence of the debate concerning bringing the
European Institutions closer to its citizens.

@ For more information, see http://www.ecas-

citizens.eu/content/view/69/161/.

ARE YOU CONVINCED?

Does ECAS correspond to your needs? Are you thinking of joining our
collective effort in the name of a European civil society? We would
then like to invite you to look at our membership offers for NGOs.

Contact us via e-mail: admin@ecas.org

Visit our website: www.ecas.org