The Commission supports new civil society initiatives to promote Dialogue and Debate on EU issues

In the framework of its Plan D for “Democracy, Dialogue and Debate”, launched in October 2005, the Commission has decided to assign 4.5 Million Euro in support of pan-European projects by non-profit civil society organisations aiming at encouraging and promoting dialogue and debate among citizens on EU issues. These projects will run during the second half of 2006 and 2007.

Vice President Margot Wallström, responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, commented on the decision:” Our intention is to listen carefully to the results of these projects, with the aim of inspiring policy makers at the time when Europe reflects on her future. We would integrate the feedback into the policy process. “

The first provisional results of the projects will be presented in Spring 2007. Out of the six selected projects, three will be implemented in all 25 Member States. Each one of the remaining three projects will cover at least 5 countries.

Vice President Margot Wallström has accepted to address the participants of the launching event in Brussels of the “European Citizens’ Consultation” on Saturday 7 October. The media is welcome to attend. More information and registration in http://www.european-citizens-consultations.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Press_Release_Agenda-Setting_Event.pdf

The projects have been selected following a call for proposals published in March 2006 (http://ec.europa.eu/dg/communication/grants/index_en.htm).
The call’s aim was to support pan European initiatives that

promote EU citizen’s networking and its participation in the debate on Europe as foreseen in Commission’s Plan D
collect citizen’s opinions in a qualitative and extensive scale.
provide analysis of citizens’ contributions as feedback for decision-makers

The six selected projects are the following:

« Tomorrow’s Europe » proposed by the foundation “ Notre Europe” (Paris) http://www.notre-europe.eu/;
« Speak up Europe » proposed by the “European Movement International” (Brussels) www.europeanmovement.org/emailing/newsletter/speakupeurope_briefing_nonote.pdf
« European Citizens’ Consultations » proposed by the “King Baudouin Foundation” (Brussels).
www.european-citizens-consultations.eu
« Our message to Europe » proposed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft (Berlin) ; http://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-ev.de/
« Radio Web Europe » proposed by CENASCA (Rome); http://www.cenasca.cisl.it/entra.htm
« Our Europe – Our Debate – Our Contributions » proposed by the European House (Budapest). www.europeanhouse.hu/e/

Background: “Plan D” for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate

After the negative votes at the referenda on the Constitutional Treaty in France and the Netherlands, the EU Heads of State and Government called for a period of reflection in June 2005. On 13 October 2005 the Commission approved a Communication to the Council, to the European Parliament, to the European Economic and Social Committee and to the Committee of the Regions launching a “Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate”.

The Commission’s intention during the period of reflection was to listen to citizens views on a range of EU issues and to draw conclusions form the debates held at all levels. The Commission also recommended that the national debates should be structured to ensure that the feedback can have a direct impact on the policy agenda of the European Union. Therefore, it was suggested to structure debates around three main broad themes:
– Europe’s economic and social development;
– Feeling towards Europe and the Union’s tasks;

– Europe’s borders and its role in the world.

To facilitate the debates, the Plan D states that the Commission will endeavour to assist civil society by giving aid for individual initiatives. That was the objective pursued by the call for proposals, launched on 17 March 2006 by DG Communication.

The content of the debates were reflected in a first feedback process with an initial synthesis report presented by the Commission in May 2006 in order to prepare the stocktaking exercise at the June European Council. The Council has decided to prolong the period of reflection and has recognized Plan D’s valuable contribution in this process. Therefore Plan D will continue, with the added objective to focus on several selected actions for the period leading up to the June European Council in 2007.