The major objective of IPA INFO funds is to offer clear and factual information to the citizens in the IPA beneficiary countries on EU enlargement and on pre-accession assistance.This is being done mainly to strengthen the dialogue with stakeholders and to establish a two-way communication about the EU in order to increase its visibility and understanding of it.One of the activities implemented with IPA INFO funds in Croatia is dedicated to promotion of civil society development and dialogue which generates higher awareness and knowledge about the EU, as well as public support for the EU accession process.
It has been recognized that civil society organizations (CSOs) in Croatia in general have a rather high degree of credibility amongst Croatian population.They can be one of the best multipliers of EU integration process especially among youth or in sectoral policies.
The global objectives of this Call for Proposals are as follows:
•Increasing general understanding of the EU, its policies and programmes
•Increasing knowledge on the opportunities and benefits for the citizens before and after the EU accession
•Supporting Croatian institutions and the EU Delegation in its communication efforts on EU issues
The above mentioned objectives are to be achieved primarily through public activities of various kinds, with the aim to bring about message multiplication and to reach the widest possible audience.
The specific objectives of this Call for Proposals are as follows:
• To enhance public debate in Croatia on consequences of EU membership, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance of EU values and standards (with emphasis on general public);
• To enhance dialogue on specific areas of the EU policies, such as for example agriculture and rural development, fisheries, environment, health protection, food safety, social policy, consumers’ rights, rule of law etc.;
•To promote concrete results of EU assistance, designed to support Croatia in its efforts and progress towards EU membership;
•To inform the public about EU-funded projects or initiatives and their concrete benefits in particular regions, in a manner clear to the general or if needed specific audience (with specific target groups);
• To inform and educate potential beneficiaries about EU Structural and Cohesion funds, as well as other opportunities for EU funding of projects, various EU programmes for civil society and also for individuals citizens or relevant institutions etc. (including education on project preparation and project cycle management);
• To create interest and dissipate prejudices about the EU among general public and particularly among youth and motivate them to participate in programmes designed specifically for them, also to generate debate in this specific group with a view of better understanding of what EU membership means;
•To demonstrate good examples of progress and achievements from EU Member States, due to EU membership in particular and relevant areas (also through concrete EU funded projects)
•To produce various media items, especially audio-visual which would be targeted to inform various segments of population on EU issues
• To create lasting partnerships between civil society organizations and media outlets in order to achieve the above mentioned goals as well as to promote the work and activities of CSOs in general
These objectives have to be measurable, moreover there has to be a clear distinction between the project output and outcome.The decision on the final payment by the Contracting Authority will be very much based on the comparison of the announced and actual outcome of the project
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