Financing Action 4 of the Europe for Citizens programme

9.6.2011

Question for written answer E-006028/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė (PPE) , Sandra Kalniete (PPE) , Krišjānis Kariņš (PPE) , Tunne Kelam (PPE) and Vytautas Landsbergis (PPE)

Three years ago the EU launched Action 4 of the Europe for Citizens programme, created specifically to fund projects promoting the memory of crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. The measure is gathering momentum, with an increase in the number of potential beneficiaries, including in Eastern Europe. In Lithuania, for example, the number of projects selected increased from zero in 2007 to seven in 2010.

Action 4 projects are known for their exceptionally high quality, and the number of applications is increasing every year. Although the terms of application have been simplified, further potential remains to be unlocked — including in relation to small and locally active NGOs, regional cultural centres and regional museums possessing much unique material which deserves to be taken out of storage for the attention of the European public. However, bodies of the types mentioned have little or no co-financing capacity, lack experience with international cooperation, and are therefore reluctant to apply for funding.

How does the Commission feel it could encourage a wider spectrum of organisations and NGOs to apply for grants under Action 4? Will the Commission consider not only an overall increase in funding for the Europe for Citizens programme, but also an increase in the budget share for Action 4 (currently just 4 % of the total)?

OJ C 128 E, 03/05/2012