Technical and Political Support from Britain to Macedonia

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Radmila Sekerinska and the UK Ambassador to Macedonia, HE Robert Chatterton Dickson, signed four Letters of Understanding for bilateral technical assistance between the Secretariat for European Affairs and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom.“We are entering a period when Macedonia will increasingly receive messages that the three conditions for membership will be administration, administration and administration. That does not mean that political and economical criteria are losing on importance, but that we will fulfil them only if we have the necessary administrative capacity, knowledge, competence and transparency”, Sekerinska emphasised.She added that during the British Presidency of the EU, Macedonia was granted the status of candidate country for EU membership and that this is a fact that will be written in history. Sekerinska expressed her gratitude for the UK assistance and stressed that the positive energy continues to flow through the projects that are to be implemented.The Ambassador Chatterton Dickson said that Britain has been a long-standing supporter of Macedonia’s integration into the European Union. “Like all countries that want to join EU, Macedonia faces challenging tasks moving the process forward. Government machinery and public opinion must be ready for the demands both of the accession process and the eventual membership. That is why today the Deputy Prime Minister and I have signed the first direct contracts between the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Macedonian Government. They are a practical sign of British political support for Macedonian integration into the EU”, the Ambassador stressed.Within the framework of this bilateral technical co-operation, the United Kingdom will support four projects in the following areas: strengthening the administrative capacity for the EU integration process of the Republic of Macedonia, developing an ICT network to support the “National Programme for Approximation of the Acquis”, improving the administrative and negotiation capacity and supporting the development of a new communication strategy in the European integration process of the Republic of Macedonia.
www.sei.gov.mk

Europe Day

THE STRATEGY REGARDING CONSUMERS? PROTECTION FOR 2006-2008

Our vision on consumers? protection defines the leading objective, the fundamental objectives, the main directions for action and the operational objectives.The leading objective, the absolute goal to be achieved, is consumers? protection, understood as a defence of consumers? fundamental rights: life, health and security protection; life, health and security protection; protection of economical interests; the guarantee of the vital needs; access on a market with a full range of quality products and services; an healthy environment; information; education; association.The fundamental objectives are the main directions for action in creating an European legislative and institutional system in order to insure an increase of consumers protection:a) strengthening the individual and associative self-protection capacity, so that it can become the main method of consumers? protection;b) improving State?s activity of direct and not direct protection.The main directions and objectives for action for accomplishing the fundamental objectives are:1. Improving and developing the legislative frame to insure it?s systemic operating and to conclude the process of harmonization with the legislation of the European Union.1.1. Promoting a project to modify Law no 296/2004 Law regarding the Consumption Code which should combine the present 8 laws and ordinances and should stipulate:- Inclusion among the fundamental consumers? rights of the right to have as guaranteed the satisfaction of the vital needs and of the right to an healthy environment;- Precise ways of defending consumers? economic interests (especially the right to compensation) because this right is stipulated by present legislation, but the legislation lacks the provisions to insure quick and advantageous compensations for consumers;- The obligation for the central consumers? protection authority to take measures to accomplish the activity of informing, advising and educating the consumers, by elaborating a national strategy in this area, as well as including consumers? education in schools and adopting measures for a real support of the NGO?s.1.2. Overseeing of legislative activity in the area and sustaining/promoting (through specific campaigns) the initiatives and projects aimed at insuring the optimum functioning of the legislative system for a real protection of consumers? rights.2. Developing the institutional system and improving its functioning:2.1. Promoting the project regarding the set up (through a proper modification and completion of Law no 21/1996 Competition Law) of the Competition and Consumers? Protection Council as an autonomous administrative authority (not dependent on the Government) competent to apply the law of consumers? protection; this will allow a concerted action of the two structural components and will increase the efficiency of consumers? protection activities;2.2. Sustaining the project regarding the reorganization and functioning of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Surveillance of Products and Services Market and for Consumers? Protection, enabling to:a) clearly affirm the place and purpose of each institution inside the reaction and decision making organisms in order to eliminate the repetitions and superposition in the surveillance and control activity and to eliminate the lack of reaction in certain cases of violations of the legislation;b) reorganizing the institutional subsystem which grants approvals, authorizations, licenses classification certificates and the expertise and certification subsystem guaranteeing the elimination of obstacles from the free circulation of goods and an increase of their part in preventing and finding the deviations from the legislation;c) developing the advisory and nongovernmental organisms subsystems to increase their role in: the elaboration of national strategies and programs regarding consumers? protection; the market surveillance activity; the out of court and in court settlement of litigations between economic agents and consumers; informing and advising consumers.2.3. Developing the cooperation relations with specific institutions and organisms from the Member States; these relations will lead to integration in the European and international institutional system.3. Developing the consumatorista movement:3.1. Setting up of the National Consumption Institute (as an NGO), recognized by law, which should develop activities such as: forming trainers for consumers? associations; consultancy for the founding of associations and for improving their activity; carrying out comparative tests, studies and researches in the area; informing, advising and educating consumers, inclusively by publishing materials similar to the ones published in the Member States;3.2. Sustaining the process of consumers? stratification,horizontally and vertically, in order to set up associations in all counties and cities, federations at all counties? level and an national level organism as a legitimate representative for all at central level.4. Improving the activity of informing, advising and educating consumers through:4.1. Creating an informatic system regarding products and services with a high and direct risk for consumers? life, health and security;4.2. Accomplishing a systematic activity of informing, advising and educating consumers in collaboration with civil society?s structures and State?s institutions;4.3. Promoting the project for including the consumers? education in schools, at all school-levels and not only within instructive activities and classes but as an interdisciplinary approach and as main course in vocational and apprentice schools, in industrial and economic high schools and in universities, in order to train the future specialists in the field.5. Carrying out studies, researches and comparative tests to ground the activity of informing, advising and educating the consumersOperational objectives:1. Organizing and developing a national level campaign to persuade State?s institutions to modify and complete Law no 296/2004 - Law regarding the Consumption Code and elaborating an own legislative initiative.2. Elaborating a national strategy project regarding the support for setting up and developing of consumers? associations which (after a public debate) should be presented to the College for Consultancy of Associations and Foundations.3. Elaborating a national strategy project regarding the informing, advising and educating the consumers which (after a public debate) should be presented to the College for Consultancy of Associations and Foundations4. The analysis of the laws in force or of those that recently came into force for quick reactions when shortcomings are being ascertained and for a proper informing of consumers.5. Developing activities and actions to promote projects regarding the set up of Competition and Consumers? Protection Council and the reorganization and functioning of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Surveillance of Products and Services and Consumers? Protection.6. Obtaining the right of representation among consultancy organisms at central level.7. Affiliation at European and international organizations and organisms with the same field of activity8. Setting up of the National Consumption Institute and setting up of proper conditions for its efficacious functioning, including external support.9. Setting up mediation and arbitration organisms, in cooperation with Romania?s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, employers? organizations and professional associations.10. Organizing seminars, conferences, symposiums, in cooperation with other consumers? organizations, to sustain the process of associative stratification of consumers, horizontally and vertically. 11. Realization of market overseeing by using a investigators and delegated persons network, all over the country, to record the cases of products and services with a high and direct risk for consumers? life, health and security and the cases of counterfeits.12. Carrying out expert appraisement (through physical-chemical and mechanical analysis) to establish products? authenticity and origin.13. Granting information, consultancy and public relations services to consumers and legal persons, in order to recognize counterfeits and fakes and to prevent this phenomenon, by elaborating a proper safety system.14. Granting awards, scholarships, donations, for consumers and legal persons whose purposes and objectives are to identify and fight counterfeits.15. Starting, developing, sustaining and promoting programs and projects within training courses and any other connected activities meant to ensure the fulfillment of associations? objectives.16. Publishing informing, advising and educating materials for consumers.17. Promoting the dialogue and cooperation with employers? organizations and consultancy organisms to increase their part in ensuring a real consumers? protection.18. Setting up partnership relations with central and local public administration organisms, with duties in consumers? protection, to develop activities of informing, advising and educating the consumers.19. Organizing a national level campaign to promote the project regarding including the consumption education in schools.20. Elaborating consumers? protection manuals for universities and colleges in cooperation with universities and the Ministry of Education.21. Establishing cooperation relations with research institutes, expertise laboratories (including foreign ones) to perform studies, researches and comparative tests.

YOUTH programme Action 5 – Supporting Measures: Call for submission of innovative co-operation, training and information projects

Deadline
01.07.2006 (at 16h00 Brussels time)
Budget line / available budget
15.05.01 / 2.000.000 euro (within this Call)
Objectives and supported actions in the field of ENARґs work
The objectives of the Youth Programme are to allow young people to acquire knowledge, skills and competences and to exercise responsible citizenship so as to become an active part of society.
In addition to the Action 5 activities as specified in the User’s Guide of the YOUTH programme (see below), the European Commission launches annual Calls for the submission of Action 5 innovative co-operation, training and information projects.
As the name of the Call indicates, the Commission wants to put bigger emphasis on supporting innovative projects in the context of this Call which explicitly excludes the support of standard activities of organisations or networks. All applications submitted have to follow one of the following priorities:
Cultural diversity and tolerance: Projects promoting cultural diversity and tolerance and addressing non-violent conflict transformation by facilitating dialogue and joint activities of young people from multicultural, multiethnic and multi-faith backgrounds;
Less favoured regions: Projects aiming at the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities who face multiple obstacles in geographical and socio-economic terms. Projects need to address how young people can deal with issues of concern to them. They should lead to an increase in self-confidence, new skills and competencies and have a positive impact on the young persons' educational or professional pathway;
Eastern Europe - Caucasus - South East Europe: Projects aiming at enhancing the promotion and visibility of the Youth programme in Eastern Europe (Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine), the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) or South East Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro), with a focus on training of regional multipliers as well as the development of networks and partnerships among stakeholders in the field of youth in these countries;
Innovation in European Citizenship education: Projects aiming at innovative and effective ways of bringing Europe closer to young citizens. Projects should inform young people on various issues of the European construction and/or build the bridge towards the implementation of this knowledge and experience in youth work and youth activities. Projects should play a role in having young citizens have their say in the European project and should show how young people can play their part in the European construction. The multiplier effect and visibility of measures taken is essential;
Co-operation between local or regional authorities and youth NGOs: Projects under this theme have to be clearly focused on one of the priorities (e.g. cultural diversity, inclusion, participation of young people) of the Youth programme. They have to be submitted by local or regional authorities and shall involve non-profit organisations active in the field of youth from partner countries, leading to a strong trans-national partnership between these entities. The number of local or regional authorities and youth NGOs participating in the project should be balanced.
Applicants
All non-profit making organisations and local and regional authorities (with a legal identity) which have their seat in one of the Programme countries (the 25 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey), are entitled to apply under this Call. Projects have to involve partner organisations from at least four different countries (including the applicant), must have a strong transnational European component and must involve young people and youth workers in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of activities.Organisations from neighbouring countries of the EU (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro) may participate as partners in the context of this Call; they are, however, not entitled to submit an application.
Legal basis
Council Decision N°1031/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 April 2000 established the Youth Community Action programme.
Community contribution
Applicants have to choose between two different project/budget formats depending on the type of activities/instruments they intend to use:Project/budget format 1: The request for funding may not exceed 65% of the eligible costs. It is recommended that the amount budgeted for personnel costs is not higher than 35% of the budget.Project/budget format 2: The request for funding has to be based on the Youth programme’s User's Guide funding rules for the different Actions and types of activities as far as flat rates (standard flat rates as indicated in the User's Guide apply) are concerned. For all other costs (such as coordination, travel costs etc.) the request for funding may not exceed 50% of eligible costs.For any of the themes and project formats, the maximum funding amount per project will not exceed 100.000 euro per year (12 months) of activity and the maximum grant will not exceed 300.000 euro.
Publication reference
DG EAC 62/05Directorate-General Education and Culture website
Contact
Applications must be sent to the following address:Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive AgencyRue Colonel Bourg 139, Kolonel Bourg StraatB-1140 BrusselsAll requests may be sent to:youthXL@cec.eu.int
General remarks
Activities must start between 1 January 2007 and 28 February 2007.
Projects must be of duration of at least 18 months. If justified, a maximum duration of up to 3 years will be accepted.
Presumably, this Call will support about 10 to 15 projects.
The User’s Guide of the Youth programme is available ateuropa.eu.int/comm/youth/progr ... (English version)europa.eu.int/comm/youth/progr ... (French version).
In order to apply and to obtain all necessary documents please visit

European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights Campaign 4 - Advancing equality, tolerance and peace

Reference: EuropeAid/122583/C/ACT/MultiStatus: Open (until 09.03.2006) (From the ‘Guidelines for grant applicants responding to the call for proposals’ )
Lot 1: Combating racism and xenophobia and promoting the rights of peoples belonging to minorities This LOT will focus upon the following priorities:Support for advocacy to realise the rights of persons facing discrimination on grounds of religious, racial, ethnic or caste background. The campaign will encourage the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation and policies at national level and the removal of discrimination in access to employment, education and other rights. It will promote fair and non-discriminatory representation and participation of minorities and caste-affected groups at all levels of decision-making. The campaign will also develop the capacity of anti-discrimination bodies and support projects to promote intercultural and interethnic understanding, including by encouraging the development of community groups and positive media engagement.Lot 2: Promoting the rights of indigenous peoplesThis LOT will focus upon the following priorities: Raising public awareness of the situation and living conditions of indigenous peoples, and promoting knowledge and understanding of their rights, in particular the right to live on their own land and to own property. Projects of capacity-building will be encouraged, including enhancing information flows, providing specialised workshops and supporting network building amongst indigenous peoples’ organisations at national and regional level. Support will also be provided for the preparation and activities of indigenous peoples’ representatives participating in relevant international fora and also for cooperation with international organisations.A proposal may not address priorities from more than one LOT.For both Lots, particular attention should be paid to ensure that gender equality and the rights of children are reflected in all activities. Moreover, preference will be given to proposals that include aspects to promote the objectives of conflict prevention and conflict resolution and that promote cross-cultural and inter-religious understanding.The Community grant applied for must fall within EUR 150,000 (minimum amount) and EUR 1,000,000 (maximum amount).No grant may exceed 80,00 % of the total eligible costs (minimum: 50%).More precise information: read the relevant document, downloadable from the EuropAid website.Information compiled by Wim Taelman, VORMEN vzw (www.vormen.org), wim.taelman@vormen.org

Invitation for financing projects in the area of European Integration for the NGOs in the Republic of Macedonia

The Invitation for financing projects in the area of European Integration for the NGOs in the Republic of Macedonia is published on 06.02.2006. This is the fourth year (starting 2003) that the Secretariat for European Affairs in cooperation with GTZ (project, no. 02.3515.0-007.00) announces the Invitation for involvement of the non government sector in the process of European Integration.Proposals should be:- Oriented toward the process of European Integration and/or cover specific area of interest for Republic of Macedonia within this process;- Directed toward the strengthening of the capacities of the NGO sector in the area that is covered by the project proposal.A project will be supported with up to EUR 5.000 in counter value in denars and the possibility of co-financing is encouraged.The deadline for application is 27.02.2006 by 16.00 h., and the following link contains:The invitation for financing projects in the area of European Integration for the NGOs in the Republic of Macedonia.

Call for proposals - European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR): Campaign 4 - Advancing equality tolerance and peace

Deadline
09.03.2006
Budget line / available budget
19.04.03 / euro 6.5 million
Objectives and supported actions in the field of ENARґs work
The main aim of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is to promote human rights, democracy and conflict prevention in third countries by providing financial support for activities supporting these areas.This call for proposals focuses on projects to implement Campaign 4 of the EIDHR, entitled “Advancing equality, tolerance and peace” which is divided into 2 separate Lots:
Lot 1: Combating racism and xenophobia and promoting the rights of peoples belonging to minoritiesThe campaign will encourage the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation and policies at national level and the removal of discrimination in access to employment, education and other rights. It will promote fair and non-discriminatory representation and participation of minorities and caste-affected groups at all levels of decision-making. The campaign will also develop the capacity of anti-discrimination bodies and support projects to promote intercultural and interethnic understanding, including by encouraging the development of community groups and positive media engagement.
Lot 2: Promoting the rights of indigenous peoplesThis Lot will focus upon the following priorities: Raising public awareness of the situation and living conditions of indigenous peoples, and promoting knowledge and understanding of their rights, in particular the right to live on their own land and to own property. Projects of capacity building will be encouraged, including enhancing information flows, providing specialised workshops and supporting network building of indigenous peoples’ organisations at national and regional level. Support will also be provided for the preparation and activities of indigenous peoples’ representatives participating in relevant international forums and also for cooperation with international organisations.For both Lots, particular attention should be paid to ensure that gender equality and the rights of children are reflected in all activities. Moreover, preference will be given to proposals that include aspects to promote the objectives of conflict prevention and conflict resolution and that promote cross-cultural and inter-religious understanding. The actions can be implemented on either regional, country or global level. Regional and global projects should seek to have a regional or global impact and be more than a series of small country projects combined.
Applicants
Applicants may act individually or with partner organisations. The European Commission draws the attention of the applicants to the fact that for this call for proposals partnerships between organisations for the implementation of projects are encouraged. In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:
be legal persons and
be non profit making and
be non governmental organisations or higher education institutions and
be nationals of a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA) or
For country projects: be nationals of a country eligible under this call for a project at country. In Europe, the following countries are eligible: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Turkey.
For regional projects: be nationals of any focus country of the region in which the action will take place. It must include at least three of the countries of the same region, which are: Western Balkan & Candidate Countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYROM, Turkey, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia. The latter can not be an applicant); Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; Latin-America & Caribbean. For detailed information please see the guidelines.
For global projects: be nationals of any country, except Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA.
Legal basis
Council Regulations EC No. 975/1999 and EC No. 976/1999 of 29th April 1999 – Official Journal L 120 of 8th May, 1999.
Community contribution
Minimum amount of grant:
- 300.000 for applicants that are nationals of a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA).
- 150.000 for applicants that are nationals of a developing country eligible under this call for country and regional level projects.
A grant may not be for less than 50 % of the total eligible costs of the action.
Maximum amount of grant:
- 1.000.000 for all applicants.
No grant may exceed 80% of the total eligible costs of the action.The grant may cover the entire costs of the action if this is essential to carry it out.
A minimum amount representing 20% of the total available budget will be available exclusively for applications between Ђ150.000 and 300.000 submitted by organisations having their headquarters in a country where country level projects are foreseen in this call for proposals. For lot 2, they must be indigenous organisations.
Publication reference
EuropeAid/122583/C/ACT/TPS
Contact
The Concept Notes must be sent to:European Commission Xavier de ConinckEuropeAid Co-operation Office, Unit 04Office L-41 3/621049 Brussels, BelgiumAddress for hand delivery or by private courier service:European Commission Xavier de ConinckEuropeAid Co-operation Office, Unit 04Office L-41 03/62Central Courrier ServiceRue de Genиve, 1-2-3 1140 Brussels, Belgium Questions may be sent by e-mail toEuropeAid-EIDHR4@cec.eu.int
General remarks
A proposal may not address priorities from more than one Lot.
The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 12 months nor exceed 36 months.
Please note that the procedure of project selection has changed. You will only be requested to submit a full application form if your concept note is selected. Your full application will then undergo evaluation.
Applicants must apply in English, French or Spanish.
The guidelines can be downloaded ateuropa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/t ... (in English) europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/t ... (in French)the application form (concept note) ateuropa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/t ... (in English)europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/t ... (in French)
You will find the published call at europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/c ...by following the instructions:
On the left-hand side, please select OTHER, status (open), type (grants), region/country (all).
Then send your request.
Please scroll down on the right-hand side to the requested call.