Archive for category: News/Annoucenemnts

Following the success of the first round of DiscoverEU, the European Commission will launch a second competition for free tickets on 29 November 2018.
All 18-year-olds in the EU will then have until 11 December 2018 to apply for a free ticket, giving them the opportunity to travel around Europe between 15 April and 31 October 2019. The first round of DiscoverEU brought together thousands of young people building a true community across Europe. Participants, who never met before, linked up on social media formed groups to travel from city to city or stayed at each other’s places.
Commissioner Tibor Navracsics,responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: “This summer, around 15,000 18-year-olds were able to travel across the EU. They experienced first-hand what it feels like to be European. They got the opportunity to discover Europe’s diversity and cultural richness as well as to meet people from all over the EU. We have heard so many fantastic stories from those who took part, and I am delighted that we are able to offer this experience to more young people next year!”
Who can apply and how?
Applicants must be 18 years old on 31 December 2018 and be prepared to travel between 15 April and 31 October 2019 for a maximum period of 30 days.
Those interested in taking part need to apply via the European Youth Portal.
An evaluation committee will assess the applications and select the recipients.
Applicants will be notified about the selection results mid-January 2019. 
Successful applicants will be able to travel individually or in a group of up to five people. As a general rule they will be travelling by rail. However, to ensure wide access across the continent, participants can also use alternative transport modes, such as buses or ferries, or, exceptionally, planes. This will ensure that young people living in remote areas or on islands part of the EU will also have a chance to take part. 
The launch of the second round of DiscoverEU was announced by Commissioner Navracsicsat a stakeholder meeting today, in front of representatives working in the youth, education, transport and tourism sectors, and young people who took part in the initiative this summer. The meeting is part of on-going work to make the DiscoverEU experience even more effective and accessible in the future. Organisations such as the European Anti-Poverty Network were also invited to discuss ways in which social inclusion can be improved in future rounds of DiscoverEU. 
Next steps
Based on the overwhelming interest in DiscoverEU and the experience it offers young people across the EU, the European Commission has proposed €700 million for the initiative under the future Erasmus programme in the EU’s next long-term budget after 2020. If the European Parliament and the Council agree to the proposal, an additional 1.5 million 18 year olds will be able to travel between 2021 and 2027.
Background
DiscoverEU was launched June, with a budget of €12 million in 2018. So far it has given more than 15,000young people the opportunity to travel around Europe. This year – the European Year of Cultural Heritage – those travelling have also had the chance to participate in the many events taking place in celebration of Europe’s cultural heritage.
During the first round which from 9 July to 30 September 2018, some 15,000 young people were awarded travel passes based on a fixed quota per country. Once selected they could travel, either alone or in a group of maximum 5 people, for up to 30 days to at least one EU Member State. 
https://europa.eu/youth/travelling_en

The Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus is organising an information visit to Brussels between 6-9 November 2018, for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot young people actively involved in the civil society of Cyprus (including, but not limited to, volunteering organisations, culture and sport activities and youth leadership).

Date: 
17/09/2018 – 11:00 to 30/09/2018 – 23:45
Venue: 
Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, EU House, Lord Byron Avenue 30, 1096 Nicosia
The aim of the visit is to acquaint the participants with European Union’s institutions such as the Commission, Council, Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions. The main focus will be on European integration, citizens’ rights and the rights of young people. The initiatives of the European Union with respect to youth and volunteering will be presented, and participants will have the opportunity to network and create bonds between them as well as with officials of the European institutions attending the meetings, for possible future collaboration.
The costs of the visit are covered by the European Commission. These include the flight tickets, accommodation, transportation in Brussels from and to the airport and the hotel and certain meals. Please note that no interpretation will be available, therefore excellent command of the English language is required.
Eligible for the visit are young people between the ages of 18 and 30, involved in the political, social and cultural life of Cyprus. The young people should represent civil society organisations engaged in volunteering, culture and sports, and youth leadership.
Due to the limited number of places, a selection based on factors such as the CVs of applicants and the diversity and activities of the organisations will take place. Normally, only one person will participate per organisation. Priority will be given to applicants who have not participated in an information visit in the past.
The interested young people should submit their application (personal details, short motivation letter, a description of the objectives of the organisation) by 30 September 2018 accompanied by a nomination form signed by your organisation. If the nomination form is missing, your application will not be examined. Participants must hold a valid EU travel document (passport or ID card).
The selected participants will be informed on 8 October 2018.
The tickets cannot be returned or exchanged.
The application form (see below) should be returned to Mr. Zinonas Sokratous at the following address: [email protected] by 30 September 2018, either by email, preferably in one PDF document or by hand to the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, EU House, Lord Byron Avenue 30, 1096 Nicosia. ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS, WITH ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED, WILL BE EXAMINED.
For any inquiries, please contact Mr. Zinonas Sokratous or Ms. Kezban Akansoy ([email protected]) at the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus at the telephone number 22817770 between 11:00 and 13:00 or by email, at the contacts given above.
https://ec.europa.eu/cyprus/events/20180917_en

A total of EUR 50 000 will be awarded to a maximum of five winners. The deadline for applications is 7 September 2018 and the award ceremony will take place on 13 December 2018 in Brussels. The EESC Civil Society Prize is open to all civil society organisations officially registered within the European Union and acting at local, national, regional or European level. It is also open to individuals. More information can be found here:https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/2018-eesc-civil-society-prize