Selection of partners to carry out EUROPE DIRECT activities

The European Commission, through its Representation in Cyprus, has launched a call for proposals, identified as ED-2025-CYPRUS-FPA, to select partners to operate EUROPE DIRECT centers from 2026 to 2030. The primary mission of these centers is to strengthen the connection between the EU and its citizens, aiming to inform them about EU policies and actions, gather their feedback, and promote dialogue regarding EU matters that affect daily life. The initiative emphasizes the importance of European civic education and creating a public sphere within the community.

Eligible applicants include public entities, non-governmental organizations, and local organizations capable of managing local outreach and communication activities. These centers are expected to engage actively with their communities to disseminate information and organize events related to EU topics.

Successful applicants, referred to as partners, will enter a Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission and may receive an annual lump-sum grant after submitting an Annual Communication Plan, intended to cover part of the operational costs of running the centers. The total budget allocated for this call is 120,000 EUR for the year 2026. Co-funding is not required; however, partners must demonstrate their ability to provide additional operational resources throughout the partnership.

The application process is an open call with a single-stage submission, with the opening date for submissions set for May 6, 2025, and the deadline for proposals due by July 1, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. Detailed eligibility conditions, specific submission guidelines, and criteria for evaluation are provided in the call document.

The EUROPE DIRECT centers will primarily focus on communication and outreach, fostering a better understanding of EU policies among Cypriot citizens. Applications must meet specific legal and financial criteria as outlined in the call document. Technical questions regarding the submission process can be addressed through the FAQ section of the Funding & Tenders Portal.

This call for proposals aims to build robust partnerships with local organizations in Cyprus to serve as vital communication hubs, facilitating engagement with EU processes and contributing to a well-informed citizenry.

The European Commission, through its Representation in Cyprus, is offering a call for proposals, ED-2025-CYPRUS-FPA, to select partners to operate as EUROPE DIRECT centers from 2026 to 2030. The mission of these centers is to connect the EU more closely with its citizens. EUROPE DIRECT centers will inform citizens about EU policies and actions, listen to their concerns on EU-related issues, engage in dialogue about the EU's impact on daily life, contribute to European civic education, and help create a European public sphere. These centers should be well-connected within their local communities and organize communication and outreach activities on EU topics of local interest, either independently or with other EU bodies and local stakeholders.

Successful applicants, referred to as "partners," will sign a Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission Representation in Cyprus for the period of 2026 to 2030. Each year, partners may receive an annual grant following the submission of an Annual Communication Plan. This grant is a lump sum intended to cover part of the operational costs of running a EUROPE DIRECT center. Partners are expected to provide additional financial and operational resources to support their activities as a EUROPE DIRECT center throughout the partnership agreement.

The total budget for this topic in 2026 is 120,000 EUR. The call follows a single-stage submission process. The opening date for submissions is May 6, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is July 1, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Admissibility conditions include proposal page limits and layout, which are detailed in the call document and Part B of the Application Form in the Submission System. Eligible countries and other eligibility conditions are also described in the call document. Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements, and exclusion criteria apply as described in the call document.

The evaluation and award process involves specific submission and evaluation processes, award criteria, scoring, and thresholds, all of which are detailed in the call document. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also provided in the call document. The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in the call document.

Relevant documents include the call document itself, rules for legal entity validation, LEAR appointment, financial capacity assessment, the EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, the Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

To submit a proposal, applicants should use the Electronic Submission Service via the provided submission button, selecting the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement. Existing draft proposals can be accessed through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Applicants are advised to carefully read the call text and its annexes, including the guide for applicants, before preparing their application. Technical questions can be addressed through the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ section, and IT support is available for issues such as forgotten passwords, access rights, and technical aspects of proposal submission.

In summary, this call for proposals aims to establish partnerships with organizations in Cyprus to operate EUROPE DIRECT centers. These centers will serve as key communication hubs, bringing the EU closer to Cypriot citizens by providing information, facilitating dialogue, and promoting civic education on EU-related matters. Successful partners will receive annual grants to support their operations and will be expected to contribute additional resources to fulfill their mission. The call document provides comprehensive details on eligibility criteria, evaluation procedures, and submission guidelines.

Eligible Applicant Types: The call seeks partners to carry out activities as EUROPE DIRECT centres. The specific types of organizations eligible are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but it can be inferred that they are likely to be organizations with the capacity to connect with local communities, organize communication and outreach activities, and manage the financial and operational resources required to run a EUROPE DIRECT centre. This could include local authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, or other relevant public or private entities in Cyprus.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant. Successful applicants will sign a Framework Partnership Agreement and may be awarded an annual grant each year in the form of a lump sum. This grant is intended to cover part of the costs of running a EUROPE DIRECT centre.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, the call is for the selection of "partners," which suggests that single applicants are eligible, provided they can demonstrate the necessary capacity.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is specifically for entities located in Cyprus, as the call is issued by the European Commission Representation in Cyprus and aims to select partners to carry out activities in Cyprus.

Target Sector: The program targets the communication and outreach sector, specifically focusing on bringing the EU closer to its citizens. It also touches upon education, civic engagement, and public awareness of EU policies and initiatives.

Mentioned Countries: Cyprus is explicitly mentioned as the target country for this call for proposals.

Project Stage: The project stage is for the operation and maintenance of established EUROPE DIRECT centers, focusing on their ongoing activities and communication plans. It is not for initial research or development but rather for the implementation and continuation of existing initiatives.

Funding Amount: The budget overview indicates a total budget of 120,000 EUR for the topic ED-2025-CYPRUS-FPA. The annual grant takes the form of a lump sum covering part of the costs of running a EUROPE DIRECT centre, but the exact amount of the lump sum is not specified in the provided text.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by the phrase "launching a call for proposals." The submission process is single-stage.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant to cover part of the operational costs of running a EUROPE DIRECT centre. They will also receive non-monetary support through the Framework Partnership Agreement and access to EU resources and networks.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, as indicated in the budget overview section, meaning applicants submit a full proposal at once.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text, so the success rate cannot be determined.

Co-funding Requirement: Yes, co-funding is required. The partner commits to providing the additional financial and operational resources necessary to carry out activities as a EUROPE DIRECT centre for the duration of the partnership agreement, beyond the lump sum grant provided.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals from the European Commission Representation in Cyprus to select partners who will operate as EUROPE DIRECT centres for the period 2026-2030. The goal of these centers is to enhance communication between the EU and Cypriot citizens, informing them about EU policies, addressing their concerns, and fostering dialogue. Successful applicants will sign a Framework Partnership Agreement and may receive an annual lump-sum grant to partially cover operational costs. Eligible applicants are expected to be well-connected within their local communities in Cyprus and capable of independently organizing outreach activities or in collaboration with other EU bodies and local stakeholders. The call emphasizes the importance of contributing to European civic education and creating a European public sphere. The application process is a single-stage submission, and selected partners must commit to providing additional financial and operational resources to sustain the EUROPE DIRECT centre's activities throughout the partnership. The total budget for this topic is 120,000 EUR.