GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The main objectives include raising awareness among stakeholders about the importance of debt advice and enhancing the effectiveness of stable debt advice structures and networks. The initiative aims to benefit consumers with debt-related challenges, by supporting experts who offer relevant services at local, national and European level.

The scope of eligible actions, initiatives, and activities can include, but is not limited to (non-exhaustive list):

• Establishment of access points: Creating accessible physical locations and/or leveraging digital platforms (e.g., chat services) to offer consumer-oriented debt advice. These access points should be designed to provide easy, user-friendly and direct access for consumers seeking assistance with debt management.
• Consumer engagement and education: Organising events, meetings, and campaigns to raise awareness towards consumers about debt advice services. This includes efforts aimed at engaging consumers, informing them about managing debt and promoting the availability of debt advice services.
• Collaboration, reference points and best practices: Initiating and supporting the development of experts’ networks among current and prospective debt advisors to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices. This includes establishing reference points within these networks for the swift redirection of consumers to appropriate debt advisory services.
• Research and action plans: Supporting research projects and action plans that aim to establish or strengthen the infrastructure for providing debt advice services. This includes creating robust, stable frameworks that ensure the continuity and reliability of these services for consumers.
• Continuity and stability: Implementing measures to secure the ongoing availability and stability of debt advice services, ensuring that consumers can consistently rely on these essential supports.
• Capacity building and training: Enhance the skills of current staff and train new debt advisors. Focus on improving the efficacy and reach of debt advice services, with measures to equip advisors with the knowledge and tools needed to better serve consumers on a stable basis.

The following actions, initiatives, and activities are considered to have particular significant relevance for the purpose of this call:

• Cross-border cooperation and exchange of best practices between debt-advisory centres established in different EU Member States.
• Facilitating creation of new debt advice structures in regions where such structure are not existing.
•  Providing debt advice services to particularly vulnerable consumers

The proposed activities shall bring benefit to the consumers of the same country where the applicant(s) is(are) established. The proposed cross-border activities will be considered as added value.