GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Specifically, the objectives of the call is to:

• promote exchanges between citizens of different countries, to reinforce mutual understanding and tolerance and give them the opportunity to broaden their perspective and develop a sense of European belonging and identity;
• enable towns to engage citizens and communities in discussions and actions on the climate and the environment;
• encourage cooperation between municipalities and the exchange of best practices;
• support good local governance and reinforce the role of local and regional authorities in the European integration process.

While maintaining a bottom-up approach, specific focus could be given to:

• Promoting awareness and building knowledge of the role of minorities, such as people with a minority and racial or ethnic background (for instance Roma and migrants), in European society and their contribution to Europe’s cultural development;
• Identifying ways to further strengthen the European dimension and democratic legitimacy of the EU decision-making process and fostering free, open and healthy democratic governance in an era of low turnout in elections, populism, disinformation and challenges facing civil society, by supporting citizens’ active involvement in European political life and the exercise of their electoral rights;
• Bringing citizens together to discuss actions on the climate and the environment, including energy-related issues, solidarity and sharing best practices, and thus contributing to increasing citizens’ engagement in society and ultimately their active involvement in the democratic life of the Union.

Activities may include, among others: workshops, seminars, conferences, training activities, expert meetings, webinars, awareness-raising activities, high-visibility events, data gathering and consultation, development, exchanges and dissemination of good practices among public authorities and civil society organisations, development of communication tools and the use of social media.