GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:

• To promote and foster a better understanding of the role of Cohesion policy in supporting all EU’s regions;
• To increase awareness of projects funded by the EU – through Cohesion policy in particular – and of their impact on people’s lives;
• To disseminate information and encourage an open dialogue on Cohesion policy, its results, its role in delivering on the EU’s political priorities and on its future;
• To encourage civic participation in matters related to Cohesion policy and to foster citizens’ participation to setting priorities for the future of this policy.

The proposals shall illustrate and assess the role of Cohesion policy in delivering the European Commission’s political priorities and in addressing current and future challenges for the EU, its Member States, its regions and the local level. More specifically, they should relate to the contribution of Cohesion policy to:

• boosting jobs, growth and investment at the regional and national level, and improving citizens’ quality of life;
• helping deliver on the EU’s and Member States’ major priorities – which include, in addition to job and growth creation, addressing climate change, protecting environment, enhancing research and innovation, among others;
• enhancing economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU while reducing disparities between and within EU countries and regions;
• helping regions harness globalisation by finding their niche in the world economy;
• reinforcing the European project as Cohesion policy directly serves EU citizens.

The target audience of the information measures to be implemented through this call is the general public and/or related stakeholders. More specifically:

• For the general public: the objective is to raise public awareness of the results of Cohesion policy and their impact on citizens’ lives to Europeans who are unaware of the EU and of the EU action in their region. Information should focus on developing greater understanding of the contribution of Cohesion policy to boosting jobs and growth in Europe and reducing disparities among Member States and regions.
• For stakeholders: the objective is to engage with stakeholders (including national, regional and local authorities, beneficiaries, businesses, academia) to further communicate the impact of Cohesion policy on their regions and to feed into the discussion on the future of Cohesion policy and, more broadly, the future of Europe.