Background

In 2006, the European Parliament drafted an amendment to the 2007 EU budget proposing a ‘Pilot project – European political foundations’ to support the development of the European political foundations and their activities.  In 2008, funding was offered under a permanent grants programme.

Objectives of Fund

The European Parliament awards operating grants to political foundations at European level to support activities that further promote the objectives of European political parties in terms of contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and on European integration.

The financial assistance is expected to aid political foundations to act as catalysts for new ideas, analysis and policy options.

Value Notes

The financial envelope for 2015 is €13.67million.

Financial contribution from the Commission cannot exceed 85% of total eligible costs.

The European Commission reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

Match Funding Restrictions

At least 15% of match funding required

Who Can Apply

Participation in this Call focuses on European political foundations affiliated to a European political party and is limited to one foundation per party.

To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must:

• Be affiliated with one of the political parties at European level recognised in accordance with this Regulation.
• Have a legal personality in the Member State in which its seat is located.
• Observe, in particular in its programme and in its activities, the principles on which the EU is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
• Not promote profit goals.
• Have a governing body with a geographically balanced composition.

Location

EU Member State

Terms and Conditions

The following texts are available on the European Parliament’s Internet site

• Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding.
• Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 laying down procedures for implementing Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding.
• Grant application form.
• Specimen agreement.

Restrictions

The following costs are not considered eligible:

• Return on capital.
• Debts and debt service charges.
• Provisions for losses or possible future liabilities.
• Doubtful debts.
• Interest owed.
• Exchange losses.
• VAT, unless the beneficiaries show that they are unable to recover it.
• Costs covered by another activity or action plan receiving a Community grant.
• Inordinate or ill-considered expenditure.
• Purchases of equipment.
• Substitution costs for replacing persons involved in the activities.
• Expenses related to participants of non-eligible countries.
• Expenses related to use of experts/speakers from non-eligible countries, unless explicit prior authorisation is granted by the Commission.
• Travel expenses to and from non-eligible countries, unless explicit prior authorisation is granted by the Commission.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding is provided as an operational grant to meet operating costs. Amongst the activities that political foundations shall undertake, the following could be highlighted:

• Observing, analysing and contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and the process of European integration.
• Supporting European seminars, training, conferences and studies on the aforementioned issues.
• Serving as a framework for national think tanks, political foundations and academics to work together at European level.

How To Apply

Deadline(s):

2014 deadline for 2015 financial year: 30 September 2014

Frequency: Annual.

Useful information

Applications must be:

• Submitted on the grant application form (Annex 1 to the Bureau Decision of 29 March 2004).
• Signed by the applicant or his duly authorised representative.
• Submitted under double cover; the two envelopes shall be sealed and labelled as requested in the Call for Proposals.

Information taken from Grantfinder, Idox