Call for proposals for Networks of Towns

Expected Outcome:

• Increased citizen engagement in society, including marginalised and under-represented groups and groups at risk of discrimination, and ultimately more active citizen involvement in the democratic life of the Union;
• Greater awareness of EU citizenship rights and improved implementation of those rights across Member States;
• Better access to information for mobile EU citizens and their family members on their rights as EU citizens;
• Increased participation of citizens and civil society organisations in local, national and European policymaking processes;
• Improved awareness of the benefits of diversity and the tackling of hatred, discrimination, racism and LGBTIQ-phobia;
• Greater mutual understanding and respect for European minorities, Roma, racialised people, LGBTIQ people, etc.;
• Increased participation of children in the EU project from an early age;
• Improved accessibility for persons with disabilities and better inclusion in the community;
• Stronger awareness of the contribution of migration, migrants and their descendants to the cultural richness, diversity and common history of Europe;
• Increased awareness of the importance of citizen participation, including through cultural activities;
• More effective policies tackling and preventing violence against women, domestic violence, violence against children and violence against LGBTIQ people, Roma and racialised people at local level.

Objective:

Policy priorities

1. Encourage citizen engagement, participation and democratic involvement at local, national, and EU level, promoting EU citizenship, shared values and democratic standards.
2. Raise awareness of the benefits of diversity, tackle discrimination, racism and exclusion, and support the participation of under-represented groups, including racialised people, migrants and LGBTIQ individuals.
3. Support the active involvement of citizens, including children, in public life, and promote democratic participation, gender equality and representation in local decision-making.
4. Prevent and raise awareness of violence, hatred and polarisation (including violence against women, domestic violence, violence against children, violence against LGBTIQ people and racialised people, as well as bullying and cyberbullying, and promote promising practices for local Roma inclusion, desegregation and social cohesion.
5. Promote democratic participation through cultural activities, including projects inspired by or aligned with the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Scope:

Promote exchanges between citizens of different countries, in particular through networks of towns, to give them practical experience of the wealth and diversity of the common heritage of the Union and to make them aware that these constitute the foundation for a common future.

Develop sustainable networks of towns, deepening and intensifying their cooperation, while outlining common activities to promote Union values and fundamental rights, and their long-term vision for the future of European integration.