The Euro Changeover Board of Ireland (ECBI) is making 1.5 million euro available to assist non-governmental organisations to meet the costs of activities aimed at promoting awareness of the euro among the public or among significant sectors of the public.

Up to 50% (up to 75% in the case of community organisations or voluntary organisations catering for people with special needs) of the cost of approved eligible activity may be provided. A wide range of activities will be considered for financial assistance under this programme. The activities which are accepted for funding must be completed by 31 December 2001 (by 9 February 2002 in the case of organisations involved in training or coaching of people with special needs) at the latest.

Non-governmental organisations in this context are non-profit organisations and may include bodies such as registered charities, voluntary, community and vocational organisations, consumer groups, trade unions and business and trade organisations. State bodies and organisations are not included.

Special consideration will be given to:

1. proposals submitted by organisations involved in the education or training of people with special needs, including blind people, deaf people, people with disabilities and people with low levels of literacy;
2. proposals submitted by organisations representing, inter alia, elderly people, people based in the home, people who are unemployed, Travellers;
3. proposals from non-governmental organisations such as trade or professional organisations, for training programmes or seminars, etc., aimed at retailers and small businesses.

A Joint Information Programme Group, consisting of representatives of the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Office in Ireland, Forfás and the ECBI Secretariat will assess applications and approve projects for funding.

This Programme is part-funded by the European Union.

Application forms and further details on the eligibility criteria are available from:

Secretariat (NGO Application Form)
Euro Changeover Board of Ireland
15, Lower Hatch St.
Dublin 2
Phone: 01-639 6200 (LoCall 1890 20 10 50)
Fax: 01-639 6203/02/01
E-mail: euro@finance.irlgov.ie

Click here to view the application Form or click here to view the Application Form Details.

You can download the documents to your own machine by right clicking on one of the 'Click here' links above and choosing 'Save Target as' if you are using Internet Explorer or 'Save Link as' if you are using Netscape. You can also request an electronic copy by emailing euro@finance.irlgov.ie.

Completed application forms must be received at the above address no later than: Thursday, 5 April 2001