Role
Europe Direct is a label given by the European Commission to local structures to act as an intermediary between citizens and the European Union institutions.
The Europe Direct Centres are official information relays on the European Union in the 27 Member States and are hosted by organisations active in the field of information for the general public (local authorities, associations, etc.).
In France, there are 48 Europe Direct Centres
(source : Europe Direct Pyrenees Information Centre)
Missions
- To offer a free information service accessible to all
- To advise and answer citizens’ questions on European institutions, funding and rights
- To actively encourage local debate and citizen involvement in the definition and orientation of European policies
- Gathering citizens’ concerns and conveying them to policy makers.
Europe Direct Centres engage in a proactive and continuous dialogue with citizens in order to strengthen their sense of ownership of the European project. By organising information and dialogue activities, Europe Direct Centres enable citizens to make informed choices about the future of the EU by participating in the Union’s democratic process.
By promoting a better understanding of how the European Union, its parliamentary democracy work and of the issues for which the Union is responsible, the Europe Direct Centre raises awareness of the benefits the EU brings to citizens in their daily lives, while highlighting its added value.
The Europe Direct Centres work closely with the Commission’s Representations and the European Parliament’s liaison offices in the respective Member States. They also cooperate with other EU awareness networks and local contact points and promote mutual exchange and coordination.
Activities
The Europe Direct Centre helps to highlight locally relevant aspects of EU policies and to tailor messages and activities to local needs. Through awareness-raising activities and dialogue with citizens, the Centre helps to prepare the ground for the strategic policy priorities of the Commission and the Parliament.
Well established within European networks and local project leaders, but also in the world of education, training and civil society, the Europe Direct offers the following services:
- European animations in local events to provide information and activities related to Europe, to raise interest and debate among citizens
- Organisation of recurrent events on European issues, for businesses, citizens and young people
- Answering general, legal or technical questions about the European Union
- Informing and training on European funding opportunities
- Interventions in schools to raise awareness about the European Union
- Providing publications, material and promotional items related to Europe