NCVO and the Euclid Network are to co-host an event later today with Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, which will explore how to make it easier for charities to access EU funds.
Ahead of the event, Nick Hurd said: “The European Union is a major source of funding for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises. It’s absolutely vital that these funds are delivered with the minimum bureaucracy and are clearly signposted to the organisations that need them. NCVO and Euclid Network both provide an excellent opportunity for the sector to discuss funding issues directly with the European Commission.”
The event is part of NCVO and the Euclid Network’s Office for Civil Society Strategic Partners programme, devised to identify ways to unlock EU funds.
They believe future EU funds should include:
- Smaller contracts and potentially an expanded community grants programme to ensure smaller organisations can access funds in an easy format
- Less bureaucratic accounting procedures
- More transnational exchanges - European funds provide a unique opportunity for UK civil society to share best practice and deliver projects in partnership across Europe
In recent EU funds announcements €50m have been put forward through the European Social Investment and Entrepreneurship Fund from the European Investment Bank. The new Social Business Initiative will dedicate a further €90m to social investment.
