<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>1.</NO.P>
<TXT>Publication reference</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
EuropeAid/114704/C/G/Multi.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>2.</NO.P>
<TXT>Programme and financing source</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
Support to free and independent media in the western Balkans is part of the democratic stabilisation process which forms part of the CARDS regional programme, budget line B7-541 under CARDS.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>3.</NO.P>
<TXT>Nature of activities, geographical area and project duration</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
-
(a)
The support to free and independent media in the western Balkans aims at encouraging an environment in which professional and independent media can function properly. The main objectives are to promote editorial independence, strong professional associations and institutions, local journalism and management training capacity, the implementation of a legal framework in line with European standards and regional cooperation between media organisations.
-
(b)
Geographical area: CARDS countries.
-
(c)
Maximum project duration: 18 months.
For details, see the Guidelines for applicants referred to in point 12.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>4.</NO.P>
<TXT>Overall amount available for this call for proposals</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
EUR 1,5 million.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>5.</NO.P>
<TXT>Maximum and minimum grant amounts</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
-
(a)
Minimum grant for a project: EUR 100000.
-
(b)
Maximum grant for a project: EUR 300000.
-
(c)
Maximum proportion of project costs to be covered by Community funding: 80 %
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>6.</NO.P>
<TXT>Maximum number of grants to be awarded</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
Fifteen projects.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>7.</NO.P>
<TXT>Eligibility: who may apply</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
Applicants must:
-
be non-profit-making; exceptionally, media organisations, not receiving profit from the action proposed, may apply for a grant even if they are generally profit-making,
-
fall into one of the following categories of organisation: trade associations, trade unions, public journalism training schools/universities etc., non-governmental organisations such as associations in the media sector, media centres, etc.,
-
have their headquarters within one of the countries eligible to participate in the CARDS programme (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), or in the European Union.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>8.</NO.P>
<TXT>Provisional notification date of results of the award process</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
July 2003.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>9.</NO.P>
<TXT>Award criteria</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
See section 2.3 of the guidelines for applicants mentioned in point 12.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>10.</NO.P>
<TXT>Application format and details to be provided</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
Applications must be submitted using the standard application form attached to the guidelines for applicants mentioned in point 12, whose format and instructions must be strictly observed. For each application, one signed original and four copies must be supplied by the applicant.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>11.</NO.P>
<TXT>Deadline for applications</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
The deadline for the reception of applications is 24 February 2003, 16.00 CET.
Any application received by the contracting authority after this deadline will not be considered.
<TI>
<NP>
<NO.P>12.</NO.P>
<TXT>Detailed information</TXT>
</NP>
</TI>
Detailed information on this call for proposals is contained in the guidelines for applicants, which are published together with this notice on the Internet website of the EuropeAid:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/index_en.htm
Any questions regarding this call for proposals should be sent by e-mail (including the publication reference of this call for proposals shown in point 1) to:
huguette.tas@cec.eu.int
All applicants are encouraged to consult the above Internet web page regularly before the deadline for applications since the Commission will publish the most frequently asked questions and the corresponding replies.