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Programme: Europe for Citizens
Identifier: 588461-CITIZ-1-2017-1-HR-CITIZ-NT
Title: Small municipalities against Euroscepticism
Summary
Through 4 public debates, participants of the project debated on Euroscepticism, how it manifest and influences our community. All results stated reflect the thoughts of EU citizens. So, this project is not based on literature, but personal experiences. The whole point concerning Euroscepticism is based on the fact that people perceive the EU is a strong political concept. The politicians are not putting enough effort to bring the EU closer to people. On the other hand, there is also the lack of involvement from citizens in democratic processes. Euroscepticism occurs due to many factors. Through the project, we defined the most important ones:• Lack of knowledge about the EU (values, policies and institutions) in both EU and non-EU countries.• Inequality in EU countries (such as difference in living standards, wages, distribution of funds). All citizens in the EU should have equal standards and rights. • Media – distributing too much negative information instead of giving positive examples concerning the EU.• Migrant crisis – people were not prepared and informed about migrants, which is why they are afraid.• Economic crisis – the crisis that struck 2008 is still ongoing in some countries. There are doubts in the EU because it was not prepared for such crisis and it cannot support Member States. • Lack of solidarity in times of crisis – between the EU institutions, as well as people (for example, lack of solidarity in the migrant crisis). People are losing the sense of belonging in such situations.These factors are even more influenced by the political situation in the community. Due to a big gap between politicians and local citizens, citizens are losing trust and interest. Less developed countries and those with less experience and knowledge tend to be more sceptic. Opinion about the EU mostly depend on the level of information of citizens and influences of the media and government. Regarding EU projects, they are present in local areas, but people lack interest. Institutions are far away from people and politics tend to work without respecting citizens’ opinion. Due to this, people do not feel close to the EU and blame the EU for everything. Euroscepticism has a bad influence on the community. Sceptics are not very motivated to use EU funds, which leads to the loss of valuable investments in growth and development. Moreover, if a negative atmosphere is present, the community has a hard time to develop. How to tackle Euroscepticism? People have to see the benefit. There are projects that contribute to the communities, but they should be clearly visible to the people. Having more balanced availability of funds, less corruption and politicians that work for the people can help to reach the sense of unity. Nevertheless, it’s not just the politics. People should show more tolerance and mutual understanding, cooperation and solidarity. Nations have to come together and act. Our message to politicians: make more effort and listen to citizens!Our message to citizens: make more effort and engage in political matters!By informing citizens at the local and EU level, using media the right way to spread positive examples and messages, organizing events and having institutions that work in a right way, a better and more optimistic society would emerge. With all the ideas given through all debates, a high quality campaign can be set up in order to promote such values.At last, we need both: Euroscepticism and Euro-optimism! In order to have a successful Union, we must be critical towards bad regulations and identify weaknesses. On the other hand, we should be optimistic that these problems could be solved. That’s the right way to ensure that change can happen. However, in order to achieve that, constructive criticism has to be present on all levels – the local, national and EU level.
Start Date: 01-07-2017
End Date: 30-06-2019
Duration in months: 24
Total Budget: 135000
Details
Year (Call): 2017
Country:
Activity: Strand2: Democratic engagement and civic participation
Sub-Activity: Networks of towns
Coordinator
Organisation: LOKALNA AKCIJSKA GRUPA PRIGORJE-ZAGORJE
Address: ANTUNA MIHANOVICA 3
Postal Code: 42220
City: NOVI MAROF
Country:
Region: Varaždinska županija
Organisation type: Organisation representing a local authority
PIC: 940443907
MUNICIPALITY OF KRIVOGASHTANI
Address: MARSHAL TITO NU. 84
Postal Code: 7524
Region: Пелагониски (Pelagoniski)
City: MUNICIPALITY OF KRIVOGASHTANI
PIC: 920832350
SOPRONKÖVESD KÖZSÉG ÖNKORMÁNYZATA
Address: KOSSUTH LAJOS UTCA 77.
Postal Code: 9483
Region: Győr-Moson-Sopron
City: SOPRONKÖVESD
PIC: 932009272
OPCINA GORNJA RIJEKA
Address: TRG SIDONIJE RUBIDO ERDODY 3
Postal Code: 48268
Region: Koprivničko-križevačka županija
City: GORNJA RIJEKA
PIC: 938505265
OPCINA BREZNICKI HUM
Address: BREZNICKI HUM 4
Postal Code: 42225
Region: Croatia Extra-Regio
City: BREZNICKI HUM
PIC: 947379504
MUNICIPALITY OF BREZNICA
Address: BISAG 23
Postal Code: 42226
Region: Varaždinska županija
City: BISAG
PIC: 915363587
MESTNA OBCINA NOVO MESTO
Address: SEIDLOVA CESTA 1
Postal Code: 8000
Region: Jugovzhodna Slovenija
City: NOVO MESTO
PIC: 936751311
OBSHTINA KAMENO
Address: OSVOBOJDENIE 101
Postal Code: 8120
Region: Бургас (Burgas)
City: KAMENO
PIC: 918571668
PRIMARIA MUNICIPIULUI BISTRITA
Address: PIATA CENTRALA 6
Postal Code: 420040
Region: Romania Extra-Regio NUTS 2
City: BISTRITA
PIC: 951912411
DAGDA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Address: ALEJAS STREET 4
Region: Latvia Extra-Regio NUTS 3
City: DAGDA
PIC: 932931257
MUNICIPALITY OF SREMSKI KARLOVCI
Address: TRG BRANKA RADIČEVIĆA 1
Postal Code: 21205
Region: Serbia
City: SREMSKI KARLOVCI
PIC: 921939217
MUNICÍPIO DE TORRES NOVAS
Address: RUA GENERAL ANTÓNIO CÉSAR DE VASCONCELOS CORREIA, 1
Postal Code: 2350-421
Region: Portugal Extra-Regio NUTS 2
City: TORERES NOVAS
PIC: 945141520
MLADI ZA MAROF
Address: ZAGORSKA 31
Postal Code: 42220
Region: Varaždinska županija
City: NOVI MAROF
PIC: 948573574
DRUSTVO ZA RAZVIJANJE PROSTOVOLJNEGA DELA NOVO MESTO
Address: ROZMANOVA ULICA 30
Postal Code: 8000
Region: Jugovzhodna Slovenija
City: NOVO MESTO
PIC: 946969873
DANUBE 1245
Address: 40, IVANA FILIPOVICA STREET
Postal Code: 21205
Region: Serbia
City: SREMSKI KARLOVCI
PIC: 921861617
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Europe for Citizens Programme