Project Details
Coordinating Organisation
Partner Organisation(s)
Project map
Programme:
Europe for Citizens
Identifier:
615092-CITIZ-1-2019-2-HR-CITIZ-TT
Summary
The overall aim of the EUalive project was to develop closer ties between citizens and local governments from EU member states, specifically Croatia and Slovenia, in order to foster European citizenship and to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level. Specific project aims were:1. Developing a structured cooperation between local governments in Goričan & Šentilj on themes of joint interest, focused on Euroscepticism and youth migration in the cross-border area.2. Improve citizens' awareness on how EU policies and values support regional economic development and create new employment and business opportunities.Project aims were achieved with the implementation of two-day events in the Municipality of Goričan & two-day events in the Municipality of Šentilj. The events consisted of formal activities dedicated to panel discussions, workshops and presentations where participants got to know and discuss mutual problems, possibilities and common goals regarding the development of the project area. Special regard was given to issues such as Euroscepticism, youth migration, employment & lack of citizen participation in local actions. The project raised awareness on how EU policies and values can help preserve local identity & enable local and civil development in Croatia and Slovenia, and ideas were exchanged for future joint projects of Goričan and Šentilj.Countries involved in the project were the Republic of Croatia (Municipality of Goričan) & the Republic of Slovenia (Municipality of Šentilj).The number of participants during two-day events in Goričan was 74 (38 were invited participants), and the number of participants during two-day events in Šentilj was 73 (38 were invited participants). Main project activities included press conferences, panel discussions, workshops and presentations, NGO presentations, sightseeing and site visits. The project partners also implemented various communication activities to ensure project visibility & to distribute information about the project to the general public in Croatia and Slovenia. In that way, the number of indirect participants is around 300 000.During project activities, the participants exchanged best practices regarding civil society development and European integration, and the know-how on how to engage citizens in local actions, develop actions in line with EU policy and demonstrate how European integration has had a positive impact on local development. Participants also worked together to develop new ideas for future joint projects that promote European values. Interactions, activities and links between project participants reinforced the concept of active European citizenship & emphasized the importance of volunteering in local actions. In line with that, the project was concluded with the official formation of a network of twinned towns via the signing of the cooperation agreement between Goričan and Šentilj. The agreement details future joint priorities that address issues relating to youth, depopulation and Euroscepticism, and other fields of interest identified during the project. Sightseeing and site visits also gave participants the opportunity to see the local heritage of Goričan and Šentilj, during which new ideas and discussions were held regarding how to use this heritage to develop future joint EU projects. So called „brotherhood trees“ were planted in Goričan and Šentilj, which gave symbolic meaning to the project & will represent the future growth of the cross-border area of Croatia and Slovenia.Project partners will continue their partnership with new projects and will continue to teach citizens on how the EU gives great opportunities to enhance their quality of life and supports economic development.
Start Date:
06-03-2020
End Date:
20-11-2022
Duration in months:
32
Details
Year (Call):
2019
Country:
Activity:
Strand2: Democratic engagement and civic participation
Sub-Activity:
Town twinning
Address:
MAISTROVA ULICA 2
Postal Code:
2212
Region:
Podravska
City:
ŠENTILJ
PIC:
911502987
Within the Europe for Citizens Programme, the information available on the Website refers to the content submitted by the beneficiaries, as the data is retrieved directly from the application, at the moment of the selection.
