CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2005

Specific projects in the field of consumer affairs

(2005/C 152/03)

1.   Objectives and description

This call for proposals for specific projects relates to the implementation of Article 7(4) (action 18) of Decision No 20/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 December 2003 establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004 to 2007. This call is foreseen, and the budget allocation is set, in point 4.2 and Annex 3 of the 2005 annual work programme in the area of consumer policy.

Projects must contribute significantly to the achievement of European consumer policy objectives as set out in Article 3 of Decision No 20/2004 and as developed in the Commission's Consumer Policy Strategy for 2002-2006.

2.   Eligible applicants

For projects seeking a maximum of 50 % Community funding: financial contributions for projects may be awarded to any legal person or association of legal persons, including appropriate independent public bodies and regional consumer organisations, that act independently of industry and commerce and are actually responsible for the implementation of the projects. In addition to the applicant organisation, proposals must involve 12 partner organisations from different countries, 3 of which must be established in the new Member States/Candidate countries.

For projects seeking a maximum of 75 % Community funding: financial contributions may only be awarded to projects proposed by consumer organisations from the new Member States or candidate countries, that act independently of industry and commerce and are actually responsible for the implementation of the projects. They must involve as partners consumer organisations from at least three other eligible countries.

Applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

3.   Budget and project duration

The total budget earmarked for the cofinancing of projects is estimated at EUR 2,5 million.

In principle, Community financial support may not exceed 50 % of the amount of expenditure linked to the implementation of the eligible activities. However, Article 6(5) of Decision No 20/2004/EC allows a Community contribution of up to 75 % to be made towards the cost of the action for certain projects and for the period 2004-2007 the Commission proposes to give priority to projects involving consumer organisations from the new Member States and candidate countries.

The duration of projects should not exceed 36 months.

4.   Deadline

Applications must be sent to the Commission no later than 16 September 2005.

5.   Further information

The full text of the call for proposals and the application forms are available on the following website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/tenders/information/grants/projects_en.htm

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text and be submitted using the form provided.