The EU has been funding a programme in the UK since 2007 which is specifically aimed at interfering with the British legal system. The current UK government is administering the scheme, as did the last one.
The EU has been offering more than 500 million euros to non-profit organisations (NGOs) since 2007. The programme is said to end in 2013 – but since when did the EU stop interfering in sovereign states?
On a web-site controlled by Ken Clarke’s Justice Ministry, the EU offers “Guidance for non-profit organisations on applying for European Union grants under its fundamental rights and justice programme.
“The fundamental rights and justice fund is a €542.9 million programme running between 2007 and 2013, which aims to develop European Union citizenship, promote fundamental rights, fight racism and strengthen civil society.”
In unequivocal support of this EU programme, the Ministry of Justice proclaims that it is focused on three streams: rights and citizenship, civil justice and criminal justice.
The money is distributed via action grants, operating grants, tendered contracts and by public procurement.
Using language which can only have come directly from Brussels, the Ministry of Justice’s website provides active encouragement to prospective applicants, including advice on how to apply for funds. Extracts follow.
EU Funding
The Commission uses public contracts to buy in goods and services - such as studies, technical assistance, consultancy, etc. - to support its own operations.
Calls for Tender
Major commercial contracts are awarded by the Commission following publication of calls for tender, inviting companies to compete for public contracts. Tenders are evaluated according to strict rules.
Grants
The Commission makes direct financial contributions in the form of grants to projects or organisations which help implement EU programmes or policies.
Funding Programmes
Funding programmes have been established to support activities in a number of Justice fields. Interested parties wishing to apply for grants should reply to calls for proposalspublished under these programmes.
Calls for Proposals
Commission departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs), publish calls for proposals, inviting candidates to present proposals corresponding to the objectives of the funding programme in question.
Check our current calls for proposals under the following programmes: Civil Justice, Criminal Justice, Daphne III (combat violence against children, young people and women; protect victims and groups at risk), Drug Prevention and Information, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, and Progress (non-discrimination, gender equality).
Full details can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/funding-and-grants/index.htm, including 11 pages of notes entitled “EU Fundamental Rights and Justice Funding Guidance.”
I am grateful to an old friend and supporter for drawing my attention to this fund and its purpose.
My apologies if you already knew about it. Sorry, but I didn’t!
Open Europe
Invites you to a morning seminar:
"How much power should the EU have over justice and home affairs?"
Wednesday 14 September
10.00-11.30am (discussion will begin at 10.30am)
Christopher Hinton Room
One Birdcage Walk
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
with a keynote speech from
James Brokenshire MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, Minister for Crime and Security
and responses from
Wayne David MP
Shadow Minister for Europe and Member of Parliament for Caerphilly
Dominic Raab MP
Member of Parliament for Esher & Walton
Since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force in 2009, justice and home affairs (JHA) has become one of the fastest growing European Union policy areas and judges at the European Court of Justice have seen their powers extended.
The Government can choose to opt in to JHA laws and is doing so on a case-by-case basis. Since coming to power, it has chosen to take part in new EU measures such as the European Investigation Order and the sharing of airline passengers’ personal details. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the Coalition must also decide by 2014 whether, for the first time, to give EU judges the final say over the 90+ EU crime and policing laws passed prior to the Treaty or whether completely to opt out of these laws en bloc. This marks a major – and inevitable – choice for the Coalition between ‘more or less Europe ’ in these sensitive areas.
Is the Coalition striking the right balance between enhancing security via EU measures and protecting national sovereignty and civil liberties? Should the Coalition use the 2014 choice to roll back the EU’s powers? And should Parliament be given a mandate to block ministers’ decisions to opt in to EU immigration, crime and policing laws?
Please join us to hear our guests’ thoughts on these hugely important issues. Refreshments will be served.
Places are limited. If you would like to attend the debate, please RSVP to Sarah Hodges on shodges@openeurope.org.uk, or 0044 20 7197 2333
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