By financing these projects the EC wishes to encourage better cooperation with local and regional factors, become closer to the people, and explain to them what the European Union is and which changes to everyday life it brings, Degert said presenting the projects to the press.
The projects refer to the business community, schools, journalists, the academic community, and the wider public through media events. Each project was allocated 50,000 euros.
Some projects are aimed at acquainting small and medium-sized entrepreneurs with the challenges of the EU's internal market, while others are aimed at bringing the Union closer to elementary and secondary school pupils.
Some projects deal with consumer protection in the EU, environmental protection, and with European integration awareness raising in the academic community, said Degert.
The nongovernmental organisations which received the money are GONG, B.a.b.e., the Democratic Society Association, CEPOR and the Institute for International Relations, all from Zagreb, the STINA Institute from Split, Sisak-Moslavina County, the Europe House Slavonski Brod, and the Organisation for Civil Initiatives from Osijek.