The Red Cross and the European Union

RC – EU Liason Bodies

I. Regional level: RC/EU Office

II. National level (example): PRC/EU Officer

RC/EU Office

General Information• Established 1983

• Located in Brussels

• Includes all EUNS members + IFRC

• Convenes once a year at annual meeting to establish policy

Structure• International Division

• Intra-Community Division

RC/EU Office

International Division• Facititate communiction between EUNS and EU on

international issues (emergency assistance, development etc.);

• Represent RC at the EU;

• Keeps EUNS up to date on relevant EU international developments;

• Provides support and training on ECHO;

• Publishes an Annual Funding Guide on EU Development budget lines accessible to the Red Cross.

Intra-Community Division• Facititate communication between EUNS and EU on intra-

community issues (social welfare, first aid, public health)

• Keeps EUNS up to date on relevant EU intra-community developments;

• Assists members on applying for intra-community funding from the EU;

• Cooperates with European social NGO’s

PRC/EU Office

General Information

• Established 2004 in cooperation with Dutch RC;

• Part of PRC HQ;

• Initial period of activity – 2 years;

• Roles and Responsibilities still being defined.

PRC/EU Office

Goals

1. Prepare PRC for functioning in the EU as EU member state;

2. Facilitate contact between PRC and the EU.

PRC/EU Office

1. PRC EU Preparation• Assess the changes/opportunities/challenges that EU

membership brings;

• Prepare training workshops for PRC branches regarding EU accession and changes resulting from it;

• Create a national network of PRC EU focal people

PRC/EU Office

2. Facilitate PRC/EU contact• Keep PRC branches up to date on relevant EU

developments (submission deadlines, funding possibilities etc.);

• Liaison between external organisations and the PRC both nationally and internationally regarding EU affairs;

• Liaison between PRC branches internally regarding EU affairs.

PRC/EU Office

Dates• ‘Pilot’ Phase: April – May 2004;

• Active Phase: June 2004 – April 2006.

Initial Contact • europa@pck.org.pl

Thank you