Call for proposals IX-2013/01 � �Grants to political parties at European level�

The European Parliament is launching a call for proposals with a view to the awarding of grants to political parties at European level. This call relates to grant applications for the financial year 2013, covering the period of activity from 1 January to 31 December 2013. The grant will support the beneficiary’s annual work programme.

In order to be eligible for a grant, a political party at European level must:
- have legal personality in the Member State in which its seat is located
- be represented, in at least one quarter of Member States, by Members of the European Parliament or in the national parliaments or regional parliaments or in the regional assemblies, or it must have received, in at least one quarter of the Member States, at least three per cent of the votes cast in each of those Member States at the most recent European Parliament elections
- must observe, in particular in its programme and in its activities, the principles on which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law
- must have participated in elections to the European Parliament, or have expressed the intention to do so.

Applicants must provide evidence that they possess the legal and financial viability required to carry out the work programme set out in the application for funding and that they have the technical capability and management skills needed to carry out successfully the work programme for which they are applying for a grant.

The funding for the financial year 2013 under Article 402 of Parliament’s budget, ‘Contributions to European political parties’, is put at a total of €21,794,200. It is subject to approval by the budgetary authority.

The maximum amount paid to the beneficiary by the European Parliament will not exceed 85% of the eligible operating costs of political parties at European level. Financing will take the form of an operating grant

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2012.

Further details are available on the Europarl website

Reference: 2012/C 177/06

(Added 2012-06-20)