The Brussels Harvest Seminar provided concrete guidance and new opportunities

Participants appreciated the overview of options, practical tips, personal consultations, and networking with other actors. We discussed challenges, shared inspiration, and looked for ways to make European projects a regular part of town and community development.

The seminar featured presentations on:

(download presentation)

Erasmus a Evropský sbor solidarity

Unijní program LIFE

Eurocentrum jako komunikační nástroj integrovaného informačního systému

Czelo a novinky z Bruselu

European Urban Initiative - EUI

Horizont Evropa: Příležitosti pro města

Program CERV - základní informace

Zastoupení Jihomoravského kraje při EU

JINAG

Are you interested in international programs but don't know how to get involved?

Based on your project plan, we will map out funding opportunities from European or other sources.
We will design a tailor-made project according to your needs and capacities, or help you find suitable partners.
We will provide support in the preparation of the application and provide assistance during the actual implementation of the project.

Involving municipalities and cities in international cooperation and the use of European funds brings several concrete benefits:

1. Financial support for development

• Access to additional funding to implement projects that the municipality could not finance from its budget (e.g. climate action, innovation, inclusion).
• Opportunity to fund pilot or innovative solutions that would otherwise not have political or financial support.

2. Gaining experience and know-how

• Transfer of good practice from international partners - e.g. in sustainable mobility, digitization, social inclusion, or citizen participation.
• Acquiring new skills for municipal staff involved in international projects - project management, language skills, and professional competencies.

 3. Building partnerships and networks

• Establishing international partnerships with other cities, universities, non-profits, or the private sector.
• Involvement in thematic networks and platforms that influence European policies (e.g. EUI or Horizon Europe).

 4. Increasing the prestige of the city or municipality

• Positive visibility at national and European levels as an innovative and open city.
• Opportunity to present achievements in international competitions, publications, and conferences.

 5. Community development and citizen involvement

• Projects such as CERV or ERASMUS+ promote active citizenship, solidarity, and community development, thus contributing to the cohesion and social capital of the municipality.
• Greater involvement of citizens in decision-making and public life.

6. Support for strategic planning and innovation

• Involvement in programs (e.g. EUI or Horizon) often helps to formulate long-term strategies - e.g. climate change adaptation strategies, digital transformation, etc.
• Opportunities to test new approaches and technologies without the need for widespread deployment (pilot projects).

Concrete examples:

• CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values): Support for civic participation projects, youth participation, and fight against discrimination.
• LIFE: Financing environmental projects (e.g. water retention in the landscape, energy savings).
• Horizon Europe: Research and innovation projects - e.g. smart cities, energy communities.
• Erasmus+: Staff and youth exchanges, training, and competence development.
• EUI (European Cities Initiative): Support for major innovative projects in cities (urban mobility, social inclusion, digital services).

We believe that if we can overcome fears and raise awareness, Europe will become a place of even closer cooperation - including at the local level.