Citizenship has its roots in the idea of active participation in the local community.The actions in these communities are the ones that make the difference and build an active Europe.
The programme "EC4LA-European Citizens For Local Action - Promoting active citizenship and European Identity through volunteering on local level" is the result of the long experience of the twelve European partners participating, in the work with volunteers and local communities. They have been supporting the volunteer movement in order to promote active citizenship and the participation of individuals in local actions.
EC4LA will focus on the initiatives taken by local groups and local organisations and will show the effect that the projects have on citizens life in the respective community.EC4LA will collect well-tested examples of promoting voluntary engagement and active citizenship from the partner organisations and will showcase and discuss their impact on local communities.The best practice examples will address different challenges in promoting active participation of all European citizens and the possibilities to take action NOW as well as to empower partner organisations and their beneficiaries.The beneficiaries are citizens engaged and willing to give their time, EC4LA will strengthen the role of volunteer initiatives and empower individuals in taking (local) action. This empowerment will be happen through the partner organisations and involved stakeholders that will support citizens and provide the right framework.
Citizens will get help to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to be active citizens in the local, national and global community. A specific emphasis will be given
to the support of young people which are the future citizens and will set the European agenda in motion.
The project will be implemented with virtual partnership meetings, a transnational conference, information days and 12 seminars "Citizens Actions" and assisted by a website.
The ‘ec4la’Conference will take place in Athens from 22nd till 24th of February at President Hotel.
The conference aims to encourage and educate local people to take an active role in society and to implement new ideas and initiatives through volunteer action and the support of the organisations involved. It will give space for individuals who are or want to get involved in volunteering, members of the partner NGOs, local organisations and initiatives from Greece and Europe. And to promote ec4la project.
ec4la conference will provide expertise and space for exchange between local and international NGOs, through an informal learning context, thereby stimulating the creativity of local people, entrepreneurial skills and initiatives aimed at strengthening the local governance for supporting and recognizing community service as a way to inspire people and improve communities in Europe. The action and activity that will be taken place in each partner country after the conference will be discussed in detail in the partner coordinators team and presented to the audience.
Partner organisations will prepare presentations of their good examples and present to the audience.
The conference will have also anniversary ceremony for 25 years of ELIX. We are expecting up to 90 participants (30 international and 60 local).
For the participants from abroad arrival day is the 21st of February and departure day is the 25th of February.
