Twinning
The Institute of Public Administration was nominated as National Contact Point for Twinning in 1999. The Twinning Programme is a process initiated by the European Commission that involves mobilising human and financial resources to help prepare candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe for accession to the European Union, while continuing to assist new Member States with their ongoing transition. Our role in this process is to act as the central point of communication between the European Commission and the Member State. We channel information to Irish government departments and other relevant administrative bodies and advise them on the process and development of Twinning projects. In practice this involves the dissemination of project fiches to Irish counterparts in the public administration system (twinning is based on an agency-to-agency relationship between ministries) that will ensure the transposition of knowledge and skills from member states to new member states, Accession and Candidate countries to enable them establish modern efficient administrations capable of applying the Acquis Communitaire to the same standards as the current Member States.
For more information information please contact Nicholas Marcoux on + 353 1 2403677 email: nmarcoux@ipa.ie or Laura Sherry on + 353 1 2403667 email lsherry@ipa.ie, or consult the EU Twinning website at: ec.europa
The Europe for Citizens Programme
The Europe for Citizens Programme aims to try to bridge the gap between citizens and the European project, to bring Europe closer to citizens at local level, and to facilitate discussion on European issues and developments. The programme aims to assist in the organisation of exchanges and cooperation between citizens in different EU countries, with a view to contributing to a sense of affinity with common European ideals, and encouraging the process of European integration.
The general objectives of the Europe for Citizens Programme are to contribute to:
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Giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union
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Developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture
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Fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens
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Enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue
The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) is the National Contact Point for the Europe for Citizens Programme in Ireland. For further assistance and advice on making applications under the programme, please contact Laura Sherry at europeforcitizens@ipa.ie or (01) 240 36 00.
57-61 Lansdowne Road
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Fax: +353 1 668 9135
Vergemount Hall,
Clonskeagh, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Fax: +353 1 269 8644
Registration no: 21087