European and International Unit (EIU)

 

The overall aim of the EIU is to link and feed into practice and policy within the European and International arena by acting as a bridge between the UK and relevant International mechanisms.

 

The aims of the unit are:

• to spread community development principles and experience in European policy making, especially for the period 2007-13
• to ensure that community development in the UK and other member states benefits as far as possible from European funding
• to assist community development workers and community sector organisations to understand European policy and funding processes
• to exchange experience and contribute to community development internationally via a limited number of projects within and outside Europe. 

 

Current work includes:

• Training (bespoke)
• Policy Analysis
• Network development
• Consultancy
• Project development
• Exchange visits and learning
• Publications
• Research and Evaluation
• Gender Analysis

 
 
Further information can be found in the EIU publicity leaflet  

 

 

How we work

 

The EIU captures details of developments on social policy matters on such themes of social exclusion and participation and key areas such as capacity building and empowerment.

 

The EIU works across partnerships and sits on a number of pan European working groups which provides us the opportunity to draw attention to community development frameworks, policy and practice in the UK and across the rest of Europe , and to also exchange information and share good practice with our European and International counterparts.

 

The EIU manages a range of projects and actively looks for more partners. European policy impacts upon the UK in a number of ways from the allocation and access to key funding streams such as the European Structural Funds and other funding and policy streams driven to promote social cohesion and inclusion.

 

Our current work programme involves a number of activities but our key focus for 2007-2008 is centred on the following projects and policy forums:

 

 

Policy

As a member of the Combined Bureau for Social Development,   we are a member of the Social Platform. We are also a member of the European Citizens Advisory Service and a member of the Third Sector European Network

 

 

Projects

• Plan D - My Voice in Europe
• Equalable
• Training and Learning for Community Development
• EIU and ICT