Newsletter no. 6 - May 2004

Regional SME Fair and the regional conference
"Marketing in the Internet age"
15-16 June, 2004 Timioara

1. Funding Opportunities

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events

3. Useful Links

Global Community Partnerships


With a mission to ‘improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer’, GSK is clearly committed to supporting communities around the world. Our philosophy is to target support on selected programmes that are innovative, sustainable and which produce tangible results. Regional business managers are involved in the strategy and governance to ensure that programmes supported by GSK fulfil community needs. Most programmes are identified proactively through needs analyses and consultation with partner organisations; this means that we are unable to support most of the unsolicited requests that we receive.

Programme priorities: What is funded by Global Community Partnerships. We support not-for-profit programmes that share our vision of enhancing healthcare. Such projects include:
- Innovative programmes that accurately address a current issue or health related need
- Innovative programmes that offer GSK an opportunity to be viewed as a major contributor, and as a partner
- Programmes that bring together organisations in dynamic partnerships that significantly increase the scope or effectiveness of a project
- Programmes that offer opportunities to involve GSK employees or assist a community where GSK does business.

Programme design: In addition to falling into one of the broad categories listed above, any programme funded by GSK Global Community Partnerships should:
- Identify targets and possible barriers to success
- Include a plan for self-sufficiency
- Measure and evaluate progress
- Have the potential to be replicated.

Who is eligible? We will review preliminary inquiries from organisations that share our focus of healthcare, and are not for profit.

What you should do: Write a brief (one to two pages) letter that includes:
- A summary description of the organisation
- A summary of the proposed project or programme, with a description of the problem to be addressed, the proposed solution, how the proposal meets GSK support criteria, how GSK volunteers (if appropriate) can be incorporated, the amount requested and the proposed project budget (with all other anticipated sources of income), plans to measure and evaluate programme results, an explanation of how your request and your programme relate to GSK’s focus on healthcare, a contact name, phone number and fax number/e-mail address (if available).

What GSK will do: If GlaxoSmithKline is interested in your idea, Global Community Partnerships will contact you to request a formal proposal, confirm our decision timetable and provide a checklist of items to be included. If your initial enquiry has not been successful, Global Community Partnerships will inform you in writing within 30 days of receipt of your letter/request.

More information
Website: http://www.gsk.com/community/
Global Community Partnerships, GlaxoSmithKline, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS, United Kingdom


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STEP beyond: the ECF's Mobility Scheme


Launched in February 2003, our mobility scheme encourages cross-border cultural cooperation and exchange between all European countries, including those that are not currently members of the European Union. Specifically, it offers grants to people (individuals or those representing an organization) whose travel would contribute to this goal.

Why this type of fund now?
The European Union has gained ten new members. In its eastward enlargement, the EU acquired new borders and therefore new neighbouring states. Countries and cultures that were previously felt to be ‘far away’ are more present in the lives of current and future EU citizens, as well as in the lives of the 'new neighbours'.

The ECF wishes to strengthen cultural ties between those European countries that are not currently members of the EU and the present European Union countries. Supporting individual mobility in the setting-up phase of cultural and artistic initiatives is one means of strengthening such ties.

What kind of initiatives does the European Cultural Foundation support?
The ECF mobility fund, STEP beyond (Supporting Travel for European Projects) encourages travel that is guided by the following principles:
- Stimulating travel between the countries of the enlarged European Union and non-EU European countries.
- Supporting individuals in the DEVELOPMENTAL phase of new cross-border projects in the field of culture and the arts.
- Allowing the individuals and cultural partners involved to initiate real cooperation and possibly enter a long-term PARTNERSHIP.
- Giving preference to exploration eastwards in order to emphasize that Europe continues beyond the eastern borders of the European Union.

Who can apply?
- Arts professionals
- Cultural operators
- Cultural journalists
- Cultural translators
- Cultural researchers

S.T.E.P. beyond will not contribute towards the costs of:
- Participation in festivals, conferences, summer schools or training sessions
- The showcasing of work or the staging of productions
- Student or University exchanges
- Government officials

What costs are covered?
The STEP beyond fund will make a contribution to travel costs, visa costs, and, in certain cases, accommodation costs of those awarded a grant. It is an asset if the host organization could support the accommodation costs.

What countries can you travel to and from?
In order to facilitate the functioning of the fund as well as to reach its aims, we have divided the larger pan-European area into different areas. We work with the following groups of countries.
Group A (The countries that are not currently members of the EU): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Ukraine.
Group B (The countries that joined the EU in 2004): Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Group C (The countries that joined the EU before 2004 – plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

For mobility in the Mediterranean region, the ECF gives its support to the Fond Roberto Cimetta. Information via www.ietm.org.

The Fund will consider applications that encourage initiatives which correspond with one of the following types of travel:
A) Exploring parts of the cultural sector: EXPLORATION TRAVEL
The reason for travel must be to explore specific parts of the cultural sector relevant to the applicant's professional development and/or lead to the sharing of their acquired knowledge upon returning.
B) Preparatory visit on invitation of a cultural NGO: COOPERATION TRAVEL
The travel should be based on an invitation of a cultural NGO (non-governmental organisation), in order to prepare a collaborative cultural or artistic project. The applicant must be able to provide a letter from the NGO confirming the invitation.
C) First visit of a cultural network meeting (in line with the ECF's special focus on European trans-national networks): NETWORKING
The reason for travel should be to visit a European cultural network meeting, relevant to the applicant’s profession, for the first time.

What exactly will the ECF pay for and what won't it pay for?
The fund will make payments towards cheap flights or other means of budget travel from the country of residence to the country of destination. In certain cases, a per diem (an amount of money for every travelling day) will also be awarded. This per diem is meant to pay for accommodation costs. If your project falls under the heading COOPERATION (on the invitation of an NGO), in general the host organization will be asked to pay the accommodation costs.

The amount of the per diem will be calculated according to the average costs of accommodation in the destination country. The maximum number of days for which a per diem can be awarded is seven. The applicant may of course stay longer, but the extra accommodation costs will not be funded. The per diem will not cover seminar fees, tuition fees etc.
The same individual may receive an award no more than twice, and only one award per year.

What should you send and when?
There are no set dates for applications. However, the completed application must be sent eight weeks before the travel date at the latest. Please take into account that between the 1st and 31st of august, the ECF will not be able to process applications. We would still like to inform you in time if we are able to grant your request. Therefore, if you wish to apply for a grant and to travel between the 30th of August and the 27th of September, please send us your application on the 28th of June at latest, but always at least eight weeks in advance. The ECF will award or reject the application on the basis of a fully completed application form, an attached biography and any other relevant information and (where applicable) a letter of invitation from a cultural NGO. Please send all these documents in English only!

More information
Email: lschuitmaker@eurocult.org (Ms Lieke Schuitmaker)


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Sofia University- Ethnicity and National Relations in the Balkans, MA program, Sofia, Bulgaria


The MA programme will put political events of recent Balkan history in the context of the centuries long and often turbulent history of the relations between the different ethnic groups living there. It explores the concept of ethnic relations in both theory and practice. The courses will focus on specific aspects of ethnic and national relations in South Eastern Europe in the modern era.

The programme is developed according to the guidelines adopted by the Ministry of Education in Bulgaria following the basic precepts of the educational policy of the countries of the EU. A full-time student will complete the degree in one year, starting in September and taking four courses each of the first two terms before writing a 20,000 to 30,000 word dissertation. A part-time student will spread the degree over two years. Dissertations should normally draw on primary source material and are to be completed by October.

The courses will be taught in English. The students will be expected to write their dissertation in English. The suggested reading is in English, French, German and Russian. A two-semester course in Bulgarian language and literature will be provided for.

The students will be assigned to different levels according to their language skills. Courses in Serbo-Croatian, Romanian, Turkish and Greek are optional.

During the second semester and the summer months the students will take part in two ten-day field trips – one in a locality with ethnically and religiously mixed population; the other will include partaking in the day-to-day activities of an active minority foundation.

More information
Email: dolnouino@lycos.com


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International Summer School, September 2-16, 2004, Opole-Berlin-Brussels
Application deadline: end of May


This program was created in 1999 by an alumnus of the American European Summer Academy. It will take place in three different locations: Opole in Silesia, Berlin and Brussels.

The theme treated throughout the course is "European integration and EU enlargement - European security".

The Polish organizers are the European House at the Foundation for Silesia Development (Dom Europejski Opolu) and they are recruiting the candidates from Central and Eastern Europe whilst our Centre international de formation europenne those from the EU member states. We are aiming for a group of 25 participants who should be students in their second or third year university studies or young professionals.
The working language is English.

More information
Website: http://www.cife.org/en/programmes/downloads/opole-presentation-en.pdf,
http://www.cife.org/en/programmes/downloads/opole-conditions-en.pdf,
http://www.cife.org/en/programmes/downloads/opole-registration-en.pdf
Email: domeuropejski@fundacja.opole.pl


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European Summer Institute (ESI 2004): 'The Future of Europe', July 3-11, 2004, Prague, Czech Republic
Application deadline: May 15, 2004


The Prague's Centre for Public Policy, the ESI organiser, is currently accepting applicants for the European Summer Institute, ESI 2004. The European Summer Institute is a nine-day program designed to bring together 30 young participants of various nationalities and academic backgrounds from the USA, Eastern and Western Europe, and other parts of the World.

The aim of the program is to provide participants with an exciting opportunity to deepen their own expertise by enhancing the knowledge of the changing EU politics and exchanging ideas with academics, the EU policy practitioners and fellow participants from different cultural environments.

Two programs will be offered to the participants of ESI2004:
Program A: Lobbying in Brussels
Program B: Global Challenges of Enlarged EU

More information
Website: www.esi-prague.org
E-mail: info@esi-prague.org


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CEU Summer University, July 5-30, 2004, Hungary
Application deadline: June 6, 2004. Fee-paying applications and tuition waiver request can be submitted continuously until May 17, 2004


In 2004 CEU Summer University offers fifteen courses:
Cognitive Neuroscience
History and Cultural Studies
History, Philosophy and Religion
Legal Studies
Global Public Service Lawyering: Theory and Practice
Nationalism Studies
Rewriting History: Emerging Identities and Nationalism in Central Asia
Philosophy
Political Economy and Public Policy
Religious Studies and History
Romany Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
Training Courses on Policy Issues
Public Policy
Urban Studies

Eligibility
Minimum requirement for application is a university degree. Undergraduates without a university degree will not be considered. The program encourages applications from advanced Ph.D. students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, researchers and professionals.
The language of instruction is English; thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. (In some instances you may be contacted for a telephone interview).
Individuals are not eligible to apply to a SUN course if they attended a CRC (Curriculum Resource Center) session in the same calendar or academic year (i.e., they must wait one year after their participation in one of the above programs before applying to SUN).
Additionally, applicants are not eligible to apply to SUN if they have already participated in two CEU faculty initiative activities (i.e., CRC, SUN) within a four-year period. Preference will be given to new applicants over former participants in Summer University courses.
Currently enrolled CEU students are not eligible. Former CEU students may only apply if they are currently employed in their home country.

Participants from developed countries are expected to cover their participation costs which include tuition, travel, accommodation, insurance and living expenses. However, there are a limited number of tuition waivers available which may be applied for on a competitive basis. If you wish to apply for a tuition waiver, please attach a cover letter to your application specifying your reasons.
Participants from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well as those coming from emerging democracies worldwide can apply for financial aid.
The Full SUN Scholarships and the Partial SUN scholarships may include a full or partial travel grant which can be applied for on a competitive basis and will be available in a limited number. The maximum travel grant awarded is $1,400; visa costs and short domestic trips are not reimbursed. The citizens of the following countries are not eligible to apply for a travel grant: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia and the western part of Ukraine.
Please note that through the generous funding of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations course received from the World Bank Institute and the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the Open Society Institute applicants from all countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well as from countries of emerging democracies worldwide are eligible for travel grants.
The scholarships do not include insurance or living expenses, participants have to cover these on their own. Living expenses including local transportation and meals are estimated to be $200 for two weeks.
As the number of fully funded scholarships available is limited, funding offered by institutions or individuals is welcome so that we can invite more well qualified applicants. When choosing the financial aid package, please consider if you or your institution can contribute to the program expenses. Faculty and Ph.D. students are advised to approach their home departments for travel grants; researchers may have research grants available which can cover their participation; professionals may turn to their employers to fund their training in SUN. While selection of applicants will be based on the academic merit of the applications, those willing to bear the participation costs fully or partially will be preferred in case of equally strong applications.

More information
Website: http://www.ceu.hu/sun/SUN_2004/courses_in_2004.htm
Email: tellerk@ceu.hu
secretariat@erranet.org


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Jagiellonian University- Summer School of Central and Eastern European Culture and Politics (CEECP), July 4-25, 2004, Krakow, Poland
Application deadline: May 31, 2004


The curriculum of this summer session will comprise the issues of the newest history of the region, politics and future perspectives of the region from different academic angles and with a view on European integration processes, and consequences of globalisation for Central European transition countries.

The lectures will be divided into three modules with one distinguished lecturer taking responsibility of one week of classes and concentrate on one more particular aspects of research. The classes held in Kracow will be supplemented by the tour of Malopolska and will give the opportunity to acquaint the participants with natural and cultural heritage of the region. The working language is English.

The session is addressed to students, undergraduate as well as postgraduate. The application package should contain CV and an essay on the newest history of the region, with particular consideration of chances and perspectives for the region after the enlargement of the European Union. This year we will hold the lectures in our new seat, which is situated in a beautiful Przegorzaly castle.

More information
Website: http://www.uj.edu.pl/CEECP/
Email: grzanka@uj.edu.pl


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Bremen University- MA Business Studies
Application deadline: May 31, 2004


Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The University of Bremen requires that all applicants take a mandatory GMAT test as admission requirement for the MBS programme. Although no fixed threshold exists a minimum score of 500 is expedient.

English Language Proficiency: All classes are held in English; hence the applicants need to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the preferred choice of the Master Board to assess the applicant's capabilities in English. The TOEFL test is not necessary for native speakers, but the simple fact that English is the official language in an applicant's country of origin does not necessarily qualify sufficiently. However, besides TOEFL other renowned language certificates such as IELTS which test the different elements of communication, i.e. reading, writing, listening and verbal expression might, after approval by the admissions office, also be sufficient and accepted.

A relevant study period with a duration of an academic year out of Germany has to be completed before applying to the programme (only for German students). This means that foreign applicants can enter directly into the programme.

The tuition fees for the programme have been waived. However, there is a fee of about EURO 80 per semester, which pays for a semester valid public transport ticket and contributes to the student union. Financial aid in any form is not available by the faculty.

More information
Website: http://www.mbs.bremen.edu/prospective/information.htm


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Romanian Journal of Political Science
Application deadline May 31, 2004


PolSci is a peer-reviewed journal of political science, of relevance to all academics interested in Central and East European issues. It is edited and published twice a year in English by the Romanian Academic Society (SAR), a Bucharest-based think-tank with the mission of advancing ideas of liberty, democracy and sound government.

The journal includes a diverse range of political science articles, especially from currently under-covered fields such as comparative politics, public policy, or political psychology, covering broader Central or East European topics. Papers are theory-grounded and based on solid empirical work. Contributions drawing upon inferential analysis are especially encouraged. Articles published address current topics of interest, respect the cannons agreed in contemporary political science, and show perfect knowledge of previous theoretical contributions.

Papers are reviewed by board and staff members, but not only. The reviewers’ names are confidential. We do not publish unsolicited essays or op-eds. PolSci is accredited with the Social Science Citation Index and the previous issues can be viewed at www.sar.org.ro/polsci.htm.

Submitting Articles
PolSci’s fall issue will be published in September 2004 and will include a special section on The Political Treatment of Minorities in Central and Eastern Europe. Intended to offer an insight into the political agreements through which minorities are guaranteed a place and influence in governance, the subject is generously opened to cover a wide range of minorities, from ethnic, or religious to gender or sexual minorities. Apart from of the topic announced, the journal comprises a PolSci Papers section for which contributions are welcome on any relevant topic.

Articles must be written in English, the ideal length being anywhere between 4000 and 8000 words. Longer articles can be considered on the basis of exceptional merit. Please use numeric endnotes only, mark them in the text with superscript fonts (not automatic), limit their number to a minimum, and use consistently one citation system throughout your paper. Electronic submissions in Word for Windows should be sent to office@sar.org.ro. Hard copies are also accepted if accompanied by a floppy disk sent by mail.

More information
Email: csilla@sar.org.ro (Csilla Kajtar, Publications Manager)


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Summer Programme ‘Turkey and Greece: transcending the past and embracing the future’, Istanbul-Lesvos, July 7 – 30, 2004, Istanbul,Turkey, Mytilini, Lesvos Island, Greece
Application deadline: June 1, 2004


This year's programme is designed to provide a framework for understanding the social, political, economic and cultural realities and developments on both sides of the Aegean. Prospective students are expected to participate in this programme in order to develop a critical approach to the prevailing stereotypes which existed between Greece and Turkey for more than a century. Following this programme, participants would not only acquire specific knowledge with regard to Greece and Turkey, but will also improve their sensitivity concerning the region, i.e., the Balkans in general.

The programme will take the form of a series of lectures by experts in the field of Greek and Turkish studies. In addition to the lectures given at Ýstanbul Bilgi University Kuþtepe campus (July 7 - 23), this year's summer programme contains workshops on the possibility of cooperation between Greek and Turkish NGOs vis-à-vis peace building, Film-making and Gastronomical traditions of the Aegean. Workshops will take place in Lesvos Island (July 26 - 30), on one of the campuses of the University of the Aegean. This year's programme has been developed as the result of a joint effort between Ýstanbul Bilgi University and the University of the Aegean

Who can participate?
Prospective university students will be selected among the majors of Political Science, International Relations, History, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Legal Studies, and Communications and Media Studies.

Fees:
The fees for the applicants is 1000 Euros. This covers: Tuition, accommodation, breakfasts and lunch during workdays, cultural excursions, bus trip to Ayvalik and ferry to Lesvos, and transfers to and from school and from Istanbul Airport. A limited number of scholarship are available for highly qualified students.

More information
Website: http://summer2004.bilgi.edu.tr


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Université Libre de Bruxelles and the European Institute of Geneva- Sport in Central and Eastern European Countries
Application deadline: June 1, 2004


The issue of sport has become important in our society, but additionally it is also powerful and revealing of the nature of societies. For about twenty years, sport has been the subject of numerous reflections that have demonstrated that it is a 'mirror of the society' in which it fits into. Sport shows certain truths of a society itself and translates the changes within it. Until now, just a few studies have been done regarding the evolution of the sport after the fall of communist regimes.

With a special issue of the university publication, 'Transitions', the authors will approach the place and the role of sport in Central and Eastern European countries. Competition sport or mass sport, have always played an important role in the Eastern countries and subsequently such countries have invested massively in the conquest of sports medals, and therefore, reproduced the model of centralized sports organisations.

The fall of the communist regime and the rise of new States brought in the appearance of new sports nations, for which sport has always been an instrument of national cohesion, as well as a ground for confrontation and a means for international recognition. This explosion of the 'Eastern sport', as well as the opening to the market economy, has had numerous consequences on the functioning of sport and on its organisation.

There are many Eastern sportsmen growing today in the West, while many clubs are financially on their knees, as since the disengagement of the State, they have been forced to find other resources.

Despite the end of the cold war, the fall of communism, and in spite of the fact that the success in sport is no longer considered as an essential goal by the political systems of Eastern European countries, sport has not lost any 'extra sport' meaning on either national or international level.

If your organisation focuses upon the organisation of community based sport activities then you may like to consider writing a paper on a relevant theme connected with this topic to represent BiH in this publication.

More information
Website: http://www.ulb.ac.be/soco/cevipol
Email: jmdewael@ulb.ac.be (Jean-Michel De Waele)


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European Youth Centre- CoE Training Course on Working in International Youth Structures, October 5-16, 2004, Strasbourg
Application deadline: June 4, 2004


The training programme of the Directorate of Youth and Sport is aimed at young people who are in a position to act as "multipliers". The programmes are based on a philosophy of participation, democracy and intercultural exchange in order to promote the building and strengthening of an open and democratic European society. The knowledge and experience gained at international seminars and training courses can be used all over Europe by young people in the work of their associations and adapted to the needs of their societies.

One way of participating in society is to become a member of a youth organisation. The role of youth organisations is paramount and it is fundamental to support them, particularly in the international field. This course intends to enable those actively involved in the youth structures to improve their skills on working at international level, to provide additional knowledge and to increase the effectiveness of their work at international level.

Dealing with questions like structures, international institutions, lobbying, funding, etc. requires knowledge and organisational competence. This Training Course on Working in International Youth Structures allows participants to take a critical look at and further develop their qualifications in this field.

The main aim of the course is to help participants, already active in international structures, to better understand and more effectively use European youth structures and European youth programmes.
Objectives
- To provide a complementary European training to participants involved in European or international youth structures.
- To increase participants' knowledge and awareness on the concepts and practices of European youth structures and European youth programmes.
- To increase participants' competence and motivation to introduce intercultural learning in international and/or European youth activities.

Contents of the Course
The programme will start with a session of getting to know each other and presenting the youth organisations represented. The main content of the course covers the international structures of youth organisations themselves - what they are, why they exist, a short overview of their history, and the evolution of the relations between them. Links to international institutions at different levels will be examined. Through workshops, participants will be trained in lobbying, decision-making, and administrative skills. Different perspectives and understandings of Europe will be discussed. The focus will be on the importance of co-operation between organisations. Furthermore, the programme will deal with the different European youth programmes.
Another important element will be the reflection on the intercultural learning processes that takes place in international organisations, their branches and how they affect the work at that level. Part of the programme also covers practical skills training. The course will be finalised with an evaluation activity. Free time and leisure activities are foreseen in the programme.

Profile of participants
The participants selected for this course shall be young leaders and people in position of responsibility of International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations (INGYOs), National Youth Councils (NYCs), National Youth Organisations, governmental services, including municipalities or other partners, in particular those co-operating with the European Youth Centres (EYC), the European Youth Foundation (EYF) or the YOUTH programme. They should be responsible for representing their organisation in international youth structures.

More information
Website: www.coe.int/youth


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Bosfor Obshtestvo Bulgaria- Do You Gender? Let’s Cross Our Spaces! Gendered Space in Europe, Multilateral Exchange Programme, July 10-23, 2004, Bulgaria
Application deadline: June 6, 2004


Participating countries: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania, Sweden, Turkey.
“ Do You Gender? Let’s Cross Our Spaces! Gendered space in Europe” is a project giving an opportunity to the young people to find out gendered spaces in the European society, and to make a step out of this space by raising their own awareness and to create a vision of promoting common space of mutual understanding.

The program aims at raising awareness exactly of these gendered spheres through which the dualities arise in terms of the self and the other, the masculine and the feminine, the passive and the active, the good and the bad. In order to overcome the dualistic thinking in European society, which causes the exclusion and even the alienation of some groups, there should be raised awareness of equality, commonality and exchange.

The project is going to look closely at the European culture with its diversities and the way this culture participates in the forming of the European society nowadays. In that context Gender equality does not mean sameness but a step further to a more peaceful and democratic place to live in.

Who can apply?
Participants must be not older than 25 years willingness for: preparation and presentation of a paper, active participation in the project activities, preparation of an experience letter at the end of the program.

Participation fee:
All the expenses of the project (travel, visa, accommodation, meals, seminar expenses) will be covered by Bosfor Obshtestvo Bulgaria. The participation fees are: Albania 75 ˆ, Bosnia & Herzegovina 75 ˆ, Bulgaria 45 ˆ, Germany 200 ˆ, Romania 100 ˆ, Sweden 200 ˆ, Turkey 150 ˆ.
The project is supported by programme “YOUTH” of the European Commission.

More information
Website: www.bosporus.org
Email: bosfor_obshtestvo@mail.bg


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University of Sarajevo, Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies - The European Regional Master in Democracy and Human Rights in South-East Europe, Sarajevo - Bologna
Application deadline: June 14, 2004


The 12-month Master of Arts Program is established through the joint efforts of participating universities, coordinated by the University of Sarajevo and the University of Bologna and it is currently approaching the end of the first semester for the fourth generation of students. The program is co-founded by the European Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy.

Interested candidates may submit the application form and relevant documentation in person or by mail to the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies of the University of Sarajevo.

The citizens of six South-East European countries do not pay tuition fees, while they as well as the EU citizens are eligible for student grants to cover their basic living expenses.

More information
Website: www.cps.edu.ba
Email: coordination@cps.edu.ba


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youthEXchange.SEE An Allavida Grants Programme Enabling Youth Co-operation within South-East Europe
Application deadline: June 15, 2004


This is an announcement for an additional round of the youthEXchange.SEE programme.

Its objective is to promote regional partnership-building and the transfer of skills and knowledge, and above all to encourage links between organisations at grass-roots level which have had little or no access to cross-border opportunities.

Groups (registered/unregistered) may apply whose membership consists of young people aged 16-30, or which work specifically or mainly with people in that age range. Priority will be given to applications from youth-led groups and applications where young people are clearly involved in the design, planning and management of the project. They and their chosen partner/s must be based in their local community, and come from at least two of the following: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

Possible activities include:
- Training workshops, seminars or study visits covering skills development
- Joint projects, campaigns or other events
- Volunteer placements/exchanges in other youth organisations
- Action-oriented joint research.

Participation by individuals in regional events, such as conferences where genuine grass-roots access is rare, may also be considered.

The Programme is managed for Allavida from Sofia, Bulgaria, in partnership with other organisations from SEE.

The deadline for applications will be 15 June 2004, the duration of the projects can be up to three months and they must end by 15 November 2004.

Priority for this round will be given to applications involving partners from Albania and Kosovo.

More information
Website: www.wcif-bg.org, www.allavida.org
Email: mhristova@wcif-bg.org (Monica Christova, SEE Youth Programme Co-ordinator)


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Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI)- Policy Fellowship 2004/2005
Application deadline: June 25, 2004


The LGI Fellowship program is about fostering positive governmental reform. Each year LGI selects talented professionals to participate in its one-year multinational Fellowship program. Fellows work in small teams under the guidance of a well-respected mentor to produce analytical, policy oriented studies on a given topic. The mentors help build the capacity of the LGI policy analysts and experts.

LGI Fellows produce high quality studies presenting policy options and recommendations geared towards the policy-making community in their respective countries. LGI provides its Fellows training in how to write effective, concise, fact-based, practical policy reports. Other training modules LGI offers its Fellows are public speaking and presentation skills and advocacy methods. At the conclusion of the program LGI works with its Fellows to determine what steps it can take to support the proposed recommendations in the completed studies.

The primary goal of the LGI Policy Fellowship program is to support policy research aimed at stimulating innovative and practical policy reform related to various areas of governance and the provision of public services. Each year broad topics are identified for candidates from different country groups. LGI is currently calling for Fellows for its 2004/2005 program, which will run from October 2004 to October 2005.

This year LGI is featuring two topics:
I Subnational Budget Watch
Target Fellows:
1.Policy researchers, especially those connected to prominent policy institutes
2.Members of advocacy-oriented professional associations
3.Governmental auditor-generals
4.Media members focussed on budget oversight
Applications will be accepted from South Eastern Europe, the NIS States and Mongolia.

II The EU's Wider European Neighbourhood Initiative: Ensuring the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.
Target Fellows:
1.Policy researchers, especially those connected to prominent policy institutes
2.Members of advocacy-oriented professional associations
3.Select civil servants.
Applications will be accepted from, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

LGI will award successful applicants with a stipend for a period of 10 months between October 2004 and July 2005. The stipend will cover monthly expenses related to research and travel costs. Additional funds will cover costs related to attending three international workshops, at least two of which will take place in Budapest, Hungary.

Descriptions of ideal applicants follow each topic being offered. Fellows are normally civil servants, members of advocacy groups or professional associations, policy researchers and policy advisers. A graduate degree or equivalent is required. Applicants should be citizens of the countries noted under each topic. As a rule, Fellows will be based in their home countries and will be required to attend three international Fellowship workshops. Fellows are expected to continue with their current employment, spending only up to fifty percent of their time on the Fellowship program.

More information
Website: http://lgi.osi.hu/index.html
Email: lgprog@osi.hu


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Balkan Youth Partnership Programme
Application deadlines: June 30 and September 30, 2004


What is the Balkan Youth Partnership Programme?
The Balkan Youth Partnership Programme is a small grant scheme for study visits in the region designed for representatives from child- and youth-serving NGOs to share information and technical expertise.

Areas for exchange of learning
The key programmatic areas for information exchange and learning covered by the Partnership Programme are: employment, technology, non-formal education, health, civic education and democracy building. The areas of community service, culture and the environment are also eligible. In addition, technical areas such as fundraising, sustainability, grantmaking, monitoring and evaluation, and project planning are eligible areas for exchange.

Eligibility
The Partnership Programme is open to applicants from child- and youth-serving NGOs in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. The visits are eligible in those countries.
Applicants should be possess a certain level of experience in programme development and be in a position to influence programming in their own organisation based on what they learn during the exchange. The applicant organisation should send no more than two participants.

Available funding
The Partnership Programme will provide successful applicants with funding for the following up to a maximum of USD1500: Accommodation, Meals, Travel between the countries, Travel within the countries, Purchase of relevant publications.
In addition, the Programme will fund the administrative costs of the host organisation up to a maximum of USD300, according to the length of the visit and the level of organisation required.

Visit Guidelines
Prior to applying, applicants should contact the organisation with which they wish to work and ensure that there is mutual interest in the exchange. In addition, they should agree on the purpose of the exchange, identify objectives, determine an appropriate length of time and jointly develop a visit schedule. Exchanges need not be reciprocal.
Visits should last for up to 7 days, excluding travel time.

Assessment of Applications
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Clearly articulated outcomes showing how the exchange will strengthen the programmatic and/or technical capacity of the applicant organisation.
- Possibility that the exchange outcomes will positively influence the children and youth sector as a whole in the applicant's country.
- A well thought out, appropriate visit schedule.
- A clearly presented, reasonable budget.
- Appropriateness of the background and position of the individual applicants.
Please note that incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

How to Apply
Carefully read the guidelines and complete the application form, attaching all requested documents. Applications must be written in English.

More information
Email: ljupka@balkanyouth.org (Ljupka Nikolovska, Program Assistant)
Tel: + 389 2 3122 704/5


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Joint European Master in Comparative Local Development
for the Balkans and other Areas in Transformation
Application deadline: June 30, 2004


We are pleased to inform you that on April the 24th, 2004 the University of Trento signed an agreement with the University of Regensburg, Budapest, University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration and the University of Ljubljana. With this agreement the Master on Local Development for the Balkans became a cooperation among the above listed Universities and given these premises also changed, improved its contents. The selection process for the Joint European Master in Comparative Local Developmen for the Balkans and Areas in Transformation is open.

The programme offers 18 months (95 ECTS) of training for a post-graduate Master's degree. Its main objective is to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for introducing, supporting and co-ordinating processes of change and transformation at the local level. The focus of the programme is local development, with the following characteristics: public, private and non governmental agents are involved; social stability and economic prosperity are strengthened, in agreement with the acquis communautaire/ standards in European/ EC law. The general approach is comparative and interdisciplinary.

The Master's programme includes courses in economics, law, sociology and political sciences, project cycle management, workshops, skills training, internships, language courses, and distance learning. Most of the courses are taught at the University of Trento by professors of the University of Trento and partner Universities, and by international experts. Some courses are taught at one or more of the partner universities. Given the focus on local development, most of the internships and other activities will take place in local organisations located in Italy and in the countries of partner universities.

Attendance is limited to 25 participants. Candidates have to comply with all of the following requirements:
1. A four-year (minimum) university degree in economics, law, political science, sociology, or an equivalent qualification
2. Age: under 40
3. Fluent English and computer literacy.

A limited number of scholarships for participants from South-East Europe and other countries is provided by the organisers.

More information
Website: http://www.unitn.it/didattica/formazione_post/master_balcani.htm
Email: martina.cvajner@unitn.it (Martina Cvajner)


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The Balkan Parliament- "Balkans: Is Mission Europe Possible?", October 13-18, 2004
Application Deadline: August 1, 2004


Balkan Parliament is an annual international conference held at American University in Bulgaria. It gathers around 65 future decision-makers from the Balkans, ex-USSR, and Western Europe – 35 international guests and 30 AUBG students. The highlight of the event is a five-day political simulation, supplemented by numerous lectures, workshops, and social activities.

The event core activity is the Balkan Parliament Simulation, challenging the participants to role-play the leaders of their countries in a dynamic setting of negotiation, diplomacy and conflict resolution. Students are given a realistic framework and encouraged to design their actions facing obstacles similar to those their national leaders face.
Workshops, presentations, field trips and informal group activities combine to give the forum its spirit of open-mindedness and leadership. The selected students receive a certificate and a full grant, covering accommodation and board.

Travel reimbursements of up to 50$ will be provided for participants from the Balkan region. A limited number of partial reimbursements are available for outside participants. Reimbursement will be given on the spot at the end of the seminar, to participants who have attended all sessions. All participants will be required to send an estimation of travel expenses together with their first application materials.

More information
Website: http://www.aubg.bg/balkanparliament/


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The Wilson Centre- Fellowships 2005-2006, USA
Application deadline: October 1, 2004


The Centre awards approximately 20-25 residential fellowships annually to individuals with outstanding project proposals in a broad range of the social sciences and humanities on national and/or international issues. Topics should connect with or be related to questions of public policy or provide the historical and/or cultural framework to highlight policy issues of contemporary importance.

While the Centre does not engage in formulating actual policy, it is particularly interested in those projects that help provide the essential background against which current issues can be more thoroughly understood.

Applications from any country are welcome. Men and women with outstanding capabilities and experience from a wide variety of backgrounds are eligible for appointment. For academic participants, eligibility is limited to the postdoctoral level.

All applicants should have a very good command of spoken English since the Centre is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas among its fellows.

More information
Website: www.wilsoncenter.org
Email: fellowships@wwic.si.edu


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National Endowment For Democracy- Democracy Fellowships
Application deadline: November 1, 2004


The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) invites applications to its Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program. Established in 2001 to enable democracy activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change, the fellowship program is based at NED's International Forum for Democratic Studies, in Washington, D.C.

The program offers two tracks: a practitioner track (typically 3 to 5 months) to improve strategies and techniques for building democracy abroad and to exchange ideas and experiences with counterparts in the United States; and a scholarly track (typically 5 to 10 months) to conduct original research for publication.

Eligibility: The fellows program is intended primarily to support practitioners and scholars from new and aspiring democracies. Distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Practitioners are expected to have substantial experience working to promote democracy. Scholars are expected to have a doctorate, or academic equivalent, at the time of application. The program is not designed to support students working toward a degree. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program.

Support: The fellowship year begins October 1 and runs through July 31, with major entry dates in October and March. All fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel assistance, and research support through the Forum's Democracy Resource Center and Internship Program.

More information
Website: www.ned.org


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International Romani Studies Network, Turkey


We would like to announce the establishment of a new degree module in Romani Studies, to be taught at Istanbul Bilgi University from autumn 2004, as part of the Social Sciences programme. The module will be an elective, open to second, third and fourth year undergraduates from any pathway, and will run over one semester.

We also want to give advance notice of the Second Istanbul International Romani Studies Conference, planned for 14th–15th May 2005, to take place at Istanbul Bilgi University. The programme and call for papers will be issued in May, and the themes will be primarily concerned with identities, origins and migrations. The conference will be the culmination of a new Istanbul Romani Studies Seminar series at Bilgi University, where international speakers will be invited to present their ‘work in progress’, reflections and ‘showcase’ particular aspects, to students, researchers and colleagues in Turkey. The series will be part of the Istanbul Bilgi University programme over the academic year 2004–2005, and both the Conference and Seminar series will be funded by the Swedish General Consulate in Istanbul.

We are also in the process of establishing what we expect to become the first Romani Studies research centre, the primary task of which will be ‘mapping’ the Roman, Dom and Lom communities here in Turkey, over a one year period in the first such exercise since Ottoman times. The outcome of this will provide a baseline survey for the development of Roman organisations, pilot projects in health, education and employment, and culture in partnership with the communities, and with national and international institutions such as the Malmö Museer.

Ult