Do you know that the EU has more than 450 different funds and funding programmes? In 2007, the EU also launched a range of multibillion funding programmes on areas including research, business support, adult education, information technology, combatting poverty, as well as the new generation of Structural Funds. Through its funds and funding programmes, the EU contributes to training, work placements and studies abroad, environmental projects, arts and culture, the creation of conservation areas, foreign aid, environmental action... and many other types of projects.

Most of these funds are available for projects everywhere - not limited to regional development areas. Some are, however, only available for not-for-profit organizations or entities. Although information on various EU funds and funding programmes is available, the practical dimension is often unclear to many.

For this reason MEUSAC organised an intensive and interactive one-day training session on the practicalities of EU funding for Local Councils. The training session, entitled ‘Getting through European Funding' was held on 26^th April.

The full-day training session was delivered by Ms. Maria Rauch, an independent international consultant with extensive experience in EU funding, with particular focus on the fields of Local Development, Employment and Vocational Training. She has advised several organisations including the European Commission (DG Employment and Social Affairs, DG Education and Culture and DG Information Society) and the Portuguese Labour Ministry. She has delivered training on EU funding in several countries including Portugal, Spain, Germany and Slovakia. Prior to consultancy, she spent 8 years in the Portuguese Labour Ministry, where she was projects coordinator in DGEFP (General Directorate on Employment and Vocational Training). She was also President of the Vocational Training Centre for Electronics (CINEL). Maria also spent 5 years as training director in a private Portuguese company and has also published extensively.