1. The Red Cross and the European Union

2. RC – EU Liason Bodies I. Regional level: RC/EU Office II. National level (example): PRC/EU Officer

3. RC/EU Office General Information Established 1983 Located in Brussels Includes all EUNS members + IFRC Convenes once a year at annual meeting to establish policy

4. Structure International Division Intra-Community Division RC/EU Office

5. International Division Facititate communiction between EUNS and EU on international issues (emergency assistance, development etc.); Represent RC at the EU; Keeps EUNS up to date on relevant EU international developments; Provides support and training on ECHO; Publishes an Annual Funding Guide on EU Development budget lines accessible to the Red Cross.

6. Intra-Community Division Facititate communication between EUNS and EU on intra- community issues (social welfare, first aid, public health) Keeps EUNS up to date on relevant EU intra-community developments; Assists members on applying for intra-community funding from the EU; Cooperates with European social NGO’s

7. PRC/EU Office General Information Established 2004 in cooperation with Dutch RC; Part of PRC HQ; Initial period of activity – 2 years; Roles and Responsibilities still being defined.

8. PRC/EU Office Goals 1.Prepare PRC for functioning in the EU as EU member state; 2.Facilitate contact between PRC and the EU.

9. PRC/EU Office 1.PRC EU Preparation Assess the changes/opportunities/challenges that EU membership brings; Prepare training workshops for PRC branches regarding EU accession and changes resulting from it; Create a national network of PRC EU focal people

10. PRC/EU Office 2.Facilitate PRC/EU contact Keep PRC branches up to date on relevant EU developments (submission deadlines, funding possibilities etc.); Liaison between external organisations and the PRC both nationally and internationally regarding EU affairs; Liaison between PRC branches internally regarding EU affairs.

11. PRC/EU Office Dates ‘Pilot’ Phase: April – May 2004; Active Phase: June 2004 – April 2006. Initial Contact europa@pck.org.pl

12. Thank you