What can ECAS do for you?

ECAS was created in 1991 as an international non-profit organization, independent of political parties, commercial interests and the EU Institutions. Our mission is to enable NGOs and individuals to make their voice heard with the EU by providing advice on how to lobby, fundraise, and defend European citizenship rights. We are a large cross-sectoral European association bringing together members from different areas of activity: civil liberties, culture, development, health and social welfare, as well as general civil society development agencies. ECAS' objectives are described under 3 C's:

ECAS can take credit for enlarging NGO representation at European level, but the Institutions still appear remote, complex, and provide little guidance on the way they want to inter-relate with members of civil society. We can help make the EU easy. Our priorities are:
- Developing an electronic newsletter for members
- Training NGO representatives from the new member states and neighbouring countries to become EU specialists
- Promoting better access to the structural funds for NGOs

ECAS is an advice service for individuals as well as NGOs. We run hotlines and our team of legal experts has handled over 50,000 complaints.Our priorities are:
- To run the Citizen Signpost Service for the European Commission at a high level of quality and to help solve cross-border problems.
- To promote a "dual citizenship," both national and European, based on residence and going beyond free movement rights.
- To organize conferences and develop co-operation among citizens advice services

ECAS' first two objectives cannot be achieved without a third: A real change in the administrative culture of the Institutions to make them open and accountable to citizens. Our priorities are:
- To inform citizens about the new Constitution and how it strengthens their European rights.
- To develop policy research on transparency and communication between the EU and citizens.
- To propose a European compact between civil society and the EU Institutions.
- To campaign for a genuine European citizenship.

2011 is our XX anniversary and we are starting a new stimulating year, which will be marked with the implementation of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Finally EU Citizens will have the right to have a say in European policy making. ECAS is working on that and also on many other aspects concerning the European citizenship.
We would like to propose you our offer to become member of ECAS and enjoy our attractive and useful services, which includes:

• A free copy of our annual guide to European funding: a 200-page overview of all EU funds available for the non-profit sector, helping you to fill in your grant applications (in English or in French). Hundreds of NGO have accessed European funding as a result;


• Our multilingual team’s help for the implementation of your projects, a personalised advice on fundraising, preparing project proposals, putting together and running partnerships, running an advocacy campaign or setting up an office in Brussels and creating a European association with legal personality. Moreover, we will provide you with legal advice on free movement rights of persons and the use of EU judicial and non-judicial remedies;


• “The European Citizen Newsflash” monitoring EU affairs of interest to civil society: political developments, legislation, programmes and events; furthermore, you will be informed about new European Citizens’ Initiatives;


• Alerts to opportunities of making your voice heard in the EU: consultation procedure reports, tips and advice to take part or apply for any European call;
• - A monthly or two-monthly summary of all open calls for tender or for proposals;


• The possibility to spread among our members and to advertise your conferences and activities on our website (around 2 000 clicks per month); you will be also assisted in organising your events; 


• Take part in our events and projects (the 2011 will be our XX anniversary and we are going to organise special events for our members);


• - Professional help in organising contact and visits to the EU Institutions and other European NGOs.Depending on the services you would like to receive and the involvement you would like to have in our activities, you can opt for a more personalised solution choosing among our different levels of membership (please have a look on the back of this page).

ECAS is more than just a service. Being part of our NGO means to have an active role in the European civil society and to campaign for a genuine European citizenship.  If you are interested in becoming a member of ECAS or you are looking for further information, please check on this website or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Best wishes,
ECAS Team

 ECAS is supported by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission.