The European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Civil Protection Unit, is launching a Call for Proposals with the aim of identifying projects on an EU civil protection rapid response capability which might be eligible for financial support. This financial support will take the form of grants.

The fields concerned, the nature and content of the actions and the financing conditions are set out in the relevant Grant Application Guide, which also contains detailed instructions on where and when to submit a proposal.The guide, as well as the relevant grant application forms can be downloaded from the Europa website http://ec.europa.eu/environment/funding/intro_en.htm.

The Calls for proposals is set within the Civil Protection Financial Instrument (CPFI) programme which aims to support and complement the efforts of the Member States for the protection, primarily of people but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage, in the event of natural and man-made disasters, acts of terrorism and technological, radiological or environmental accidents and to facilitate reinforced cooperation between the Member States in the field of civil protection.

Proposals must be sent to the Commission to the address indicated in the Grant Application Guide no later than 22nd August 2008.

The procedure for the award of grants is scheduled as follows:

1. Receipt, recording and acknowledgement of receipt by the Commission,
2. Appraisal of the proposals by the Commission,
3. Award decision and notification of the result to the applicants.

The procedure is strictly confidential.