Tacis Cities Award Scheme (TCAS) launched

March 21, 2006.

    The European Union (EU) has announced a call for funding environmental actions carried out by municipalities along the western borders of Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine, and in the whole territory of Georgia. EuropeAid will distribute EUR 1.6 million for environmental sustainability improvements via the Tacis Cities Award Scheme (TCAS). Proposals for funding of up to EUR 160,000 are due by June 30 in English.
    Only municipalities are eligible for the scheme, but coalitions between municipalities and partnerships with non-governmental and other not-for-profit organisations are encouraged. The applicants will need to cover at least 20 percent of the project costs. Funding will be awarded to practical projects which result in a measurable improvement in the quality of life. Proposals need to address documented environmental priorities.
    Solid waste management, water pollution control, waste water treatment and water saving, air pollution, energy efficiency, and access to information are the areas for TCAS proposals. Projects may last up to 12 months.
    The TCAS call for proposals is posted on the website of EuropeAid, which is the EU department that handles external aid.
    Local language information, training and assistance are available to TCAS applicants from Royal Haskoning and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), as part of a TCAS support project. All documents, including application forms and guidelines, as well as information about applicant training and local language help desks, are available at http://tcas.rec.org.
    For further information contact Tatiana Gaidarenko, tel. +380 67 5025937, <Tatiana@tcas.rec.org>