November 2005, Issue no 41
http://resource.regional.net
impact@regionalnet.org

1. Funding Opportunities

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events

3. Useful Links

Central European University - Full Scolarships Available for Roma
Application deadline: November 18, 2005


Central European University (CEU), with the generous financial support of the Ford Foundation, is offering a Preparatory Course in Budapest for young promising Roma. Full scholarships will be awarded, covering travel, tuition, housing, meals and living stipend.

Goal
The goal is to gain equal opportunity to access post-graduate education through open competition at CEU and in North America or Western Europe. The program will:
· Involve Roma students in the core degree programs of CEU (auditing CEU classes)
· Academically prepare them for their chosen field of study by intensive training
· Accustom students to advanced academic life
· Raise their English to a level adequate for graduate study.

Course
The full-time course will start in March 2006 and last until December 2006. It is a combination of
1. Discipline specific tutoring (in Law/Human Rights or Sociology or Gender Studies or International Relations and European Studies; additional disciplines may be offered)
2. Academic courses
3. Academic writing
4. English language training.

Who should apply?
Young Roma in Central and Eastern Europe who have:
· A university/college degree in any field (preferably in the Social Sciences or Humanities)
· Strong interest in post-graduate university education
· Intermediate English language skills
· Desire to study in a multicultural environment

Application
Your application must include:
1. Completed Application Form (in English)
2. CV, including academic background, work experience if any, and involvement in Roma related issues in your country if any (in English)
3. Letter of Intention, stating why you would like to participate in this program (in English)
4. One Reference Letter from a recognized Roma organization - translation into English should be attached if the recommendation is written in local language
5. One Reference Letter from a university professor or your employer - translation into English should be attached if the recommendation is written in local language
6. Official copies (certified or stamped) of all University Documents (diploma and documents showing your grades).

More information
Website: http://www.ceu.hu/sep/spo/roma.html
E-mail: romaac@ceu.hu


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Co-operating Netherlands Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe - Grant


Funding criteria
* Only registered NGOs may apply
The project must be administered by a legal entity that is a non-governmental non-profit organisation (for instance a foundation, an association, a federation, a union or caritas/diaconia) registered in one of the CNF co-ordination countries.

* One-time investments only
The application must involve investment costs in construction or reconstruction work or equipment, or training expenses. Covering operating expenses cannot be applied for, though one-time exceptions can be made for starting expenses, provided there are prospects of continued financing from other sources.

* Be innovative
The project must operate as a model that can be repeated by other organisations. At the same time, it has to be innovative in the sense that it shows a workable example to the community. Finally, the project has to be an exponent of de-institutionalisation.

* Proper working methods
There must be no legal or ethic objections to the methods or therapeutic approach practised or adopted. Must be effective in realising aims.

* Put in your own share
The applying organisation has to make a contribution itself, either from its own financial resources or through the mobilisation of volunteers or (local) sponsors in kind.

* Your doors are open to anyone
The project must have an open structure, without restrictions to those in need based on religion, ethnic descent, political conviction etc. Meanwhile, we require the applying organisations to be independent from any political stream or party that could influence the independence and sustainability of the project. For church projects this means that initiatives of a ecumenical nature are preferred; projects that are set up from a specific religious orientation need to be open in their attitude to others in order to qualify for support.

* Your bookkeeping must be transparent
The applying organisation must be transparent, which means that it has an accountable bookkeeping.

Despite these strict rules, the criteria for obtaining grants from CNF are flexible to some extent. The CNF do not wish to exclude innovative projects and new ideas that do not qualify immediately. In this way the Foundations’ policy and scope can be further developed. In cases of doubt, please consult the appropriate country co-ordinator.

Whilst applying, please note
* objectives must be clear
* application must be complete
* project must be feasible and justifiable
* organisation must be strong enough
* co-financing must be indicated
* project must have a solid social support
* voluntary work must be promoted
* project must be geared to enlarging know-how
* applicant must keep good relations with local authorities

Project evaluation is mostly being performed by the CNF-people in the countries itself. CNF in the Netherlands and the boards of their associated foundations are responsible for the decisions.

The following activities are not eligible for CNF support:
* scientific research projects
* projects for environmental purposes or cultural heritage
* applications for religious purposes
* activities that are generally considered to be the responsibility of government, such as formal education and regular medical care
* emergency aid
* large-scale projects, costing millions of US dollars
* projects that only deal with the extension of already existing activities.

Limiting criteria
In some countries the granting program is limited to certain areas. In order to find applying information on your country, contact your country coordinator.

Application procedure
For each co-ordination country, application forms can be obtained from the project co-ordinators in your country. For Romania applications have to be sent to the country co-ordinator in the Netherlands at Netherlands Foundation Children’s Welfare Stamps.
Except for Romania, regular contacts and correspondence with the CNF run through the project co-ordinator in your country. (S)he will gladly keep you informed on the progress of your application.
In all other cases contacts and correspondence with the CNF runs through your project co-ordinator. (S)he will gladly keep you informed on the progress of your application.
Once the Advisers have approved of your application, the project co-ordinator will forward it to the country co-ordinator in the Netherlands. After that, in most cases, the country co-ordinator will forward an application to more than one of the foundations associated to the CNF. Since each foundation sets its own dates for decision-making, CNF can not work with deadlines for applications. It is hard to tell in advance exactly how long the fund-raising procedure will take. From the moment a project is submitted to the time that the applicant will be informed about the outcome of the fund-raising can take anything in between six weeks and nine months.

More information
Website: http://www.cooperatingnetherlandsfoundations.nl/index.htm
E-mail: cnf_romania@yahoo.com


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Open Society Institute, London - East East Programme: Partnership Beyond Borders
Application deadline: at least three months before a project is planned to begin


The East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders is one of the initiatives implemented by the Open Society Foundation in London (a registered UK charity).
The program supports international exchanges that bring together civil society actors to share ideas, information, knowledge, experiences, and expertise and to support practical actions that result from that networking.

The East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders provides financial and human resources that enable civil society actors to:
� Build and/or strengthen resources and expertise
� Share best practices/lessons learned in social transformation
� Collaborate on innovative solutions to common challenges
� Create and/or strengthen international advocacy coalitions.

The program gives priority to long-term initiatives with clear goals and realistic potential for effecting positive change, for example, by:
1. Empowering marginalized and/or vulnerable sectors of society;
2. Promoting cultural, ethnic, and social diversity;
3. Managing the impact of social, economic, and political change;
4. Making information accessible and available to the public;
5. Encouraging public engagement and empowerment in civic dialogue.

The program responds to the needs of people in many diverse societies and empowers them to work beyond borders to achieve shared goals and leverage international experiences and perspectives to promote an innovative social agenda.

The East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders is implemented by the Soros foundations. Applications are received and reviewed by these foundations.

In 2005 the East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders launched a Subprogram for European Integration. This subprogram will prioritize cooperation among new EU member states, candidate and potential candidate countries, and the EU eastern neighbours. Specifically, the subprogram seeks to leverage and maximize EU accession experiences in Central Europe to future EU member countries and EU eastern neighbours. The subprogram will seek to discover and inspire the new vision and energy required to address civil society collaboration among new EU member states, future member states, and the EU eastern neighbourhood. The subprogram is open to Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Application Information
The East East Program does not accept applications centrally. For more information, please contact the appropriate East East Program coordinator.
Applicants are requested to provide complete project information according to the Project Application Form.

Deadlines and decision process
The East East Program coordinator in the Soros foundation in the country in which a project is to take place evaluates project proposals. After this, proposals are sent for further review to the East East Program network and finally, submitted to the management in the Open Society Institute-London for final decision. Proposals must be received by the program management at least three months before a project is planned to begin.

Financial Support
The East East Program should not be the only source of financial support for a project. Sources of financial support and/or in-kind contributions must be stated in the project application.
For seminars, roundtables and exchange visits, financial support may be requested for accommodation; meals; in-country travel; translation; printing/publication of project results; and, reasonable administrative expenses to prepare the project. If other expenses are requested, the organizer must provide complete budget detail and explanation.
For other types of cooperative projects, the organizer must provide complete budget details and explanation of requested expenses.
nb. Reasonable administrative expenses may include communication (telephone, fax, postage) and preparation of project materials. The program does not support purchase or rental of equipment or office supplies to maintain equipment; fees for services provided by the organizer; organizer’s staff salaries; general overhead costs.

Participation
If this project is accepted for East East Program support, travel expenses of participants will be requested through the East East Program in the foundations of the Soros foundation network.
Decisions about supporting participants to projects are made by the foundations. Fundamental to the East East Program is that network of national foundations have opportunities to identify and select participants to projects supported in the East East Program.
A project organizer may suggest participants to a project. A participant suggested by an organizer may apply to the East East Program coordinator in the foundation in his/her country. The organizer is responsible to inform suggested participants to apply to the foundations for consideration of East East Program support. East East Program support is not guaranteed for participants suggested by an organizer; there is no guarantee that a foundation will support participants suggested by an organizer. Organizers are asked to provide complete and detailed information about suggested participants, including name and title, professional responsibilities and reasons suggested to attend a project.

More information:
Website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/east/about
E-mail: geszti@soros.hu (Geszti Judit, Program coordinator)


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The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training - Traineeship
Application deadline: November 30, 2005 (for the March training period)


Cedefop organises training periods lasting a maximum of five months for university graduates and public sector employees. The training periods start on 1 March and 1 September each year.

The purpose of in-service training at Cedefop is in particular:
Ø To give trainees a general idea of the objectives of and problems associated with the development of initial and continuing professional training within the framework of European integration
Ø To provide them with practical knowledge of the working of Cedefop departments
Ø To enable them to acquire personal experience by means of the contacts made in the course of their everyday work
Ø To enable them to further and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired during their studies or professional careers.

Trainees are selected from among nationals of the Member States of the European Communities. However, a limited number of nationals of non-member countries may be accepted.

In-service training at Cedefop is open to candidates who have not already benefited from in-service training in another European institution or body, and:
(a) Who have completed by the closing date for applications a course of university education and obtained a full degree or its equivalent (for minimum national education requirements)
(b) Are public sector employees, provided they have a university degree or equivalent diploma or have been engaged in advisory duties for at least three years.

Applications are accepted only if they are accompanied by a photocopy of the candidate’s degree certificate (or, in the absence of this document, an official statement from the university confirming the degree result) or a suitable attestation from the employer.
Except in the case of a properly justified derogation, the age limit for training placements is 30.
Applicants must have a thorough knowledge of one Community language and a satisfactory knowledge of another Community language. Applicants from non-member countries must have a good knowledge of one Cedefop working language (EN, FR, DE, EL); knowledge of other Community languages is considered an advantage.
Successful applicants are selected on the basis of qualifications and/or experience; an appropriate geographical distribution will be maintained. Candidates should offer as wide a range of academic disciplines as possible in order to provide Cedefop with a large choice of specialisations. Priority is given to applicants on the basis of the results obtained during their studies.
Applications will also be considered from those:
• Who have completed or started a course on European integration
• Who hold public sector posts which require a thorough knowledge of Community activities.

All candidates are considered eligible for a grant, and their travelling expenses (within certain limits) are also reimbursed.
In order to facilitate equal participation, disabled trainees may receive a supplement of 50% of the basic grant. The objective of this extra payment is to help disabled trainees to cover extra expenses such as transport, the cost of special accommodation etc. which might be required due to their disability.

More information
Website: http://www.cedefop.eu.int/stages.asp
E-mail: info@cedefop.eu.int


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European Commission DG Education and Culture - Promotion of Active European Citizenship. Support to non-governmental organisations, associations and federations of European interest
Application deadline: November 30, 2005


This call for proposals supports initiatives conducted by a) Non-governmental organisations and b) Associations and Federations of European interest, participating in European dialogue, on specific themes relating to the objectives of the programme to promote active European citizenship.

Project proposals should relate to one or more of the following thematic areas, with a view to encouraging reflection and discussion on the consolidation of the European Union, and/ or promoting and disseminating its values and objectives:
- To promote and disseminate the values and objectives of the European Union
- To bring citizens closer to the European Union and its institutions and to encourage them to engage more frequently with its institutions
- To involve citizens closely in reflection and discussion on the construction of the European Union
- To stimulate initiatives by the bodies engaged in the promotion of active and participatory citizenship.

Thematic areas:
a) Non-governmental organisations
- Building on the impact of EU policies on the daily lives of citizens, with the aim of raising awareness and improving the understanding and application of these policies in the European Union
- Promoting the active participation of citizens of those Member States that have recently joined the Union
- Encouraging the implementation of European projects favouring specifically pluralism, tolerance, respect for diversity, non-discrimination and solidarity, especially towards disadvantaged groups (such as the disabled, the elderly, young people in difficulty), in the context of European integration
- Encouraging European projects in favour of solidarity and dialogue between the generations, with the active involvement of young people.

b) Associations and Federation of European interest:
- Promoting dialogue and reflection between European citizens concerning the ethical and spiritual values of European integration
- Developing links between ethics and politics in order to foster the active and direct participation of citizens in civil society
- Exploring the possibility of developing a European identity which respects and is based on historical and cultural diversity and is oriented towards a common future, with particular attention to the active participation of the citizens of those Member States that have recently joined the Union
- Involving various ethnic and/or religious groups in Europe in the promotion of mutual understanding, respect and tolerance between these groups, with the direct and active involvement of citizens at local and regional level
- Promoting the active participation of citizens of those Member States that have recently joined the Union.

Applicants eligible to apply are: NGOs or associations/federations of European interest.

Eligible types of action include: Conferences, seminars, workshops, networking, exchange of experience and best practice, education and training events, strategies and dissemination activities.

Countries eligible to apply are:
- 25 Member States of the European Union
- EFTA/EEA countries - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement
- Romania and Bulgaria in accordance with the European Agreements
- Turkey in accordance with the Framework Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Turkey.

More information
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education_culture/activecitizenship/ong_en.htm
E-mail: eac-soc-civile@cec.eu.int


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SOROS OSI Budapest and European Commission - European Commission Internship for Young Roma University Graduates
Application deadline: December 1, 2005


In co-operation with the Open Society Institute, the European Commission offers 10 three-month periods of internships for young Roma university graduates from all new member states (excluding Cyprus and Malta), Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo), and Turkey.

The training periods involve work experience in one of the Commission’s departments.

The internship program aims:
- To give Roma interns a general idea of the objectives and problems of European integration
- To provide practical knowledge of the working of Commission departments;
to enable interns to acquire personal experience by means of the contacts made in the course of everyday work
- To enable them to further and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired during their studies or professional careers.

Eligibility
- Nationals of all new member states (excluding Cyprus and Malta), Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo), and Turkey, who are of Roma origin may apply.
- Applications from women are encouraged.
- Candidates must have completed a course of university education and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by the closing date for applications. Applications are only accepted if they are accompanied by a photocopy of the candidate’s degree certificate (or, in the absence of this document, an official statement from the university confirming the degree result).
- Preference will be given to candidates with proven experience in civil society work.
- Working knowledge of at least English or French is required, as is ability to draft reports in one of these languages. Other languages would be appreciated.
- Minimum computer literacy is required.
- The age limit for interns is 25. However, the Selection Committee may, if there is a good reason, make exceptions to this age limit at the candidate's request (in which case, a cover letter should be submitted with the application form). As the nature of the Commission’s in-service training program is aimed at young graduates at the beginning of their career, this age limit should not be considered to be discriminatory.
- The internship scheme at the Commission is open to candidates who have not already benefited from in-service training in another European institution or body.

Time Frame
Internships last for three months. Starting dates are March 1, 2006, and September 15, 2006.

Working Conditions
- Health and accident insurance is compulsory and must be obtained by the selected intern before the start of the internship. OSI will cover the costs of the health and accident insurance for three months.
- Relevant infrastructure (office space, computer, etc.) will be provided by the European Commission.
- Each intern will be assigned a supervisor.

Work Description
- A job description will be provided by the senior official (supervisor) to whom the intern will be assigned during the period of her/his in-service training. The supervisor will follow the intern's work. It is expected that intern will participate in all the tasks of the team. The type of work will be equivalent to that of junior executive-grade officials, e.g. compiling information and documentation; organizing working groups, forums, public hearings and meetings; preparing reports and replying to queries; participating in team meetings; filing; linguistic revision of texts, etc.
- The internship will provide opportunity to become acquainted/involved in the activities related to Romani issues within the respective DG.
- The intern will prepare a detailed stage report in duplicate to the EC and OSI. The European Commission (DG EAC, Internship Office) will provide a stage certificate. A letter of recommendation could be provided by the intern's supervisor in the service where appropriate.

Practical Information
- Trainees must hold upon their arrival proper permit/visa in relation to their country of origin as required by the Belgian authorities for three-month tourist stay.
- Accommodation expenses are included in the Open Society Institute grant. Interns must find accommodation themselves, however OSI will assist in finding suitable accommodation. The EC will provide basic information guidance in the beginning of the stage.

Financial Support
Financial assistance for the internship is provided by the Open Society Institute. The three-month internship grant covers:
- Travel expenses to and from Brussels/Luxembourg (using the cheapest available means of transportation); actual cost will be counted by OSI up to a maximum of 600 Euro
- Accommodation and subsistence: 3000 Euro (1000 Euro/month)
- OSI will cover the costs of the health and accident insurance for three months to a maximum of 110 Euro. The insurance must be obtained by the selected intern before the start of the internship.
Note: The Commission is not involved in budget management or making the relevant payments in relation to this program.

More information
Website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/roma/focus_areas/internship/guidelines/
E-mail: rpp@osi.hu


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European Disability Forum - Traineeship Scheme for Young Disabled Activists
Application deadline: December 5, 2005


The European Disability Forum, the umbrella organisation of the European Disability movement, is seeking to recruit a young disabled activist to undertake a five-month traineeship within the EDF secretariat, a very prominent and active European NGO. The Trainee will acquire practical experience in the development and operation of EU disability policy and EU decision-making. The Traineeship will start 23 January 2006.

Essential requirements for the post is that candidates must:
- Be a disabled person
- Be in the process of undertaking college or university studies.

Trainee/stagiaire allowance is 581.60 euro a month plus possibility for additional coverage for reasonable accommodation/adaptation costs as required.

EDF will also reimburse the travel costs from and to the country of residence up to a maximum of 400 euros.

More information
Email: valerie.asselberghs@edf-feph.org (Valerie Asselberghs)


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Andrew W. Mellon – East - Central European Research Visiting Fellowships 2006 - 2007 in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Application deadline: December 15, 2005 (date of receipt)


Objective
The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) jointly award Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellowships in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The three-month fellowships, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will enable scholars from Eastern and Central Europe to work in Vienna on research projects of their choice within the framework of the scholarly community and activities of the IWM.

Conditions
Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellows are invited to spend three months at the IWM to pursue their research projects while working in residence at the Institute. The fellows will receive a stipend of EUR 6,450.00 (paid in three instalments) to cover living expenses, travel, health insurance and incidentals. The IWM will provide Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellows with a guest apartment, an office with a personal computer and access to email and internet, in-house research facilities and other relevant sources in Vienna. Fellowship terms are July – September 2006; October – December 2006; January – March 2007; and April – June 2007.

Eligibility
The IWM is accepting applications from scholars from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia for its Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellowships. The candidates
· Must be citizens or permanently reside in one of the countries concerned
· Must have obtained a Ph.D. and
· Should hold a senior academic position (at least associate professor level).
The fellowships are intended for younger postdoctoral scholars and, although there is no specific age limit, preference will be given to those under 45 years of age.
Research projects must be thematically related to the IWM’s research fields. Detailed information can be found under www.iwm.at/research.htm.

Application
The application consists of the following materials:
1. The application form
2. A concise research proposal in English (max. 4 pages, doublespaced, A4)
3. A curriculum vitae and list of publications
4. Names of two referees familiar with the applicant’s academic work.

More information
Website: http://www.iwm.at/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=256
E-mail: fellowships@iwm.at


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Institut fuer die Wissenschaften vom Menschen - Paul Celan Fellowships for Translators, Vienna, Austria
Application deadline: December 22, 2005


Objective
The Institute for Human Sciences (Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen, IWM) invites academics to translate important works in the humanities or social sciences from an Eastern to a Western European language, or vice versa, or from one Eastern European language to another.

Conditions
Paul Celan Visiting Fellows will be invited to spend three to six months at the IWM in 2006 to pursue their translation project while working in residence at the Institute. The fellows will receive a stipend to cover living expenses, travel, health insurance and incidentals. The IWM will provide Paul Celan Visiting Fellows with a guest apartment, an office, a personal computer and access to e-mail and Internet, in-house research facilities and other relevant sources in Vienna. The fellows will participate in the scholarly community and activities of the IWM.

Application Procedure
The application consists of the following materials (in English or German):
· The application form
· A curriculum vitae with a bibliography of translations and other relevant publications
· The author and work to be translated (from the original language) and an explanation for the choice thereof
· The exact number of pages
· A contract with a publisher for the publication of the translation or a letter of intent from a publisher
· Proof that the translator / publisher holds the rights to the translation and its publication (or has an option for them)
· The planned date of publication
· Information on the program of the publishing house.
Works which are thematically related to the IWM’s research fields will receive preferential treatment.

More information
Website: http://www.iwm.at/fellowships.htm
E-mail: fellowships@iwm.at (subject: Paul Celan Fellowships)


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NATO - Manfred Worner Fellowship
Application deadline: December 31, 2005


This fellowship was established in 1995 in memory of the late Secretary General, Manfred Worner. It focuses mainly on the transformation of the Alliance, NATO's relations with Central and Eastern European countries and on promoting the principles and image of the Trans-atlantic partnership. It is an annual fellowship endowed with 19 800 EUR, inclusive of all travel costs.

Candidates for the Manfred Wörner Fellowship are invited to submit detailed proposals of research in the following areas:
 The process of NATO enlargement
 NATO as a provider of stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region
 NATO's relations with Russia and/ or Ukraine
 The development of the Partnership for Peace and the EAPC
 Relations between NATO and other international organisations, particularly in the context of peace support operations
 The Transatlantic link and the development of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI)
 NATO's role in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management
 Regional cooperation, including NATO's South East Europe Initiative, the Mediterranean Dialogue, and initiatives in the Caucasus and Central Asia
 Cooperation on Stability Pact Issues
 NATO's policy and objectives of defence, arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation
 Global Humanitarian Mine Action
 Civil Emergency planning and disaster preparedness
 Developments relating to the challenges of international terrorism.

The fellowship is open to the academic community, including think tanks, research centres, institutes and the media. Individuals or institutions are eligible to apply. Candidates must have obtained at least a 2-cycle university degree. Ph.D-holders are particularly encouraged to apply. The Fellowship is not intended to support research in aid of obtaining an academic degree.

All applicants must be citizens of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council - EAPC.
To date, members of the EAPC are: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

More information
Website: http://www.nato.int/acad/fellow/mw00e.htm
E-mail: Academics@hq.nato.int


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European Parliament - Traineeships and Study Visits
Application deadline: February 1 and June 1, 2006, (for unpaid traineeships), 15 May (for paid traineeships starting 15 September)


Traineeships

The European Parliament offers different traineeships within its Secretariat in order to contribute to the vocational training of young citizens, and to the understanding of the working of the institution. General conditions:
 Be citizen of a Member State of the EU, or of an applicant country
 Aged between 18 and 45 years
 Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the EU, and a good knowledge of a second
 Not have been awarded any other (paid/unpaid) traineeship by or paid employment of an institution of the EU
 A small number of citizens of third countries may be awarded traineeship in the European Parliament.

Paid Traineeships:
1. Robert Schuman scholarships, general option (primarily economics, law, political science etc)
2. Robert Schuman scholarships, journalism option

Criteria:
 Have a university degree after a course or study of at least three years' duration
 Submit written reference from university lecturer or from a professional person.

Paid traineeships shall be awarded for a period of five months. Each traineeship has its own specific criteria which can be found in the regulations.

Unpaid Traineeships are for a duration of one to four months. It offers young citizens the opportunity to complete a traineeship:
 As part of their course at university or equivalent institution
 Of a high-level vocational training organised by a non-profit-making body
 Of a requirement for access to a profession.
Study Visits

The study visits are intended to provide citizens of the European Union with opportunities for more detailed study of specific subjects relating to European integration, either through consultation of documents in the European Parliament's libraries or archives or through contacts with MEPs or specialist officials. Maximum duration of the study visit is one month.

More information
Website: http://www.europarl.eu.int/pdf/traineeships/general_rules_en.pdf
http://www.europarl.eu.int/parliament/public/staticDisplay.do?id=147
E-mail: stages@europarl.eu.int


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ASO Ljubljana and ASO Sofia - Research Cooperation and Networking between Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe
Application deadline: February 15, 2006 (date of post mark)


The Austrian Science and Research Liaison Offices Ljubljana/Slovenia and Sofia/Bulgaria (ASOs) announce a Call for proposals for projects in Research Cooperation and Networking between institutions in Austria, the ASO countries Slovenia and Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia (including Kosovo) and Montenegro).

The call wants to intensify the short-term cooperation in the scientific field of 'Contribution of Science to the EU-integration of South Eastern Europe - Research on the Education - Society Nexus and on the Science - Society Nexus' with the aim to support the development of long-term scientific collaboration. Funding is provided by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture (bm:bwk) in the framework of its South Eastern European science cooperation initiative.

The project activities must be implemented after signing the contract and before May 2007.

The funding available is 118.000 Euro and it is envisaged to support around 10 projects following this call. The allowable funding per project depends on the content, duration and number of teams involved. For projects with higher than average financial costs, cofinancing is expected.

The funded activities shall enable scientists from Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria and other South Eastern European countries to work together on mutually beneficial projects. The main goal is to promote networking, the exchange of research results and know-ho, comparative studies and know-how exchange on European standards and preactices in the specified areas. The activities should build on already existing scientific results.

Eligible participants are universities, non-university research institutions and tertiary education organisations. The consortium composition must include one partner from Austria, one partner either from Slovenia or Bulgaria and at least one partner from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia (including Kosovo) and Montenegro.

More information
Website: http://www.aso.zsi.at/en/all/ausschreibung/303.html
E-mail: aso@zsi.at (Austria)
aso-ljubljana@zsi.at (Slovenia)
aso-sofia@zsi.at (Bulgaria)


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American University in Bulgaria - List of Faculty and Academic Employment Opportunities
Application deadline: Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2005


The American University in Bulgaria seeks faculty candidates eager to join the premier American-style liberal-arts university in Southeast Europe. AUBG has full accreditation in both the USA through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and in Bulgaria. We are a selective, residential university, with a diverse student body consisting of over 900 students from 26 countries. Instruction is in English.

American literature
We seek a specialist in American literature with an interest in the Balkans and in making connections between eastern and western traditions. Responsibilities include teaching in our two semester required writing sequence and contributing to the general education literature program. There are opportunities to develop courses in areas of specialization and to explore literary connections between western and other literary traditions. PhD required; teaching experience valued.

Business
The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) invites applications for regular and visiting faculty in Business for its undergraduate and EMBA programs. Visiting positions are available for the Spring 2006 term, and other positions available beginning in the 2006-2007 Academic Year.
The Department of Business seeks to strengthen its undergraduate offerings in the areas of accounting, management, MIS, marketing, operations, and strategy. A visiting or regular position is available in January in marketing, and other regular positions are available in September, 2006. A doctorate is preferred but candidates with MBAs and advanced certifications and global experience will be considered. The successful candidates will have experience teaching in an American educational-model system.
The Executive MBA program is offered at the Sofia campus of AUBG, and serves 30 students in each cohort. The curriculum is offered in a compressed format (intensive opening week and weekends), and utilizes both regular and visiting faculty members. Current visiting openings exist for the January term in Business Communication and Organizational Behavior, and for Marketing for the Summer term. Interested candidates in other areas may also apply. Doctoral degrees and international experience are required for the EMBA positions, along with experience teaching in an American educational model.
Both business programs are administered by the Department of Business at AUBG, which consists of nine full-time faculty. Teaching assignments may be across programs and require travel between Blagoevgrad and Sofia.

Economics
One or more positions available in our Economics faculty. The Economics program at AUBG produces graduates in economics who frequently enter graduate programs in economics, business, or finance in the USA and Western Europe. We seek faculty able to offer a variety of economics courses to high-ability students in a liberal-arts context. JEL classifications: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, Z.

English Composition
We seek a generalist in composition with interest in modern composition theory, writing centers, and service learning. Responsibilities include teaching our two-semester required writing sequence and making contributions to a growing minor program in rhetoric and writing. There are opportunities to develop courses in areas of specialization, to work with a well-established writing center and to develop research relationships with the surrounding community. PhD required; teaching and writing center experience valued.

European Studies
The American University in Bulgaria seeks a political scientist with a solid background in European Studies and the ability to teach Introduction to EU law. The person will be responsible for curricular development of the European Studies program at AUBG.

Political Science
We seek a broadly-trained political scientist to teach public policy and some aspect of European integration or European politics, or possibly cross-disciplinary courses suitable for our History program. The candidate will be expected to provide courses in both the Political Science and the European Studies programs. The candidate should have solid academic qualifications and a commitment to liberal arts education. A graduate degree in an appropriate field is required; PhD in hand or near completion is strongly preferred. Teaching experience in a liberal arts environment is preferred. We also may be seeking candidates suitable for a one-year sabbatical replacement position.

Visiting Positions – all fields
Depending on need, we may have one-semester or two-semester visiting positions available starting in fall 2006 and spring 2007. Visiting positions may be either full-time or as 'Balkan Scholars' – appointments with a reduced teaching load and modest stipend to cover local living expenses.

Adjunct Faculty (All fields)
The American University in Bulgaria seeks applications for adjunct faculty with solid academic qualifications and a commitment to liberal arts education. A graduate degree in an appropriate field is required, terminal degree (Ph.D.) is preferred. Teaching experience in a liberal arts environment is preferred.
AUBG is a small American-style liberal arts undergraduate institution that attracts high caliber students and is situated in Blagoevgrad. Competitive salaries are offered based on experience and qualification.

Applicants should submit a letter of application, a CV, a writing sample, and copies of teaching evaluations and any other evidence of teaching effectiveness to: Assistant to the Dean, Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, American University in Bulgaria, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Final consideration will depend upon an interview, letters of recommendation, and unofficial copies of graduate school transcripts. Electronic submissions encouraged to: facultydean@aubg.bg.

The American University in Bulgaria is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all of its endeavors and affirms a commitment to diversity in both its employees and its student body.
Deadline: December 31, 2005

The American University in invites faculty applications for both visiting positions in the EMBA program. The program features a one-week intensive schedule at the beginning of each term and weekend classes thereafter. Classes are held the AUBG’s Elieff Center for Education and Culture in Sofia. The language of instruction is English. We are currently seeking experienced faculty to offer courses to a diverse group of business professionals in the following fields:
Spring term: Organizational Behavior
Summer term: Marketing
Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2005.

More information
Website: http://www.aubg.bg/templateT2.aspx?page=4696
E-mail: facultydean@aubg.bg


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Institute for Human Studies - Felix Morley Journalism Competition
Application Deadline: December 1, 2005


In honor of the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Felix Morley, IHS will award cash prizes of up to USD 2,500 to outstanding young writers whose work best demonstrates and communicates an appreciation of classical liberal principles. A distinguished panel of reporters, writers, and editors will judge submissions based on writing ability, potential to succeed in journalism, and an appreciation of liberty.
Prizes include USD 2,500 for 1st Place, USD 1,000 for 2nd Place, USD 750 for 3rd Place, and USD 250 each for runners up. Awards will be announced in March 2006.

Competition Rules
1. Applicants must be full-time students of any age (graduates, undergraduates, or high school students) during the 2005-06 school year, or be 25 years of age or younger as of December 1, 2005.
2. Applicants must complete and submit an entry form online no later than December 1, 2005.
3. Applicants must submit clippings or legible copies of three to five separate items published between July 1, 2004 and December 1, 2005. These may be submitted via email or sent by mail, postmarked no later than December 1, 2005.
a) Publications qualifying for consideration include editorials, op-eds, articles, essays, and reviews. Applicants are encouraged to submit news and feature pieces in student newspapers, magazines or other periodicals for consideration. 'Blog' entries will not be considered.
b) Each item must include the publication’s name and date of publication.
c) At least two of the submitted items should explore or apply classical liberal principles (such as individual rights and free markets); the balance may, if an applicant chooses, be qualifying publications that do not take up classical liberal themes but indicate the applicant’s range and quality of writing.
d) All publications must be in English. Translations will not be accepted.
4. Applicants must submit a resume listing academic and professional experience, academic honors and awards, extracurricular activities, and publications. The resume must be submitted online.
5. Winners of first, second, and third prizes in last year’s competition are not eligible for this year’s competition.
6. The decision of the judges is final. IHS reserves the right to not award a prize.

About Felix Morley
Felix Morley was editor of the Washington Post from 1933 to 1940 and a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Editorial Writing. After serving as president of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, he returned to writing political commentary and political philosophy, with an emphasis on private property, voluntarism, and a noninterventionist foreign policy. Among his books are The Power in the People, Freedom and Federalism, and his autobiography, For the Record. Competitors in the Felix Morley Journalism Competition are judged on demonstrated writing ability, potential for development as a writer, and appreciation of classical liberal principles evidenced in submitted publications. Classical liberal principles include: inalienable individual rights; their protection through the institutions of private property, contract, and the rule of law; voluntarism in all human relations; and the self-ordering market, free trade, free migration, and peace.

More information
Website: http://www.theihs.org/subcategory.php/41.html


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The Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the Open Society Institute, Budapest - Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations and Local Financial Management, July 3-14, 2006
Application deadline: December 15, 2005


The course will be held on July 3-14, 2006 in Budapest with a distance learning segment starting on January 15, 2006. This course offers an analytical framework for understanding and implementing fiscal decentralization: improving assignment of functions and responsibilities and the fiscal relations between the central, regional, and local governments.

Fiscal decentralization is closely related to the 'restructuring of the public economy' and involves rethinking the role of the state in different sectors, such as social policy, education, housing, communal services, etc. The process of restructuring took much more time than it was originally planned. Furthermore, the process involved little if no coordination at all among the sectors, and therefore has not taken into consideration the effect this may have on fiscal decentralization. In fact sectoral reform has often not organized itself along the lines of fiscal decentralization principles at all.

The course will start with eight distance learning modules introducing participants to the principles and legal framework of decentralisation, expenditure and revenue assignment and intergovernmental transfer.

The two-week workshop style course will include an advanced discussion and analysis through exercises and case studies from the region, in the following areas: 1) worldwide trends in fiscal decentralization and the concept and practice of the assignment of expenditure responsibilities and revenue authority; 2) the design of various forms of central to sub-national transfers and local own-source revenues; creditworthiness and the financial risks of local authorities; and 3) the emerging topic of budgeting and local public management.

Attuned to new teaching techniques, the workshop aims to achieve the right mix of exercises, lectures, and interactive learning methods. This includes the dissemination of materials prior to the course presentation electronically. The course will use distance learning techniques to teach the basics, and during the course the group will focus more on the case studies and exercises.

More information
Website: http://www.ceu.hu/sun/SUN_2006/courses_in_2006.htm
http://lgi.osi.hu/


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Joint European Master in Comparative Local Development for the Balkans and other Areas in Trasformation
Application deadline: December 20, 2005


The University of Trento (coordinator), Italy, the Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary, the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia and the University of Regensburg, Germany, in collaboration with the University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Academy of Bolzano/Bozen, Italy, with the support of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Autonomous Region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and the Autonomous Province of Trento, offer 18 months (95 ECTS) of training for a post-graduate Master's course degree.

The CoDe Master is an Erasmus Mundus Programme. Its main objective is to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for introducing, supporting and co-ordinating processes of change and transformation at the local level. The focus of the programme is local development, with the following characteristics: public, private and non-governmental actors are the fundamental agents; social stability and economic prosperity are pursued, in conformity with the acquis communautaire and European standards and best practice. The general approach is comparative and interdisciplinary.

In order to qualify for the programme candidates have to comply with the following requirements:
1. A four-year university degree (minimum) in economics, law, political science, sociology, or an equivalent qualification
2. Age: preferably under 40
3. Fluent English and computer literacy.
Among the applicants who meet all these requirements, priority will be given to candidates employed in the private, public or non-governmental sectors related to local development.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for participants are 7,000 EURO. Students will be provided with access to the facilities of the participating universities (library, computers, e-mail and Internet) as well as to the universities’ cafeterias and restaurants at student rates.

Scholarships
A number of scholarships are offered to students from countries outside the European Union. The amount of the scholarship is 21.000 EUR per year. These scholarships are funded by the European Commission within the Erasmus Mundus programme.

How to apply
The application requires that candidates fill in and send the following two forms and related documentation:
1. The expression of interest until December 20th, 2005
2. The application form, the two reference-letter forms, and the project work proposal form must be submitted BOTH in electronic form AND in hard copy with original signature to the Master’s organisation until January 16th, 2006.

The single documents to be submitted are:
a. The complete application form
b. An updated CV
c. Two letters of reference, one by a qualified academic referee, the other by a qualified professional. Each reference form must be completed and signed by the referee and submitted in an official envelope (i.e., from the referee’s univesity or company) which has been sealed and signed on the flap by the referee. These must be returned to you signed and sealed to be mailed in your application package. References are confidential and the evelopes must not be opened
d. The Project Work proposal (using the form available online).
Please note: Incomplete documentation will not be taken into consideration.

To the attention of all applicants who need a visa: All applicants who need a visa must send a ADDITIONAL hard-copy version of the complete documentation to Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home-country. The application will only be taken into consideration if a hard-copy version of the whole documentation is handed in at, and stamped by, the Italian Embassy or Consulate the Italian Embassy or Consulate.

More information
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/mundus/
E-mail: master-code@unitn.it


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Associations of Institutions for Feminist Education and Research in Europe - Gender and Citizenship in a Multicultural Context, August 31 – September 3, 2006, University of Lodz, Poland
Application deadline: February 1, 2006


The conference is a triennial event organized by the Association of Institutions for Feminist Education and Research in Europe (AOIFE). Previous European Feminist Research Conferences were held at the universities of: Aalborg (1991), Graz (1994), Coimbra (1997), Bologna (2000) and Lund (2003).

Continuing this tradition, the 6th European Gender Research Conference plans to be a high-level, interdisciplinary event focused on gender research in a wide but well-defined range of thematic areas:
- changing concepts and practices of citizenship in relation to gender issues in Europe
- interrelations between concepts and structures of citizenship and European multicultural contexts defined as intersections of race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, nationality, religion, etc.
- gender, science and technology and global citizenship
- gender and participation in political and economic processes.

Aims
The conference will be a forum for gender researchers to facilitate networking between them; and to integrate doctoral students and young researchers into the field.

Participants
The conference invites experts, established scholars and young researchers, policy makers from all member states of the EU, candidate countries, associate countries and third countries.

Networking
The conference schedule provides time for planned and spontaneous networking. Time will be available for Women’s/Gender Studies network meetings, scientific journal meetings, research group meetings, roundtable discussions and other meetings. Additionally, policy experts in equality, education and research policy will be invited to the conference and will meet with participants from various networks as part of an effort to strengthen ties between policy makers and researchers in the field.

More information
Website: http://www.gender2006.pl/
E-mail: gender2006@uni.lodz.pl


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www.balkanalysis.com


www.balkanalysis.com, a leading independent voice for news, analyses, investigative journalism, historical studies, book reviews and more, is currently expanding its base of writers. This presents a unique opportunity for scholars, journalists, researchers, travel writers and other folks who are working on most any subject involving the Balkans and SE Europe, including Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus.

While we cover a wide range of topics and are open to creative suggestions, perhaps the one key criterion is to run something unique, whether it be in terms of analysis or factual information, in short, a piece that cannot readily be found elsewhere. Ideal word count is between 1,000-2,000 words though they can be longer if necessary.

Note that while at present we do not offer payment for articles, writing for Balkanalysis.com is a good way of gaining exposure before a diverse yet select audience which regularly includes key institutions, governments, military, etc., for example the UN, EU, US govt., World Bank, OSCE, think-tanks, and so on.

Interested writers please contact me with a brief biographical introduction and a short (1-2 paragraph) synopsis of the article you would like to write.


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www.ceeol.com The Central and Eastern European Online Library


C.E.E.O.L. is an online archive which provides access to full text PDF articles from 206 humanities and social science journals, electronic books and re-digitized documents pertaining to Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European topics.

Texts are accessible via www.ceeol.com in digital format, and it can be used by individual clients registering for a personal user account, and as well as by universities, public libraries, NGOs, by subscription access.


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http://www.cdsee.org/pdf/kosovo_serbia_short_report.pdf


Through a Peace Poll conducted in Kosovo and Serbia, the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE) has revealed some in-roads to the peace process in perhaps the most volatile part of Europe.

The poll results, available in an article entitled, 'Coming to Terms with the Problem of Kosovo: The Peoples' Views from Kosovo and Serbia', exposes what the citizens of this area really think, and most importantly, what are the areas around which consensus can be built. Dr. Colin Irwin of Queen's University, Belfast, implemented the poll using a unique methodology that proved successful in the peace process in Northern Ireland. The poll results are available in short version (387 Kb), and in a longer version (ziped pdf for download, 1.06 Mb). Also available short versions in Albanian (464 Kb) and Serbian (284 Kb).

This poll is part of the project, The Albanian Serb Information Exchange Forum, organised by the CDRSEE in Thessaloniki, KosovaLive in Pristina, and Beta Media Center in Belgrade, and has been made possible by the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, OSCE, IREX, IFA, The German Foreign Ministry via the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, UNESCO, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Information is available on the project web site, www.kosovakosovo.com.


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Euroregional Center for Democracy

Semenic Nr. 10
300035, Timisoara
Romania

Tel: + 4 0256 221 471
Fax: + 4 0256 436 633

http://www.regionalnet.org

Editor:
Camelia Cocioba

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