Seven new generation EUROPE DIRECT centres to open doors in Ireland

These centres will bring the European Union, its policies and values to: Ballinasloe, Blanchardstown, Clones, Letterkenny, Portlaoise, Sligo and Waterford.

They are part of a community of 424 Europe Direct centres around Europe whose purpose is to reinforce the important connection between EU institutions and citizens, helping to explain how Europe is combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting recovery through NextGenerationEU, and tackling the green and digital transitions.

The new Europe Direct network will continue to provide timely and factual information on European matters, but will also seek to engage with citizens regarding the state and future of the European Union. Seeing their role and mandate modernised, the new generation of Europe Direct centres will organise citizens’ dialogues and participatory events, for example for the Conference on the Future of Europe. They will offer relevant information on EU policies and priorities to local media and multipliers, and involve them in their activities. They will also help the Commission keep track of local sensitivities linked to EU policies. The new centres will equally promote active European citizenship in schools and coordinate with other EU networks in the regions, ensuring easier local access to information for citizens, organisations and businesses.

Andy Klom, acting Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said: "Europe Direct centres play a key role facilitating people's easy communication with the European institutions but they can also help citizens have a powerful voice in the ongoing EU-wide conversation on the future of Europe to which everyone is invited and every opinion matters. I wish every success to the new generation of Europe Direct centres in Ireland and they can always rely in their important work on the full support of the European Commission Representation in Ireland".