Our Neighborhood, Our Europe: How EU Policies Affect Us

ongoing

The proposed project focuses on raising awareness of the EU's cohesion policy in the Czech Republic, particularly in structurally disadvantaged regions like Moravskoslezský, Ústecký, and Karlovarský. These regions face significant economic and social challenges, necessitating targeted communication about the benefits of EU-funded projects. Previous research shows that knowledge of local projects enhances positive perceptions of the EU; while 92% of respondents are aware of EU funds, awareness is lower in these regions (e.g., 89% in NUTS II Northwest).The project aims to produce and distribute multimedia and audiovisual materials that provide comprehensive information on the outcomes of the cohesion policy and its impact on citizens. We will use social media to facilitate open discussions about regional needs and current topics, directly addressing the call's goals of increasing awareness about cohesion policy and the Just Transition Fund.Our objectives include enhancing media coverage of the cohesion policy and increasing awareness of the benefits these projects bring. We plan to execute 24 reports on regional television, 18 press articles in the national newspaper Blesk, and radio segments on Frekvence 1. Additionally, we will collaborate with influencers, run a social media campaign, and organize press conferences and outdoor campaigns to maximize outreach.To engage younger generations, we will leverage social media and the high internet penetration rate (84% among those aged 15 and older) to disseminate information effectively. Research indicates that familiarity with specific EU-funded projects leads to more positive evaluations of their impact (positive ratings drop nearly one-third without such knowledge).Overall, this project will provide clear information about the EU's cohesion policy, promote awareness of specific regional projects, and improve perceptions of EU funds, ultimately strengthening citizens' trust in the EU and its benefits for loc. communities