EU Commission: funding for the environment202 new projects on environmental protection will receive EU funding. A few days ago the Commission approved funding for projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union’s environment fund across EU27. The projects, states a release by the Executive – cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy, climate change and information and communication on environmental issues". They represent a total investment of some 516.5 million, of which the EU will provide 268.4 million. Environment Commissioner Janez Potoènik said: "In this 20th anniversary year of the LIFE programme and the Habitats Directive, I’m delighted to announce the continuing support for high quality environmental projects across the EU". EU funding will refer to projects "for innovative and best-practice actions furthering nature conservation, improving the environment and tackling climate change". The Commission received over one thousand proposals, but only a fifth were selected in the areas of nature and biodiversity; countering polluting emissions and greenhouse gases, dissemination of information and raising public awareness; support to national policies.Rapid alarm systems for public health and consumers "The Rapid alarm system for food and feed helped avoid risk to human health linked to food and feed" in Europe. In a report the European Commission illustrates the achievements of the system designed to to protect citizens’ health and EU consumers’ interests. John Dalli, Commissioner in charge of Health and Consumer Policy, said: "European consumers enjoy the highest food safety standards in the world. The EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed is a key tool as it allows risks to be identified and removed from the European market". "In 2011, we dealt with a number of important crises such as the effects of the Fukushima nuclear incident, the dioxin and the E. coli crisis. The EU managed to tackle them and the lessons we all learnt will no doubt guide us to do even better in the future". In particular, in 2011, 9157 notifications in RASFF related to non-compliances with EU food legislation were reported, of which 617 concerned "serious risks". Most of the actions regarded food products as well as feed and food contact material. "Some of the most reported issues were aflatoxins in feed, dried fruits and nuts and migration of chemical substances from kitchen utensils from China.Cypriot Presidency: statement on the value of culture Reaffirming the "public value of culture" and "cultural governance through a participatory process" that involves citizens, Member States and experts: according to Cyprus’ six-month presidency of the European Council these could be the contents of a Declaration signed by EU27, which to be concretized with a conference scheduled to take place in Nicosia August 28-29. The purpose of the meeting is to take stock of the situation of cultural governance in the EU, by comparing national policies, initiatives for cultural promotion and creativity, good practices and problematic aspects. Cultural politics according to the Cypriot presidency is (www.cy2012.eu) also as a factor for social cohesion and fight on social exclusion, in the framework of the Europe 2020 competitiveness and employment strategy. The meeting envisages debates on cultural diversity in Europe, on research, education, enhancing creative arts, the relationship between culture, school, and university. The Committee of the Regions analyzes public communication How has public communication in Europe changed in the Internet era? Which opportunities does it provide to step up citizens’ relationship with European political integration? These questions will be addressed in EuroPCom, a meeting promoted by the Committee of Regions due to take place in Brussels next October 17 – 18, for which online registration is open. It will together 600 communication and information officers in Brussels, with a view "to discuss the best way to restore citizens’ confidence in the EU and other public institutions". The EuroPCom 2012 program envisages debates, workshops and meetings on "public opinion in Europe, the social media and online communication, EU communication and dialogue with specific recipients such as the youth, old people and migrants. For further information, program and documents, log on http://cor.europa.eu/europcom.
