What has being European done for me?

CSV launched a photographic competition in December 2004 to raise awareness about the funds the UK gets from Europe and the contribution they make in communities in the UK. The results demonstrate just how much Europe is about people, not just economics.

The themes for the photographs were: Work, Training, Individuals, Young People, Community or Environment.

30 winning photographs were selected from over 100 entries from all over the UK for the exhibition called Picture Positive. The exhibition is part of the programme of events celebrating the UK Presidency of the EU between July and December 2005.

Each photograph is displayed with a caption describing a project and states how European funding, in particular the European Social Fund, helped make it possible.

The competition was organised in collaboration with the Community Development Foundation and the Third Sector European Network which supports voluntary groups using European funding.

Closer to the people

Support from the European Union that affects the lives of ordinary people is a well-kept secret in England.

Even people living in areas with high levels of support do not realise that big projects like tramways or city centre regeneration have been carried out with help from Europe, not to mention that lots of our skills training projects and many community projects are also helped by European funding.

This funding could be under threat. The next round of funds are being planned now and this exhibition is designed to draw the attention of our government, the European Parliament and the European Commission to the importance of these funds to communities in England, as well as in new member states.