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European Voice: the EU funds’ communication need to be improved

Michel Deurinck, Marketing Director European Voice Brussels

1.Could you please explain the structure and the main features of the European Voice magazine?

Both through its weekly newspaper and website, which is updated daily, European Voice brings independent, authoritative and balanced coverage of the latest EU news and analysis. It gives you a comprehensive account of the activities of the key European Union institutions – the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers, most of the best known figures in the EU. European Voice writes with style, with force and intelligence. It communicates vital information and analysis with clarity and insight.
Published by The Economist Group since 1995, European Voice brings the big picture to life. The newspaper and the website are packed with the most up-to-date inside information, advance intelligence and profiles which provide an insight into the people involved in the decisions affecting you and your organization.

2.In which measure does European Voice communicate about the EU funding possibilities?



European Voice communicates regularly on funding opportunities offered by the Commission such as the FP 7 programme or the latest developments regarding European structural funds. However, as a media covering a wide range of EU related news, its purpose is not to provide in depth information on specific EU funding opportunities.



3.Do you think that there is enough available information on EU funding? Is it easy for you to publish articles about these topics?



The situation has improved over the last few years, especially thanks to the impact of the internet on the dissemination of information regarding EU funding. However, much remains to be done to improve communication on these opportunities. EU Member States could probably do more through their national agencies.



4.In your opinion, how could be communication on EU programmes improved and moved closer to European citizens?



In my view, the best way is to generate more interest from European citizens is to make maximum use of organisations at local level that deal with business development and regional assistance to companies interested in expanding in Europe, or just keen to develop their activities with funding from the EU.

At the same time the civil society movement should also be made more aware of opportunities offered directly to EU citizens in a number of fields, such as sport, education and health to name a few. This is where the media, at local level, should be targeted as a valuable source of information for citizens in all corners of Europe.