What the DEAR Programme does
The EU Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) Programme supports projects that engage Europeans in global issues related to social, economic and environmental development. It is unique among EU International Partnerships programmes as it works primarily with people in Europe, highlighting their interconnectedness with the rest of the world and the importance of sustainable development, both locally and globally.
The DEAR programme works with European civil society organisations (CSOs) and local authorities (LAs) to foster critical understanding of complex sustainable development issues. Though both education for sustainable development and global citizenship and awareness raising, the programme promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Watch the DEAR explainer video.
Why we need DEAR
Current and future generations face unprecedented interconnected global challenges, be they climate change or rising inequalities. The DEAR Programme empowers people to imagine ways to address these global crises and counter fear-based thinking. It fosters active citizenship to promote justice, human rights and democracy, co-responsibility, equity, and sustainable development at local and global level.
Where we work and for who
DEAR projects are active across EU countries and countries that wish to join the EU (see map).
The programme engages young people and adults alike, via formal and nonformal education, as well as public campaigning. Grounded in a multi-stakeholder approach, it supports and consults CSOs, local authorities, scholars, youth groups, educators and activists across Europe. It offers a unique space for civil society and government institutions to work together for a fairer and more sustainable world.
How the DEAR programme works
The DEAR programme funds projects through calls for proposals every few years. A new call was launched on 7 September 2022 and the deadline for concept notes is 4 November 2022. Please find all details on the EU platform for Calls for Proposals and Tenders.
Key information
Key partners
Civil society organisations and local authorities from EU Member States
Project budgets
€ 3 000 000 – €10 000 000
Number of countries per project
Minimum 4
Overall objective
A more inclusive society with a developed sense of co-responsibility for local and global sustainable development and challenges
Related projects
#ClimateofChange: the human face of climate change
The mission of the #ClimateofChange project is to build a better future for those people facing the worst effects of the climate crises, and empower youth in Europe to become advocates on global justice issues.
People & Planet - A Common Destiny
People & Planet promotes new models of sustainable behaviour, with a special focus on climate change and water scarcity.
SPARK a change for climate justice
SPARK is a consortium of organisations in 13 European countries, raising awareness, building capacity and facilitating EU citizens, particularly youth, to mobilise public support for ambitious climate justice actions and development policies.