The EU has a central contact service as well as a range of networks across the EU that provide information, services and support. You can use the ‘European Union around me’ map below to locate the EU centres active in your region and find out about the services they provide.
The ‘European Union around me’ map
Using the drop-down menus, you can select EU centres:
- By geographical location – you can select the country and region where you would like to find an EU centre. If you click on the ‘geolocalise me’ button, all the EU centres near your current location will be displayed
- By network – you can choose to have one or several EU networks shown on the map
- By keyword – you can select a specific topic to find the EU centres that are best suited to answer your query.
You can then click on any of the EU centres on the map (marked with coloured dots) to get their contact details and information on their services.
EUROPE DIRECT centres help bring the European Union closer to people on the ground and help facilitate their participation in debates on the future of the EU. The centres answer questions about EU policies, programmes and priorities. Staff in the centres are ready to proactively engage with citizens and stakeholders so that they feel more involved in the European project.
European Documentation Centres (EDCs) support education and research on EU integration. They provide a selection of documents on European affairs and encourage the academic community to engage in the debate on the future of the EU.
Other EU centres
Depending on their specific mandates, other EU centres belonging to more specialised networks can provide a range of other services. See some examples of these services below.
The lists of networks below are not exhaustive: you may find more EU centres on the map.
For example:
- The Erasmus + National Agencies provide information and support on the Erasmus + programme.
- The National Contact Points for Horizon Europe offer guidance, practical information and assistance on the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation.
- Creative Europe Desks (CED) help the European audiovisual, cultural and creative sectors to access funding opportunities.
- The European Migration Network (EMN) provides information on migration and asylum
For example:
- The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-NET) explains consumer rights and can help settle disputes with sellers based in another EU country.
- The SOLVIT network helps EU citizens and businesses to enforce their rights linked to living, working or operating in another EU country.
- The Financial Dispute Resolution Network (FIN-NET) helps settle consumer complaints in the area of financial services out of court.
For example:
- A National Europass Centre is the first point of contact for any person or organisation interested in using or learning more about Europass, the European tool to manage your learning and career.
- Eurodesk raises awareness on European opportunities for young people.
- Euraxess supports researcher mobility and career development.
- The Euroguidance network promotes competence development and international learning mobility
- The National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union (NARIC) support the recognition of diplomas and periods of study undertaken in other countries.