The Euro Info Centre (EIC) Thessaloniki, of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (FING), was responsible for the implementation of the EU Programme CALL (Co-operation At Local Level) during 2005. This project was co-financed by the Enterprise Directorate General of the European Commission, and was aimed both at enhancing co-operation between EU information centres at local level, as well as increasing the efficiency and utilization of their services by enterprises and citizens in Thessaloniki and the surrounding area.

Apart from the EIC Thessaloniki, which was responsible for co-ordinating the CALL programme, the following organizations were involved as project partners: HELP-FORWARD (hosted by FING, the Federation of Greek Industries – FGI - and the Foundation of Research & Technology - FORTH) as Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) and National Contact Point (NCP) for the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission; the European Documentation Centre (EDC) of the Centre of International and European Economic Law (CIEEL); and the Rural Information and Promotion Carrefour Makedonia of the American Farm School.

The main actions taken during the CALL initiative included the following activities:-

• creation of an electronic signposting mechanism system which acted as a means of strengthening the network of service providers involved. The aim of this system was to ensure a reliable and rapid client information service, regardless of which of the above organizations received the initial request. In turn, the request would be redirected internally to the most appropriate service provider depending on the specific nature of the query.

• creation of a special brochure containing the profile and contact details of the project partners involved in this local co-operation initiative. In addition, a timetable of promotional actions was undertaken highlighting the activities and services provided, in order to improve access to European information networks by enterprises and citizens from the local community.

Contact person: Monika Nagy
E-mail: euroinfo@sbbe.gr