Mid Wales residents will soon be able to get instant access to information about the European Union, thanks to a new service run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).
WCVA has been selected as a European information relay to link up with the Europe Direct service, which provides advice and information to the 450 million people across the 25 EU Member States.
With a network of 400 information relay centres, Europe Direct aims to answer the questions of citizens about the EU's institutions, legislation, policies, programmes and funding opportunities, as well as promoting local and regional debate.
The official launch of the Mid Wales Europe Direct service is taking place at WCVA's Mid Wales offices in Ladywell House, Newtown on 15 November.
WCVA Vice President and Powys farmer Tom Jones OBE - who has just been appointed Welsh member of the European Economic and Social Committee - will be joined by Andy Klom, Head of the European Commission Office in Wales, and Desmond Clifford, Head of the Wales office in Brussels.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body that gives representatives a formal platform to express their points of views on EU issues. Its opinions are forwarded to the larger institutions - the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
'The EESC has a key role to play in the EU's decision-making process,' said Tom Jones. 'And Europe Direct allows European institutions to improve the spread of information tailored to local and regional needs, giving the public an opportunity to send feedback in the form of questions, opinions and suggestions.
'WCVA's aim is to promote through this scheme the provision of hands-on EU information to people at a local level.'
For more information please contact Lynne Reynolds on 029 2043 1718 or Jackie Huybs on 07814 070239 WCVA website www.wcva.org.uk