This year the initiative is linked to the "Spring Days for Europe" project (www.spring2009.net) run by European Schoolnet (consortium of Education Ministries from all Member States) with the support of the Commission. It is organised jointly by the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on behalf of the Czech EU Presidency.
In the last two years, the Back to School project has taken place in other member states holding the Presidency (Germany, Portugal, Slovenia). Hundreds of Commission officials of these countries went back for one day to their schools and presented their own first-hand experiences of the EU, engaging with the students in a discussion about Europe and its future.
It is a unique opportunity to explain their experience within the EU institutions to a wide young audience and to give the EU a 'face' at a local level.
The Commission (DG COMM) provides financial support to the Back to School actions in the Member States holding the Presidency. With the available budget it will be possible to support about 60 Czech officials returning to their schools.
Timetable for the year 2009:
Germany: 9 March
Portugal: 22 May (tbc)
Austria: 4-9 May (during Spring Days)
Latvia: 9 May (during Spring Days)
Czech Republic: 15 May (during Spring Days)
Sweden: 24 -28 August (tbc)
The Netherlands: November (tbc)
