The Cornell Institute for European Studies (CIES), the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies and the New York State Center for Rural Schools have been awarded $125,000 from the European Commission as part of the "Getting to Know Europe: Educating Rural Communities in Central New York about the European Union" community outreach grant program.

CIES is planning a series of activities and events targeted at local communities that focus on the EU's rural regions and cultures, the 2004 and 2007 enlargement states of Central and Eastern Europe, and the history and culture of the Roma people. The "Getting to Know Europe" project will run from Jan. 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012.

In addition to educating rural people about the EU's work with eastern member-states, the project seeks to establish permanent networks between EU and U.S. schools and educators, and foster K-12 instruction on the EU's diversity and culture.

More information: Sydney Van Morgan, sydneyvanmorgan@cornell.edu; Catherin Perkins, cp227@cornell.edu or Liane O'Brien, liane.obrien@cornell.edu.