**Important legal notice**

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# 52005PC0347

**Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up  /* COM/2005/0347 final - COD 2005/0144 */****

[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 29.7.2005

COM(2005) 347 final

2005/0144 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL |

The multi-annual Community programme MODINIS was adopted on 17th November 2003 for the period 2003 to 2005, by the decision of the Council and the European Parliament with a budget of EUR 21 million. This amount was subsequently increased to EUR 22.4 million by Decision No 786/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 in order to take into account the enlargement of the EU. MODINIS provides financial support for the monitoring of the information society in Europe and dissemination of good practice. |

The development of the EU information society policy is one of the key pillars of the Lisbon Strategy for making the European Union the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010. To ensure that ICTs played their full part in achieving these ambitious objectives, the Commission presented the eEurope initiative at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000. With the overall aim of creating a European Information society for all, this political initiative was supported by the eEurope 2002 Action Plan, adopted in the Feira European Council in June 2000. Using the Open Method of Coordination, it established a process of target-setting, benchmarking and mutual learning through the identification and exchange of best practice. A new Action Plan, eEurope 2005 was launched at the Seville European Council in June 2002. The overall objective of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan is to provide a favourable environment for private investment and for the creation of new jobs, to boost productivity, to modernise public services, and to give everyone the opportunity to participate in the global information society. eEurope 2005 therefore aims to stimulate secure services, applications and content based on a widely available broadband infrastructure. MODINIS provides financial support to benchmarking activities and the exchange of best practice that are the backbone of the Open Method of Coordination. In this context the MODINIS programme sets four generic objectives: - to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; - to support efforts made by Member States in the framework of eEurope, at national, regional or local level, by analysis of eEurope good practices and by the complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; - to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the Information Society with a view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of industrial competitiveness and cohesion as well as in terms of social inclusion; to provide the eEurope Advisory Group with the necessary information for it to be able to assess the appropriate strategic direction of the eEurope 2005 Action plan; - to prepare for the establishment of the future structure at European level for network and information security issues (ENISA), as envisaged by the Council Resolution of 28 January 2002 and in the eEurope 2005 Action plan, with a view to improving network and information security. Since the adoption of Regulation (EC) 460/2004 of March 2004 establishing ENISA, actions related to this objective are no longer supported by MODINIS. Article 2 of the Decision on MODINIS provides detailed guidance on how these objectives should be achieved: - Data collection and benchmarking analysis, - studies to identify good practices, - targeted conferences, seminars and workshops, - support to strategic analysis and discussion, mainly through the eEurope Advisory Group which brings together experts from member states and other stakeholders. In implementing these activities, the Commission's services shall use the appropriate and relevant means in line with the implementation of the financial regulation applicable to the EU budget. Both the MODINIS programme and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan expire at the end of 2005. However, the objective of the Lisbon European Council extends to 2010. In its Resolution of the 9th of December 2004 the Council has invited the Commission to start the preparatory work for the follow-up of the eEurope 2005 Action plan as an important part of the new Agenda for the Information Society beyond 2005. The Communication "Challenges for the Information Society beyond 2005" (COM (2004) 757 final) analyses the challenges that a European Information Society strategy up to 2010 needs to address and is the starting point of a reflection process towards the adoption of a new strategy during 2005, to start in 2006. This was confirmed by the European Council of March 2005 which asked the Commission to prepare a new information society initiative. In the Communication on a renewed Lisbon strategy, the Commission proposes to focus efforts on "delivering stronger and lasting growth and creating more and better jobs". The Commission's Lisbon review identifies several actions in the area of ICTs: i) to increase investment in ICTs and the use of ICTs; ii) to promote ICT research and development, eGovernment, broadband and rural development; and iii) and to ensure that workers have the necessary ICT skills for the knowledge society. The ICT sector is a large employer for high-skilled workers and increases flexibility and quality in work practices. A new initiative “i2010: European Information Society” is announced in the Communication from the Commission to the Spring European Council entitled “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”[1], aiming at stimulating the take up of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) The Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment”[2] outlines the key policy priorities of a five-year strategy to promote an open and competitive digital economy. The promotion of exchange of good practices and the monitoring of the take-up of ICT-enabled services will continue to support the dialogue with stakeholders and Member States, notably in the context of the open method of coordination The Commission Communication of 10 February 2004 on the 2007-2013 financial perspectives indicates that EU funding instruments will as far as possible be consolidated, streamlined and rationalised. In its proposal on the future financial perspectives for the period 2007-2013 the Commission suggested the creation of a programme for Competitiveness and Innovation. The different financial instruments which currently support the information society (MODINIS, eTen, eContent) will be integrated in the ICT Policy Support Programme, part of the Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation adopted by the Commission in April 2005. The ICT Policy Support Programme should begin its activities in January 2007. In addition to pilot and deployment projects, networking and awareness raising activities, this programme will continue to support activities of benchmarking and exchange of best practice. Although the main financial effort for the deployment and best use of ICTs is at the level of Member States, this Community support is essential, in particular for the development of common approaches and coordinated actions for the wider adoption and best use of ICTs across the Union and for articulation with other EU policies, including those for the internal market, competition, employment, cohesion policies, sustainable development, external relations and security. In the 12 months between the expiration of the eEurope 2005 action plan and the anticipated start of the Framework programme from 2007, the take up of ICTs across the economy needs to be monitored and supported through continuation of benchmarking and statistical analysis based on structural indicators, and the exchange of good practices. Since the adoption of Regulation (EC) 460/2004 of March 2004 establishing ENISA, actions related to network and information security are no longer supported by MODINIS. |

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL |

305 | In order to ensure such continuity of action between the expiry of MODINIS, the launch of i2010 in 2006 and the launch of the ICT Policy Support programme in 2007 it is proposed that the programme be extended to cover the year 2006. The actions taken under the programme on benchmarking, good practices and policy coordination in 2006 will support the achievement of the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, and those of the Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment”. The extension to the MODINIS programme will therefore have the following three key objectives: to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, regional or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of competitiveness, growth and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion; These objectives shall be pursued through data collection and benchmarking analysis, studies to identify good practices, targeted conferences, seminars and workshops. The duration of the extension of the programme shall be of 12 months, beginning 1st January 2006 and ending 31st December 2006. The budget shall be 7.72 million euro. A specific work programme will be published containing the year's priorities and actions. The Commission therefore proposes: to prolong the MODINIS programme until 31 December 2006, to adjust the overall budget of the MODINIS programme as prolonged to EURO 30.16 million. |

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION |

401 | € 7.72 million for 2006. The “legislative financial statement” attached to this Decision sets out the budgetary implications and the human and administrative resources |

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |

560 | European Economic Area The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European Economic Area. |

1.  2005/0144 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up (Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157 (3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[3],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee[4],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions[5],

Acting in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) Decision No 2256/2003/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 November 2003[6] established the MODINIS programme for the monitoring of the eEurope 2005 action plan, dissemination of good practices and the improvement of information and network security for the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005.

(2) Decision No 2256/2003/EC was amended by Decision No 787/2004/EC of 21 April 2004 in order to adapt the reference amounts to take account of the enlargement of the European Union.

(3) In its Resolution of 9 December 2004, the Council invited the Commission to start the preparatory work for the follow-up of the eEurope 2005 Action plan as an important part of the new Agenda for the Information Society beyond 2005.

(4) The Communication of the Commission “Challenges for the Information Society beyond 2005” [7] analyses the challenges that a European Information Society strategy up to 2010 needs to address. The Communication argues for wider use of ICT and for continued policy attention to ICT related issues, which involves the need for monitoring and exchange of good practices. This Communication was the starting point of a reflection process that lead to the adoption of a new Information Society initiative in 2005, to start in 2006.

(5) A new initiative “i2010: European Information Society” is announced in the Communication from the Commission to the Spring European Council entitled “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”[8], aiming at stimulating the take up of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

(6) The Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment”[9] outlines the key policy priorities of a five-year strategy to promote an open and competitive digital economy. The promotion of exchange of good practices and the monitoring of the take-up of ICT-enabled services will continue to support the dialogue with stakeholders and Member States, notably in the context of the open method of coordination[10].

(7) In the proposal for a Decision establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (2007-2013)[11], a Framework Programme for Community action in the field of competitiveness and innovation, covering the period 2007-2013, is proposed which brings together specific Community measures contributing to entrepreneurship, SMEs, industrial competitiveness, innovation, information and communication technology (ICT), environmental technologies and intelligent energy, including those measures provided in Decision No 2256/2003/EC[12].

(8) Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishes a common framework for the systematic production of Community statistics on the information society[13]. These statistics include information required for the eEurope benchmarking process, are relevant to the structural indicators supporting the monitoring of performance of Member States, and are necessary to provide a uniform basis on which to analyse the information society.

(9) In the 12 months between the expiration of the eEurope 2005 action plan and the anticipated start of the Framework programme from 2007, the take up of ICTs across the economy needs to be monitored and supported through continuation of benchmarking and statistical analysis based on structural indicators, and the exchange of good practices. The actions taken under the programme on benchmarking, good practices and policy coordination in 2006 will support the achievement of the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, and those of the Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment”.

(10) The mechanisms for monitoring and for the exchange of experiences, benchmarking activities, dissemination of good practices and analysis of economic and societal consequences of the information society should be continued in 2006 to achieve the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs in continuation to the eEurope agenda and those of the Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment”.

(11) Therefore Decision No 2256/2003/EC should be amended.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision No 2256/2003/EC is amended as follows:

2.  The following Article 1a is inserted:

“Article 1a

1. The programme for 2006 shall continue the monitoring of the take up and use of Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) across the economy and the dissemination of good practices and shall have the following objectives:

(a) to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics;

(b) to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, regional or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences;

(c) to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of competitiveness, growth and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion;

2. The activities of the programme shall be actions of a cross-sectorial nature, complementing Community actions in other fields. None of these actions shall duplicate the work being carried out in these fields under other Community programmes. The actions taken under the programme on benchmarking, good practices and policy coordination shall work to achieve the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs in continuation to the eEurope agenda and in particular to promote broadband, e Government, e Business, e Health and e Learning and the Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment, promoting an open and competitive digital economy

3. The programme shall also provide a common framework for complementary interaction at European level of the various national, regional and local levels.”

3.  The following Article 2a is inserted :

“Article 2a

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1a, the following categories of actions shall be undertaken:

(a) Action 1

Monitoring and comparison of performance:

— data collection and analysis on the basis of the benchmarking indicators defined in the Council resolution of 18 February 2003 on the implementation of the e Europe 2005 action plan, including regional indicators where appropriate and the Regulation (EC) No 808/2004[14] of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 concerning community statistics on the information society.

(b) Action 2

Dissemination of good practices:

— studies to identify good practices, at national, regional and local level, contributing to successful take up of ICTs across the economy

— support for targeted conferences, seminars or workshops, dissemination, information and communication activities in support of the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs in continuation to the eEurope agenda and the Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment, promoting an open and competitive digital economy, in order to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and good practices as defined in Article 1a (b)

(c) Action 3

Analysis and strategic discussion:

— support the work of social and economic experts with a view to providing the Commission with input as regards prospective policy analysis”.

4.  In Article 4,

a) in the first paragraph, the date of “31 December 2005” is replaced by that of “31 December 2006”.

b) in the second paragraph, the financial framework amount of “EUR 21million” is replaced by “EUR 30.16 million”.

5.  In the Annex,

a) the subtitle “indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2005” is replaced by the subtitle “indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2006”.

b) a column providing indicative breakdown for 2006 is added.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

ANNEX

Multiannual programme for the monitoring of eEurope, dissemination of good practices and the improvement of network and information security (MODINIS)

Indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2006

2003 | 2004 | 2005 | Total 2003-2005 |

WP 1 | 12% | 14% | 14% | 40% |

WP 2 | 8% | 10% | 12% | 30% |

WP 3 | 2% | 3% | 3% | 8% |

WP 4 | 17% | 5% | 0% | 22% |

Percentage of Total | 39% | 32% | 29% | 100% |

Indicative breakdown of expenditure 2006

2006 |

WP 1 | 55% |

WP 2 | 30% |

WP 3 | 15% |

WP 4 | 0% |

Percentage of Total | 100% |

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Policy area(s): Information Society Activit(y/ies): eEurope |

TITLE OF ACTION: DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ND OF THE COUNCIL ADOPTING AN ANNUAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MONITORING AND DISSEMINATION OF GOOD PRACTICES OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (MODINIS 2006) |

1. BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S)

09-030100

2. OVERALL FIGURES

2.1. Total allocation for action (Part B): € million for commitment

7.72

2.2. Period of application:

1st January 2006-31st December 2006

2.3. Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure:

(a) Schedule of commitment appropriations/payment appropriations (financial intervention) (see point 6.1.1)

€ million ( to three decimal places)

Year [n] | [n+1] | [n+2] | [n+3] | [n+4] | [n+5 and subs. Years] | Total |

Commitments | 7,720 |

Payments | 4,200 | 3,000 | 0,520 |

(b) Technical and administrative assistance and support expenditure (see point 6.1.2)

Commitments | 0 |

Payments | 0 |

Subtotal a+b |

Commitments | 7,720 |

Payments | 4,200 | 3,000 | 0,520 |

(c) Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure (see points 7.2 and 7.3)

Commitments/ payments | 1,036 |

TOTAL a+b+c |

Commitments | 8,756 |

Payments | 5,236 | 3,000 | 0,520 |

2.4. Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming.

2.5. Financial impact on revenue: [15]

Proposal has no financial implications (involves technical aspects regarding implementation of a measure)

3. BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS

Type of expenditure | New | EFTA contribution | Contributions form applicant countries | Heading in financial perspective |

Non-comp | Diff | YES/ NO | YES | NO | No 3 |

4. LEGAL BASIS

Article 157 (3)

5. DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS

5.1. Need for Community intervention [16]

5.1.1. Objectives pursued

Both the MODINIS programme and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan expire at the end of 2005. The successor to the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the i2010 initiative, will enter into force in January 2006. In order to ensure continuity between the expiry of the MODINIS programme, the successor of eEurope 2005, and the launch of the ICT Policy Support Fund 2007 it is proposed that an annual programme be adopted in order to continue support to benchmarking and best practice activities as well as analysis and policy dialogue during 2006. It is essential that the new information society policy initiative continues to benefit from a financial support programme right from the start. In particular, benchmarking, exchange and dissemination of best practice and structured and strategic dialogue with stakeholders need to be carried out every year in order to develop a meaningful EU Information Society policy.

The overall objectives of the programme are still valid and relevant, and will therefore remain unchanged. However, with the adoption of Regulation (EC) 460/2004 of March 2004 establishing the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)[17], actions related to the fourth objective will no longer be supported by MODINIS 2006.

The programme for 2006 shall continue the monitoring of the take up and use of ICTs across the economy and the dissemination of good practices and shall have the following objectives:

6.  to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics;

7.  to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, regional or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences;

8.  to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of competitiveness, growth and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion.

5.1.2. Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluation

An ex-ante evaluation of the MODINIS programme was conducted in the form of the final evaluation of the PROMISE programme, predecessor to MODINIS. An external evaluation report was commissioned from EIM Business Policy and Research under the guidance of a steering committee appointed by the Commission. The final report was published in February 2004 and presented to the MODINIS Management Committee in July 2004. Overall, the evaluation supports the Commission’s re-orientation of the programme in line with the eEurope 2002 Action Plan.

It notes that the programme had clear strengths and in addition that the refocus gave it unique value-added. Despite some criticisms related to the methodology followed, which under MODINIS are now being addressed through a much greater use of National Statistical Institutes, the benchmarking exercise was considered particularly useful.

The evaluation also acknowledges that the co-financing of conferences on e-government and e-health was a success with significant impact in terms of follow-up actions by national policy-makers. However, it recommends that greater efforts be made to support exchange of good practices and dissemination in a more integrated way. This recommendation is now being implemented through increased emphasis on the strategic aims of the studies that are financed, and specific attention to the development of good practice frameworks in e-government, e-business and e-health.

The evaluation recognises that the Information Society Forum was a “successful initiative in the first years” of the implementation of the programme. It made important contributions in the area of social aspects and the demand-side of ICT for consumers and citizens. The work of the eEurope Advisory Group under MODINIS can be seen as a continuation and an improvement of the role played by the IS Forum.

Finally, the recommendations on the management of the MODINIS in the light of the PROMISE experience have been followed through with a clear role for the management committee in the implementation of the eEurope strategy.

Overall, the external evaluation of PROMISE found that most of the formal objectives were met, adding value at EU level to other initiatives, measuring needs and monitoring of awareness, promoting the exchange of good practices and removing obstacles to involvement on the side of disadvantaged groups, peripheral areas, SMEs and third countries.

5.1.3. Measures taken following ex post evaluation

Recommendation | Commission response |

Greater efforts should be made to support the exchange of best practices at regional level | The budget of MODINIS remains relatively small so that its impact at regional level can only be limited to a demonstration effect. |

The balance should be shifted towards dissemination and exchange of best practices in the MODINIS work programmes | The Decision on MODINIS provides an indicative budget allocation. Within this, contributions to high visibility conferences are being continued. High level groups and workshops are supported in relation to specific policy targets. ‘Good practice frameworks’ in the fields of e-business, e-government and e-health are supported. |

In order to support the exchange of best practice at the regional level, co-ordination and co-operation with DG Regio should be improved | Co-ordination with DG Regio is assured through interservice arrangements where they are appropriate to the implementation of the eEurope Action Plan notably in e-government and digital divide. |

Public dissemination through websites should be redesigned to better meet the needs of SMEs | The website is undergoing a major redesign to improve its usability |

The ISF needs to be formally closed; the Members should be thanked for their work and informed about new arrangements under the MODINIS programme | The Commission considers it inappropriate to close the ISF formally after such a long time of inactivity. Many members will be difficult to contact as they will have changed function. Such an exercise undertaken properly would be an inefficient use of public funds. |

The eEurope Steering Group should have a clear mandate to address certain topics for a certain period of time. This mandate should be regularly reviewed and renewed | The eEurope Steering group directly engages MS administrations and is goal orientated. The Group provides technical support and strategic advice to the Commission in the implementation of the Action Plan. It operates through working groups that have a specific mandate and a limited duration. |

The Commission should fully engage the Management Committee in the preparation and adoption of the Modinis work programmes | The Management Committee is consulted at the early stages of the preparation of the annual work programmes, and its favourable opinion is needed in order to adopt the work programme. |

Budget utilisation should be further improved by multi-annual planning and timely initiation of public procurement actions, where needed | Budget expenditure remains a challenge. The MODINIS programme was adopted only at the end of 2003 and became operational in April 2004. Given the short programming period this delay will continue to affect the achievement of the primary goals. |

The Commission should ensure an effective transfer of knowledge about programme implantation as staff are replaced and a clear allocation of responsibilities between Units for programme and budget utilisation | An active formal and informal interservice consultation procedure takes place in the preparation of the annual work programme. All budget allocations are subject to formal sub-delegations under the financial regulations. Continuity is provided for by sharing responsibility for the Programme between a number of staff. |

The work programme for MODINIS should have a clear strategic plan, but should also leave flexibility to adapt to political, technological and economic opportunities as they arise. The Commission should develop clear performance indicators for measuring the contribution of the programme’s activities to the programme’s objectives. | The decision to link the eEurope Action Plan, the eEurope Advisory Group and MODINIS guarantees that the Programme will maintain political relevance. The MODINIS annual work programme has recently been revised in the light of the mid-term review and update of eEurope 2005 Action Plan in order to maintain its relevance. Benchmarking activities, which form a large part of the MODINIS programme, provide a quantitative measure of performance, whilst qualitative indicators will be requested in the final evaluation. |

5.2. Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1a, the following categories of actions shall be undertaken:

(a) Action 1

Monitoring and comparison of performance:

— data collection and analysis on the basis of the benchmarking indicators defined in the Council resolution of 18 February 2003 on the implementation of the e Europe 2005 action plan(1), including regional indicators where appropriate and the Regulation (EC) No 808/2004[18] of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 concerning community statistics on the information society.

(b) Action 2

Dissemination of good practices:

— studies to identify good practices, at national, regional and local level, contributing to successful take up of ICTs across the economy

— support for targeted conferences, seminars or workshops, dissemination, information and communication activities in support of the objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs in continuation to the eEurope agenda in order to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and good practices as defined in Article 1a (b);

(c) Action 3

Analysis and strategic discussion:

— support the work of social and economic experts with a view to providing the Commission with input as regards prospective policy analysis.

In carrying out the actions set out above, the Commission shall use the appropriate and relevant means, and in particular:

a) the award of contracts for the execution of tasks relating to surveys, exploratory studies, detailed studies on specific fields, demonstration actions of limited size including workshops and conferences;

b) the collection, publication and dissemination of the information and development of web based services;

c) the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, seminars;

5.3. Methods of implementation

The planned actions will be implemented through direct management by the Commission.

6. FINANCIAL IMPACT

6.1. Total financial impact on Part B - (over the entire programming period)

6.1.1. Financial intervention

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places)

Breakdown | [Year n] | [n+1] | [n+2] | [n+3] | [n+4] | [n+5 and subs. Years] | Total |

Action 1 | 4.400 |

Action 2 | 3.020 |

Action 3 | 0.300 |

TOTAL | 7.720 |

6.2. Calculation of costs by measure envisaged in Part B (over the entire programming period)[19]

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places)

Breakdown | Type of outputs (projects, files ) | Number of outputs (total for years 1...n) | Average unit cost | Total cost (total for years 1...n) |

1 | 2 | 3 | 4=(2X3) |

Action 1 - Measure 1 - Measure 2 Action 2 - Measure 1 - Measure 2 . Action 3 -Measure 1 -Measure 2 -Measure3 TOTAL COST | Surveys Pilot actions Studies Conferences and Workshops Website: maintenance, development and editorial content Documentation and publications Communication services, audiovisual and media content | 7 1 4 3 1 3 N.A 7.720 | 0.575 0.200 0.250 0.433 0.300 0,100 N.A | 4.030 0.200 1.000 1.300 0.300 0,300 0.590 |

7. IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

7.1. Impact on human resources

Types of post | Staff to be assigned to management of the action using existing and/or additional resources | Total | Description of tasks deriving from the action |

Number of permanent posts | Number of temporary posts |

Officials or temporary staff | A B C | 7 | 0.5 | 7.5 | Prepare terms of reference for calls for tender (studies, conferences, workshops, website). Evaluate proposals. Monitor progress of various contracts. Assess final studies. Follow up work from conferences and workshops. |

Other human resources |

Total | 7 | 0.5 | 7.5 |

7.2. Overall financial impact of human resources

Type of human resources | Amount (€) | Method of calculation * |

Officials Temporary staff | 756,000 30,000 | 7A X 108.000=756,000 0,5B X 60.000=30,000 |

Other human resources (specify budget line) |

Total | € 786,000 |

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.

7.3. Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action

Budget line (number and heading) | Amount € | Method of calculation |

Overall allocation (Title A7) A0701 – Missions A07030 – Meetings A07031 – Compulsory committees 1 A07032 – Non-compulsory committees 1 A07040 – Conferences A0705 – Studies and consultations Other expenditure (specify) | 0.050 0.090 0.100 0.010, frais de representation |

Information systems (A-5001/A-4300) |

Other expenditure - Part A (specify) |

Total | 0.250 |

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.

1 Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs.

I. Annual total (7.2 + 7.3) II. Duration of action III. Total cost of action (I x II) | 1,036,000 € 1 year 986,000€ |

8. FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION

8.1. Follow-up arrangements

In order to ensure that Community funds are used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that activities under this Decision are only engaged upon following public procurement procedures, and that the activities are properly monitored and evaluated.

8.2. Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation

The programme will be evaluated at the end of its execution period, as specified in Article 7.4 of the Decision establishing MODINIS. The evaluation of the programme will be commended to an external team of evaluators after an open call for tenders.

9. ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

The control of payments for any service or studies requested is carried out by the Commission’s services prior to payment, taking into account any contractual obligations, economic principles and good financial management practice. Anti-fraud provisions (supervision, reporting requirements, etc) will be included in all agreements and contracts made between the Commission and recipients of any payments.

[1] COM (2005) 24 final

[2] COM (2005) 229 final

[3] OJ C , , p. .

[4] OJ C , , p. .

[5] OJ C , , p. .

[6] OJ L 336, 23.12.2003, p. 1

[7] COM (2004) 757 final

[8] COM (2005) 24

[9] COM (2005) 229 final

[10] Working together for growth and jobs. Next steps in implementing the revised Lisbon strategy – SEC (2005) 622

[11] COM (2005) 121 final

[12] OJ L 336, 23.12.2003, p. 1

13 OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49

14 OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49

[13] For further information, see separate explanatory note.

[14] For further information, see separate explanatory note.

[15] OJ l 77 13.07.2004

18 OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49

[16] For further information, see separate explanatory note.