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            DECISION No 1904/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL         

of 12 December 2006         

establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to promote active European citizenship

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 151 and 308 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Subject matter and scope of the programme

1.   This Decision establishes the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’) for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

2.   The programme shall contribute to the following general objectives:

Article 2

Specific objectives of the programme

The programme shall have the following specific objectives in line with the fundamental goals of the Treaty, which shall be implemented on a transnational basis:

Article 3

Actions

1.   The objectives of the programme shall be pursued through support for the following actions, details of which may be found in Part I of the Annex:

2.   In each action, priority may be given to the balanced integration of citizens and civil society organisations from all Member States, as provided for in the specific objective set out in Article 2(d).

Article 4

Forms of Community measures

1.   Community measures may take the form of grants or public procurement contracts.

2.   Community grants may be provided through specific forms such as operating grants, action grants, scholarships, prizes.

3.   Public procurement contracts will cover the purchase of services, such as for organising events, studies and research, information and dissemination tools, monitoring and evaluation.

4.   To be eligible for a Community grant, the beneficiaries must satisfy the requirements set out in Part II of the Annex.

Article 5

Participation in the programme

The programme shall be open to the participation of the following countries, hereinafter referred to as the ‘participating countries’:

Article 6

Access to the programme

The programme shall be open to all stakeholders promoting active European citizenship, in particular local authorities and organisations, European public policy research organisations (think-tanks), citizens' groups and other civil society organisations.

Article 7

Cooperation with international organisations

The programme may cover joint and innovative activities in the field of active European citizenship, with relevant international organisations such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO, on the basis of joint contributions and in accordance with the Financial Regulation and various rules of each institution or organisation.

Article 8

Implementing measures

1.   The Commission shall adopt the measures necessary for the implementation of the programme in accordance with the provisions of the Annex.

2.   The following measures shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 9(2):

3.   All other measures necessary for the implementation of the programme shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 9(3).

4.   As part of the procedure mentioned in paragraph 2, the Commission may draw up guidelines for each of the actions in the Annex in order to adapt the programme to any changes of priority in the field of active European citizenship.

Article 9

Committee

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months.

3.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

4.   The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 10

Coherence with other Community and European Union instruments

1.   The Commission shall ensure coherence and complementarity between the programme and instruments in other areas of Community action, especially education, vocational training, culture, youth, sport, the environment, the audiovisual sector and the media, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclusion, gender equality, combating all forms of discrimination, racism and xenophobia, scientific research, information society and Community external action, in particular at the level of European Neighbourhood policy.

2.   The programme may share resources with other Community and European Union instruments in order to implement actions meeting the objectives of both the programme and these other instruments.

Article 11

The financial envelope

1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set at EUR 215 million.

2.   The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework.

Article 12

Financial provisions

1.   Financial aid shall take the form of grants to legal persons. Depending on the nature of the action and the objective pursued, grants may also be awarded to natural persons.

2.   The Commission may award prizes to natural or legal persons for actions or projects implemented under the programme.

3.   In accordance with Article 181 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, and depending on the nature of the action, flat-rate financing and/or the application of unit-cost rates may be authorised.

4.   Co-financing in kind may be permitted.

5.   The Commission may decide, in view of the characteristics of the beneficiaries and the nature of the actions, to exempt beneficiaries from verification of the professional competencies and qualifications required to complete the proposed action or work programme.

6.   The amount of information to be provided by the beneficiary may be limited in the case of small grants.

7.   In specific cases such as the award of a small grant, the beneficiary need not be required to demonstrate its financial capacity to perform the planned project or the work programme.

8.   Operating grants awarded under the programme to bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest, as defined in Article 162 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, shall not be automatically decreased in the event of renewal.

Article 13

Protection of the Community's financial interests

1.   The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (11), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (12) and with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (13).

2.   For the Community actions financed under the programme, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any infringement of a provision of Community law or any breach of a contractual obligation resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator, which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the Union or budgets managed by the Communities, by an unjustified item of expenditure.

3.   The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds irregularities, including non-compliance with the provisions of this Decision or the individual decision or the contract or agreement granting the financial support in question, or if it transpires that, without Commission approval having being sought, the action has been subjected to a change which conflicts with the nature or implementing conditions of the project.

4.   If the time limits have not been observed or if only part of the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress made with implementing an action, the Commission shall request the beneficiary to submit observations within a specified period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial assistance and demand repayment of sums already paid.

5.   Any undue payment shall be repaid to the Commission. Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid in good time under the conditions laid down by the Financial Regulation.

Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation

1.   The Commission shall ensure regular monitoring of the programme. The results of the monitoring and evaluation process shall be utilised in implementing the programme. Monitoring shall include in particular the drawing up of the reports referred to in paragraph 3 points (a) and (c).

The specific objectives may be revised in accordance with Article 251 of the Treaty.

2.   The Commission shall ensure regular, external and independent evaluation of the programme and shall report to the European Parliament on a regular basis.

3.   The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions:

Article 15

Transitional provision

Actions started before 31 December 2006 pursuant to Decision 2004/100/EC shall continue to be governed, until their completion, by that Decision.

As provided for by Article 18 of the Financial Regulation, the appropriations corresponding to assigned revenue arising from the repayment of amounts wrongly paid pursuant to Decision 2004/100/EC may be made available to the Programme.

Article 16

Entry into force

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Done at Strasbourg, on 12 December 2006            

For the European Parliament

The President

Josep BORRELL FONTELLES            

For the Council

The President

Mauri PEKKARINEN            

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(1)OJ C 28, 3.2.2006, p. 29.

(2)OJ C 115, 16.5.2006, p. 81.

(3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 5 April 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 25 September 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the European Parliament of 25 October 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 11 December 2006.

(4)OJ C 364, 18.12.2000, p. 1.

(5)OJ L 30, 4.2.2004, p. 6.

(6)OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 40.

(7)OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

(8)OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1248/2006 (OJ L 227, 19.8.2006, p. 3).

(9)OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

(10)OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

(11)OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.

(12)OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.

(13)OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

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ANNEX

I.   DESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS

Complementary information on access to the programme

Civil society organisations as mentioned in Article 6 include, inter alia, trade unions, educational institutions and organisations active in the field of voluntary work and amateur sport.

ACTION 1:   Active citizens for Europe

This action forms that part of the programme directed specifically at activities involving citizens. These activities fall under two types of measures as follows:

Town-twinning

This measure is aimed at activities that involve or promote direct exchanges between European citizens through their participation in town-twinning activities. These may be one-off or pilot activities, or take the form of structured, multi-annual, multi-partner agreements following a more programmed approach and comprising a set of activities ranging from citizens' meetings to specific conferences or seminars on subjects of common interest, along with related publications, organised in the context of town-twinning activities. This measure will actively contribute to strengthening mutual knowledge and understanding between citizens and between cultures.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), a body pursuing an aim of general European interest, active in the field of town twinning.

Citizens' projects and support measures

Under this measure, a variety of projects of a transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens, will be supported. Priority is given to projects aimed at encouraging local level participation. The scale and scope of such projects will depend on the developments within the society and will explore, through innovative approaches, the possible responses to the identified needs. The use of new technologies, in particular information society technologies (IST), will be encouraged. Those projects will gather citizens from different horizons, who will act together or debate on common European issues, thereby developing mutual understanding as well as raising awareness of the process of European integration.

In order to improve town-twinning and citizens' projects, it is also necessary to develop support measures to exchange best practices, to pool experiences between stakeholders at local and regional levels including public authorities, and to develop new skills, for example through training.

As an indication, at least 45 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 2:   Active civil society in Europe

Structural support for European public policy research organisations (think-tanks)

Bodies providing new ideas and reflections on European issues are important institutional interlocutors able to provide independent strategic, cross-sectoral recommendations to the EU institutions. They can undertake activities that feed the debate notably on citizenship of the European Union and on European values and cultures. This measure is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of those organisations, which are representative, provide real European added value, can bring about important multiplier effects and, finally, are able to cooperate with other beneficiaries of the programme. The strengthening of transeuropean networks is an important element in this area. Grants may be awarded on the basis of a multi-annual work programme bringing together a range of themes or activities.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the association ‘                  Groupement d'études et de recherches Notre Europe                  ’ and for the                      ‘Institut für Europäische Politik’                  , as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest.

Structural support for civil society organisations at European level

Civil society organisations are an important part of the civic, educational, cultural and political activities for participating in society. They need to exist and to be able to operate and cooperate at European level. They should also be able to participate in policy-making through consultation. This measure will provide them with the capacity and stability to act in a cross-sectoral and horizontal dimension as transnational catalysts for their members and for civil society at European level, thus contributing to the objectives of the programme. The strengthening of transeuropean networks and European associations is an important element of this area of work. Grants may be awarded on the basis of a multi-annual work programme bringing together a range of themes or activities.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for three bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest: the Platform of European Social NGOs, the European Movement and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles.

Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations

Civil society organisations at local, regional, national or European level involve citizens or represent their interests through debate, publications, advocacy, and other concrete transnational projects. Introducing or building on a European dimension in the activities of civil society organisations, will enable them to enhance their capacities and reach wider audiences. Direct cooperation among civil society organisations from different Member States will contribute to mutual understanding for the different cultures and points of view and to the identification of shared concerns and values. While this may be in the form of single projects, a longer-term approach will also ensure a more sustainable impact and the development of networks and synergies.

As an indication, approximately 31 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 3:   Together for Europe

High-visibility events

This measure will support events organised by the Commission, where appropriate in cooperation with the Member States or other relevant partners, which are substantial in scale and scope, strike a chord with the peoples of Europe, help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the history, achievements and values of the European Union, involve them in intercultural dialogue and contribute to the development of their European identity.

These events may include the commemoration of historical events, the celebration of European achievements, artistic events, awareness-raising around specific issues, European-wide conferences and the awarding of prizes to highlight major accomplishments. The use of new technologies, in particular IST, shall be encouraged.

Studies

In order to get a better understanding of active citizenship at European level, the Commission will carry out studies, surveys and opinion polls.

Information and dissemination tools

Given the focus on citizens and the variety of initiatives in the field of active citizenship, comprehensive information on the various activities of the programme, on other European actions related to citizenship and on other relevant initiatives needs to be provided through an Internet portal and other tools.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the ‘                  Association Jean Monnet                  ’, the ‘                  Centre européen Robert Schuman                  ’ and the                      ‘Maisons de l'Europe’                   federated at national and European level, as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest.

As an indication, approximately 10 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 4:   Active European Remembrance

Under this action projects of the following types may be supported:

Approximately 4 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

II.   PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

The implementation of the programme will be guided by the principles of transparency as well as openness, to a large variety of organisations and projects. As a consequence, projects and activities will be selected, as a general rule, by means of open calls for proposals. Derogations will be possible only in very specific circumstances and in full compliance with Article 168(1) points (c) and (d) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

The programme will develop the principle of multi-annual partnerships based on agreed objectives, building on the analysis of the results, in order to ensure mutual benefits for both civil society and the European Union. The maximum duration of funding allocated through a single grant agreement under the programme shall be limited to 3 years.

For some actions, it might be necessary to adopt indirect centralised management by an executive agency or, especially for action 1, by national agencies.

All actions will be implemented on a transnational basis. They will encourage mobility of citizens and ideas within the European Union.

The elements of networking and focussing on the multiplier effects, including the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), will be important and will be reflected both in the types of activities and the range of organisations involved. The development of interaction and synergy among the various types of stakeholders involved in the programme will be encouraged.

The programme budget may also cover expenditure associated with the preparation, follow-up, monitoring, auditing and evaluation activities directly necessary for the management of the programme and the realisation of its objectives, in particular studies, meetings, information and publication activities, expenditure associated with the IT networks for the exchange of information and any other administrative and technical support expenditure on which the Commission may decide for the management of the programme.

The overall administrative expenditure of the programme should be proportional to the tasks provided for in the programme concerned and, as an indication, should represent approximately 10 % of the total budget allocated to the programme.

The Commission may undertake information, publication and dissemination activities as appropriate, thereby ensuring broad knowledge and a high impact of the activities supported by the programme.

III.   CONTROLS AND AUDITS

For projects selected in accordance with this Decision, a sampling audit system will be established.

The beneficiary of a grant must make available to the Commission all supporting documents relating to expenditure for a period of five years from the date of the final payment. The beneficiary of a grant must ensure that, where applicable, supporting documents in the possession of partners or members are made available to the Commission.

The Commission may have an audit of the use made of the grant carried out either directly by its own staff or by any other qualified outside body of its choice. Such audits may be carried out throughout the lifetime of the contract and for a period of five years from the date of payment of the balance. Where appropriate, the audit findings may lead to recovery decisions by the Commission.

Commission staff and outside personnel authorised by the Commission must have appropriate access to the offices of the beneficiary and to all the information, including information in electronic format, necessary for such audits.

The Court of Auditors and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will have the same rights, especially of access, as the Commission.

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