A4-0182/97

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme 'European voluntary service for young people' (COM(96)0610 - C4- 0681/96 - 96/0318(COD))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Citation 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995 on the incorporation of financial provisions into legislative acts(1),

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(1) OJ C 102, 4.4.1996, p. 4.

(Amendment 2)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas the Parliament has also expressed its support, on many occasions, for the development of a voluntary service at Community level, in particular in its Resolution of 22 September 1995 on the establishment of European civilian service(1);

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(1) B4-1127/95 (PE 193.734).

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Parliament has also expressed its support, on many occasions, for the development of a voluntary service at Community level, in particular in its Resolution of 22 September 1995 on the establishment of European civilian service(1) and in its creation of a specific budget line during the 1996 procedure;

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(1) OJ C 269, 16.10.1995, p. 232.

(Amendment 3)

Recital 6a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas European youth policy has now become closely linked with the European education policy incorporated in the Treaty; whereas it is necessary to develop it further;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 10a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, according to the assessment of the pilot project, in order to launch a meaningful action the programme should be given an appropriate legal basis, in accordance with Article 22 of the Financial Regulation;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 12

>Original text>

Whereas this interim report already provides a basis for the programme's legal and financial structure, and a framework for its administrative management; and whereas the Commission will scrutinize the results of the pilot action at the half-way stage (second progress report) before taking full stock of the final results upon completion of the pilot action for the purpose of the discussions to be held as part of the co-decision procedure on the proposal for a decision and will, if need be, submit amendments to its proposal, particularly in relation to activities in non-EU countries;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the experience acquired with the pilot action undertaken since 1995, which was the subject of an interim report and an ex ante assessment, makes it possible to establish an appropriate legal and financial structure for the proposed programme and a framework for its administrative management;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 13

>Original text>

Whereas a number of legal obstacles stand in the way of the development of voluntary service;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas serious legal obstacles impede the transnational mobility of young people; whereas those obstacles must be eliminated by means of cooperation between all the Member States with a view to the definition of a status common to young volunteers working in the European civilian service and which provides in particular for the coordination of the social security and tax schemes applicable to the allowances and expenses that such young people receive during the period of their service for their travel, accommodation and subsistence;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 14a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the agreement concluded between Parliament and the Commission on commitology, referred to in Parliament's resolution of 24 October 1996 on the draft general budget of the European Communities for the financial year 1997 - Section III - Commission(1) includes an obligation for the Commission to keep Parliament fully abreast of the work of committees of the type provided for in Article 9 and to require all the members of such committees to sign a declaration that their membership of the committee is not incompatible with their personal interests;

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(1) OJ C 347, 18.11.1996, p. 125.

(Amendment 8)

Recital 15

>Original text>

Whereas participation in voluntary service activities by young people is an educational experience that may promote their integration into active life;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas participation in voluntary service activities by young people is an educational experience that may promote their integration into active life and promote awareness of genuine European citizenship;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 15a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the establishment of a European voluntary service must be carried out in conjunction with other Community schemes to benefit young people being developed under the 'Youth for Europe' programme; whereas it is therefore necessary to ensure that the separate and specific nature of the two programmes is maintained and, at the same time, to ensure close coordination in all areas where their activities may be suitably combined;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 15b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a global European policy on youth must be defined; whereas, to that end, the Commission should be asked to submit its proposals to Parliament and the Council before the third phase of the 'Youth for Europe' programme and the first stage of the 'European voluntary service' programme finish so that either their respective fields of activity can be better defined or merged in a single consistent whole;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 21

>Original text>

Whereas European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service, for the alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for the compulsory civilian service that exist in Member States and are not a substitute for potential or existing paid employment;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service, for the alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for the compulsory civilian service that exist in Member States, and must not result in restricting potential or existing paid employment; whereas they must, nevertheless, be made compatible with national civilian services so that, if the Member States so wish, they can be progressively integrated into such services (thus conferring upon them a new transnational dimension) and be given the opportunity of using their material and organizational structures; whereas, with that aim in view, agreements could be concluded linking European voluntary service and national civilian services;

(Amendment 12)

Recital 27a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas support associations also have an important rôle to play so as to enable young people with the greatest difficulties to become involved in such programmes;

(Amendment 13)

Recital 29a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the acquisition of active citizenship and of formative experience, and also the contribution of young people to cooperation between the Community and third countries, are important objectives of the 'European voluntary service for young people¨ programme; whereas arrangements should be considered whereby young people who are nationals of third countries other than those referred to in the above recital would be able to take part in the activities stemming from this programme, both in their country of origin and within the European Union;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 29b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the quality of voluntary service will depend to a large extent on linguistic and cultural preparation activities;

(Amendment 15)

Recital 33a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas European voluntary service represents an important development in the policies for the young people of Europe, which should continue to be extended in the near future;

(Amendment 16)

Article 1(2)

>Original text>

2. This programme comes within the context of the general objectives of a cooperation policy in the youth field as set out in the programme Youth for Europe (Article 1, paragraph 2). It is intended, while respecting equal opportunities for men and women, to encourage mobility among young Europeans as part of an active citizenship, to give them the chance of an educational experience in a variety of sectors of activity, to promote their active contribution to the construction of Europe and cooperation between the European Community and third countries, through their participation in transnational activities of benefit to the community.

>Text following EP vote>

2. This programme comes within the context of the general objectives of a cooperation policy in the youth field as set out in the programme Youth for Europe (Article 1, paragraph 2). It is intended, while respecting equal opportunities for men and women, to encourage mobility among young Europeans as part of an active citizenship, to give them the chance of an educational experience in a variety of sectors of activity, to promote their active contribution to the ideals of democracy, tolerance and cohesion of European integration and to cooperation between the European Union and third countries through their participation in transnational activities of benefit to the community.

(Amendment 17)

Article 2(3)(d)

>Original text>

(d) to develop and support the preparation, particularly linguistic and intercultural, and the supervision of young volunteers, in particular long-term volunteers, 'mentors¨ and European project leaders so that the young volunteers can benefit from high-quality actions connected with the objectives of the programme;

>Text following EP vote>

(d) to develop and support the preparation, particularly linguistic and intercultural, and the supervision of young volunteers, 'mentors¨ and European project leaders so that the young volunteers can benefit from high-quality actions connected with the objectives of the programme;

(Amendment 18)

Article 2(3)(ea) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

(ea) to provide post-activity follow-up in respect of young volunteers in order to ensure that the experience acquired does not go to waste;

(Amendment 19)

Article 2a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 2a

Voluntary service for developing countries

The Commission and the Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the programme:

- represents a real transfer of expertise to the countries concerned;

- corresponds to the objectives and scope of the EU's cooperation with the developing countries, as defined in the relevant regulations, conventions and cooperation agreements;

- is open to volunteers up to 29 years of age;

- includes, in the case of developing countries, long-term projects extending over a period of 6 to 12 months, with the possibility of an extension to 24 months in special cases.

(Amendment 20)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme during the period 1998-1999 shall be ECU 60 million, in keeping with current financial perspectives. Proposals shall be put forward in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 10 in order to determine the financial framework for the final three years of the programme (2000-2002).

>Text following EP vote>

1. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme during the period 1998-1999 shall be ECU 80 million, in keeping with the current financial perspective. Proposals shall be put forward in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 10 in order to determine the financial framework for the final three years of the programme (2000-2002) and shall be designed to ensure proper coordination between the activities carried out under the 'European voluntary service for young people' programme and under the 'Youth for Europe' programme respectively.

(Amendment 21)

Article 4(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. An assessment shall be carried out each year, in association with the social partners and support associations in particular, in order to identify the obstacles which prevent young people with the greatest difficulties from taking part in the programmes.

(Amendment 22)

Article 4(2b) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2b. Member States shall ensure that the host organizations, be they community or institutional in nature, provide for the effective integration of young volunteers. This calls for a strict selection procedure which nonetheless takes into account the specific characteristics of the host countries.

(Amendment 23)

Article 4(2c) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2c. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that consideration is given to the possibility of involving young nationals and residents of third countries in the activities taking place in those countries.

They shall also undertake to consider ways in which nationals from third countries could participate in projects taking place within the European Union.

(Amendment 24)

Article 4(2d) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2d. Efforts shall be made to ensure that the number of young people involved increases exponentially (at a minimum rate of 10% per year), so as to achieve the multiplier effect which is one of the objectives of the programme.

(Amendment 25)

Article 4(2e) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2e. The Commission, the Member States and the associated countries shall ensure that the young people taking part in the action programmes receive sufficient linguistic and cultural preparation to enable them to fit into their host environment.

(Amendment 26)

Article 6(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the programme is compatible with and complementary to other actions undertaken for young people by the Member States and the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the programme is compatible with and complementary - including from a budgetary point of view - to other actions undertaken for young people by the Member States and the Community.

(Amendment 27)

Article 6(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. They shall at the same time promote cooperation with non- governmental organizations in civilian society active in the youth field and in the social, environmental and cultural fields and that of the fight against the various forms of exclusion.

(Amendment 28)

Article 7(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission and the Member States shall take the necessary measures to develop the structures set up at European, national, regional and local level for achieving the objectives of the programme, for facilitating the access of young people and other partners at local level to the programme, for evaluating and monitoring the actions set out in the programme and for applying consultation and selection mechanisms.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Commission and the Member States shall take the necessary measures to develop the structures set up at European, national, regional and local level for achieving the objectives of the programme, for facilitating the access of young people and other partners at local level to the programme, for evaluating and monitoring the actions set out in the programme and for applying consultation and selection mechanisms. They shall ensure that volunteers are properly informed and made aware of their rights and obligations at European, national and local level.

>Text following EP vote>

The Member States shall take all the measures required to ensure coordination between the European voluntary service and existing civilian services at national level by facilitating the access of young European volunteers to national infrastructures and by contributing actively to the requisite synergy between transnational activities and national voluntary schemes.

(Amendment 29)

Article 7(2)

>Original text>

2. Each Member State shall endeavour to adopt the measures necessary to ensure that the young people participating in the programme do not encounter obstacles, especially as regards the right of residence in the host Member State for the period of the voluntary service and the maintenance of their entitlements, in particular those linked to their social protection.

>Text following EP vote>

2. Each Member State shall endeavour to adopt the measures necessary to ensure that the young people participating in the programme do not encounter obstacles, especially as regards the right of residence in the host Member State for the period of the voluntary service and the maintenance of their entitlements, in particular those linked to their social protection, and tax exemption in respect of expenses and allowances received by young volunteers for their travel, accommodation and subsistence for the duration of their service and in the absence of remuneration proper for their work.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall submit proposals with a view to introducing a European statute for young volunteers which will provide a specific legal framework recognized both in the countries of origin and in the host countries, so as to ensure that volunteers enjoy the same mobility as other EU citizens.

(Amendment 30)

Article 9(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall implement this programme in accordance with this Decision.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Commission shall implement this programme in accordance with this Decision. It shall take all the measures required to guarantee the quality of the European voluntary service, in particular by establishing criteria for the selection of projects and the transparency of procedures for the implementation of the programme.

(Amendment 31)

Article 9(2)

>Original text>

2. In the performance of this task, the Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of two representatives appointed by each Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

2. In the performance of this task, the Commission shall be assisted by an advisory committee composed of one representative appointed by each Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

(Amendment 34)

Article 9 (4), 1st subparagraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall keep the European Parliament informed of the work of the Committee and make available to Parliament, in sufficiently good time, the annotated agendas of all meetings of management and regulatory committees; the Commission shall inform Parliament of the result of the opinions delivered by the Committee. The Commission shall require all members of the Committee other than civil servants to sign, upon appointment, a declaration that there is no conflict between their membership of the committee concerned and their personal interests.

(Amendment 32)

Article 9(4), second subparagraph, introduction

>Original text>

The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event:

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council and Parliament forthwith. In that event, and provided that these measures are consistent with the joint legislative powers of Parliament and the Council as regards the Decision itself and its annexes which have been dealt with under the codecision procedure:

(Amendment 33)

Article 9(4), second subparagraph (b)

>Original text>

b) the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in point a).

>Text following EP vote>

b) the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in point a), and Parliament shall be informed thereof by the Commission.

(Amendment 35)

Article 9(5)

>Original text>

5. The Commission may consult the committee on any other matters relating to the implementation of this programme.

>Text following EP vote>

5. The Commission may consult the committee on any other matters relating to the implementation of this programme, with the exception of the financial arrangements referred to in Article 3 and Article 10(2) and (3).

(Amendment 36)

Article 10(2)

>Original text>

2. During the course of the second year of this programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council an evaluation report which will serve to define any new implementing guidelines and methods, and a new budget framework for the final three years of the programme.

>Text following EP vote>

2. During the course of the second year of this programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council an evaluation report.

(Amendment 37)

Article 10(3a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3a. With a view to the conclusion of the third phase of the 'Youth for Europe' programme on 31 December 1999 and the first phase of implementation of the 'European voluntary service for young people' programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council, before 31 December 1998, a report setting out its views on the main guidelines for European policy to assist young people in the run-up to the year 2000.

(Amendment 38)

Article 10(3b) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3b. Similarly, after consideration of the report provided for in paragraph 2, Parliament and the Council shall be able to determine, in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 189b of the Treaty, a possible supplementary budgetary framework.

(Amendment 39)

ANNEX, SECTION 1(1)

>Original text>

1. The Community shall support long- term (in principle for six months to one year) and short-term (in principle from three weeks to three months) transnational projects allowing young people - aged between 18 and 25 - resident in a Member State to play an active part in activities which help to meet the needs of society in a wide range of fields (social, environmental, cultural, etc.) and which are likely to have a direct impact on the well- being of the populations of the host communities. The aim of these projects shall be to provide young people from the Union with an educational experience and to bring them into contact with other cultures and experience new ideas and projects in an intercultural context.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Community shall support long- term (in principle for six months to one year) and short-term (in principle from three weeks to three months) transnational projects allowing young people - as a priority, those aged between 18 and 25, although the possibility, in certain cases, of considering applications from young people up to the age of 29 should not be excluded - who are resident in a Member State to play an active part in activities which help to meet the needs of society in a wide range of fields (social, environmental, cultural, etc.) and which are likely to have a direct impact on the well- being of the populations of the host communities. The aim of these projects shall be to provide young people from the Union with an educational experience and to bring them into contact with other cultures and experience new ideas and projects in an intercultural context.

(Amendment 40)

ANNEX, SECTION 2(1)

>Original text>

1. The Community shall support long- term (in principle for six months to one year) and short-term (in principle from three weeks to three months) transnational projects allowing young people - aged between 18 and 25 - resident in a Member State to play an active part in activities which help to meet the needs of society in a wide range of fields (social, environmental, cultural, etc.) and which are likely to have a direct impact on the well- being of the populations of the host communities. The aim of these projects shall be to provide young people from the Union with an educational experience and to bring them into contact with other cultures and experience new ideas and projects in an intercultural context.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Community shall support long- term (in principle for six months to one year) and short-term (in principle from three weeks to three months) transnational projects allowing young people - aged between 18 and 29 - resident in a Member State to play an active part in activities which help to meet the needs of society in a wide range of fields (social, environmental, cultural, etc.) and which are likely to have a direct impact on the well- being of the populations of the host communities. The aim of these projects shall be to provide young people from the Union with an educational experience and to bring them into contact with other cultures and experience new ideas and projects in an intercultural context.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme 'European voluntary service for young people' (COM(96)0610 - C4-0681/96 - 96/0318(COD))

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(96)0610 - 96/0318(COD),

- having regard to Articles 189b(2) and 126 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C4-0681/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0182/97),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty;

4. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;

5. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.