Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning ( SEC(2004) 971 }

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Introduction

1.1. In March 2004 the Commission adopted a Communication "The new generation of Community Education and Training Programmes after 2006" [1] ("the earlier Communication"), following up the February Communication on "policy challenges and budgetary means for the period 2007-2013" [2]. It indicated the Commission's intention to propose an integrated lifelong learning programme, incorporating the ensemble of existing internal education and training programmes. The draft Decision attached to this memorandum establishes that programme.

[1] COM (2004) 156 final

[2] COM (2004) 101

1.2. The integrated lifelong learning programme builds on the current Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes, the eLearning programme, the Europass initiative, and the various actions funded through the Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level and to support specific activities in the fields of education and training. In addition, the Erasmus Mundus programme, which has just been launched and runs to 2008, should be incorporated as an additional programme within the Integrated Programme from 2009.

1.3. As the earlier Communication pointed out, this restructuring responds in particular to four factors:

- to changes across the EU whereby education and training systems are becoming increasingly integrated in a lifelong learning context, in order to respond to the new challenges of the knowledge society and of demographic change,

- to the increasingly important role for education and training in creating a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in Europe, and in enabling adaptability to change, most notably in the follow-up to the 2000 Lisbon European Council, in the Bologna and Copenhagen processes, and in the accompanying policy development that has taken place at European level since the current Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes started,

- to the need to reinforce the strengths and address the perceived discontinuities and lack of synergy resulting from the current more fragmented programme design, as revealed by interim evaluations of Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci, and by the public consultation on the options for the new generation of programmes, and

- to the need to simplify and rationalise Community legislative instruments by creating an integrated framework within which a wide variety of activities can be funded.

The remainder of this memorandum describes the fundamental principles underlying the Commission's proposal, explains the main features of the draft Decision, and sets out how the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality are respected.

2. The way forward

Through its education and training programmes the Union reaches out directly to its citizens - no other Community activity touches so many people so directly, every year. They also support the modernisation of the Union's education and training systems, and motivate individuals to improve their professional practice: in short, they help the Union as a whole reach the Lisbon targets. The Commission therefore proposes the following changes to the current programmes.

2.1. An Integrated Programme for education and training

The Integrated Programme will comprise four specific programmes: Comenius, for general education activities concerning schools up to and including upper secondary level; Erasmus, for education and advanced training activities at higher education level; Leonardo da Vinci, for all other aspects of vocational education and training; and Grundtvig for adult education. In addition, the proposal incorporates a "transversal" programme incorporating four key activities, to cover the policy issues outlined above, and to make specific provision for language learning and ICT-related activity where these fall outside the specific programmes; and for a more substantial dissemination activity; and a Jean Monnet programme to support action related to European integration and European institutions and associations in education and training.

The integrated approach is designed on the one hand to preserve essential continuity with past experience, hence an architecture based on the main types of education and training provision found in all Member States and retention of the established programme names, and on the other to increase the coherence and synergy between all its constituent parts, so as to permit a greater and more flexible range of actions to be supported more efficiently. The Integrated Programme will therefore comprise common actions and procedures across all its parts, and a single programme committee to ensure overall coherence.

2.2. A more substantial programme

The effectiveness and added value of European cooperation programmes in the field of education and training have been repeatedly demonstrated. They provide an instrument for spreading innovation and good practice that would otherwise remain locked within national borders. The mobility action has a clear positive impact not only on the individuals involved, but also on the institutions with which they are involved. The types of European cooperation promoted by the programmes contribute to the modernisation and improvement of education and training systems throughout the Union.

In the light of the wide consensus on value of the programmes, and of the new challenges following the Lisbon targets, the Commission concludes that the new Integrated Programme for education and training should aim for a substantial increase in volume and in effectiveness compared to its predecessors.

The Commission has revised the quantified targets set out in the earlier Communication, in the light of changes to the amounts it now proposes in the detailed financial perspective 2007 to 2013. These targets are:

- 1 in 20 school pupils involved in Comenius actions 2007 - 2013;

- 3 million Erasmus students by 2011;

- 150,000 Leonardo placements by 2013;

- 25,000 Grundtvig mobilities by 2013.

The Commission views such ambitious targets as essential to make the new programme an adequate instrument to support the achievement of the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.

The budgetary envelope will need consequent expansion; the proposed indicative financial amount is set at EUR 13.620 billion for the 7 years of the programme.

2.3. A simpler programme

Pressure for a simpler and more flexible programme has come from the public consultation; from Member States; from the National Agencies; and from the Commission itself in its budgetary Communication. It should be noted that actions supported under the current proposal in some cases will continue up to 2013; and that projects approved in that year will not all be finished before the end of 2016. The proposed Decision therefore includes only those provisions on operational matters that it is essential to set out in legislation.

Simplification, however, requires more than good intentions: it requires that the legislative environment be appropriate; and that where it is not appropriate the necessary legislative derogations should be introduced. In specific terms, this implies focused derogations to the Implementing Rules for the Financial Regulation. The guiding principle is proportionality: the administrative and accounting requirements should be proportional to the size of the grant. This implies further consideration, in particular, of the following areas:

- A greater use of flat-rate grants and scales of unit costs.

- Enabling simpler application forms and contracts.

- Extending the co-financing through contributions in kind, and limiting the accounting obligations of beneficiaries in such cases.

- Simplified documentation on the financial and operational capacity of beneficiaries.

These simplifications are a sine qua non requirement if the targets set out in the decision are to be reached. The Commission will therefore present in due course appropriate derogations to the Financial Regulations, either by amendments to the Implementing Rules directly, or by amending the current proposal to incorporate targeted derogations specifically for this programme.

2.4. A more decentralised programme

The Commission proposes that more activity should be managed at national level, through the network of National Agencies. Their advantages include understanding of the national context and priority needs, and the ability to create a more user-friendly environment.

The Commission considers that it is appropriate to administer actions through National Agencies where one or more of the following conditions apply:

- An objective method of distributing budgetary resources between Member States can be established reflecting rate of occurrence of the activity.

- The actions are small-scale or addressed to individuals, so that a full selection at European level is not warranted.

- The actions address needs specific to individual Member States.

The draft decision therefore proposes that the following activities should be administered via National Agencies: mobility, small-scale partnerships between institutions, transfer of innovation projects in the field of vocational education and training, and some work on the dissemination and exploitation of results. Section 3 of the Financial Statement explains in more detail the principles underlying the choice of the management methods proposed for the programme.

3. The design of the programme proposal

3.1. Title One: General Provisions

Articles 1 and 2 set out the general and specific objectives for the Integrated Programme and for the specific programmes within it. These are complemented by operational objectives for each specific programme, set out in each chapter of Title Two.

Article 5 sets out the generic actions that can be found across the Integrated Programme. This is a measure designed to maximise simplification and flexibility. The annex sets out which actions will be managed by the Commission and which by the National Agencies.

Article 6 sets out the tasks of the Commission and of the Member States, notably in relation to the establishment and operation of the National Agencies in the light of the requirements of the Financial Regulation.

Article 7 permits participation in the programme to be extended to Switzerland and the countries of the Western Balkans.

Article 10 establishes a committee for the Integrated Programme, which will meet in different formations according to the subject matter at hand. The Commission envisages that five separate formations will be needed: one to cover the Integrated Programme as a whole, the transversal programme and the Jean Monnet Programme; and four others to cover Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig.

Article 9 provides that, in accordance with the proposed comitology Decision, the committee's role in the selection process should focus on the process, criteria and budget, but not on the selection of individual projects.

Article 15 provides for a funding envelope of EUR 13.620 billion. The detail is found in Section B.8 of the Annex. The minimum figures set out there can be varied by the Commission in agreement with the Committee acting in management procedure. This article also allows for a maximum of 1% to be spent on supporting the participation of partners from non-participating third countries in partnership, project and network activities under the programme.

3.2. Title Two, Chapters One to Four: the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig programmes

The four sectoral programmes, Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig, are all constructed in the same way.

The distribution of activities between the four sectoral programmes differs somewhat from the current programmes; the most important change is that advanced vocational education transfers from Leonardo to Erasmus.

For each sectoral programme, the Decision specifies which of the generic actions defined in Article 5 will be available, and sets out examples of the main forms such actions will take in the context of the specific programmes. Only the essential detail is included in the legislative text, and the ways of implementing the generic actions in each programme described in the Decision are not exclusive, permitting other types to be developed in consultation with the Committee should the need arise.

All actions provide scope for language and new technology elements to be "mainstreamed". The Comenius actions include the school twinning activity hitherto supported under the eLearning programme. The Erasmus actions, reflecting the incorporation of advanced vocational training, include higher education student placements in enterprises (formerly in Leonardo da Vinci) and envisage specific mobility arrangements for students on Joint Masters programmes.

In Leonardo da Vinci, the projects action has been reconceived in the light of the results of the interim evaluation. Projects will largely be managed via the National Agencies and they will mostly focus upon the transfer of innovation into one country from others. A new partnerships action will consist of small-scale projects enabling training organisations to co-operate on themes of mutual interest. The networks action, which supports reflection at European level on key issues in the field of vocational training, has been significantly reinforced.

Under Grundtvig, new mobility actions are proposed to support the mobility of adult learners, staff exchanges, European assistantships in addition to adult educators (the current Grundtvig action of Socrates was limited almost exclusively to the latter).

3.3. Title Two, Chapter Five: The Transversal Programme

The transversal programme constitutes one of the major innovations in the Integrated Programme. It provides the Community with a more effective instrument for pursuing activity that cuts across two or more "traditional" fields of activity, notably across the sectoral programmes.

The transversal programme is divided into four Key Activities.

Key Activity 1 is largely a new activity in the current programme proposal focused on policy development. It incorporates a number existing actions such as Arion, Cedefop visits, the Eurydice network, etc, and focuses them more effectively on policy issues of general significance to the Community. It adds new projects, networks and observation and analysis actions, to create new mechanism to help the Union realise the demands made of it in policy terms.

Key Activity 2 complements "mainstream" language action in the sectoral programmes. Transversal action is needed such as multilateral projects to develop language-learning materials and testing tools, networks of key actors, multilingual web portals; and awareness-raising campaigns.

Key Activity 3 focuses on experimentation with the generalisation of innovative approaches to teaching and learning (e-learning) with respect to new pedagogy, services, technology and content.

Key Activity 4 is a new activity aiming at the exploitation and transfer of good project results into educational and vocational training systems at Community, national, regional and sectoral levels. Projects may be managed by the Commission or through the National Agencies.

3.4. Title Two, Chapter Six: the Jean Monnet programme

The Jean Monnet Programme targets the academic field of European integration and the support needed for institutions and associations active in education and training at European level.

The list of institutions which the Commission proposes to support directly under this programme is limited to four, which are included in the existing Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level and to support specific activities in the fields of education and training. Operating grants may be awarded to these four instutions, on condition that all the requirements of the Financial Regulation are fulfilled. As specified in articles 2(3)(c) and 42(3) of this proposal, the designation of these four beneficiaries is without prejudice to the support for other institutions, such as recognised centres of excellence at European level, which may also be awarded operating grants under this action, in response to a call for proposals. Such institutions may also participate in other relevant parts of the Integrated Programme and the Erasmus Mundus programme, provided they fulfil all the conditions which apply to these actions, including the selection procedure. Through these calls for proposals the Commission aims inter alia to support the development of key institutions and associations active at European level, including those with similar features to the four designated beneficiaries, in order to underpin a network of centres of European excellence within the Union.

3.5. Financial and administrative annex

Points A and B1 of the annex focus on the distinction between National Agency procedure actions (those managed by the National Agencies) and Commission procedure actions (those managed directly by the Commission or on its behalf by an Executive Agency, to which it may decide to entrust part of the tasks of managing the programme, in conformity with Article 54 of the Financial Regulation [3]).

[3] Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1).

The Decision envisages two types of National Agency procedures. The first, currently applied to all decentralised actions within Socrates and to the mobility actions of Leonardo da Vinci, will continue to be the most widespread. It provides for National Agencies to select beneficiaries and to allocate grants to institutions based exclusively in their respective countries for the exclusive use of those institutions. The second type, designed to replace the current "Procedure B" under Leonardo da Vinci, allows for National Agencies to select entire transnational or multilateral projects and to fund the participation of all partners concerned through the coordinator, subject to a favourable decision from the Commission on the short list of projects submitted by the Agency.

Points B2 to B11 of the annex concern detailed financial provisions, technical assistance, and anti-fraud measures.

4. Subsidiarity and proportionality

As far as subsidiarity is concerned, the new programme continues, as with the past generations of Community action, to focus on promoting and optimising cooperation between Member States in all the fields of lifelong learning. It does not attempt to intervene in the structure and content of education and training systems, but focuses on areas where European added value can be engendered.

As far as proportionality is concerned, the proposal is designed to achieve the maximum simplification not only in the form of its actions but in its administrative and financial requirements, consistent with appropriate financial and procedural safeguards.

2004/0153 (COD)

Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149(4) and 150(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [4],

[4] OJ C , , p. .

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [5],

[5] OJ C , , p. .

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions [6],

[6] OJ C , , p. .

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty [7],

[7] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) Council Decision 382/1999/EC [8] established the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme 'Leonardo da Vinci'.

[8] OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p.33. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No. 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p.1).

(2) Decision 253/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [9] established the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education 'Socrates'.

[9] OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p.1. Decision as last amended by Decision 786/2004/EC (OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p.7).

(3) Decision 2318/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [10] established a multi-annual programme for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning programme).

[10] OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p.9.

(4) Decision 791/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [11] established a Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of education and training and to support specific activities in this field.

[11] OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p.31.

(5) Decision xxx/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [12] established a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass).

[12] OJ ....

(6) The Bologna Declaration, signed by the Ministers for Education of 29 European countries on 19 June 1999, established an intergovernmental process aimed at creating a 'European Area of Higher Education' by 2010, which requires support at Community level.

(7) The special meeting of the European Council in Lisbon on 23-24 March 2000 set a strategic goal for the European Union to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and invited the Education Council to undertake a general reflection on the concrete future objectives of education systems, focusing on common concerns and priorities while respecting national diversity.

(8) On 12 February 2001 the Council adopted a report on the concrete future objectives of education and training systems. On 14 June 2002 it subsequently adopted a detailed work programme on the follow-up of these objectives, requiring support at Community level.

(9) The meeting of the European Council in Göteborg on 15-16 June 2001 agreed a strategy for sustainable development and added an environmental dimension to the Lisbon process for employment, economic reform and social cohesion.

(10) The meeting of the European Council in Barcelona on 15-16 March 2002 set the objective of making European Union education and training systems a world quality reference by 2010, and called for action to improve the mastery of basic skills, in particular by teaching at least two foreign languages from a very early age.

(11) The Commission Communication [13] and the Council Resolution [14] on lifelong learning affirm that lifelong learning should be enhanced by actions and policies developed within the framework of Community programmes in this field.

[13] COM (2001) 678 final.

[14] OJ C 163, 09.07.2002, p.1.

(12) The Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 on the promotion of enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training [15] established a process of enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training, requiring support at Community level. The Copenhagen Declaration, agreed by the Ministers for Education of 31 European countries on 30 November 2002, associated the social partners and the candidate countries to this process.

[15] OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p.2.

(13) The Communication from the Commission on the Action Plan for skills and mobility [16] noted the continuing need for action at European level to improve the recognition of education and training qualifications.

[16] COM (2002 )72.

(14) The Communication from the Commission on the Action Plan promoting language learning and linguistic diversity [17] set out actions to be taken at European level during the period 2004-2006 and requires follow-up action.

[17] COM (2003) 449 final.

(15) The interim evaluation reports of the existing Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes and the public consultation on the future of Community activity in education and training revealed a strong and in some respects growing need for continuing cooperation and mobility in these fields at European level. They emphasised the importance of creating closer links between Community programmes and policy developments in education and training, expressed the wish that Community action should be structured so as to respond better to the lifelong learning paradigm, and pressed for a simpler, more user-friendly and more flexible approach to implementing such action.

(16) Significant advantages would accrue from integrating Community support for trans-national cooperation and mobility in the fields of education and training into a single programme, which would permit greater synergies between the different fields of action, and offer more capacity to support developments in lifelong learning, and more coherent, streamlined and efficient modes of administration.

(17) An Integrated Programme should therefore be established to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the European Union as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

(18) Given the specificities of the schools, higher education, vocational training and adult education sectors, and the consequent need for Community action to be based on objectives, forms of action and organisational structures tailored to them, it is appropriate to retain individual programmes within the framework of the Integrated Programme targeted at each of these four sectors, while maximising the coherence and commonality between them.

(19) In its Communication "Building our common Future: Policy challenges and Budgetary means of the Enlarged Union 2007-2013" [18], the Commission set out a sequence of quantified targets to be achieved by the new generation of Community education and training programmes, which require a significant increase in mobility and partnership actions.

[18] COM (2004) 101, pp13-14.

(20) Given the demonstrated beneficial impacts of trans-national mobility on individuals and on education and training systems, the high volume of unfulfilled demand for mobility in all sectors, and its importance in the context of the Lisbon target, it is necessary to increase substantially the volume of support for trans-national mobility in the four sectoral programmes.

(21) In order to respond to the increased need to support activities at European level designed to achieve these policy objectives, to provide a means of supporting trans-sectoral activity in the fields of languages and ICT, and to strengthen the dissemination and exploitation of results of the programme, it is appropriate to complement the four sectoral programmes with a transversal programme.

(22) In order to respond to the increasing need for knowledge and dialogue on the European integration process and its development, it is important to stimulate excellence in teaching, research and reflection in this field by supporting higher education institutions specialising in the study of the European integration process, European associations in the fields of education and training and the Jean Monnet Action.

(23) It is necessary to provide sufficient flexibility in the formulation of this Decision to allow for appropriate adjustments in the actions of the Integrated Programme to respond to changing needs during the period 2007 to 2013, and to avoid the inappropriately detailed provisions of previous phases of Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci.

(24) In all its activities, the Community must eliminate inequalities, and promote equality, between men and women, as provided for in Article 3 of the Treaty.

(25) Further to Article 151 of the Treaty, the Community must take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaty, in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of its cultures.

(26) There is a need to promote active citizenship and to step up the fight against exclusion in all its forms, including racism and xenophobia.

(27) The special learning needs of people with disabilities should be actively addressed.

(28) The candidate countries for membership of the European Union and the EFTA countries which are members of the EEA may participate in Community programmes in accordance with agreements to be signed between the Community and these countries.

(29) The European Council in Thessaloniki on 19 and 20 June 2003 approved the Council conclusions of 16 June on the Western Balkans, including its annex "The Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: moving towards European integration", which provides that Community programmes should be opened to the Stabilisation and Association Process countries on the basis of framework agreements to be signed between the Community and those countries.

(30) The Community and the Swiss Confederation have declared their intention of undertaking negotiations to conclude agreements in areas of common interest such as Community education, training and youth programmes.

(31) The Integrated Programme should be regularly monitored and evaluated in cooperation between the Commission and the Member States in order to allow for readjustments, particularly with respect to the priorities for implementing the measures. The evaluation should include an external evaluation to be conducted by independent, impartial bodies.

(32) Resolution 2000/2315(INI) of the European Parliament on the implementation of the Socrates programme [19] drew attention to the disproportionately onerous administrative procedures for grant applicants under the second phase of the programme.

[19] OJ C 293 E, 28.02.2002, p.103.

(33) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities [20] and Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation 1605/2002 [21], which safeguard the Community's financial interests, have to be applied taking into account the principles of simplicity and consistency in the choice of budgetary instruments, a limitation on the number of cases where the Commission retains direct responsibility for their implementation and management, and the required proportionality between the amount of resources and the administrative burden related to their use.

[20] OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1.

[21] OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p.1.

(34) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used.

(35) Since the objectives of the proposed action concerning the contribution of European cooperation to quality education and training cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States because of the need for multilateral partnerships, trans-national mobility and Community-wide exchanges of information, and can therefore, by reason of the nature of the actions and measures necessary, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(36) This Decision establishes a financial framework for the entire duration of the programme, which is to be the principal point of reference for the budgetary authority within the meaning of point 33 of the interinstitutional agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure [22].

[22] OJ C 172, 18.06.1999, p1

(37) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission [23]

[23] OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p.23.

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter I

The Integrated Programme

Article 1

Establishment of the Integrated Programme

1. This Decision establishes an integrated programme for Community action in the field of lifelong learning, hereinafter referred to as 'the Integrated Programme'.

2. The general objective of the Integrated Programme is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, while ensuring good protection of the environment for future generations. In particular, it aims to foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference.

3. The Integrated Programme shall have the following specific objectives:

(a) to contribute to the development of quality lifelong learning and to promote innovation and a European dimension in systems and practices in the field;

(b) to help improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of the opportunities for lifelong learning available within Member States;

(c) to reinforce the contribution of lifelong learning to personal fulfilment, social cohesion, active citizenship, gender equality and the participation of people with special needs;

(d) to help promote creativity, competitiveness, employability and the growth of an entrepreneurial spirit;

(e) to contribute to increased participation in lifelong learning by people of all ages;

(f) to promote language learning and linguistic diversity;

(g) to reinforce the role of lifelong learning in creating a sense of European citizenship and encouraging tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures;

(h) to promote co-operation in quality assurance in all sectors of education and training in Europe;

(i) to exploit results, innovative products and processes and to exchange good practice in the fields covered by the Integrated Programme.

4. In accordance with the administrative provisions set out in the Annex, the Integrated Programme shall support and supplement action taken by the Member States.

5. As set out in Article 2, the objectives of the Integrated Programme shall be pursued through the implementation of four sectoral programmes, one transversal programme, and the Jean Monnet programme, hereinafter collectively referred to as 'the Specific Programmes'.

6. This Decision shall be implemented over the period from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013. However, preparatory measures, including decisions by the Commission in accordance with Article 9, may be implemented as from the entry into force of this Decision.

7. The provisions of this Decision relating to the Integrated Programme shall also govern the Specific Programmes, to which specific provisions shall also apply.

Article 2

Specific Programmes

1. The sectoral programmes shall be the following:

(a) the Comenius programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in pre-school and school education up to the level of the end of upper secondary education, and the institutions and organisations providing such education;

(b) the Erasmus programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in formal higher education and vocational education and training at tertiary level, whatever the length of their course or qualification may be and including doctoral studies, and the institutions and organisations providing such education and training;

(c) the Leonardo da Vinci programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in vocational education and training including initial and continuing vocational training, other than advanced vocational education and training at tertiary level, as well as the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating such education and training;

(d) the Grundtvig programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of those in all forms of adult education, as well as the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating such education.

2. The transversal programme shall comprise the following four key activities:

(a) policy cooperation in lifelong learning within the Community;

(b) promotion of language learning;

(c) development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning;

(d) dissemination and exploitation of results of actions supported under the programme and previous related programmes, and exchange of good practice.

3. The Jean Monnet programme shall support institutions and activities in the field of European integration. It shall comprise the following three key activities:

(a) the Jean Monnet Action;

(b) operating grants to support specified institutions dealing with issues relating to European integration;

(c) operating grants to support other European institutions and associations in the fields of education and training

4. In addition to the objectives set out in Article 1, the Specific Programmes shall have the following specific objectives:

(a) the Comenius programme:

(i) to develop understanding among young people and educational staff of the diversity of European cultures and its value;

(ii) to help young people acquire the basic life-skills and competences necessary for their personal development, for future employment and for active European citizenship;

(b) the Erasmus programme:

(i) to support the realisation of a European Higher Education Area;

(ii) to reinforce the contribution of higher education and advanced vocational education to the process of innovation;

(c) the Leonardo da Vinci programme: to facilitate adaptation to labour market changes and to the evolution of skills needs;

(d) the Grundtvig programme:

(i) to respond to the educational challenge of an ageing population in Europe;

(ii) to help provide adults with alternative pathways to improving their knowledge and competences;

(e) the transversal programme:

(i) to promote European cooperation in fields covering two or more sectoral programmes;

(ii) to promote the convergence of Member States' education and training systems;

(f) the Jean Monnet programme:

(i) to stimulate teaching, research and reflection activities in the field of European integration studies;

(ii) to support the existence of an appropriate range of institutions and associations focusing on issues relating to European integration and on education and training in a European perspective.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purpose of this Decision, the following definitions shall apply:

1. "pre-school" means organised educational activity undertaken before the start of obligatory primary schooling;

2. "pupil" means a person enrolled in a learning capacity at a school;

3. "school" means all types of institutions providing general (nursery or other pre-school, primary or secondary), vocational and technical education and, exceptionally, in the case of measures to promote language learning, non-school institutions providing apprenticeship training;

4. "teachers/educational staff" means persons who, through their duties, are involved directly in the educational process in the Member States;

5. "student" means a person registered in a higher education institution, whatever their field of study, in order to follow higher education studies leading to a degree or diploma, up to and including the level of doctorate;

6. "higher education institution" means:

(a) any type of higher education institution, according to national legislation or practice, which offers qualifications or diplomas at that level, whatever such establishments may be called in the Member States;

(b) any institution providing advanced vocational training at International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) levels 5 or 6;

7. "Joint Masters" means Masters courses in higher education that:

(a) involve a minimum of three higher education institutions from three different Member States;

(b) implement a study programme which involves a period of study in at least two of those three institutions;

(c) have built-in mechanisms for the recognition of periods of study undertaken in partner institutions based on, or compatible with, the European credit transfer system;

(d) result in the awarding of joint, double or multiple degrees, recognised or accredited by the Member States, from the participating institutions;

8. "initial vocational training" means any form of initial vocational training, including technical and vocational teaching, apprenticeship and vocationally oriented education, which contributes to the achievement of a vocational qualification recognised by the competent authorities in the Member State in which it is obtained;

9. "continuing vocational training" means any vocational training undertaken by a person in the Community during his or her working life;

10. "adult education" means all forms of non-vocational adult learning, whether of a formal, non-formal or informal nature;

11. "study visit" means a short-term visit, made to study a particular aspect of lifelong learning in another Member State, to exchange good practice or to learn a new methodology or skill;

12. "mobility" means moving physically to another country, in order to undertake study, work experience, other learning or teaching activity or related administrative activity, supported as appropriate by preparation in the host language;

13. "placement" means a stay in an enterprise or organisation in another Member State, supported as appropriate by preparation in the host language, with a view to acquiring a specific skill or to improving understanding of the economic and social culture of the country concerned;

14. "unilateral" means involving a single institution;

15. "bilateral" means involving partners from two Member States;

16. "multilateral" means involving partners from at least three Member States. The Commission may regard associations or other bodies with membership from three Member States or more as multilateral;

17. "partnership" means a bilateral or multilateral agreement between a group of institutions or organisations in different Member States to carry out joint European activities in lifelong learning;

18. "network" means a formal or informal grouping of bodies active in a particular field, discipline or sector of lifelong learning;

19. "project" means a cooperation activity developed jointly by a formal or informal grouping of organisations or institutions;

20. "project coordinator" means the organisation or institution in charge of the implementation of the project by the multilateral grouping which signs the grant agreement with the Commission;

21. "project partners" means the organisations or institutions other than the coordinator, which form the multilateral grouping;

22. "enterprise" means all undertakings in the public or private sector whatever their size, legal status or the economic sector in which they operate, and all types of economic activities, including the social economy;

23. "social partners" means, at national level, employers' and workers' organisations in conformity with national laws and/or practices and, at Community level, employers' and workers' organisations taking part in the social dialogue at Community level;

24. "learning provider" means all institutions or organisations providing lifelong learning within the context of the Integrated Programme, or within the limits of its Specific Programmes;

25. "guidance and counselling" means a range of activities such as information, assessment, orientation and advice to assist learners to make choices relating to education and training programmes or employment opportunities;

26. "dissemination and exploitation of results" means activities designed to ensure that the results of the Integrated Programme and its predecessors are appropriately recognised, demonstrated and implemented on a wide scale;

27. "lifelong learning" means all general education, vocational education and training, non-formal education and informal learning undertaken throughout life, resulting in an improvement in knowledge, skills and competences within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective. It includes the provision of counselling and guidance services.

Article 4

Access to the Integrated Programme

The Integrated Programme is aimed in particular at:

(a) pupils, students, trainees and adult learners;

(b) staff involved in any aspect of lifelong learning;

(c) people in the labour market;

(d) learning providers;

(e) the persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies concerning any aspect of lifelong learning at local, regional and national level;

(f) enterprises, social partners and their organisations at all levels, including trade organisations and chambers of commerce and industry;

(g) bodies providing guidance, counselling and information services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning;

(h) associations working in the field of lifelong learning, including students', trainees', pupils', teachers', parents' and adult learners' associations;

(i) research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong learning issues;

(j) non profit organisations, voluntary bodies, non-governmental organisations ("NGOs").

Article 5

Community actions

1. The Integrated Programme shall comprise support for the following actions:

(a) the mobility of people in lifelong learning in Europe;

(b) bilateral and multilateral partnerships;

(c) multilateral projects designed to improve national education and training systems;

(d) unilateral and national projects;

(e) multilateral projects and networks;

(f) observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field of lifelong learning, the establishment of reference material, including surveys, statistics, analyses and indicators, action to support transparency and recognition of qualifications and prior learning, and action to support cooperation in quality assurance;

(g) operating grants to support certain operational and administrative costs of organisations active in the field covered by the Integrated Programme;

(h) other initiatives in line with the objectives of the Integrated Programme ('Accompanying Measures').

2. Community support may be awarded for preparatory visits in respect of any of the actions set out in this Article.

3. The Commission may organise such seminars, colloquia or meetings as are likely to facilitate the implementation of the Integrated Programme, and undertake appropriate information, publication and dissemination actions as well as programme monitoring and evaluation.

4. The actions referred to in this Article may be implemented by means of calls for proposals, calls for tenders, or directly by the Commission.

Article 6

Tasks of the Commission and the Member States

1. The Commission shall ensure the implementation of the Community actions provided for by the Integrated Programme.

2. The Member States shall

(a) take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of the Integrated Programme at Member State level, involving all the parties concerned with all aspects of lifelong learning in accordance with national practice;

(b) establish or designate and monitor an appropriate structure for the coordinated management of the implementation of the Integrated Programme's actions at Member State level (national agencies), including budgetary management, in conformity with the provisions of Article 54(2)(c) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 [24] and of Article 38 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 [25], in accordance with the following criteria:

[24] OJ L 248, 16.9.2002 p.1.

[25] OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p.1.

(i) an organisation established or designated as a national agency shall have legal personality, and be governed by the law of the Member State concerned. A ministry may not be designated as a national agency;

(ii) national agencies must have an adequate number of staff, with professional and linguistic capacities appropriate for work in an environment of international cooperation in the field of education and training;

(iii) they must have an appropriate infrastructure, in particular as regards informatics and communications;

(iv) they must operate in an administrative context which enables them to carry out their tasks satisfactorily and to avoid conflicts of interest;

(v) they must be in a position to apply the financial management rules and contractual conditions laid down at Community level;

(vi) they must offer adequate financial guarantees, issued preferably by a public authority, and their management capacity must be appropriate to the level of Community funds they will be called upon to manage;

(c) take responsibility for the proper management by the national agencies referred to in sub-paragraph (b) above of credits transferred to national agencies to support projects, and in particular for the respect by national agencies of the principles of transparency, equality of treatment and of the avoidance of double-funding with other sources of Community funds, and of the obligation to monitor projects and to recover any funds due for reimbursement by beneficiaries;

(d) take the necessary steps to ensure the appropriate audit and financial oversight of the national agencies referred to under sub-paragraph (b) above, and in particular:

(i) before the national agency starts work, provide the Commission with the necessary assurances as to the existence, relevance and proper operation within it, in accordance with the rules of sound financial management, of the procedures applied, the control systems, the accounting systems and the procurement and grant award procedures;

(ii) provide the Commission with a declaration of assurance each year as to the reliability of the financial systems and procedures of the national agencies, and the probity of their accounts;

(e) in the event of irregularity, negligence or fraud imputable to a national structure established or designated under sub-paragraph (b) above, and where this gives rise to claims by the Commission on the national agency which are not completely recovered, be responsible for the funds not recovered;

(f) designate upon request from the Commission the learning providers or the types of learning providers to be considered eligible to participate in the Integrated Programme in their respective territories;

(g) adopt all appropriate measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the Integrated Programme;

(h) take steps to ensure that potential synergies with other Community programmes and financial instruments and with other relevant programmes operating in the Member State in question are realised at Member State level.

3. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall ensure

(a) the transition between the actions carried out within the context of the preceding programmes in the fields of education, training and lifelong learning and those to be implemented under the Integrated Programme;

(b) the adequate protection of the Communities' financial interests, in particular by introducing effective, proportionate and dissuasive measures, administrative checks and penalties;

(c) appropriate information, publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported under the Integrated Programme.

Article 7

Participation of third countries

1. The Integrated Programme shall be open to the participation of:

(a) EFTA countries which are members of the EEA, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement;

(b) Turkey and the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of these countries in Community programmes established in the respective Framework Agreement and Association Council Decisions;

(c) the countries of the Western Balkans, in accordance with the provisions to be determined with these countries following the establishment of framework agreements concerning their participation in Community programmes;

(d) the Swiss Confederation, on the basis of a bilateral agreement to be concluded with this country.

2. Key activity 1 of the Jean Monnet programme referred to in Article 2(3)(a) shall also be open to higher education institutions in any other third country.

3. Third countries participating in the Integrated Programme shall be subject to all the obligations and will fulfil all the tasks set out in this Decision in relation to Member States.

Article 8

International cooperation

Under the Integrated Programme, and in accordance with Article 9, the Commission may cooperate with third countries and with the competent international organisations, in particular the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Chapter II

Implementation of the Integrated Programme

Article 9

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Integrated Programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission, in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a) the annual plan of work;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the Specific Programmes;

(c) the arrangements for ensuring internal consistency within the Integrated Programme;

(d) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the Integrated Programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results;

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of all matters within Title I other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Article 10

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee, hereinafter referred to as "the 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.

5. Member States may not be represented by persons employed in, or having operational responsibility for, national agencies referred to in Article 6(2)(b).

Article 11

Social partners

1. Whenever the Committee is consulted on any matter concerning the application of this Decision in relation to vocational education and training, representatives of the social partners, appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from the European social partners, may participate in the work of the Committee as observers. The number of such observers shall be equal to the number of representatives of the Member States.

2. Such observers shall have the right to request that their position be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Committee.

Article 12

Horizontal issues

In implementing the Integrated Programme, due regard shall be paid to ensuring that it contributes fully to furthering the horizontal policies of the Community, in particular by:

(a) promoting an awareness of the importance of cultural diversity and multiculturality within Europe, as well as of the need to combat racism and xenophobia;

(b) making provision for learners with special needs, and in particular by helping to promote their integration into mainstream education and training;

(c) promoting an awareness of the importance of contributing to sustainable economic development;

(d) promoting equality between men and women and contributing to combating all forms of discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Article 13

Joint Actions

As part of the process of building up a Europe of knowledge, the actions supported under the Integrated Programme may be implemented in accordance with the procedures referred to in Article 10(2) jointly with related Community programmes and actions, particularly those in the field of culture, the media, youth, research and development, employment, enterprise, environment and information and communication technologies.

Article 14

Consistency and complementarity

1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular with the European Social Fund, with the human resource and mobility actions of the Community's Framework Programme in research and development, and with the Community's statistical programme. The Commission shall ensure an efficient link-up between the Integrated Programme and the programmes and actions in the area of education and training undertaken within the framework of the Community's pre-accession instruments, other cooperation with third countries and the competent international organisations.

2. The Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed about other relevant Community initiatives taken in the field of lifelong learning, including cooperation with third countries and international organisations.

3. In implementing actions under the Integrated Programme, the Commission and the Member States shall have regard to the priorities set out in the employment guidelines adopted by the Council, as part of a coordinated employment strategy.

4. In partnership with the European social partners, the Commission shall endeavour to develop an appropriate coordination between the Integrated Programme and the social dialogue at Community level, including at sectoral levels.

5. In implementing the Integrated Programme, the Commission shall secure the assistance as appropriate of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in areas related to its competence and in accordance with the arrangements set out in Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of the Council [26]. Where appropriate, the Commission may also secure the support of the European Training Foundation within the scope of its mandate and in accordance with the arrangements set out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 [27].

[26] OJ L 39, 13.2.1975.

[27] OJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p.1.

6. The Commission shall keep the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training regularly informed of relevant progress under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme.

Chapter III

Financial provisions - Evaluation

Article 15

Funding

1. The financial framework for the implementation of the Integrated Programme is hereby set at EUR 13,620 million. Of this sum, the amounts to be committed to the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig programmes shall not be less than as set out in point B.8 of the Annex. Those amounts may be amended by the Commission in accordance with the procedures referred to in Article 10(2).

2. Up to 1% of the budget of the Integrated Programme may be used to support the participation in partnership, project and network actions organised under the Integrated Programme of partners from third countries which do not participate in the Integrated Programme under the provisions of Article 7.

3. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.

Article 16

Monitoring and evaluation

1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the Integrated Programme in cooperation with the Member States. This monitoring shall include the reports referred to in paragraph 4 and specific activities.

2. The Commission shall arrange for regular independent external evaluations of the Integrated Programme.

3. Member States shall submit to the Commission by 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2015, respectively, reports on the implementation and the impact of the Integrated Programme.

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

(a) an interim evaluation report on the results achieved and on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the Integrated Programme by 31 March 2011,

(b) a communication on the continuation of the Integrated Programme by 31 December 2011,

(c) an ex post evaluation report by 31 March 2016.

TITLE II

THE SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES

Chapter I

The Comenius programme

Article 17

Access to the Comenius programme

Within the framework of the Integrated Programme, the Comenius programme is aimed at:

(a) pupils in pre-school and school education up to the end of upper secondary education;

(b) schools, as specified by Member States;

(c) teaching, support and administrative staff within those schools;

(d) associations and representatives of those involved in school education;

(e) public and private organisations responsible for the organisation and delivery of education at local, regional and national levels;

(f) research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong learning issues;

(g) higher education institutions.

Article 18

Operational objectives

In addition to the objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the Comenius programme shall be:

(a) to increase the volume and improve the quality of exchanges involving pupils and educational staff in different Member States;

(b) to increase the volume and improve the quality of partnerships between schools in different Member States, so as to involve at least one pupil in twenty in joint educational activities during the period of the programme;

(c) to encourage the learning of a second foreign language;

(d) to reinforce the quality and European dimension of teacher training;

(e) to improve pedagogical approaches and school management.

Article 19

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported by the Comenius programme:

(a) mobility of individuals as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In arranging for or supporting the organisation of such mobility, the necessary preparatory measures shall be adopted and care shall be taken to ensure that adequate supervision and support is available for young people in mobility. Such mobility may include:

(i) exchanges of pupils and staff;

(ii) placements in schools or enterprises abroad for pupils or for educational staff;

(iii) participation in training courses for teachers;

(iv) study and preparatory visits for mobility, partnership, project or network activities;

(v) assistantships for teachers and potential teachers.

(b) development of partnerships as referred to in Article 5(1)(b) between schools ('Comenius partnerships'), with a view to developing joint learning projects between the pupils;

(c) multilateral cooperation projects as referred to in Article 5(1)(e). They may include projects aimed at:

(i) developing, promoting and disseminating new teaching methods or materials;

(ii) developing or exchanging experience on systems of providing information or guidance particularly adapted to the learners concerned by the Comenius programme;

(iii) developing, promoting and disseminating new teacher training courses or course content;

(d) networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e). They may include networks aimed at:

(i) developing education in the discipline or subject area in which they operate, for their own benefit and for that of education more widely;

(ii) acquiring and disseminating relevant good practice and innovation;

(iii) providing content support to projects and partnerships set up by others;

(iv) promoting the development of needs analysis and its practical applications within school education;

(e) other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the Comenius programme as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) ('Accompanying Measures').

2. The operational details of the actions referred to in paragraph 1 shall be decided in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

Article 20

Budget

Not less than 85% of the budget available for the Comenius programme shall be devoted to support for mobility as referred to in Article 19(1)(a) and for Comenius partnerships as set out in Article 19(1)(b).

Article 21

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Comenius programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a) the annual plan of work;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the Comenius programme;

(c) the general guidelines for implementing the Comenius programme, the selection criteria and procedures;

(d) the distribution of funds among the Member States for the actions to be managed through the "National agency procedure" set out in the Annex;

(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Comenius programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Chapter II

The Erasmus programme

Article 22

Access to the Erasmus programme

Within the framework of the Integrated Programme, the Erasmus programme is aimed at:

(a) students and trainees learning in all forms of higher education and advanced vocational education and training (ISCED levels 5 and 6);

(b) higher education institutions, as specified by Member States;

(c) teaching and administrative staff within those institutions;

(d) associations and representatives of those involved in higher education, including relevant student, university, and teacher/trainer associations;

(e) enterprises, social partners and other representatives of working life;

(f) public and private organisations responsible for the organisation and delivery of education and training at local and regional levels;

(g) research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong learning issues.

Article 23

Operational objectives

In addition to the objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the Erasmus programme shall be:

(a) to increase the volume and improve the quality of student and teaching staff mobility throughout Europe, so as to contribute to the achievement by 2011 of at least 3 million individual participants in student mobility under the Erasmus and its predecessor programmes;

(b) to increase the volume and improve the quality of multilateral cooperation between higher education institutions in Europe;

(c) to increase the degree of convergence of higher education and advanced vocational education qualifications gained in Europe;

(d) to foster co-operation between higher education institutions and enterprises.

Article 24

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported by the Erasmus programme:

(a) mobility of individuals as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). Such mobility may include:

(i) mobility of students for studies or training abroad in higher education institutions, as well as placements in enterprises, training centres or other organisations;

(ii) mobility of teaching staff in higher education institutions in order to teach or receive training in a partner institution abroad;

(iii) mobility of other staff in higher education institutions and staff of enterprises for purposes of training or teaching;

(iv) Erasmus intensive programmes organised on a multilateral basis.

Support may also be awarded to the home and host higher education institutions or enterprises for action to ensure quality at all stages of the mobility arrangements, including language preparation.

(b) joint projects as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), focusing inter alia on innovation and experimentation in the areas mentioned in the specific and operational objectives;

(c) networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e) run by consortia of higher education institutions and representing a discipline or a cross-disciplinary field, ('Erasmus thematic networks') which aim to develop new learning concepts and competencies. Such networks may also include representatives from other public bodies or from enterprises or associations;

(d) other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the Erasmus programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) ('Accompanying Measures').

2. Individuals participating in mobility under paragraph 1(a)(i) ('Erasmus students') shall be:

(a) students in higher education institutions who, after completing at least their first year of studies, spend a study period in another Member State within the framework of the mobility Action of the Erasmus programme, regardless whether they have been awarded financial support under that programme. Such periods shall be fully recognised under the interinstitutional agreements between the sending and host institutions. The host institutions shall not charge tuition fees to such students;

(b) students enrolled on Joint Masters programmes in a country other than the one in which they gained their Bachelors degree;

(c) students in higher education institutions taking part in placements in enterprises or training centres.

3. The operational details of the actions set out in paragraph 1 shall be decided following the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

Article 25

Budget

Not less than 85% of the budget available for the Erasmus programme shall be devoted to support for mobility as referred to in Article 24(1)(a).

Article 26

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Erasmus programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a) the annual plan of work;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the Erasmus programme;

(c) the general guidelines for implementing the Erasmus programme, the selection criteria and procedures;

(d) the distribution of funds among the Member States for the actions to be managed through the "National agency procedure" set out in the Annex;

(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Erasmus programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Chapter III

The Leonardo da Vinci programme

Article 27

Access to the Leonardo da Vinci programme

Within the framework of the Integrated Programme, the Leonardo da Vinci programme is aimed at:

(a) young people learning in all forms of vocational education and training up to the end of upper secondary education (up to ISCED level 3);

(b) learners in continuing vocational education and training (ISCED level 4);

(c) people in the labour market;

(d) learning providers in the fields covered by the Leonardo da Vinci programme;

(e) teaching and administrative staff within those learning providers;

(f) associations and representatives of those involved in vocational education and training, including trainees', parents' and teachers' associations;

(g) enterprises, social partners and other representatives of working life, including chambers of commerce and other trade organisations;

(h) bodies providing guidance, counselling and information services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning;

(i) persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies concerning any aspect of lifelong learning at local, regional and national level;

(j) research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong learning issues;

(k) non profit making organisations, voluntary bodies, NGOs.

Article 28

Operational objectives

In addition to the objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the Leonardo da Vinci programme shall be:

(a) to increase the volume and to improve the quality of mobility throughout Europe of people involved in initial vocational education and training and in continuing training, so as to increase placements in enterprises to at least 150,000 per year by the end of the Integrated Programme;

(b) to increase the volume and to improve the quality of co-operation between learning providers, enterprises, social partners and other relevant bodies throughout Europe;

(c) to facilitate the development of innovative practices in the fields of initial and continuing training and their transfer, including from one participating country to others;

(d) to improve the transparency and recognition of qualifications and competences, including those acquired through non-formal and informal learning.

Article 29

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported by the Leonardo da Vinci programme:

(a) mobility of individuals, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In arranging for or supporting the organisation of such mobility, the necessary preparatory measures shall be adopted and care shall be taken to ensure that adequate supervision and support is available for people in mobility. Such mobility may include:

(i) transnational placements in enterprises or in training institutions;

(ii) placements and exchanges aimed at the further professional development of trainers and guidance counsellors, of those responsible for training establishments and for training planning and career guidance within enterprises;

(b) partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b), focusing on themes of mutual interest to the participating organisations;

(c) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(c), in particular those aimed at improving training systems through the transfer of innovation involving the linguistic, cultural and legal adaptation to national needs of innovative products and processes developed in different contexts;

(d) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed at improving training systems through the development and transfer of innovation and good practice;

(e) thematic networks of experts and organisations, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), working on specific issues related to vocational education and training;

(f) other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the Leonardo da Vinci programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) ('Accompanying Measures').

2. The operational details of such actions shall be decided following the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

Article 30

Budget

Not less than 75% of the budget available for the Leonardo da Vinci programme shall be devoted to support for mobility as referred to in Article 29(1)(a).

Article 31

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Leonardo da Vinci programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

(a) the annual plan of work;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the Leonardo da Vinci programme;

(c) the general guidelines for implementing the Leonardo da Vinci programme, the selection criteria and procedures;

(d) the distribution of funds among the Member States for the actions to be managed through the "National agency procedure" set out in the Annex;

(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Leonardo da Vinci programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Chapter IV

The Grundtvig programme

Article 32

Access to the Grundtvig programme

Within the framework of the Integrated Programme, the Grundtvig programme is aimed at:

(a) learners in adult education;

(b) learning providers in adult education;

(c) teaching and administrative staff within those learning providers and other organisations involved in adult education;

(d) establishments involved in the initial or further training of adult education staff;

(e) associations and representatives of those involved in adult education, including learners' and teachers' associations;

(f) bodies providing guidance, counselling and information services relating to any aspect of adult education;

(g) persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies concerning any aspect of adult education at local, regional and national level;

(h) research centres and bodies concerned with adult education issues;

(i) enterprises;

(j) non profit making organisations, voluntary bodies, NGOs;

(k) higher education institutions.

Article 33

Operational objectives

In addition to the objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the Grundtvig programme shall be:

(a) to increase the volume and to improve the quality of mobility throughout Europe of people involved in adult education, so as to support the mobility of at least 25,000 of such individuals per year by 2013;

(b) to increase the volume and to improve the quality of co-operation between organisations involved in adult education throughout Europe;

(c) to facilitate the development of innovative practices in adult education and their transfer, including from a participating country to others;

(d) to ensure that people from vulnerable social groups and in marginal social contexts, in particular those who have left education without basic qualifications, are given alternative opportunities to access adult education;

(e) to improve pedagogical approaches and the management of adult education organisations.

Article 34

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported by the Grundtvig programme:

(a) mobility of individuals, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In arranging for or supporting the organisation of such mobility, the necessary preparatory measures shall be adopted and care shall be taken to ensure that adequate supervision and support is available for people in mobility. Such mobility may include visits, placements, assistantships and exchanges for participants in formal and non-formal adult education, including the training and professional development of adult education staff.

(b) partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b), known as 'Grundtvig learning partnerships', focusing on themes of mutual interest to the participating organisations;

(c) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed at improving adult education systems through the development and transfer of innovation and good practice;

(d) thematic networks of experts and organisations, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), known as 'Grundtvig networks', working in particular on:

(i) developing adult education in the discipline, subject area or management aspect to which they relate;

(ii) identifying and disseminating relevant good practice and innovation;

(iii) providing content support to projects and partnerships set up by others and facilitating interactivity between such projects and partnerships;

(iv) promoting the development of needs analysis and quality assurance within adult education.

(e) other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the Grundtvig programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) ('Accompanying Measures').

2. The operational details of such actions shall be decided following the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

Article 35

Budget

Not less than 60% of the budget available for the Grundtvig programme shall be devoted to support for mobility and partnerships as referred to in Article 34(1)(a) and (b).

Article 36

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Grundtvig programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

(a) the annual plan of work;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the Grundtvig programme;

(c) the general guidelines for implementing the Grundtvig programme, the selection criteria and procedures;

(d) the distribution of funds among the Member States for the actions to be managed through the "National agency procedure" set out in the Annex;

(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Grundtvig programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Chapter V

The Transversal programme

Article 37

Operational objectives

In addition to the general objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the transversal programme shall be:

(a) to support policy development at European level in lifelong learning, notably in the context of the Lisbon, Bologna and Copenhagen processes and their successors;

(b) to ensure an adequate supply of comparable data, statistics and analyses to underpin lifelong learning policy development;

(c) to monitor progress towards objectives and targets in lifelong learning, and to identify areas for particular attention;

(d) to promote language learning and to support linguistic diversity in the Member States;

(e) to support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning;

(f) to ensure that the results of the Integrated Programme are appropriately recognised, demonstrated and implemented on a wide scale.

Article 38

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported under the key activity referred to in Article 2(2)(a):

(a) individual mobility, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a), including study visits for experts and officials designated by national, regional and local authorities, for directors of education and training establishments and guidance services, and for social partners;

(b) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed at preparing and testing policy proposals developed at Community level;

(c) multilateral cooperation networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), of experts and/or institutions working together on policy issues. Such networks may include:

(i) thematic networks working on issues related to the content of lifelong learning or to lifelong learning methodologies and policies. Such networks may observe, exchange, identify and analyse good practice and innovation, and make proposals for a better and wider use of such practices across the Member States;

(ii) standing conferences on policy issues, aimed at coordinating policy at European level on strategic issues in lifelong learning;

(d) observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field of lifelong learning, as referred to in Article 5(1)(f), which may include:

(i) studies and comparative research;

(ii) development of indicators and statistical surveys, including support for work undertaken in the field of lifelong learning in cooperation with Eurostat ;

(iii) support for the operation of the Eurydice network and funding of the Eurydice European Unit set up by the Commission;

(e) action to support transparency and recognition of qualifications and competences including those acquired through non formal and informal learning, information and guidance on mobility for learning purposes, and cooperation in quality assurance, as referred to in Article 5(1)(f), which may include:

(i) networks of organisations which facilitate mobility and recognition, such as Euroguidance and National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARICs);

(ii) support for transnational web-based services such as Ploteus;

(iii) activities under the Europass initiative in accordance with Decision XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences.

(f) other initiatives as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) ('Accompanying Measures') aimed at promoting the objectives of the key activity referred to in Article 2(2)(a).

2. The following strategic actions, designed to address teaching and learning needs at more than one life-stage, may be supported under the key activity referred to in Article 2(2)(b):

(a) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed, inter alia, at:

(i) developing new language learning materials, including online courses, and instruments for language testing;

(ii) developing tools and courses for language teacher training;

(b) networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), in the field of language learning and linguistic diversity;

(c) other initiatives in line with the objectives of the Integrated Programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h), including activities to make language learning more attractive to learners through the mass media and/or marketing, publicity and information campaigns, as well as conferences, studies and statistical indicators in the field of language learning and linguistic diversity.

3. The following actions may be supported under the key activity referred to in Article 2(2)(c):

(a) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed at the development and distribution of innovative methods, contents, services and environments;

(b) networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed at sharing and exchanging knowledge, experience and good practice;

(c) other action aimed at improving lifelong learning policy and practice, as described in Article 5(1)(f), which may include mechanisms for evaluation, observation, benchmarking, quality improvement and the analysis of trends with respect to technology and pedagogy.

4. The following actions may be supported under the key activity referred to in Article 2(2)(d):

(a) unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d);

(b) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed inter alia at:

(i) supporting the exploitation and implementation of innovative products and processes;

(ii) stimulating cooperation between projects operating in the same field;

(iii) developing good practice with regard to dissemination methods;

(c) the establishment of reference material as referred to in Article 5(1)(f), which may include the collection of relevant statistical data and studies in the field of dissemination, the exploitation of results and the exchange of good practice.

Article 39

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the transversal programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a) the annual plan of work, and the selection criteria and procedures;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the transversal programme;

(c) the guidelines for implementing the transversal programme and its key activities;

(d) the distribution of funds among the Member States for the actions to be managed through the "National agency procedure" set out in the Annex;

(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the transversal programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

Chapter VI

The Jean Monnet programme

Article 40

Access to the Jean Monnet programme

Within the framework of the Integrated Programme and the Annex, the Jean Monnet programme is aimed at:

(a) students and researchers in the field of European integration in all forms of higher education (ISCED levels 5 and 6) within and outside the Community;

(b) higher education institutions within and outside the Community;

(c) teaching and administrative staff within those institutions;

(d) associations and representatives of those involved in education and training within and outside the Community;

(e) public and private organisations responsible for the organisation and delivery of education and training at local and regional levels;

(f) research centres and bodies concerned with issues relating to European integration within and outside the Community.

Article 41

Operational objectives

In addition to the general objectives of the Integrated Programme set out in Articles 1 and 2, the operational objectives of the Jean Monnet programme shall be:

(a) to stimulate excellence in teaching, research and reflection in European integration studies in higher education institutions within and outside the Community;

(b) to enhance knowledge and awareness among specialist academics and among European citizens generally of issues relating to European integration;

(c) to support key European institutions dealing with issues relating to European integration;

(d) to support the existence of high-quality European associations active in the fields of education and training.

Article 42

Actions

1. The following actions may be supported under the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(a):

(a) unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d), which may include:

(i) Jean Monnet Chairs, centres of excellence and teaching modules;

(ii) associations of professors, other teachers in higher education, and researchers specialising in European integration;

(iii) support for young researchers specialising in European integration studies;

(iv) information and research activities relating to the Community with the aim of promoting discussion, reflection and knowledge about the process of European integration;

(b) multilateral projects and networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), which may include support for the establishment of multilateral research groups in the field of European integration.

2. Operating grants as referred to in Article 5(1)(g) to support certain operational and administrative costs of the following institutions pursuing an aim of European interest may be awarded under the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(b):

(a) the College of Europe (Bruges and Natolin campuses);

(b) the European University Institute, Florence;

(c) the European Institute of Public Administration, Maastricht;

(d) the Academy of European Law, Trier.

3. Under the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(c), operating grants as referred to in Article 5(1)(g) may be awarded to support certain operational and administrative costs of European institutions or associations active in the fields of education and training.

4. Grants may be awarded on an annual basis or on a renewable basis within a framework partnership agreement with the Commission.

Article 43

Budget

Not less than 28% of the budget available for the Jean Monnet programme shall be devoted to support for the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(a), not less than 44% to the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(b), and not less than 18% to the key activity referred to in Article 2(3)(c).

Article 44

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Jean Monnet programme relating to the following matters shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a) the annual plan of work, and the selection criteria and procedures;

(b) the annual budget and the distribution of funds between the various actions of the Jean Monnet programme;

(c) the guidelines for implementing the Jean Monnet programme and its key activities;

(d) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programme and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for the implementation of the Jean Monnet programme relating to all matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3).

TITLE III

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 45

Transitional provision

Actions which are initiated on or before 31 December 2006 on the basis of Decision 382/1999/EC [28], of Decision 253/2000/EC [29], of Decision 2318/2003/EC [30], of Decision 791/2004/EC [31] or of Decision [Europass] [32], shall be administered in conformity with the provisions of those Decisions, with the exception that the committees established by those Decisions shall be replaced by the committee established by Article 10 of the present Decision.

[28] OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p.33.

[29] OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p.1.

[30] OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p.9.

[31] OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p.31.

[32] OJ ....

Article 46

Entry into force

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

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

ANNEX

Administrative and Financial provisions

A. Administrative Provisions

Procedures for the proposal and selection of the activities contained in the Integrated Programme are as follows:

1. National agency procedure

1.1 Procedure 1

The following actions, under which the selection decisions are taken by the appropriate national agencies, shall be managed through the 'National agency procedure 1':

(a) the trans-national mobility of people in lifelong learning in Europe, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a);

(b) bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b);

(c) unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d), where these are funded under Article 38(4)(a).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under these actions shall be directed to the appropriate national agencies designated by the Member States in accordance with Article 6(2)(b). The national agencies shall carry out the selection and allocate financial assistance to the applicants selected in accordance with the general guidelines to be established under Articles 9, 21, 26, 31, 36 and 39. The national agencies shall distribute grants to beneficiaries located in their respective Member States. Each partner in a bilateral or multilateral partnership shall receive funding direct from its respective national agency.

1.2 Procedure 2

The following action, under which the selection decisions are taken by the Commission, but evaluation and contracting procedures are undertaken by the appropriate national agencies, shall be managed through the 'National agency procedure 2':

- multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(c).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under this action shall be directed to the national agency designated by the Member State of the coordinator of the project in accordance with Article 6(2)(b). The national agency of the Member State of the coordinator of the project shall carry out the evaluation of applications and submit to the Commission a shortlist of applications which it proposes to accept. The Commission shall decide upon the shortlist proposed, following which the National Agency shall allocate the appropriate financial assistance to the applicants selected in accordance with the general guidelines to be established under Article 31. Before submitting the shortlist to the Commission, the national agency of the country in which the project is coordinated shall liaise with those in the countries of all the other project partners. The national agencies shall distribute grants to selected project coordinators located in their respective Member States, which shall be responsible for distributing the funds to the partners involved in the projects.

2. Commission procedure

The following actions, under which project proposals are submitted to the Commission and the selection decisions are taken by the Commission, shall be managed through the 'Commission procedure':

(a) unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d), except those funded under Article 38(4)(a);

(b) multilateral projects and networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e);

(c) observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field of lifelong learning, the establishment of reference material, including surveys, statistics, analyses and indicators, and action to support transparency and recognition of qualifications and prior learning, as referred to in Article 5(1)(f);

(d) operating grants, as referred to in Article 5(1)(g);

(e) other initiatives in line with the objectives of the Integrated Programme, ('Accompanying Measures') as referred to in Article 5(1)(h).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under these actions shall be directed to the Commission, which shall carry out the selection and allocate financial assistance to the applicants selected in accordance with the general guidelines to be established under Articles 9, 21, 26, 31, 36, 39 and 44.

B. Financial Provisions

The Commission shall ensure that the financial and administrative requirements placed on beneficiaries of grants awarded under the Integrated Programme are proportionate to the level of the grant. In particular, the Commission shall ensure that the financial rules and the application and reporting requirements for individual mobility and for partnerships remain user-friendly and sufficiently simple not to restrict access for less advantaged individuals and the institutions or organisations that work with them.

1. Actions managed through the National agency procedure

1.1 The Community funds intended to provide financial support under the actions to be managed through the National agency procedure in accordance with Section A Point 1 of this Annex, are to be allocated among the Member States in accordance with formulae determined by the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2), which may include elements such as the following:

(a) a minimum amount allocated to each Member State, to be determined in accordance with budgetary availability for the action concerned;

(b) the remainder will be allocated to the various Member States on the basis of:

(i) the difference in the cost of living between the Member States;

(ii) the distance between the capital cities of each of the Member States;

(iii) the level of demand and/or take-up for the Action concerned within each Member State;

(iv) each Member State's total number of:

- pupils and teachers in school education for the school partnerships and mobility actions of the Comenius programme set out in Article 19(1)(a) and (b);

- students and/or graduates in higher education for the mobility of students and intensive programmes actions of the Erasmus programme set out in Article 24(1)(a)(i) and (iv);

- teachers in higher education institutions for the mobility of teachers and the mobility of other staff actions of the Erasmus programme set out in Article 24(1)(a)(ii) and (iii);

- overall population and number of 15 to 35 year olds in relation to