II
(Preparatory Acts)
COMMISSION
Amended proposal for a Council Decision establishing the second phase of the Community
vocational training action programme "Leonardo da Vinci’Ø (˛)
(1999/C 14/07)
(Text with EEA relevance)
COM(1998) 697 final - 98/0196(SYN)
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty on 2 December 1998)
(˛)ÙOJ C 309, 9.10.1998, p. 9.
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community and in particular Article 127 thereof,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community and in particular Article 127 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the proposal from the CommissionØ(˛),Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee,Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social CommitteeØ(ˇ),
Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 189c of the Treaty in cooperation with the
European Parliament,Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 189c of the Treaty in cooperation with the
European ParliamentØ(—),
(1)ÙWhereas the Treaty establishing the European
Community stipulates that the latter’s action shall,inter alia , contribute to the development of quality
education and training; whereas this was resolutely
reiterated by the Amsterdam Treaty signed on 2
October 1997, which states that the Community’sobjective is also to promote the highest possiblelevel of knowledge for its peoples through a wide
access to education and through a continuous
updating of knowledge;Unchanged
(˛)ÙOJ C 309, 9.10.1998, pp. 9Ü22.
(ˇ)ÙOpinion of the Economic and Social Committee ESC
1308/98, 15.10.1998.
(—)ÙOpinion of the European Parliament of 5.11.1998 (PE
273.780).19.1.1999 C 14/9 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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(2)ÙWhereas, by Decision 94/819/ECØ(˛), the Council
set up an action programme to implement aCommunity vocational training policy; whereas it isappropriate, on the basis of the acquired experience
of that programme, to ensure its extension, taking
into account the results obtained to date;(2)ÙWhereas, by Decision 94/819/ECØ(˛), the Council
set up an action programme to implement aCommunity vocational training policy; whereas it isappropriate, on the basis of the acquired experience
of that programme, to ensure its extension, taking
into account the results obtained to date;
(3)ÙWhereas the extraordinary European Council on
Employment held in Luxembourg on 20 and 21November 1997 adopted a coordinated employmentstrategy in which lifelong education and training
have a fundamental role to play in implementing
guidelinesØ(ˇ) for the Member States’ employmentpolicies in order to enhance employability, adaptaÜbility, and the culture of entrepreneurshipØ(—) and to
promote equal opportunities;(3)ÙWhereas the extraordinary European Council on
Employment held in Luxembourg on 20 and 21November 1997 adopted a coordinated employmentstrategy in which lifelong education and training
have a fundamental role to play in implementing
guidelinesØ(ˇ) for the Member States’ employmentpolicies in order to enhance employability, adaptaÜbility, and the culture of entrepreneurshipØ(—) and to
promote equal opportunities;
(3a)ÙWhereas lifelong learning will have to be provided
for persons of all ages and all occupational
categories, because of technological and demoÜgraphic change;
(4)ÙWhereas the Commission in its Communication
"Towards a Europe of knowledge’Ø(Ñ) set outguidelines on the creation of a European education
area capable of achieving the objective of lifelong
education and training, defining six types ofmeasures to be developed at the Community level,all focusing on transnational cooperation and
designed to bring added value to the action taken
by the Member States, in full respect of theprinciple of subsidiarity, and in a context ofsimplified procedures;(4)ÙWhereas the Commission in its communication
"Towards a Europe of knowledge’Ø(Ñ) set outguidelines on the creation of a European education
area capable of achieving the objective of lifelong
education and training, defining six types ofmeasures to be developed at the Community level,all focusing on transnational cooperation and
designed to bring added value to the action taken
by the Member States, in full respect of theprinciple of subsidiarity and whereas in order tomake it easier for the target publics to have access
to the programme, it has decided to simplify the
application and selection procedures;
(˛)ÙOJ L 340, 29.12.1994, p. 8.
(ˇ)ÙOJ C 30, 28.1.1998, p. 1.
(—)ÙCommunication from the Commission to the Council
"Fostering entrepreneurship in Europe: priorities for thefuture’ (COM(1998) 222 final 2, of 21 April 1998).
(Ñ)ÙCommunication from the Commission to the Council, the
European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committeeand the Committee of the Regions - Towards a Europe ofknowledge, COM(97) 563 final, 12 November 1997.(˛)ÙOJ L 340, 29.12.1994, p. 8.
(ˇ)ÙOJ C 30, 28.1.1998, p. 8.
(—)ÙCommunication from the Commission to the Council
"Fostering entrepreneurship in Europe: priorities for thefuture’ (COM(1998) 222 final 2, 21 April 1998).
(Ñ)ÙCommunication from the Commission to the Council, the
European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committeeand the Committee of the Regions - Towards a Europe ofknowledge, COM(97) 563 final, 12 November 1997.C 14/10 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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(5)ÙØWhereas the White Paper) "Teaching and learning
- Towards the learning societys’Ø(˛) states that theemergence of the learning society entailsencouraging the acquisition of new knowledge and
to this end providing motivation to learn at every
opportunity; and whereas the Green Paper"Education, training, research: the obstacles totransnational mobility’Ø(ˇ) highlighted the adÜvantages mobility brings to people and competiÜ
tiveness in the Union;(5)ÙWhereas the White Paper "Teaching and learning
- Towards the learning society’Ø(˛) states that theemergence of the learning society entailsencouraging the acquisition of new knowledge and
to this end providing motivation to learn at every
opportunity; and whereas the Green Paper"Education, training, research: the obstacles totransnational mobility’Ø(ˇ) highlighted the adÜvantages mobility brings to people and competiÜ
tiveness in the Union;
(6)ÙWhereas there is a need to promote active citiÜ
zenship, to strengthen the links between measurespursued under this programme, and to step up thefight against exclusion in all its forms, including
against racism and xenophobia; whereas special
attention should be focused on removing all formsof inequality and on promoting equal opportunitiesfor women and men;(6)ÙWhereas measures under this programme should
serve the purpose of developing quality, fosteringinnovation and promoting the European dimensionin vocational training systems and practices with a
view to encouraging lifelong learning; whereas
attention should be paid in the implementation ofthis programme to fighting against exclusion in allits forms, including racism and xenophobia, andwhereas special attention should be focused on
removing all forms of discrimination and inequality
and on promoting equal opportunities for womenand men;
(7)ÙWhereas the European Parliament and the Council
in their decisions on education and youth have
established Community action programmes for the
education and youth fields respectively, whichcontribute, together with the training programme,to implementing a knowledge policy;(7)ÙWhereas the European Parliament and the Council
of the European Union in their decisions on
education and youth have established Community
action programmes for the education and youthfields respectively and which contribute along withthe Leonardo da Vinci programme to promoting aEurope of knowledge;
(8)ÙWhereas it is necessary, in order to reinforce the
added value of Community action to ensure, at all
levels, a coherence and a complementarity betweenthe actions implemented in the framework of thisDecision and the Community interventions, in
particular in the domains of cultureØ(—), audiovisual
media, the completion of the single market(8)ÙWhereas it is necessary, in order to reinforce the
added value of Community action for the
Commission, in conjunction with the MemberStates, to ensure a coherence and a complemenÜtarity at all levels between the actions implemented
in the framework of this Decision and the
Community interventions, in particular in thedomains of cultureØ(—), research and development,
(˛)ÙCommission’s White Paper: "Education and training:
Teaching and learning - Towards the learning society’,Office for Official Publications of the EuropeanCommunities, Luxembourg, 1996.
(ˇ)ÙCommission’s Green Paper: "Education, training, research:
the obstacles to transnational mobility’, COM(96) 462 final,2 October 1996.
(—)ÙProposal for a Parliament and Council Decision establishing
a single financing and programming instrument for culturalcooperation (Programme Culture 2000) (OJ C 211,7.7.1998, p. 18).(˛)ÙCommission’s White Paper: "Education and training:
Teaching and learning - Towards the learning society’,Office for Official Publications of the EuropeanCommunities, Luxembourg, 1996.
(ˇ)ÙCommission’s Green Paper: "Education, training, research:
the obstacles to transnational mobility’, COM(96) 462 final,2 October 1996.
(—)ÙProposal for a Parliament and Council Decision establishing
a single financing and programming instrument for culturalcooperation (Programme Culture 2000) (OJ C 211,7.7.1998, p. 18).19.1.1999 C 14/11 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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the environment, consumer protection, the
information society, SMEs, social policies,employment and public health;audiovisual media, the completion of the single
market, the environment, consumer protection, theinformation society, SMEs, social policies,employment and public health;
(8a)ÙWhereas the SMEs and the craft trades, on
account of their role in maintaining and creatingjobs and in developing training, should be involved
more closely in the implementation of the
programme;
(9)ÙWhereas the Commission’s proposals for reforming
the Structural FundsØ(˛), particularly the EuropeanSocial Fund, and the Community initiativesstemming therefrom, are based on objectives
designed to support the adaptation and modernÜ
isation of policies and systems relating to education,training and employment;(9)ÙWhereas the Commission’s proposals for reforming
the Structural FundsØ(˛), particularly the EuropeanSocial Fund, and the Community initiativesstemming therefrom, are designed to enhance
employability and to promote a skilled, trained and
adaptable workforce;
(10)ÙWhereas the Commission, in conjunction with the
Member States, is seeking to secure coherencebetween the actions under this programme and
Community action of a structural nature; whereas
the Commission, in partnership with both sides ofindustry, is endeavouring to develop cooperationbetween this programme and the activities of theCommunity social dialogue;(10)ÙWhereas the Commission, in conjunction with the
Member States, is seeking to secure coherence andcomplementarity between the actions under the
present programme and Community action of a
structural nature, particularly by facilitating thetransfer and dissemination on a wider scale,through the Community Structural Funds, of innoÜvatory approaches and methods developed under
this programme; and whereas the Commission, in
partnership with the social partners, is endeavÜouring to develop cooperation between thisprogramme and the activities of the Community
social dialogue;
(11)ÙWhereas provision should be made to open up this
programme to participation by the associated
Central and East European countries, inaccordance with the conditions established in therelevant agreements, notably the Association
Agreements and the additional Protocols to these
agreements, to Cyprus on the same terms as thoseapplied to the EFTA/EEA countries as well as toTurkey and Malta according to procedures to be
agreed with those countries;Unchanged
(˛)ÙProposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down
general provisions on the Structural Funds (OJ C 176,9.6.1998, p. 1).(˛)ÙProposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down
general provisions on the Structural Funds (OJ C 176,9.6.1998, p. 1).C 14/12 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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(12)ÙWhereas this programme should be monitored and
continually assessed in cooperation between theCommission and the Member States in order toallow for readjustments, particularly in the
priorities for implementing the measures;(12)ÙWhereas this programme should be monitored and
continually assessed in partnership between theCommission and the Member States in order toallow for readjustments, particularly in the
priorities for implementing the measures; whereas
this assessment should include an externalevaluation by independent organisations;
(12a)ÙWhereas, in the context of the European
employment strategy, investment in vocational
training has been recognised as making an
essential contribution to the Community’s globalcompetitiveness and its social cohesion, bypromoting a highly skilled workforce and
providing employment opportunities for all;
(12b) W hereas the political priority given to vocational
training should result in a substantial increase inthe resources allocated to this programme;
(13)ÙWhereas in accordance with the principle of subsiÜ
diarity and the principle of proportionality as setout in Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of theaction envisaged concerning the implementation of
a vocational training policy at Community level
cannot be adequately realised by the Member Statesgiven the complexity of training partnerships andcan therefore, because of the transnational diÜ
mension of the Community actions and measures,
be best realised at Community level; whereas thisDecision is limited to the minimum required toachieve these objectives and does not exceed what
is necessary to this end,(13)ÙWhereas in accordance with the principle of subsiÜ
diarity and the principle of proportionality as setout in Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of theaction envisaged concerning the implementation of
a vocational training policy at Community level
cannot be adequately realised by the Member Statesgiven the complexity of training partnerships andcan therefore, because of the transnational diÜ
mension of the Community actions and measures,
be best realised at Community level; whereas thisDecision is limited to the minimum required toachieve these objectives and does not exceed what
is necessary to this end; whereas it is up to the
Member States to develop and strengthenarrangements for the programme’s target publics inorder to make the Community’s action more
effective,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
Establishment of the programme
1.ÚÙThis Decision establishes the second phase of the
action programme for the implementation of aCommunity vocational training policy "Leonardo da
Vinci’, hereinafter referred to as "this programme’.Unchanged19.1.1999 C 14/13 Official Journal of the European Communities
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2.ÚÙThis programme shall be implemented in the period
starting on 1 January 2000 and ending on 31 December2004.
3.ÚÙThis programme shall contribute to the
Community’s knowledge policy through the implemenÜ
tation of a European education area fostering the develÜ
opment of lifelong education and training. It shall permitthe development of the knowledge and skills likely tofoster the full exercise of citizenship.3.ÚÙThis programme shall contribute to the promotion
of a Europe of knowledge through the building up of a
European education area fostering cooperation on
lifelong learning. It shall permit the building up of theknowledge and skills capable of enhancing employabilityand fostering active citizenship.
4.ÚÙThis programme shall support and supplement
action taken by and within the Member States, while
fully respecting their responsibility for the content andorganisation of vocational training, and their culturaland linguistic diversity.Unchanged
Article 2
Aims of the programme
1.ÚÙThe implementation of this programme is based on
objectives, in support of and as a supplement to policies
and actions undertaken by and in the Member States,
and designed as a matter of priority:1.ÚÙWithin the policy framework defined in Article 1,
this programme shall pursue the aims of developing
quality, fostering innovation and promoting the
European dimension in national vocational trainingsystems and practices. It shall in particular:
(a)Ùto improve and strengthen the social and occupaÜ
tional integration of young people, particularlythrough workÜlinked training and apprenticeship;(a)Ùimprove and strengthen the social and occupational
integration of young people and people in initialtraining by helping them to to acquire and gain
access to the skills and competences necessary to
increase their employability through workÜlinkedtraining and apprenticeship.
The emphasis in this context will be on innovative
approaches to counselling, guidance and teamwork,
with a view to acquiring social competences and
facilitating social and occupational integration;
(b) to expand and develop access to quality continuing
training and access to lifelong skills, particularly inorder to consolidate technological and organisationalinnovation, and investment in training;(b) expand and develop access to quality continuing
training and the acquisition of qualifications andskills throughout life which facilitate the adaptabilityof workers and enterprises, in order to encourage
technological and organisational developments;C 14/14 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
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(c) support the vocational training systems to assist those
in difficult circumstances owing to inadequate oroutdated skills, to find employment and to betterinsert themselves in the labour market.(c) promote entrepreneurship, relating in particular to
new sources of employment, by encouragingexchanges and joint activities between training instiÜtutions (including universities) and between these
and enterprises, particularly SMEs.
Priority shall be given to measures identifying and
developing systems and products which facilitateaccess to training for people vulnerable to exclusionor those whose position on the labour market has
been seriously undermined.
2.ÚÙIn implementing these objectives, the Commission
and the Member States shall ensure that action underthis programme is consistent with the Community’s other
actions and policies, particularly with regard to
employment, to the removal of inequality, to equalopportunities for women and men, and to social policy.2.ÚÙIn implementing these objectives, the Commission
and the Member States shall ensure that action underthis programme is consistent with the Community’s other
actions and policies, particularly with regard to
employment, to the removal of all forms of socialdiscrimination and inequality, to equal opportunities forwomen and men, particularly by incorporating this
concern in all initiatives, through positive action, and in
the area of social policy.
Article 3
Community actions
The aims of this programme shall be pursued through
actions supported by the following Communitymeasures, the operational content and the applicationprocedures of which are described in Annex A, and
which can be used in combination:The aims of this programme as stated in Article 2 shall
be pursued by means of actions based on the followingCommunity measures, the operational content and theapplication procedures of which are described in the
Annex to this Decision:
(a)Ùsupport for the mobility of people undergoing
vocational training;(a)Ùsupport for the mobility of people undergoing initial
or further vocational training in Europe, of trainers,human resource and training managers, in order to
develop and create fresh opportunities for workÜ
linked training;
(b) promotion of virtual mobility in the context of
vocational training, particularly by promoting access
to educational multimedia;(b) promotion of the use of and access to information
and communication technologies in the field of
vocational training;
(c) support for the development of European level coopÜ
eration networks permitting mutual exchange ofexperience and good practice;(c) support for the development of European level coopÜ
eration networks permitting mutual exchange ofexperience and good practice;
(d) promotion of language skills and understanding of
different cultures;(d) promotion of language skills and understanding of
different cultures;19.1.1999 C 14/15 Official Journal of the European Communities
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(e) support for innovatory pilot projects based on transÜ
national partnerships designed to develop innovationand quality in vocational training in order to createtraining products, instruments of skills accreditation
or in order to test out any new approach;(e) support for innovatory pilot projects based on transÜ
national partnerships designed to develop innovationand quality in vocational training in order to createtraining products, instruments of skills accreditation
or in order to test out any new approach; promotion
and expansion of scientific research following onfrom innovatory projects;
(f) the constant improvement of the Community terms
of reference through support for the dissemination ofgood practice and through the observation and
dissemination of innovation.(f) the constant improvement of the Community terms
of reference through:
-Ùthe observation and analysis of national
vocational training policies,
-Ùthe observation and dissemination of good
practice and innovation,
-Ùextensive exchange of information,-Ùthe collection, analysis, evaluation and dissemiÜ
nation of comparable Community statistical dataon vocational training.
Priority shall be given to projects combining two or
more different measures. As a matter of principle all
projects relating to measures mentioned under (a),(b), (c) and (e) should include measures listed under(d) as part of their preparatory and followÜup action.
Article 4
Access to the programme
Under the conditions and in accordance with the defiÜ
nitions and arrangements for implementation specified inthe Annex, participation in this programme shall be opento all public and/or private bodies and institutions
involved in vocational training as defined Annex A, and
in particular:Unchanged
(a)Ùtraining establishments, centres and bodies at all
levels, including universities and higher educationestablishments;
(b) research centres and bodies;
(c) companies and consortia, particularly SMEs or
public or private sector establishments, including
those involved in training;(c) companies and consortia, particularly SMEs and the
craft sector or public or private sector establishments,
including those involved in training;C 14/16 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
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(d) trade organisations, including chambers of
commerce;Unchanged
(e) organisations of both sides of industry at all levels; (e) social partners and their organisations at all levels;
(f) local and regional bodies and organisations; Unchanged
(g) associations. (g) associations, including NGOs.
Article 5
Implementation of the programme and cooperation with
the Member States
1.ÚÙThe Commission shall ensure the implementation of
the Community actions covered by this programme inaccordance with the Annexes.Unchanged
2.ÚÙIn cooperation with the Member States, the
Commission shall take the steps described in point 8 ofAnnex A to make the best use of what has been achievedthrough the action undertaken under the first phase of
the Leonardo da Vinci programme and the Community
initiatives on training.
3.ÚÙMember States shall take appropriate action to
secure nationally the coordination, organisation and the
followÜup needed for the attainment of the objectives ofthis programme, involving all the parties concerned byvocational training in accordance with national practice.3.ÚÙMember States shall take appropriate action to
secure nationally the coordination, organisation and the
followÜup in terms of monitoring and evaluation neededfor the attainment of the objectives of this programme.They shall involve all the parties concerned by vocational
training, in accordance with national practice and shall
take the steps necessary to optimise synergy with otherCommunity programmes.
To that end, they shall set up an integrated management
structure for the operational implementation of the
programme’s actions and shall ensure that appropriate
information and publicity is provided on actionscoÜfinanced by the programme.They shall accordingly put in place an integrated
management structure for the operational implemenÜ
tation of the programme’s actions. They shall also ensure
that appropriate information and publicity is provided onactions cofinanced by the programme.
4.ÚÙEach Member State shall endeavour to take the
necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of this
programme and to take appropriate measures to remove
any obstacles to access to this programme.4.ÚÙEach Member State shall endeavour to take the
necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of the
programme and to take appropriate measures to remove
any obstacles to access to this programme, particularlyfor underprivileged people.
5.ÚÙThe Commission, in conjunction with the Member
States, shall ensure the transition between those actionsdeveloped within the framework of the preceding"Leonardo’ programme in the field of vocational training
and those to be implemented under this programme.Unchanged19.1.1999 C 14/17 Official Journal of the European Communities
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Article 6
Joint actions
As part of the process of building up a Europe of
knowledge, the measures of this programme may be
implemented as joint actions with other Communityactions forming part of the knowledge policy,particularly Community programmes in the area ofeducation and youthÜrelated matters.As part of the process of building up a Europe of
knowledge, and in conformity with the provisions of
Article 7 of the Decision, the measures of thisprogramme may be implemented as joint actions withother Community programmes and actions which arepart of the knowledge policy, particularly in the area of
education, youthÜrelated matters, research and new techÜ
nologies.
Article 7
Committee
1.ÚÙThe Commission shall be assisted by a committee
composed of the representatives of Member States and
chaired by the representative of the Commission.Unchanged
2.ÚÙThe representative of the Commission shall submit
to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken asregards:
(a)Ùthe arrangements for implementing the programme,
including where appropriate the annual plan of work
for the implementation of the programme’s actions;
(b) the criteria applicable for establishing the indicative
breakdown of funds among the Member States for
the purpose of the actions to be managed on a
decentralised basis;
(c) the arrangements for evaluating the programme.
3.ÚÙThe Committee shall deliver its opinion on the
draft within a timeÜlimit which the Chairman may lay
down according to the urgency of the matter. Theopinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down inArticle 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions
which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal
from the Commission. The votes of the representatives ofthe Member States within the Committee shall beweighted in the manner set out in that Article. The
Chairman shall not vote.
4.ÚÙThe Commission shall adopt measures which shall
apply immediately. However, if these measures are not inaccordance with the opinion of the Committee, theyshall be communicated by the Commission to the
Council forthwith.C 14/18 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
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In that event,
-Ùthe Commission may defer application of the
measures which it has decided for a period of up to
one month from the date of the communication;
-Ùthe Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take
a different decision within the time limit referred toin the first indent.
5.ÚÙThe Commission may consult the Committee on
any other matter concerning implementation of theprogramme.
In that event, the Commission representative shall submit
to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken.The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft
within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down
according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary bytaking a vote.
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in
addition, each Member State shall have the right to askto have its position recorded in the minutes.
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the
opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the
Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been
taken into account.
Article 8
The two sides of industry
Without prejudice to the procedure described in Article
7(3) and (4), the Commission may consult theCommittee on any matter concerning the application of
this Decision.Unchanged
Whenever such consultation takes place, representatives
of both sides of industry, appointed by the Commission
on the basis of proposals from both sides of industry atCommunity level, and equal in number to that of therepresentatives of the Member States, shall participate in
the work of the Committee as observers.
They shall have the right to request that their position be
recorded in the minutes of Committee meetings.19.1.1999 C 14/19 Official Journal of the European Communities
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Article 9
Consistency and complementarity
1.ÚÙThe Commission shall, in conjunction with the
Member States, ensure the overall consistency with other
Community policies and actions. There shall be coordiÜnation between the activities of this programme and theother Community actions, in particular those covered bythe knowledge policy.1.ÚÙThe Commission shall, in conjunction with the
Member States, and leaving the intrinsic and specific
nature of each programme intact, ensure overallconsistency and coordination with other Communitypolicies and actions, particularly those which contributeto the Europe of knowledge in the area of education,
training, youth, research and development, and innoÜ
vation.
The Commission shall ensure in conjunction with the
Member States consistency between implementation ofthis programme and the other Community actions
relating to training in the domain of culture and the
audiovisual sector, the completion of the internal market,the information society, environment, consumerprotection, SMEs, social policies, employment, andpublic health.The Commission shall ensure in conjunction with the
Member States consistency and synergy betweenimplementation of this programme and the other
Community actions relating to training in the domain of
culture, research and development, the audiovisualsector, the completion of the internal market, theinformation society, environment, consumer protection,SMEs, social policies, employment, and public health.
The Commission shall ensure an efficient linkÜup
between this programme and the programmes and
actions in the area of vocational training undertaken aspart of the Community’s external relations.The Commission shall, with help from the European
Training Foundation, ensure an efficient linkÜup between
this programme and the programmes and actions in thearea of vocational training undertaken as part of theCommunity’s external relations.
2.ÚÙThe Commission and the Member States shall
ensure that the measures of this programme are, as part
of the implementation of the coordinated employmentstrategy, consistent with the orientations establishedannually for the employment guidelines and in
conjunction with the other actions contributing to the
implementation of the action plans.2.ÚÙThe Commission and the Member States shall
ensure that the measures of this programme will, as part
of the implementation of the coordinated employmentstrategy, contribute to the attainment of the objectivesset in the European employment guidelines and to the
preparation of national action plans.
3.ÚÙThe Commission and the Member States shall
ensure consistency and complementarity between action
taken under this programme and Community actionunder the Structural Funds.3.ÚÙThe Commission and the Member States shall
ensure consistency and complementarity between action
taken under this programme and Community actionunder the Structural Funds. They shall in particularfacilitate the transfer and dissemination on a wider scale,
through the Community Structural Funds, of innovatory
approaches and methods developed under thisprogramme.
4.ÚÙWhen implementing this programme, the
Commission in close conjunction with both sides ofindustry at Community level will endeavour to developthe social dialogue at Community level, particularly byproviding support at all levels, including sectoral levels,
and by disseminating its results.UnchangedC 14/20 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
5.ÚÙThe Commission shall secure the assistance of the
European Centre for the Development of VocationalTraining (Cedefop) in implementing this programme, inaccordance with the arrangements set out in Council
Regulation (EEC) No 337/75Ø(˛). Subject to the same
conditions and in the areas which lend themselves to it,coordination shall be established under the auspices ofthe Commission with the European Training Foundationas specified by Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90Ø(ˇ).
6.ÚÙThe Commission shall keep the Advisory
Committee on Vocational Training regularly informedof the progress of this programme.
Article 10
Participation of the associated Central and East
European countries, Cyprus, Turkey and MaltaParticipation of the associated Central and East
European countries, EFTA countries which belong to the
EEA, Cyprus, Turkey and Malta
1.ÚÙThis programme shall be open to the participation
of the associated Central and East European countries
(CEECs) in accordance with the conditions laid down in
the Europe Agreements or in existing or anticipatedadditional Protocols governing the participation of thesecountries in Community programmes. This programme
shall also be open to the participation, funded by
additional appropriations, of Cyprus under the samerules as those applied to the countries of the EuropeanFree Trade Association (EFTA) which belong to the
European Economic Area (EEA) according to the
procedures to be agreed with this country. Thisprogramme shall also be open to participation by Turkeyaccording to the procedures to be established with that
country.1.ÚÙThis programme shall be open to the participation
of the associated Central and East European countries
(CEECs) in accordance with the conditions fixed in the
Europe Agreements or in existing or anticipatedadditional Protocols governing the participation of thesecountries in Community programmes. This programme
shall also be open to the participation of the countries of
the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) whichbelong to the European Economic Area (EEA). Thisprogramme shall also be open to the participation,
funded by additional appropriations, of Cyprus
according to the procedures to be agreed with thiscountry. This programme is also open to participation byTurkey according to the procedures to be established
with that country.
2.ÚÙThis programme shall also be open to participation
by Malta according to the procedures to be agreed with
that country.2.ÚÙThis programme shall also be open to participation
by Malta according to the procedures to be agreed with
that country.
Article 11
International cooperation
The Commission shall strengthen its cooperation with
nonÜCommunity countries and with the relevant interÜ
national organisations.Under this programme, the Commission shall strengthen
its cooperation with nonÜCommunity countries and the
relevant international organisations. The activities
covered by this article and the funding arrangements willbe decided in accordance with the procedures set out inArticle 7 of this Decision.
(˛)ÙOJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1.
(ˇ)ÙOJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p. 1.19.1.1999 C 14/21 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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Article 12
Monitoring and evaluationMonitoring and evaluation
1.ÚÙThe Commission shall continually monitor this
programme in conjunction with the Member States.1.ÚÙThe Commission shall continually monitor this
programme in cooporation with the Member States.
This monitoring shall be effected through the reports
referred to in paragraph 3 and through specific activities.This monitoring shall be effected through the reports
referred to in paragraph 3 and through specific activities.
2.ÚÙThe Commission shall evaluate this programme
periodically in conjunction with the Member States. Theevaluation shall seek to appraise the effectiveness of theactions implemented, by reference to the objectives set
out in Article 2.2.ÚÙThe Commission shall evaluate this programme
periodically in cooperation with the Member States. Theevaluation shall seek to appraise the relevance, effecÜtiveness and impact of the actions implemented, by
reference to the objectives set out in Article 2.
The evaluation shall also examine the complementarity
between actions under this programme and thosepursued under other Community programmes,
particularly actions supported by the European Social
Fund.The evaluation shall also examine the complementarity
between action under this programme and that pursuedunder other Community programmes, particularly action
supported by the European Social Fund.
In accordance with criteria established using the
procedure described in Article 7(2), there shall be periÜ
odical external evaluations of the results of the
Community actions.There shall be regular external evaluations of the results
of the Community actions in accordance with criteria
established using the procedure under Article 7(2).
3.ÚÙMember States shall submit to the Commission by
31 December 2002 and 30 June 2005, respectively,reports on the implementation and the impact of this
programme, and on the vocational training systems and
arrangements which exist in the Member States.3.ÚÙMember States shall submit to the Commission by
31 December 2002 and 30 June 2005, respectively,reports on the implementation, the impact and the effecÜ
tiveness of this programme with respect to the aims set
out in Article 2, and on the vocational training systemsand arrangements which exist in the Member States.Specific mention will be made of the measures taken to
combat all forms of discrimination and to promote
equality of opportunity between men and women andtheir impact in terms of participation in the programme.
4.ÚÙThe Commission shall submit to the European
Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social
Committee:4.ÚÙThe Commission shall submit to the European
Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social
Committee:
-Ùan interim report on the implementation of this
programme no later than 30 June 2003,-Ùan interim report, no later than 30 June 2003, on the
qualitative and quantitative aspects of programmeimplementation,
-Ùno later than 31 December 2005, a final report on
the implementation of this programme.-Ùno later than 31 December 2005, a final report on
the implementation of this programme.C 14/22 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
Article 13
Entry into force
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its
publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.Unchanged
ANNEX A
COMMUNITY ACTIONS AND MEASURES
Section I - General principles
1.ÙThe aims set out in Article 2 of this Decision will be impleÜ
mented by means of transnational partnerships which submit
proposals for action on the basis of the Community measures
described in Article 3.Unchanged
2.ÙEach proposal submitted by a transnational partnership will
be part of the implementation of one of the objectives of theprogramme, indicating the measure(s) proposed.2.ÙEach proposal submitted by a transnational partnership will
pursue one of the objectives of the programme and willindicate the measure(s) it intends to implement in order to
achieve its aims.
3.ÙA Community call for proposals will define the priorities for
the objectives, the timetable, the conditions of submission,the common eligibility criteria, particularly in terms of transÜ
nationality and selection.3.ÙA Community call for proposals will define the priorities
under each objective, the timetable, the conditions ofsubmission, the common eligibility criteria, particularly in
terms of transnationality and evaluation and selection
procedures.
This call for proposals will remain valid for three years for
the first phase of the programme. A second call for proposals
will be drawn up at the halfÜway stage of the programme on
the basis of the interim assessment referred to in Article 12(4)of this Decision.This call for proposals will remain valid for three years for
the first phase of the programme. A second call for proposals
will be drawn up at the halfÜway stage of the programme on
the basis of the interim assessment referred to in Article 12(4)of this Decision.
The Community call for proposals will be published by the
Commission after consultation with the Programme
Committee.The Community call for proposals will be published by the
Commission after consultation with the Programme
Committee.
4.ÙThe proposals for action must set out clearly the aims estabÜ
lished, the results anticipated and the partners associated inthe other Member States, as well as the nature and level of
participation of these partners, including their financial
contribution and the timetable of work.4.ÙThe proposals for action must set out clearly the aims estabÜ
lished, the results anticipated, the mechanisms for evaluatingthe actual results and the partners associated in the other
Member States, as well as the nature and level of particiÜ
pation of these partners, including their financial
contribution and the timetable of work.19.1.1999 C 14/23 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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5.ÙThe proposals can be sent in at any time during the period of
validity of the overall call for proposals. Proposal selection
by the Commission will take place at least once yearly in
accordance with the procedures defined below.Unchanged
5a.ÙArticle 2(2) provides that the selected projects must respect
the principle of equality of opportunity and avoid any kind
of exclusion. Where appropriate, positive measures may be
implemented in specific areas. The special needs of the
disabled shall as a matter of principle be taken into accountin setting the level of subsidies.
5b. Projects with a more pronounced Community dimension,
i.e.:
(a)Ùproposals from established European organisations,(b)Ùproposals from European networks set up to utilise and
disseminate the results of pilot actions conducted transÜ
nationally,
(c)Ùproposals to test through European cooperation innoÜ
vatory themes identified in the call for proposal,
(d)Ùproposals submitted in relation to Action 6 in Section II
of this Annex (Community vocational training reference
material)
will be selected directly by the Commission on the basis of
the procedure set out in Section IIIØB of this Annex.
Section II - Actions
1. PHYSICAL MOBILITY
Support for transnational physical mobility programmes for
people undergoing training and for trainers and training
organisers
Community support shall be provided for the following actions: Community support shall be provided for the following actions:
(a)Ùpreparation and implementation of transnational proÜ
grammes of placement and exchange for young people
undergoing initial vocational training, studying or who have
just finished studying: including students and qualified
young people, young workers or young people available onthe labour market in accordance with the national laws and
practices, particularly programmes which are part of
European pathways for workÜlinked training and appreÜticeship within the meaning of Council Decision 98/.Ø.Ø./EC.(a)Ùpreparation and implementation of transnational proÜ
grammes of placement and exchange for people undergoing
initial vocational training, including workers and people
available on the labour market in accordance with the
national laws and practices, and programmes which are partof European pathways for workÜlinked training and apprenÜ
ticeship within the meaning of Council Decision 98/.Ø.Ø./EC,
as well as preparation and implementation of transnationalprogrammes of placement and exchange for any persons
undergoing vocational training who are not covered by the
above categories and who are participating in a programme
of lifelong learning, career redirection or reintegration.C 14/24 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
Placements for young people may be short term (two weeks
to three months) and in such cases are designed essentially
to familiarise them with the occupational and cultural
context of another Member State. Long term placements
(three months to a maximum of 12 months) are intendedprimarily for young people who already have initial occupaÜ
tional training or a work experience. LongÜterm placements
can be carried out in two or more periods.Placements may be short term (two weeks to three months)
or long term (three months to a maximum of 12 months)
depending on the aims of the proposal of which they are
part. LongÜterm placements can be carried out in two or
more periods. The skills acquired during such experienceshall be validated by the competent authority on the basis of
common and transparent principles.
The transnational placement programmes for young people
undergoing training which involve SMEs and craft industry
as host bodies will receive special treatment in the
conditions described below.The transnational placement programmes for people
undergoing training which involve SMEs and craft industry
as host bodies will receive special treatment in the
conditions described below.
(b) The organisation of transnational programmes of exchanges
between companies on the one hand and on the othertraining organisations or universities and targeting human
resources managers in the business sector, and training
programme planners and managers (particularly trainers and
mentors), advisers and occupational guidance specialists and
economic and social circles. Study visits for vocationaltraining organisers on the themes defined by the
Commission can be provided by Cedefop on behalf of the
Commission in the conditions to be decided on after
receiving the opinion of the Programme Committee.(b) The organisation of transnational programmes of exchanges
between companies on the one hand and on the othertraining organisations or universities and targeting human
resources managers in the business sector, and training
programme planners and managers (particularly trainers and
mentors), advisers and occupational guidance specialists and
economic and social circles. Study visits for vocationaltraining organisers on the themes defined by the
Commission can be provided by Cedefop on behalf of the
Commission in the conditions to be decided on after
receiving the opinion of the Programme Committee.
As a general rule, placements and exchanges as well as
study visits for these categories will last between one weekand a maximum of six weeks.As a general rule, placements and exchanges as well as
study visits for these categories will last between one weekand a maximum of six weeks.
The transnational placement and exchange programmes
may be multiannual and last up to three years.The transnational placement and exchange programmes
may be multiannual and last up to three years. They will
include provisions ensuring full access for any disabled
participants.
Demonstration actions
As part of the Physical mobility measure, pilot demonstration
actions will be given support and will relate to the organisation
and implementation of multiannual transnational placement
programmes organised among regions and/or sectors in
European workÜlinked training and apprenticeship networks.Unchanged
Funding
The Community’s financial contribution to the transnational
placement and exchange programmes defined above may not
exceed ECU 5Ø000 per beneficiary for a placement or anexchange - the maximum amount of this contribution correÜ
sponding to the maximum duration indicated above.The Community’s financial contribution to the transnational
placement and exchange programmes defined above may not
exceed EUR 5Ø000 per beneficiary for a placement or anexchange - the maximum amount of this contribution correÜ
sponding to the maximum duration indicated above.
For this measure, the Commission may allocate to each Member
State an annual global grant the amount of which will
be defined in accordance with the procedures described in
Annex C.For this measure, the Commission may allocate to each Member
State an annual global grant the amount of which will
be defined in accordance with the procedures described in
Annex C.19.1.1999 C 14/25 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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10Ø% of this allocation is set aside, in accordance with
procedures agreed on with the management structure
concerned, to help potential promoters of programmes to
prepare their proposals. The sum allowed for this purpose may
not exceed ECU 500 per promoter.Up to 10Ø% of this allocation shall be set aside to help potential
promoters with no or only limited experience in Community
programmes to prepare their proposals. The sum allowed for
this purpose may not exceed EUR 500 per promoter.
The procedures for allocating this type of grant shall be decided
in accordance with Article 7(2).
In line with the same procedure, and within the same allocation,
a sum will be granted to transnational programmes undertaken
in the SMEs and the craft industry and lasting a minimum of
three weeks. This sum is designed to facilitate the pedagogic,
cultural and linguistic followÜup of young people placed in a
host company in another Member State and may not exceedECU 250 per placement, with a ceiling of ECU 25Ø000 per
company. This amount is in addition to that set aside for the
body of the original Member State for the management and
monitoring of transnational placement programmes.In line with the same procedure, and within the same allocation,
a sum will be granted to transnational programmes undertaken
in the SMEs and the craft industry and lasting a minimum of
three weeks. This sum is designed to facilitate the pedagogic,
cultural and linguistic followÜup of people placed in a host
company in another Member State and may not exceed EUR250 per placement, with a ceiling of EUR 25Ø000 per company.
This amount is in addition to that set aside for the body of the
original Member State for the management and monitoring of
transnational placement programmes.
2.ÙVIRTUAL MOBILITY Unchanged
Support for actions to promote the new information and
communication technologies and designed to develop virtual
mobility
Community support is available for transnational actions to
develop the use of new ICT in training actions and products topromote, inter alia, access for people undergoing training to
new tools, services and products in training which use the new
ICT, to support the development of European distance training
networks through the new ICT (multimedia products, websites,
network transmission, etc.) and to try out new trainingapproaches stemming from new work situations (e.g. teleÜ
working).
These projects may last for a maximum of two years.
Demonstration actions
Under the measure Virtual mobility, Community demonstration
actions on experimental pilot actions to promote the new ICT
will be supported and specifically targeted partly towards the
development of European arrangements for guidance/counÜ
selling/training in businessÜrelated services, particularly with a
view to building up a virtual European area of training and job
seeking.
Funding
The Commission’s financial contribution to the transnational
virtual mobility projects may be up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture, with a ceiling of ECU 300Ø000 per project and per year.The Commission’s financial contribution to the transnational
virtual mobility projects may be up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture, with a ceiling of EUR 300Ø000 per project and per year.C 14/26 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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In no case may the project partners’ own resources be derived
from other Community funding.In no case may the project partners’ own resources be derived
from other Community funding.
3. INNOVATORY PILOT PROJECTS
Support for transnational pilot training projects to develop
aptitude to innovation, its transfer and entrepreneurship, and the
development of innovation and its transfer in training
Community support is available for the design, development,
testing and assessment of European transnational pilot projects
to develop and/or disseminate innovation in training and todevelop aptitude to innovation and its transfer. These projects
may relate to the dissemination and transfer to other Member
States of the results of innovatory approaches in training,
developed and validated in another Member State. They may
relate to the development of quality in training and to occupaÜtional guidance in the context of lifelong training. They may
also relate to the promotion of new methods of training as part
of new configurations of work organisation and the develÜopment of new forms of working, e.g. teleworking.Community support is available for the design, development,
testing and assessment of European transnational pilot projects
to develop and/or disseminate innovation in training and todevelop aptitude to innovation and its transfer. These projects
may relate to the dissemination and transfer to other Member
States of the results of innovatory approaches in training,
developed and validated in another Member State. They may
relate to the development of quality in training and to occupaÜtional guidance in the context of lifelong training. They may
also relate to the promotion of new methods of training
stemming from new forms of working and work organisation,for example teleworking, tested under Action 2.
Projects under this measure may last a maximum of two years. Projects under this measure may last a maximum of two years.
Demonstration actions Unchanged
Under "Innovatory pilot projects’, there will be support for
experimental demonstration actions relating to:
-Ùthe implementation at European level of new forms of
accreditation of skills, with emphasis on recognising skills and
expertise learned on the job,
-Ùstepping up the fight to head off exclusion through "second
chance’ training arrangements for the different publics
affected, especially in the problem urban districts, in order to
reintegrate young and adult unemployed persons, particularly
the longÜterm unemployed, and those who have no qualifiÜ
cations.
Funding
The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture for the transnational pilot projects, with a ceiling of ECU
200Ø000 per year and per project.The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture for the transnational pilot projects, with a ceiling of EUR
200Ø000 per year and per project.
Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources derive from other Community funding.Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources derive from other Community funding.19.1.1999 C 14/27 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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4. COMMUNITY NETWORKS Unchanged
Support for Community networks of Community expertise and
dissemination
Community support is available for setting up and organising
Community networks of cooperation in training, bringing
together in the Member States at the regional or sectoral levelthe public and private players concerned including researchers,
in the area of vocational training and designed (i) to assemble,
distil and build on European expertise and innovatory
approaches on a priority theme of common interest, (ii) to
improve the analysis and anticipation of skills requirements, (iii)to disseminate the results throughout the EU in the appropriate
circles.
Projects under this measure may last a maximum of three years.
Demonstration actions
Under "European networks’, there will be support for experiÜ
mental demonstration actions relating to the development and
networking of multiplayer training consortia organised regionally
or sectorally and involving in particular the local authorities,
local chambers of commerce, trade organisations for employers
and employees, and research and training centres, including the
universities, and fulfilling the role of centres providing services,
advice and information on access to validated training methods
and products.
Funding
The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture for the organisation of European networks, with a
minimum of ECU 150Ø000 per year and per network and a
ceiling of ECU 500Ø000 per year, this ceiling applicable only in
the case of proposals for transnational networks seeking todevelop an integrated set of experimental measures opening on
to validated and transferable training products. The financial
contribution to "multiplayer training consortia’ will be restrictedto ECU 50Ø000 per year and per operation, representing a
maximum of 50Ø% of the eligible operational costs.The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture for the organisation of European networks, with a
minimum of EUR 150Ø000 per year and per network and a
ceiling of EUR 500Ø000 per year, this ceiling applicable only in
the case of proposals for transnational networks seeking todevelop an integrated set of experimental measures opening on
to validated and transferable training products. The financial
contribution to "multiplayer training consortia’ will be restrictedto EUR 50Ø000 per year and per operation, representing a
maximum of 50Ø% of the eligible operational costs.
Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources be derived from other Community funding.Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources be derived from other Community funding.
5. LANGUAGE SKILLS
Support for actions to promote language and cultural skills in
training
Community support is available for transnational pilot projects
to develop language skills linked to the promotion of the socialand occupational integration of young people and a higher level
of employability and adaptability of workers. Language skills
can be considered as key skills in the context of the
knowledgeÜbased society.Community support is available for transnational pilot projects
to develop language skills in a vocational training context.Language skills can be considered as key skills in the context of
the knowledgeÜbased society.C 14/28 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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The point of these projects is to design, test and validate, assess
and disseminate teaching material tailored to the specific needs
of each occupational area and economic sector, including
through the use of language audits, and also innovatory
teaching methods based on language selfÜtuition and thedissemination of their results.The point of these projects is to design, test and validate, assess
and disseminate teaching material tailored to the specific needs
of each occupational area and economic sector, including
through the use of language audits, and also innovatory
teaching methods based on language selfÜtuition and thedissemination of their results.
Proposals for linguistic and cultural support may also be
submitted under other actions and measures, particularly in
order to improve language and cultural skills amongst the
trainers and mentors responsible for the pedagogic supervisionof young people taking part in transnational physical mobility
programmes.Proposals for linguistic and cultural support may also be
submitted under other actions and measures, particularly in
order to improve language and cultural skills amongst the
trainers and mentors responsible for the pedagogic supervisionof young people taking part in transnational physical mobility
programmes.
Community support is also available for transnational
programmes and exchanges between the business sector on the
one hand and the specialised language training establishments or
training bodies on the other. The exchanges relate to trainers
and mentors in the area of language skills.Support is also available for the development of language skills
and provision of cultural competences as part of a transnational
exchange experience.
The maximum duration of the projects under this measure is
usually two years.The maximum duration of the projects under this measure is
two years.
Funding
The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜditure, with a ceiling of ECU 150Ø000 per project and per year.The Community may contribute up to 75Ø% of eligible expenÜ
diture, with a ceiling of EUR 150Ø000 per project and per year.
Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources be derived from other Community funding.Under no circumstances may the project partners’ own
resources be derived from other Community funding.
6.ÙCOMMUNITY TERMS OF REFERENCE 6.ÙCOMMUNITY TERMS OF REFERENCE ON VOÜ
CATIONAL TRAINING
Support for actions to establish, update and disseminate
Community terms of reference which can be used to compare
training systemsSupport for actions to observe and analyse national training
policies, to disseminate good practice and innovation, to
establish, update and disseminate comparable Community data
on training, and for extensive exchanges of information
Community support is available for actions undertaken on a
transnational basis and making a contribution through surveys,
analyses and/or studies, to establishing comparable data on
vocational training systems and arrangements in the MemberStates or likely to produce quantitative and/or qualitative
information in support of policies and enhance training practices
for lifelong training. Eurostat and Cedefop are closely
associated with the production of statistical instruments within
the procedures currently in place notably those defined byCouncil Regulation (EC) No 322/97 on Community statistics,
taking into account the Council Decision on the statistical
programme 1998 to 2002. In the same connection, theCommunity will support the introduction of arrangements to
observe innovatory practices in lifelong training, particularly
with regard to access to continuing training, in close
conjunction with both sides of industry at the various levels.Unchanged19.1.1999 C 14/29 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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The maximum duration of projects under this measure is three
years.
The Commission will ensure that these terms of reference are
disseminated as widely as possible in different ways, particularly
in order to make them available to public and private decisionÜmakers in vocational training.
Demonstration actions
Under the measure "Community terms of reference’ and as a
followÜup to its report on the implementation of the Council
recommendation of June 1993 on access to continuing training,
the Commission, in close conjunction with both sides of industry
and in cooperation with Cedefop, will propose support for an
arrangement to observe good practice on access to training, the
development and the transparency of qualifications and skills,
particularly at branch and company level.
Funding
The Community’s financial contribution will be between 50Ø%
and 100Ø% of eligible expenditure, with a ceiling of ECU500Ø000 per year and per project.The Community’s financial contribution will be between 50Ø%
and 100Ø% of eligible expenditure, with a ceiling of EUR500Ø000 per year and per project.
Under no circumstances can the project partners’ own resources
be derived from other Community funding.Under no circumstances can the project partners’ own resources
be derived from other Community funding.
7. JOINT ACTIONS Unchanged
1.ÙFor the joint actions described in Article 6 of this Decision,
Community support may be provided for joint actions with
other actions under the knowledge policy, particularlyCommunity education and youth programmes designed to
widen access to knowledge.
2.ÙCoordination of the programmes can be achieved by
common calls for proposals. The Commission intends in
particular to develop a joint information and observationarrangement with regard to good practice in the field of
knowledge, and joint actions on education and training
multimedia.
3.ÙAppropriate steps, a significant one being the setting up of
European knowledge centres, will be taken to ensure
regional and local contact and interaction between theplayers taking part in this programme and in education and
youthÜrelated programmes. This will contribute to the
implementation of a policy of lifelong learning in the regions
and local districts concerned.C 14/30 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
8. ACCOMPANYING MEASURES
To attain the objectives set out in Article 2 of the Decision,
Community support is available for:To attain the objectives set out in Article 2 of the Decision,
Community support is available for:
-Ùcoordination and monitoring activities by the Member States
as described in Article 5 of this Decision,-Ùcoordination, integration, monitoring and evaluation
activities by the Member States as described in Articles 5, 9
and 12 of this Decision,
-Ùinformation, monitoring, organisation assessment and
dissemination activities by the Member States and theCommission to facilitate access to the programme and
consolidate the transfer of methods, products and tools
designed, and of the results obtained by the Communitymeasures, including through telematics links and databanks,-Ùinformation, monitoring, organisation assessment and
dissemination activities by the Member States and theCommission to facilitate access to the programme and
consolidate the transfer of methods, products and tools
designed, and of the results obtained by the Communitymeasures, including through telematics links and databanks,
-Ùin carrying out the programme the Commission can have
recourse to technical assistance organisations the financingof which may be provided for within the overall envelope
for the programme. It can, under the same conditions, have
recourse to experts. Furthermore, the Commission will beable to organise seminars, colloquia or other meetings of
experts, likely to facilitate the implementation of the
programme. The Commission can also take forward
information, publication and dissemination actions.-Ùin carrying out the programme the Commission can have
recourse to technical assistance organisations the financingof which may be provided for within the overall envelope
for the programme. It can, under the same conditions, have
recourse to experts. Furthermore, the Commission will beable to organise seminars, colloquia or other meetings of
experts, likely to facilitate the implementation of the
programme. The Commission can also take forward
information, publication and dissemination actions.
The respective roles and tasks of the European technical
assistance office and the national management structures must
be clearly defined.
Section III - Selection procedures
III A - Decentralised selection procedure
1.ÙThe decentralised selection procedure will be applied to all
Community actions and measures and comprises the
following stages.1.ÙThe decentralised selection procedure shall be applied to all
Community actions and measures, with the exception of
those referred to in Section I, paragraph 5b of this Annex,
and comprises the following stages:
2.ÙUnder the rules defined in the general call for proposals,
proposals are to be submitted by the coordinators of transÜ
national projects at the management structure designated bythe Member State.
3.ÙThe management structure will assess the proposals on the
basis of specifications established at Community level, using
the definitions given in Annex C.
4.ÙEvery year, on the basis of this assessment at a date to be
decided by the Commission following consultation with the
Committee, Member States will submit to the Commission
(and to the other Member States for information) their
overall proposal in the form of a report, presenting, theresults of the general call for proposals, by objective and by
measure, the assessment procedure and the technical backÜup
given to promoters as well as a descriptive and reasoned listof proposals likely to be retained in order of priority.4.ÙEvery year, on the basis of this assessment at a date to be
decided by the Commission following consultation with the
Committee, Member States will submit to the Commission
(and to the other Member States for information) their
overall proposal in the form of a report, presenting theinformation and publicity measures taken to facilitate particiÜ
pation in the programme, the results of the general call for
proposals, by objective and by measure, the assessmentprocedure and the parties involved in this assessment, and the
technical backÜup given to promoters as well as a descriptive
and reasoned list of proposals likely to be retained in order
of priority.19.1.1999 C 14/31 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
5.ÙThe Commission will examine each report and liaise
accordingly with the Member State concerned.5.ÙThe Commission will examine each report and liaise
accordingly with the Member States concerned, with a view
to assessing and ensuring the transnational and innovative
nature of projects. In this context the Commission may rely
on the assistance of independent experts.
6.ÙAt the end of the examination, the Commission will submit
to the Committee a proposal on how the year’s budgetary
resources to be allocated on a decentralised basis should be
distributed by measure and by Member State, and will obtain
its opinion in accordance with the procedures set out in
Article 6 of the Decision.6.ÙAt the end of the examination, the Commission will submit
to the Committee a proposal on how the year’s budgetary
resources to be allocated on a decentralised basis should be
distributed by measure and by Member State, and will obtain
its opinion in accordance with the procedures set out in
Article 7 of the Decision.
7.ÙAfter receiving the opinion of the Committee, the
Commission will determine the final amount to be allocated
to each Member State and the list of proposals accepted permeasure.
8.ÙThe process on stages 5, 6 and 7 must not take more than
two months.
III B - Centralised selection procedure
The centralised selection procedure applies to the Communitydemonstration actions for each measure and in particular
concerns the proposals submitted by European organisations,networks set up to utilise, disseminate and propagate the results
of transnational projects on a Community theme, and actions,
projects or demonstration networks having an experimentalcharacter as defined in Section II.The centralised selection procedure applies to actions with
a more pronounced Community dimension, as defined in
Section I, paragraph 5b of this Annex.
(i)ÙUnder the general call for proposals setting out the
priorities, project coordinators must submit a preÜproposal
to the Commission and, for information, to the
management structure in their Member State.(i)ÙUnder the general call for proposals setting out the
priorities, project coordinators must submit a preÜproposal
to the Commission and, for information, to the
management structure in their Member State.
(ii)ÙThe Commission, in consultation with the programme
Committee, will examine all the preÜproposals and make a
selection. The project coordinators will be informed of the
outcome of this preselection.(ii)ÙThe Commission, in consultation with the programme
Committee, will examine all the preÜproposals and make a
selection. The project coordinators will be informed of the
outcome of this preselection.
(iii)ÙThe coordinator for each project selected at the close of
this first phase will forward the final proposal to the
Commission within three months and, for information, to
the management structure of his/her Member State.(iii)ÙThe coordinator for each project selected at the close of
this first phase will forward the final proposal to the
Commission within three months and, for information, to
the management structure of his/her Member State.
(iv) The Commission, with the assistance of a group of indeÜ
pendent experts appointed by the Commission afterconsulting the Member States and the circles concerned,
particularly both sides of industry, will undertake a transÜ
national appraisal of the proposals received and establish a
short list of actions for a European knowledge programme.(iv) The Commission, with the assistance of a group of indeÜ
pendent experts appointed by the Commission afterconsulting the Member States and the circles concerned,
particularly the social partners, will undertake a transÜ
national appraisal of the proposals received and establish a
short list of actions for a European knowledge programme.C 14/32 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
(v) The Commission will seek the opinion of the Committee
on this short list and finalise, in accordance with the
arrangements set out in Article 7 of this Decision, the
European knowledge programme.(v) The Commission will seek the opinion of the Committee
on this short list and finalise, in accordance with the
arrangements set out in Article 7 of this Decision, the
European knowledge programme.
(vi) The Commission will establish the final list of proposals
selected and inform the Committee. It will set out the
conditions for monitoring these experimental projects.(vi) The Commission will establish the final list of proposals
selected and inform the Committee. It will set out the
conditions for monitoring these experimental projects.
ANNEX B
Overall budget breakdown
1.ÙAt the beginning of the operation, and no later than 1 March
every year, the Commission will submit to the Committee an
ex ante breakdown of budget resources by type of measure,
by procedures and taking into account, to this end, the
objectives set out in Article 2 of the present Decision and will
seek its opinion. The Commission will on this basis define anindicative budget for each Member State for the implemenÜ
tation of the measures covered by the decentralised selection
procedure.Unchanged
2.ÙFor the first year of programme implementation and only for
the transnational programmes of placements and exchanges
described in measure B1 and defined below undertaken
before 1 October 2000, the Member States must submit to
the Commission an operational plan no later than 31 March2000. The Commission will on this basis allocate to each
Member State an amount on the basis of which it can go
ahead with transnational programmes. The amounts not used
up within this allocation at 1 September 2000 will be incorÜ
porated in the final amount of the global grant as shown inthe procedure described in Section II below.
Procedure for determining amounts for transnational placement
and exchange programmes
The transnational placement and exchange programmes for
young people undergoing initial training must be presented to
the Commission for examination and approval by 31 March
every year. They must indicate clearly for each programme by
group of beneficiaries:The transnational placement and exchange programmes for
persons participating in initial vocational training, lifelong
learning, or career redirection or reintegration must be
presented to the Commission for examination and approval by
31 March every year. They must indicate clearly for eachprogramme by group of beneficiaries:
-Ùthe target publics of the programmes, -Ùthe target publics of the programmes,
-Ùthe content and objectives in terms of skills and/or qualifiÜ
cations,-Ùthe content and objectives in terms of skills and/or qualifiÜ
cations,
-Ùthe duration of training and/or work learning experience in
a training establishment and/or company,-Ùthe duration of training and/or work learning experience in
a training establishment and/or company,
-Ùthe partners associated in the other Member State or States
if the training periods take place consecutively in several,-Ùthe partners associated in the other Member State or States
if the training periods take place consecutively in several,
-Ùthe arrangements for validating or recognising skills and/or
qualifications acquired in the training system of the original
Member State in which the beneficiaries are pursuing their
training.-Ùthe arrangements for validating or recognising skills and/or
qualifications acquired in the training system of the original
Member State in which the beneficiaries are pursuing their
training.19.1.1999 C 14/33 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
For each category of public targeted by these programmes, the
Commission will allocate a global grant established on the basis
of calculation criteria defined within the procedure described in
Article 7 of this Decision, taking into account:For each category of public targeted by these programmes, the
Commission will allocate a global grant established on the basis
of calculation criteria defined within the procedure described in
Article 7 of this Decision, taking into account:
-Ùthe population, -Ùthe population,
-Ùthe GDP per capita in each Member State in terms of
purchasing power parities,-Ùthe GDP per capita in each Member State in terms of
purchasing power parities,
-Ùthe geographical distance and the costs of transport, -Ùthe geographical distance and the costs of transport,
-Ùwhenever possible, the weight of the target public concerned
in relation to the overall population,-Ùwhenever possible, the weight of the target public concerned
in relation to the overall population,
-Ùthe overall unemployment figure and the level of long term
unemployment.-Ùthe overall unemployment figure and the level of long term
unemployment.
In any event, the application of these criteria cannot result in
the exclusion of any Member State from funding of the transÜ
national placement and exchange programmes described above.In any event, the application of these criteria cannot result in
the exclusion of any Member State from funding of the transÜ
national placement and exchange programmes described above.
The overall grant is allocated to each Member State on the basis
of the abovementioned operational plan which must set outclearly:The overall grant is allocated to each Member State on the basis
of the abovementioned operational plan which must set outclearly:
-Ùthe arrangements for managing financial aid, -Ùthe arrangements for managing financial aid,
-Ùthe steps to be taken to assist placement and exchange
organisers to identify potential partners,-Ùthe steps to be taken to assist placement and exchange
organisers to identify potential partners,
-Ùappropriate measures to be taken in the interests of sound
preparation (particularly in terms of teaching and language
preparation), organisation and followÜup of placements and
exchanges.-Ùappropriate measures to be taken in the interests of sound
preparation (particularly in terms of teaching and language
preparation), organisation and followÜup of placements and
exchanges, including accessibility measures to ensure equal
opportunities and address potential discrimination.
ANNEX C
DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Decision and taking account of the
differences which exist between the systems and arrangements in
the Member States:Unchanged
(a)ÙØ"initial vocational training’ means any form of initial
vocational training, including technical and vocational
teaching and apprenticeship, which gives young people
access to a vocational qualification recognised by the
competent authorities in the Member State in which it is
obtained;
(b) "workÜlinked training’ means vocational training at all
levels, including higher education, which leads to a
certificate or a qualification recognised by the competentauthorities of the Member State concerned, and involving
structured periods of workÜlinked training in a training
establishment and a company as separate and compleÜ
mentary forums of training;C 14/34 19.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities EN
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BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON 5 NOVEMBER 1998
(c) "continuing vocational training’ means any vocational
training undertaken by a worker in the Community during
his working life;
(d) "lifelong training’ means the training opportunities offered
to any individual throughout their lives to enable them to
continually update their knowledge and skills for thepurposes of his career;
(e) "vocational guidance’ means the provision of advice and
information on the choice of an occupation and changes of
occupation, both through vocational education and training
and through individual information initiatives;
(f) "company’ means all companies in the public or private
sector whatever their size, legal status or the economicsector in which they operate, and all types of economic
activities, including the social economy;
(g) "worker’ means all persons, whether in work or not,
including the selfÜemployed, who have links with the labour
market;
(h) (i)Ù"both sides of industry at national level’ means
employers’ and workers’ organisations in conformity
with national laws and/or practices;
(ii)Ù"both sides of industry at Community level’ means
employers’ and workers’ organisations taking part in
the social dialogue at the Community level;
(i) "training body’ means any type of public, semiÜpublic or
private establishment which, in accordance with nationallaws and/or practices, design or undertake vocational
training, further training, refresher training or retraining,
irrespective of the designation given to it in the Member
States;
(j) "university’ means any type of higher education institution
which, in accordance with national laws and/or practices,offer higher level qualifications or diplomas, whatever such
establishments may be called in the Member States;
(k) "local and regional partners’ means any player in regional
and local life, local authority, association, local chambers
of commerce and associations, consortia, advisory bodies,the media, participating in local or regional cooperation
activities which include training;
(l) "apprenticeship and open and distance training’ means any
form of flexible vocational training involving:
-Ùthe use of ICT techniques and services in traditional or
modern form,
and
-Ùsupport in the form of individualised advice and
mentoring;
(m) "European training pathways’ means any period of initial or
continuing vocational training undertaken in a MemberState other than that in which the person concerned is
pursuing his/her training;
(n) "Community terms of reference’ means all the analyses,
studies, surveys and identification of good practice which
make it possible to locate, at Community level, the relativeposition of the various Member States and the progress
made on a given subject or in a given area.19.1.1999 C 14/35 Official Journal of the European Communities EN