[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 12.07.2005

SEC(2005) 935 final

RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

to authorise the Commission to negotiate with the Government of Canada an agreement renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education, training and youth

1. EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

The present proposal is set against the dual background of the European Union higher education agenda and EU/Canada relations which call, respectively, for higher education to become a world reference for relevance and excellence and for broader education cooperation.

Education has become an essential component of the Lisbon strategy, which calls for European Union education to become a world reference by 2010. Such an objective can only be achieved by keeping European education tuned to world developments and in particular by collaborating and testing approaches and standards against those in the world’s most developed countries like Canada.

The relations with Canada are characterised by a steady expansion of which the most recent expression is the adoption in 2004 of a “Partnership Agenda” which mentions the upgrade of the existing Agreement by improving access for all higher education and training institutions, and by increasing exchanges in number and scope. A specific reference is made to the inclusion of activities in the youth area not linked to formal education structures.

The current agreement (2000-2005) was concluded in 2000. The present recommendation concerns the authorisation for the conclusion to conclude a new agreement for the period 2006-2013.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSAL

General objective

The general objectives of the EU/Canada programme are:

- to enhance mutual understanding among the peoples of the European Union and Canada,

- to better prepare citizens for the knowledge society.

The EU/Canada programme will therefore seek to mutually enhance the quality of higher education, training and non-formal education for young people.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are as follows:

- to enhance collaboration between the European Union and Canada in the domains of higher education, training and youth;

- to contribute to the development of higher education and training institutions, as well as youth structures and organisations,

- to develop opportunities for dialogue and exchanges on youth policy and youth work,

- to contribute to individual participants’ personal development for their personal sake and as a way to achieve the general objective of the programme.

Operational objectives

The operational objectives are as follows:

1. To support collaboration between higher education and vocational training institutions with a view to promoting joint study programmes and mobility;

2. To support collaboration between public and private organisations active in the field of higher education and vocational training with a view to encouraging discussion and exchange of experience on policy issues;

3. To support transatlantic mobility of professionals with a view to improving mutual understanding of issues relevant to EU/Canada relations;

4. To support collaboration between youth structures, organisations and youth workers with a view to promoting exchanges of good practices and networks.

CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER POLICIES

The EU/Canada programme in higher education, training, and youth would be fully consistent with, and complementary to other EU instruments in these areas, giving the possibility of pursuing objectives of quality education though collaboration between the EU and Canada and bringing in a transatlantic people-to-people cooperation. The programme would also complement the activities of EU Centres in that it offers additional possibilities for exchanges and encourages structural cooperation between institutions and organisations from both sides of the Atlantic.

CONSULTATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

- 2001 Study on modalities for cooperation in vocational education and training

The study contracted by the Commission confirmed the value of EC/Canada cooperation in vocational training. Vocational training institutions are not necessarily well prepared for transatlantic cooperation yet there is great potential for mutual enrichment though this type of collaboration, which offers new opportunities for transatlantic mobility to students, trainees and staff who otherwise would not have access to them. The study noted that for a vocational training strand to coexist with higher education, a significant budget increase would be necessary.

- Interim external evaluation

An external evaluation was concluded in early 2005. The evaluation confirmed the effectiveness and relevance of the programme and that the programme is beneficial for the institutions, faculties and students involved. The programme is, however, considered too small to have had an impact on the mutual understanding between the people of the European Union and Canada. The evaluators suggest in particular introducing a system of additional mobility grants for successful projects.

- Canada-EU Youth Seminar

A pilot seminar for youth organisations and youth workers from the European Union and from Canada was held in November 2004. The seminar confirmed the interest and the demand on both sides to share experiences in areas of concern for young people, such as citizenship and cultural diversity, volunteering, recognition and promotion of non-formal learning. The main recommendations of the seminar are to continue dialogue among policy makers and to facilitate the exchange of best practices and the sharing of resources among youth work practitioners.

OPTIONS EXAMINED

Approaches and instruments : Policy dialogue and co-ordination

Policy dialogue between the European Union and Canada can certainly contribute to a better understanding of education, training and youth strategies, generate exchanges of best practices and ultimately lead to measures that have a direct impact on citizens.

However, policy dialogue alone may not induce bottom-up, people-to-people innovative collaboration, or the enhancement of high quality mobility of young people and better access for young people and organisations to transatlantic exchange experience. A programme of specific actions is needed to encourage and support such activity.

Possible alternative designs for an expenditure programme

Integration into existing or proposed frameworks

The existing education and training programmes such as “ Socrates” and “ Leonardo da Vinci” are designed for and exclusively target the public of the Member States. The decision-making process, typology of actions and implementation mechanisms are not well suited for EU/Canada bilateral cooperation in the fields of higher education and training. The same applies to the future Lifelong learning programme.

“Erasmus Mundus” seeks to enhance the quality of higher education in the European Union and promote it world-wide through a scholarship scheme for third country students and scholars. Erasmus Mundus has not been designed for bilateral exchanges, international curriculum development and institutional cooperation. It does not concern vocational training or youth and it focuses on graduate level while the proposed cooperation programme with Canada focuses primarily on activities at undergraduate level.

Other external programmes are also unsuitable for achieving the objectives of the EU/Canada bilateral cooperation proposed here.

Although the current Youth programme (and, if adopted, the future Youth in Action programme) does allow, in principle, for cooperation with third countries, this cooperation is limited in scope and mainly focussed on the neighbouring countries. It is also not designed for bilateral cooperation. The proposed bilateral EU/Canada agreement would therefore complement this programme.

Renewing the Agreement and expanding the scope of the present programme

The proposed agreement and the programme it would set up does not represent a radical departure from the present cooperation. However it would enhance possibilities for exchange, give better access to all potential beneficiaries and provide a new framework for cooperation in the youth field.

The programme would take into account the lessons drawn from past experience by differentiating between higher education and vocational training, building on excellence and enhancing exchanges of students and young people.

The evaluation found that the small budget of the present programme has limited the programme’s potential impact on higher education and prevented the development of significant cooperation in the field of vocational training. The programme to be created by the proposed agreement entails a budget increase from 0,8m€ to an average of 2m€ per annum.

Assessment of positive and negative impacts of the options considered

In achieving its objectives, the programme would have a positive short term and long term impact on young people as well as on institutions and organisations dealing with higher education, training and youth issues.

Transatlantic mobility would give participants valuable experience that will help them to better integrate in today’s society and knowledge economy. Collaboration between institutions would help them to improve their curricula and teaching methods by learning from each other’s best practices and by jointly developing new approaches. In the long term, collaboration would help to maintain the very good level of people-to-people understanding that exists between the European Union and Canada.

There are no conflicts between impacts at social, economic or environmental level.

Reasons for choosing the present option

There is a widespread consensus that higher education should remain a central component of the programme. At the same time, the programme would also give access to transatlantic cooperation for vocational education and training organisations that would not otherwise engage in such co-operation. The programme would also be widened in scope so as to cover youth actions, seeking to develop new cooperation in the field of non-formal education for young people between the European Union and Canada.

In the framework of lifelong training, and to reinforce the people-to-people dimension of the EU/Canada relations, the programme would be open also to young professionals, mainly outside academia and the public administration world, who want to follow studies, or undertake training, in areas of specific relevance to the EU/Canada relationship, which will be identified in consultation with the Canadian authorities.

The impact of the programme would be enhanced with the introduction of policy-oriented projects with systemic impact and of youth actions. These projects would be aimed at increasing knowledge about, and exchanging best practices regarding lifelong learning that are of common interest for the European Union and partner countries and that can have an impact beyond those directly involved in their implementation .

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

Legal Basis

The proposal is based on articles 149, 150 and 300 of the Treaty.

Subsidiarity and proportionality

The programme would complement bilateral cooperation schemes between Member States and Canada by proposing a multilateral framework for cooperation. It would fully respect Member States’ competence leaving the initiative to target institutions and organisations. The proposed programme does not contemplate any regulatory approach which would conflict with Member States exclusive competence in this area.

The programme would be a low cost operation with potentially significant impacts. Proportionality is ensured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERVENTION

The programme would pursue its objectives through the following actions:

Higher education and vocational education and training programme actions

Consortia projects

The target public of this action would be higher education and vocational training institutions and organisations, and their staff, students and trainees. The action will respond to two specific objectives, namely, contributing to the development of higher education and vocational training institutions and organisations as well as increasing the mobility of staff, students and trainees.

This type of projects would largely consist of a continuation of the type of joint projects currently funded. Consortia projects would focus on priority fields which are key to EU/Canada cooperation, to be identified in consultation with the Canadian authorities.

Excellence (follow-up) mobility projects

Under this action, consortia projects that prove to be of outstanding quality could receive further financial support at the end of the initial 3 or 4-year period, granted exclusively to fund additional opportunities for student mobility. This measure would enhance the profile of the programme, placing the emphasis on excellence. This would increase the motivation of funded projects to deliver and contribute to sustainability of good quality mobility projects.

Policy-oriented measures

The target public of this action would be organisations dealing with higher education and vocational training. This action would pursue the specific objective of enhancing collaboration between the EU and Canada as regards the development of higher education and vocational training, focusing on priority themes. In the longer term, this action would have an impact on policy and system development.

Activities under this category could include studies, conferences, seminars, working groups, benchmarking exercises.

“Schuman-Canada” Individual Mobility grants

The target group of this action would be individual young professionals, mainly from outside the academia and public administration (decision makers, social partner representatives, journalists, etc.) who want to undertake studies or training, in areas of specific relevance to the EU/Canada relationship, which would be identified in consultation with the Canadian authorities.

Youth actions

The target public for this measure would be youth structures, organisations and youth workers and the focus on activities aimed at:

a) facilitating a dialogue and an exchange of best practices as well as the sharing of tools on youth work methodology among policy makers, youth work practitioners, youth organisations, and other structures responsible for youth matters including youth mobility. These activities would include seminars, training courses, job shadowing and study visits on targeted themes, e.g. cultural diversity, volunteering and recognition of non-formal learning.

b) building sustainable new multilateral partnerships and networks with a view to further cooperation and youth mobility among the participating organisations, through meetings, internet platforms, sharing of information etc.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION

The proposed programme would cost a maximum of 17.4m€ (of which 1m€ for youth actions) over an eight year period (2006-2013), provided that matching funds are made available by Canada.

The Commission will seek to introduce a mid-term revision clause to the body of the agreement allowing a reorientation of activities and the reassessment of the budget allocated to the programme within the limits of the financial perspective.

The rationale for a budget increase

As indicated under 5.2, the small budget of the present programme has limited its potential impact on higher education and prevented the development of significant cooperation in the field of vocational training.

Costing

Reference amounts for calculation purposes

Higher education and vocational education training

Consortia: 138.000 € resulting from 120.000 € for mobility grants (1000 € per month + 1000 € for travel per student for average study periods of 4 months for a total of 24 students) and 18.000 € in lump sumps for consortia partners. Where projects do not involve mobility the average grant would be 100.000 €.

Excellence: 100.000 € for additional mobility opportunities (1000 € per month + 1000 € for travel per student for average study periods of 4 months for a total of 20 students).

Policy-Oriented Measures: 100.000 €

“Schuman –Canada” Individual mobility: 32.000 € (5.000 € per month + 2.000 € for travel per grantee for average grant duration of 6 months)

Youth

Exchange of best practices, multilateral partnerships and networks: the calculation is based on an average cost of 20.000 € per project. The EU contribution will mainly cover travel costs for EU participants as well as costs related to the hosting of the activity in the EU (mainly accommodation and daily allowances).

Target outputs

The programme will support some 210 projects over an eight year period (see details under point 8 of the Financial Statement). 4.430 EU and Canadian people will participate in mobility activities over the duration of the programme.

2. RECOMMANDATION

The Commission therefore recommends to the Council that:

- the Commission be authorised to negotiate, on behalf of the European Community, an agreement renewing the co-operation programme in higher education, training and youth with the Government of Canada to cover the period 2006-2013;

- the Commission, in accordance with Article 300 (1) of the Treaty, conduct the negotiations in consultation with the special Committee appointed by the Council and within the framework of the attached Negotiating Directives.

ANNEX NEGOTIATING DIRECTIVES

(1) The objective of the negotiation is to conclude an agreement between the European Community and the government of Canada in the fields of higher education, training and youth action. The agreement will set-up a cooperation programme in these fields;

(2) The programme would be jointly managed by the Commission and by the competent Canadian authorities; they would jointly determine the implementation, monitoring and evaluation modalities;

(3) There would be five main actions: Consortia projects, Excellence mobility projects, Policy-oriented Measures, “Schuman-Canada” Individual Mobility Grants, and Youth actions;

(4) Consortia projects would normally involve a minimum of three higher education or training institutions from the European Union and three such from Canada and would focus mainly on curriculum development and student exchanges. Projects would focus on priority fields which are key to EU-Canada cooperation, to be identified in consultation with the Canadian authorities;

(5) Excellence mobility projects would be consortia projects that proved to be of outstanding quality and would receive additional financial support to be exclusively allocated to student mobility;

(6) Policy-oriented measures would include studies, conferences, seminars, working groups, benchmarking exercises and address horizontal higher education and vocational training issues;

(7) “Schuman-Canada” Individual Mobility Grants would target professionals mainly from outside the academia and public administration such as decision makers, social partner representatives, journalists etc. who want to follow studies, or undertake training, in areas of specific relevance to the EU-Canada relationship.;

(8) Youth actions would include exchange of best practices, multilateral partnerships and networks;

(9) The actions would be implemented via call for proposals;

(10) Equivalent co-funding would be provided by the parties for the projects selected;

(11) Each party would contribute to the programme with an overall budget of some 17m€;

(12) A joint committee would be established in order to review the cooperative activities implemented under the agreement.

(13) The agreement would include a revision clause allowing a reorientation of activities and the reassessment of the budget allocated to the programme within the limits of the financial perspective.

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL:

Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the Commission to negotiate with the Government of Canada an agreement renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education , training and youth

ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK

Policy area: EDUCATION AND CULTURE

Objective: "Mutually improve the quality of education through cooperation with third countries".

Activity: EDUCATION

BUDGET LINES

Budget lines (operational lines and related technical and administ rative assistance lines (ex- B.A lines) including headings :

15.02.03 Co-operation with non-member countries on education and vocational training

15.01.04.21 Co-operation with non-member countries on education and vocational training – Expenditure on administrative management

Duration of the action and of the financial impact: 2006-2013

The final duration of the action will be determined in the course of the negotiation and will be subject to a mid-term review clause.

Budgetary characteristics ( add rows if necessary ) :

Budget line | Type of expenditure | New | EFTA contribution | Contributions from applicant countries | Heading in financial perspective |

15.02.03 | Non-comp | Diff | NO | NO | NO | No 4 |

15.01.04.21 | Non-comp | Diff | NO | NO | NO | No 4 |

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES

Financial Resources

Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Annual requirements | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 and later |

Total number of human resources | 1,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 2,5 |

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES

NEED TO BE MET IN THE SHORT OR LONG TERM

The bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of higher education, vocational training and youth will seek to enhance mutual understanding among the peoples of the EU and Canada, to better prepare citizens for the knowledge society and to mutually enhance the quality of higher education, training and non-formal education for young people in the EU and in Canada.

The bilateral cooperation agreement responds to a political desire by the parties at the highest level.

Value-added of Community involvement and coherence of the proposal with other financial instruments and possible synergy

The relations to Canada are among the oldest and closest of the European Union. They are characterised by a steady expansion whose most recent expression is the adoption of a “Partnership Agenda” in 2004. It stipulates the will to reinforce and broaden the scope of the education cooperation explicitly in relation to the renewal of the Agreement on Higher Education and Training. It mentions also the upgrade of the existing Agreement as a possibility to be explored by improving access for all higher education and training institutions, and by increasing the exchanges in number and scope. A specific reference is made towards the inclusion of activities in the youth area not linked to formal education structures.

The EU-Canada programme would provide added value at a number of levels: building institutional Transatlantic bridges, provide individuals, academic and administrative staff and students with their own transatlantic networks, develop specific subjects and disciplines. Also the renewal of EU-Canada cooperation programme in higher education, vocational training and youth would preserve and develop the multilateral approach involving in each action institutions and people from different Member States. This multilateral approach has so far proved to be effective to purse the objective of the programme in terms of increasing mutual understanding and improving the quality of education and training in the EU in Canada. It has also proved to bear certain economies of scope, scale and quality enhancement with respect to bilateral programmes.

The objectives of the EU/Canada programme in higher education, training, and youth would be fully consistent with those of other EU instruments in these areas. The agreement would set up a framework that would complement other programmes giving the possibility of pursuing objectives of quality education though collaboration between the EU and Canada. In addition, the programme would bring in a transatlantic people-to-people cooperation which is absent in other EU education and training and youth programmes.

In particular, the bilateral cooperation programme will complement Erasmus Mundus programme in that it will focus on undergraduate mobility and include transatlantic exchanges in the field of vocational training and youth.

The programme would also complement the activities of EU Centers supported by the European Union in that it offers additional possibilities for exchanges and encourages structural cooperation between institutions and organisations from both sides of the Atlantic.

Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context of the ABM framework

Objective | Non exhaustive list of indicators |

General objectives |

To enhance mutual understanding among the peoples of the European Union and Canada; To better prepare citizens for the knowledge society; To mutually enhance the quality of education. | Quantitative data on perception among programme users and stakeholders obtained through surveys carried out during interim and ex-post evaluation |

Specific objectives |

to enhance collaboration between the European Union and Canada in the domains of higher education, training and youth; to contribute to the development of higher education and training institutions, as well as youth structures and organisations, to develop opportunities for dialogue and exchanges on youth policy and youth work, to contribute to individual participants’ personal development for their personal sake and as a way to achieve the general objective of the programme. | Quantitative data on perception of officials and administrators obtained through direct interviews; Quantitative data on perception of individuals responsible for institutions and organisations involved in the programme obtained through surveys; Quantitative data on perception among individuals responsible for youth policy and youth work obtained through surveys; Quantitative data on participants’ perceptions obtained through surveys. |

Results can be defined as an advantage or disadvantage which direct addressees obtain at the end of their participation in a public intervention. They should therefore be identified in relation with the operational objectives of the intervention.

Operational objectives | Results obtained by participants |

To support collaboration between higher education and vocational training institutions with a view to promoting joint study programmes and mobility; | Institutions: improved curricula and teaching methodologies; greater transparency and understanding of respective credit system; improved preparedness for transatlantic cooperation; Students: enriching transatlantic experience; better education and cultural understanding. |

To support collaboration between public and private organisations active in the field of higher education and vocational training with a view to encouraging discussion and exchange of experience on policy issues; | Organisations, institutions: better understating of policy issues; |

To support transatlantic mobility of professionals with a view to improving mutual understanding of issues relevant to EU/Canada relations; | Individuals: better understanding of key issues in EU/Canada relations. |

To support collaboration between youth structures, organisations and youth workers and with a view to promoting exchanges of good practices and networks | Policy makers, youth work practitioners, youth organisations: mutually enriched through exchanges of good practices. Organisations: new multilateral partnerships and networks. |

Method of Implementation (indicative)

Show below the method(s)[5] chosen for the implementation of the action.

X Centralised Management

X Directly by the Commission

X Indirectly by delegation to:

X Executive Agency

ٱ Bodies set up by the Communities as referred to in art. 185 of the Financial Regulation

ٱ National public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission

ٱ Shared or decentralised management

ٱ With Member states

ٱ With Third countries

ٱ Joint management with international organisations (please specify)

The proposed programme is based on the principle of joint funding from the European Union and from Canada. Call for proposals are administered by the European Commission on the basis of joint guidelines agreed beforehand with Canadian authorities.

The legal basis will include the possibility of having recourse to an Executive Agency. The financial envelope of the EU/Canada programme may not in itself justify the recourse to an Executive Agency. However, it is likely that a very similar agreement programme be concluded with the United States of America increasing economies of scale and providing a rationale for implementation of some actions through an Executive Agency.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Monitoring system

Monitoring of the joint EU/Canada projects will be implemented through a combination of desk monitoring (based on regular reporting from grant holders), and on site monitoring carried out by the Commission and by the appropriate structure designated by the Government of Canada.

Evaluation

Ex-ante evaluation

The ex-ante evaluation is based on experience acquired implementing the current phase of the programme, direct feedback from programme users, a study on the vocational training strand within the programme, expert consultations and an interim evaluation of the current phase of the programme.

The explanatory memorandum covers the main aspects of ex-ante evaluation and impact assessment.

The main findings of the ex-ante evaluation as regards higher education and vocational training are the following:

- the programme is beneficial for the institutions, faculties and students involved. In particular the programme is effective in improving students and staff cross-cultural understanding.

- the programme also contributed to curriculum development and especially to consolidating transatlantic networks of universities and vocational training institutions.

- the programme is, however, considered too small to have had an impact on the mutual understanding between the people of the European Union and Canada.

- sustainability of mobility projects was put into question due to lack of follow-up funding.

- for a vocational training strand to coexist with higher education, a significant budget increase is necessary;

- a specific approach was necessary for vocational education and training adapting certain implementation criteria to the specific reality of this field;

- the interim evaluation suggest some operational changes: a) increase the duration of consortia projects; b) put emphasis on identification and exchange of best practices; c) introduce a system of additional mobility grants for successful projects;

- as far as youth is concerned, the main recommendations emerging from the EU/Canada seminar on cooperation on this field are to continue dialogue among policy makers and to facilitate the exchange of best practices and the sharing of resources among youth work practitioners.

Measures taken following an intermediate/ex-post evaluation (lessons learned from similar experiences in the past)

The proposed programme will be designed taking into account the conclusions from the ex-ante evaluation, namely, it would

- maintain the well tested and proven components of the programme;

- develop a specific approach for vocational training;

- build on projects of proven excellence;

- reinforce mobility;

- introduce a new youth component in the programme;

- increase the financial envelope of the programme.

Terms and frequency of future evaluation

In principle, an interim evaluation will be undertaken after the first three years of implementation and an ex-post final evaluation will be launched at the end of the intervention.

Anti-fraud measures

Funding decisions and contracts between the Commission and the beneficiaries provide for in situ checks to be carried out on the premises of beneficiaries of a European Community grant by the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and bestow the power to require evidence of any expenditure made under such contracts, agreements and legal undertakings within five years following the end of the contractual period.

Beneficiaries are subject to reporting and financial accounting obligations, and these are analysed from the point of view of content and eligibility of expenditure, bearing in mind the purpose of the European Community funding, and taking account of contractual obligations and of the principles of economy and sound financial management.

Appended to the financial agreements is information of an administrative and financial nature, designed to specify the kind of expenditure which is eligible under such agreements. Where appropriate, European Community coverage of certain cost elements will be limited to items which are real, identifiable and verifiable in the beneficiary's book-keeping arrangements, so as to facilitate checking and auditing (and evaluation for selection purposes) of projects in receipt of funding.

DETAILS OF RESOURCES

Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Description of tasks deriving from the action

1 A*/AD: Policy development and programme manager

1,25 B*/AST Financial assistant

1 / 4 C*/AST Secretarial and financial support

Sources of human resources (statutory)

(When more than one source is stated, please indicate the number of posts originating from each of the sources)

1,5 Posts currently allocated to the management of the programme to be replaced or extended.

( Posts pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for year n

( Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure

( Posts to be redeployed using existing resources within the managing service (internal redeployment)

( Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the year in question

Other Administrative expenditure included in reference amount (XX 01 04/05 – Expenditure on administrative management)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Budget line (number and heading) | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011-2013 | TOTAL |

1 Technical and administrative assistance (including related staff costs) |

Executive agencies[9] | 0,060 | 0,060 | 0,060 | 0,060 | 0,180 | 0,420 |

Other technical and administrative assistance |

- intra muros | 0,200 | 0,200 | 0,200 | 0,200 | 0,600 | 1,400 |

- extra muros |

Total Technical and administrative assistance | 0,260 | 0,260 | 0,260 | 0,260 | 0,780 | 1,820 |

The APB 2006 does not include specific budget line for administrative assistance. Expenditure such as that generated by experts for the assessment of proposals is funded under the DG’s global envelope. As from 2007, a budget line for administrative support will be created. This is justified by the potentially higher budget allocated to not only to the EU/Canada agreement but also to the future EU/US agreement (both programmes combined would total 10M€ per annum, up from 3M€ per annum at present). The budget line for administrative assistance is justified also by the possibility of implementing the programme through the existing Executive Agency Education, Audiovisual and Culture. As indicated under 5.4, the legal basis will include such possibility. If a similar agreement is concluded with the United States of America there would be economies of scale and a strong rationale for implementing some actions of the programmes through the existing Executive Agency Education Education, Audiovisual and Culture. For this reason, the table above includes the amount equivalent to 1 contractual agent for the Executive Agency.

Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference amount

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Type of human resources | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011-2013 |

Officials and temporary staff (XX 01 01) | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,486 |

Staff financed by Art XX 01 02 (auxiliary, END, contract staff, etc.) (specify budget line) |

Total cost of Human Resources and associated costs (NOT in reference amount) | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,162 | 0,486 |

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents

1,5 staff x 108.000 EUR x 8 years = EUR 1.296.000

This calculation is based on the assumption that the Executive Agency Education, Audiovisual and Culture will be involved in the implementation of the programme. If this is not the case, 1 additional Commission staff would be required.

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02

N.A.

Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011- 2013 | TOTAL |

XX 01 02 11 01 – Missions | 0,004 | 0,004 | 0,004 | 0,004 | 0,004 | 0,012 | 0,032 |

XX 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences |

XX 01 02 11 03 – Committees[10] Joint EU/Canada committee set up by the agreement | 0,018 | 0,018 | 0,035 | 0,070 |

XX 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations |

XX 01 02 11 05 - Information systems |

2 Total Other Management Expenditure (XX 01 02 11) |

3 Other expenditure of an administrative nature (specify including reference to budget line) |

Total Administrative expenditure, other than human resources and associated costs (NOT included in reference amount) | 0,004 | 0,022 | 0,004 | 0,022 | 0,004 | 0,047 | 0,102 |

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount

Missions: 1 x 3000 (to Canada) + 2 x 700 (to Member States) = EUR 4.400

Joint Committee meeting with Member States every other year: 25 x 700 x 4 = EUR 70.000

[1] Expenditure that does not fall under Chapter xx 01 of the Title xx concerned

[2] Expenditure within article xx 01 04 of Title xx

[3] Expenditure within chapter xx 01 other than articles xx 01 04 or xx 01 05

[4] See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement.

[5] If more than one method is indicated please provide additional details in the "Relevant comments" section of this point

[6] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[7] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[8] Cost of which is included within the reference amount

[9] The possibility of having recourse to the existing Executive Agency Education, Audiovisual and Culture will be examined in the context of the evaluation of the Agency. The evaluation will be carried out in 2006 in view of the implementation of the new education programmes 2007-2013.

[10] Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs.