***** COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 27.11.1998 
COM(1998) 695 final 
98/0197 (COD) 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme for youth 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
In the light of the opinion of the European Parliament of 5 November 1998, the Commission, 
in accordance with Article 189 A §2 of the EC Treaty, is submitting an amended proposal for 
a decision to the Council and the European Parliament. The amended proposal largely retains 
the same structure and the same objectives as the initial proposal but goes into certain aspects 
in greater detail: 
in relation to the initial proposal, one set of amendments provides useful additional 
information and clarification on specific aspects of cooperation policy in the field of youth; 
a second set of amendments improves the proposal by incorporating features designed 
to make access to the programme easier for young people, particularly those who may have 
difficulties in taking part. 
61 amendments were tabled by the European Parliament. 12 were rejected and 12 considered 
unnecessary. 36 amendments were accepted in full or in part, while 13 were partly modified. 
The Commission has not agreed to the modification of the eligibility age limits for the 
programme, for this would detract from concentration of resources on the target public. 
Similarly, amendments relating to the EU's external policy have not been accepted because this 
policy goes beyond the framework of Article 126 which is the legal basis for the programme 
proposal. 
The Commission is most appreciative of the increase in funding proposed by the European 
Parliament, but has opted to abide by its initial proposal on this. 
Lastly, with regard to committee procedures, the Commission has rejected the amendment on 
the procedures to be followed by the Committee as it does not conform to the 13 July 1987 
decision on comitology. 
The Commission has accepted the amendments designed to stress the importance of the 
cooperation policy's contribution in the area of youth and the development of non-formal 
education, and the need to remove the legal or administrative obstacles to transnational 
mobility among young people and to guarantee the safeguarding of their rights, particularly 
when it comes to social protection. 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme for youth 
£A 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
'- 'v>'->: j - AVf ! ; jpf OS November 1998 
Proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme 
for youth 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE 
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community and in particular 
Article 126 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic 
and Social Committee2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee 
of the Regions3, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure 
referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty4, 
1. Whereas 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 Treaty of Amsterdam signed 
on 2 October 1997 which states that the 
Community's objective is also to promote the 
highest possible level of knowledge for its 
peoples through wide access to education 
and through a continuous updating of 
knowledge; 
'. f '1 ixmssta-n's initial proposal 
1er -is. by their Decision No 818/95/EC5, 
, to European Parliament and the Council set 
up an action programme regarding 
cooperation in the field of youth; whereas it 
is appropriate, on the basis of the experience 
acquired from that programme, to pursue and 
strenghten cooperation and Community 
action in that field; 
Whereas the extraordinary European Council 
on Employment held in Luxembourg on 20 
and 21 November 1997 adopted a 
coordinated employment strategy in which 
lifelong education and training have a 
fundamental role to play in implementing 
guidelines6 for the Member States' 
employment policies in order to enhance 
employability, adaptability, and the culture of 
entrepreneurship and to promote equal 
opportunities; 
Whereas the Commission in its 
communication "Towards a Europe of 
knowledge"* set out guidelines on the 
creation of a European education area 
capable of achieving the objective of lifelong 
education and training, defining six types of 
measures to be developed at Community 
level, focusing on transnational cooperation 
and designed to bring added value to the 
action taken by the Member States in full 
respect of the principle of subsidiarity, in a 
context of simplified procedures; Amended proposal following the EP*s opinio,: •: 
of 05 November! 998 
Whereas the Commission in its 
communication "Towards a Europe of 
knowledge"9 set out guidelines on the 
creation of a European education area 
capable of achieving the objective of.lifelong 
education and training, defining six types of 
measures to be developed at Community 
level, focusing on transnational cooperation 
and designed to bring added value to the 
action taken by the Member States in full 
respect of the principle of subsidiarity; and 
whereas in order to make it easier for the 
target publics to have access to the 
programme, it has decided to simplify the 
application and selection procedures: 
OJLK7, 20.4.1995, p. 1. 
OJC30, 28.1.1998, p. 1. 
Communication from the Commission to Hie Council "Fostering entrepreneurship in Europe: priorities for the future" (COM(1998) 
222 llnal/2, 21.4.1998). 
Communication from the Commission to the Council, European Parliament, Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the 
Regions - COM(97) 563 final of 12.11.1997. 
Communication from the Commission to the Council, European Parliament, Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the 
Regions - COM(97) 563 final of 12.11.1997. 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
Whereas the White Paper10 Teaching and 
learning - Towards the learning society 
states that the emergence of the learning 
society entails encouraging the acquisition 
of new knowledge and to this end providing 
motivation to learn at every opportunity; 
and whereas the Green Paper11 Education, 
training, research: the obstacles to 
transnational mobility highlighted the 
advantages mobility brings to people and 
competitiveness in the Union; 
Whereas there is a need to promote active 
citizenship, to strengthen the links between 
measures pursued under this programme, 
and to step up the fight against exclusion in 
all its forms, including racism and 
xenophobia; whereas special attention 
should be focused on removing all forms of 
inequality and on promoting equal 
opportunities for women and men; 6. Whereas there is a need to promote active 
citizenship, to strengthen the links between 
measures pursued under this programme, 
and to step up the fight for human rights and 
against exclusion in all its forms, including 
racism, excessive nationalism and 
xenophobia; whereas special attention 
should be focused on the respect of 
minorities, the removal of all forms of 
discrimination and inequality, and on 
promoting equal opportunities for women 
and men: whereas the Commission and the 
Member States should endeavour to get the 
message through to all young people, not 
just those who belong to youth 
organisations; and whereas a special effort. 
including the allocation of extra funding, 
should be targeted at young people who 
have the greatest difficulty taking part in the 
programme because of their cultural, social. 
physical. financial or geographical 
circumstances: 
Commission's White Paper: Education and training: Teaching and learning - Towards the learning society". Office for Official 
Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1996. 
Commission's Green Paper: Education, training, research: the obstacles to transnational mobility, COM(96) 462 final, 
2.10.1996. 
Commission's initial proposal tmmmmmmmmam 
Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
6a, 
Whereas the integration of young people in the 
occupational world - a crucial part of their 
integration in society - depends inter alia on 
recognition and development of all the skills 
and qualifications they have acquired via non-
formal education: whereas exchanges of young 
people contribute greatly to establishing 
mutual confidence. to strengthening 
democracy, to developing a spirit of tolerance, 
cooperation and solidarity between the new 
generations, and are therefore vital to the 
cohesion and further development of the 
Union : 
6b 
whereas in its report on information and 
communication policy in the European 
Union12, the European Parliament "considers 
that, with regard to support and action 
programmes, the selection of projects should 
be more transparent and the reasons for the 
choice should be clearer to those who submit 
the projects' whereas youth-related 
programmes can be strengthened if training 
and mobility of trainers, along with language 
training, are included among the priorities: 
whereas the European Parliament has 
acknowledged the essential role played by non-
profit-making organisations in implementing 
the EU's social policy and programmes and has 
asked for appropriate steps to be taken13 to 
enhance their capabilities: 
(Minutes of the meet in g on 14.5.98. A4-0115/98) 
Resolution on Commission's communication on promoting the role of associations and foundations in Europe (Doc. A4-0203/98 
and OJ C ...) 
Commission's initia) proposa! 
6ç 
Whereas there is a need to further develop 
European voluntary service, both as a valid 
experience in terms of informal education and 
7. Whereas the European Parliament and the 
Council of the European Union in their 
Decision No /99/EC [education]14 and 
the Council in its Decision No /99/EC 
[training]15 have established Community 
action programmes for the education and 
training fields respectively, which contribute 
together with the youth programme to 
implementing a knowledge policy; as a factor of development of European 
citizenship and belonging to the European 
Union, its quality being largely dependent on 
appropriate preparation; whereas this service 
must relate only to activities not intended to 
replace potential or paid jobs and must not 
result in a reduction in the number of jobs: and 
whereas the projects concerned - particularly 
the host projects - must not be commercial or 
for profit, and must abide by the principles and 
rules of the European Community: 
6jd 
whereas the Commission and the Member 
States must seek to ensure complementarity 
between EVS activities and similar ventures 
undertaken nationally: whereas the Member 
States should take appropriate and 
coordinated steps to remove legal and 
administrative obstacles in order to further 
improve access to the programme for young 
people and facilitate recognition of the 
specificity of young people's voluntary 
activities: 
7. Whereas the European Parliament and the 
Council of the European Union in their 
Decision No /99/EC [education]16 and 
the Council in its Decision No /99/EC 
[training]17 have established Community 
action programmes for the education and 
training fields respectively, which contribute 
together with the youth programme to 
promotrng-a Europe of knowledge: 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
Whereas it is necessary, in order to 
reinforce the added value of Community 
action to ensure, at all levels, a coherence 
and a complementarity between the actions 
implemented in the framework of this 
Decision and the Community interventions, 
in particular in the domains of culture18, 
audio-visual media, the completion of the 
Single market, the environment, consumer 
protection, the information society, SMEs, 
social policies, employment and public 
health; 
9. Whereas the Commission's proposals for 
reforming the Structural Funds20, 
particularly the European Social Fund, and 
the Community initiatives stemming 
therefrom, are based on objectives designed 
to support the adaptation and 
modernisation of policies and systems 
relating to education, training and 
employment; 8. Whereas it is necessary, in order to reinforce 
the added value of Community action, for the 
Commission to ensure, in conjunction with 
the Member States, a coherence and a 
complementarity at all levels between the 
actions implemented in the framework of this 
Decision and the Community interventions, in 
particular in the domains of culture19, 
research and development, audio-visual 
media, the completion of the Single market, 
the environment, consumer protection, the 
information society, SMEs, social policies, 
employment and public health; 
9. Whereas the Commission's proposals for 
reforming the Structural Funds21, 
particularly the European Social Fund, and 
the Community initiatives stemming 
therefrom, are based on objectives designed 
to support the adaptation and modernisation 
of policies and systems relating to 
education, training and employment; and 
whereas the Commission and the Member 
States should ensure a coherence and a 
complementarity between the measures 
funded under this programme and those 
funded under the Structural Funds on the 
basis of clear guidelines drawn up by the 
Commission: 
Proposal for a Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural 
cooperation (2000).OJ C 211,7.7.1998, p. 18. 
Proposal for a Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural 
cooperation (2000).OJ C 211,7.7.1998, p. 18. 
Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, OJ C 176,9.6.1998, p. 1. 
Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down general provisioas on the Structural Funds, OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1. 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
10. Whereas the European Councils of Essen (9 
and 10 December 1994) and Cannes 
(26 and 27 June 1995) stressed the need for 
further action to enhance the social and 
vocational integration of young people in 
Europe; whereas the conclusions of the 
European Council of Florence (21 and 22 
June 1996) emphasised the importance of 
making it easier for young people to enter 
the labour force; whereas the 
European Council meeting in Amsterdam 
(16 and 17 June 1997) expressed its 
support for non-profit making activities; 
whereas the European Parliament and 
Council have adopted Decision No 
1686/98/EC establishing a Community 
action programme "European Voluntary 
Service for Young People"22; 
11. Whereas provision should be made to open 
up this programme to participation by the 
associated Central and Eastern European 
countries, in accordance with the conditions 
established in the relevant agreements, 
notably the association agreements, to 
Cyprus on the same terms as those applied 
to the EFTA/EEA countries as well as to 
Turkey and Malta according to the 
procedures to be agreed with those 
countries; 
12. Whereas this programme should be 
monitored and continually assessed in co­
operation between the Commission and the 
Member States in order to allow for 
readjustments, particularly in the priorities 
for implementing the measures, 12. Whereas this programme should be 
monitored and continually assessed in co­
operation between the Commission and the 
Member States in order to allow for 
readjustments, particularly in the priorities for 
implementing the measures; whereas this 
assessment should include an external 
evaluation and be carried out by indépendant 
organisations: 
OJL214, 31.7.1998, p. 1. 
Amended proposal foMowm^tllefe^mjiioa 
' , . of05NwèJEtp«fjHA(--«>^. 
13. 
14. 
15. Whereas, in accordance with the principles 
of subsidiarity and proportionality as 
defined in Article 3b of the Treaty, the 
objectives of the proposed action 
concerning the development and 
strengthening of a cooperation policy in the 
youth field, including the European 
voluntary service and youth exchanges both 
within the Community and with the third 
countries, cannot be sufficiently achieved by 
the Member States because the complexity 
and diversity of the youth field and can 
therefore be better achieved by the 
Community thanks to the transnational 
dimension of Community actions and 
measures; whereas this Decision does not 
go beyond what is necessary to achieve 
these objectives; 
Whereas this Decision lays down, for the 
entire duration of the programme, a 
financial framework offering the budgetary 
authority the principal point of reference, 
within the meaning of point 1 of the Joint 
Declaration by the European Parliament, 
the Council and the Commission of 6 March 
199523, during the annual budgetary 
procedure; 
Whereas an agreement was reached on 
20 December 1994 on a modus vivendi 
between the European Parliament, the 
Council and the Commission concerning the 
implementing measures for acts adopted 
pursuant to the procedure referred to in 
Article 189b of the Treaty24, 
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 13. Whereas, in accordance with the principles 
of subsidiarity and proportionality as defined 
in Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of 
the proposed action concerning the 
development and strengthening of a 
cooperation policy in the youth field, 
including the European voluntary, service 
and youth exchanges both within the 
Community and with the third countries, 
cannot be sufficiently achieved by the 
Member States because the complexity and 
diversity of the youth field and can therefore 
be better achieved by the Community thanks 
to the transnational dimension of 
Community actions and measures; whereas 
this Decision does not go beyond what is 
necessary to achieve these objectives; 
whereas it is up to the Member States to 
develop and strengthen provisions aimed at 
the programme's target publics in order to 
make the European Community action more 
effective: 
OJ C 102.4.4 1996, p. 4. 
OJC 102 4.4 1996, p. 1. 
10 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the Ws opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
Article one 
Establishment of the programme 
This Decision establishes the Community 
action programme for youth, hereinafter 
referred to as "this programme", concerning 
the cooperation policy in the youth field, 
including the European Voluntary Service 
and youth exchanges both within the 
Community and with third countries. 
This programme shall be implemented in the 
period starting on 1 January 2000 and 
ending on 31 December 2004. 
This programme shall contribute to the 
Europe of knowledge through the 
implementation of a European education 
area fostering the development of lifelong 
education and training. It shall permit the 
development of the knowledge and skills 
conducive to the full exercise of citizenship. 
This programme shall support and 
supplement action taken by and in the 
Member States, while fully respecting their 
cultural and linguistic diversity. 
Article 2 
Aims of the programme 
In order to allow young people to acquire 
knowledge and skills, and to exercise 
responsible citizenship so as to become an 
active part of society, notably by promoting 
the role of young women, the objectives of 
this programme are as follows: 3. This programme shall contribute to active 
citizenship in order to enhance young 
people's chances and their employability. 
and their participation in the further 
development of the European Community 
and in the promotion of a Europe of 
knowledge through the development of a 
European education area. 
In order to allow young people to acquire 
knowledge and skills, and to exercise 
responsible citizenship so as to become an 
active part of society, notably by promoting 
the role of young women, the objectives of 
this programme are as follows: 
11 
to strengthen ihek sefrëe of solidarity 
through fflw« C3ft«*iiv« partK&rçwrtkè* Ipy 
ympg fosfte living Iflffttty in * Mimfry 
State in tr^mftfitiefuU C wwrfty aar^i 
activities within the Coawnunfty of in noa-
mémfeer ce>un{rk«, i« pefftoular those with 
which the Community has concluded 
cooperation agreements; 
(b) to promote an active contribution by 
young people to the building of Europe 
through their participation in transnational 
exchanges within the Community or with 
non-member countries, by means of which 
they may discover the true nature of 
Europe in all its diversity and become 
more aware of other environments, thus 
helping to combat racism, anti-Semitism 
and xenophobia; 
(c) to encourage young peoples' sense of 
initiative, enterprise and creativity so that 
they may play an active role in society 
while at the same time 
stimulating recognition of the value of 
informal education acquired within a 
European context. 
In implementing these objectives, the 
Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure that action under this programme is 
consistent with the Community's other 
actions and policies, particularly with regard 
to employment, to the removal of 
inequality, to equal opportunities for 
women and men, and to social policy. b) to promote an active contribution by young 
people to the building of Europe through 
their participation in transnational projects 
which involve exchanges within the 
Community or with non-member countries, 
by means of which they may discover the 
true nature of Europe in all its social and 
cultural diversity and become more aware of 
other environments, thus standing up for 
human rights and helping to combat racism, 
exagerated nationalism. anti-Semitism and 
xenophobia; 
In implementing these objectives, the 
Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure that action under this programme is 
consistent with the Community's other 
actions and policies, particularly with 
regard to employment, to the removal of all 
forms of social discrimination and 
inequality, 'to equal opportunities for 
women and men, particularly by integrating 
this dimension in all initiatives through 
positive action, and to social policy. 
12 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of051Novemberl998 
Article 3 
Community actions 
1. The aims of this programme shall be 
pursued by means of the following actions, 
the operational content and the application 
procedures of which are described in the 
Annex to this Decision: 
(a) European voluntary service; 
(b) Youth for Europe; 
(c) Opportunity for Youth; 
(d) Joint actions; 
(e) Support measures 
2. The actions shall be implemented through 
the following types of measures, in the form 
of operations which may use several of 
them in combination: 
(a) support for the mobility of young people; 
(b) promotion of virtual mobility; 
(c) support for the development of 
European level cooperation networks 
permitting mutual exchange of 
experience and good practice; 
(d) promotion of language skills and 
understanding of different cultures; 
(e) support for innovatory pilot projects 
based on transnational partnerships 
designed to develop innovation; b) Promotion of the use of and access to 
information and communication 
technologies: 
d) Fostering the respect for linguistic and 
cultural diversity in the European 
CommunTtyf 
13 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EE's opinion 
of 05November if93? 
(f) the constant improvement of the 
Community terms of references with 
regard to youth systems and policies. 
3. Article 4 
Access to the programme 
This programme is aimed at young people, 
in principle between the ages of 15 and 25, 
who are legal residents of a Member States, 
as well as those involved in youth work. 
The Commission and Member States shall 
ensure that all young people, without 
discrimination, have access to the activities 
of this programme. 
The Commission and Member States shall 
ensure that special efforts are made to assist 
young people who, for cultural, social, 
physical, economical or geographical 
reasons, find it more difficult to participate 
in existing action programmes at 
Community, national, regional or local level 
and shall accordingly take account of the 
difficulties faced by this target group. f) the constant improvement of the Community 
terms of references through: 
- the observation and analysis of national 
policies on youth: 
- the observation and dissemination of good 
practice and innovation: 
- extensive exchanges of information. 
There shall be special focus on projects 
combining two or more different measures. 
The Commission and Member States shall 
ensure that special efforts are made to assist 
young people and small local groups who, 
for cultural, social, physical, economical or 
geographical reasons, find it more difficult to 
participate in existing action programmes at 
Community, national, regional or local level 
and shall accordingly take account of the 
difficulties faced by this target group. 
14 
Commission's initial proposal 
Article 5 
Implementation of the programme and 
cooperation with the Member States 
1. The Commission shall ensure the 
implementation of the Community actions 
covered by this programme in accordance 
with the Annex. 
2. In conjunction with the Member States, the 
Commission shall take the steps described 
in the Annex (Action 5.3) in order to make 
the best use of what has been achieved 
through Community cooperative action in* 
the field of youth. 
3. The Commission and Member States shall 
take appropriate action to develop 
structures established at Community and 
national level to achieve the objectives of 
the programme, to facilitate access to the 
programme for young people and other 
partners at local level, to evaluate and 
monitor actions called for under the 
programme and to apply consultation and 
selection arrangements. The Commission 
and the Member States shall ensure that 
they take measures designed adequately to 
inform and raise the awareness of young 
people moving to another country, in 
particular briefing volunteers on their rights 
and obligations at European, national and 
local level. The Member States shall ensure 
that appropriate information and publicity is 
provided on actions supported by the 
programme. Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
The Commission and Member States shall 
take appropriate action to develop 
structures established at Community and 
national level to achieve the objectives of 
the programme, render implementation user-
friendly and geared to young people, so that 
the programme becomes more accessible for 
young people and other partners at local 
level, to evaluate and monitor actions called 
for under the programme and to apply 
consultation and selection arrangements. 
The Commission and the Member States 
shall ensure that they take measures 
designed adequately to inform and raise the 
awareness of young people moving to 
another country, in particular briefing 
volunteers on their rights and obligations at 
European, national and local level. The 
Member States shall ensure that appropriate 
information and publicity is provided on 
actions supported by the programme. The 
Commission and the Member States 
undertake to provide an appropriate flow of 
information and dissemination for the 
actions of this programme so that it reaches 
the general public. 
15 
Commission's initial proposal 
4. Each 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 in gaining access to this 
programme. 
5. The Commission, in cooperation with the 
Member States, shall ensure the transition 
between those actions developed in the 
framework of the previous community 
programmes in the field of youth (Youth for 
Europe III and European Voluntary 
Service) and the actions that will be 
implemented in the framework of the 
present programme. 
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 
Community actions forming part of the 
knowledge policy, particularly Community 
programmes in the area of education and 
training. 
Article 7 
Committee 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee composed of the representatives 
of the Member States and chaired by the 
representative of the Commission. 
2. The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken as regards: Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 199& 
4. Each 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 legal or 
administrative obstacles in gaining access to 
this programme, particularly bv guaranteeing 
that young people taking part in activities and 
transnational exchanges under this 
programme do not forfeit their rights. 
particularly when it comes to social 
protection, and have access to health care. 
As part of the process of building up a Europe of 
knowledge, and in conformity with the 
procedures set out in Art. 7 of the Decision, the 
measures of this programme may be 
implemented as joint actions with other 
Community programmes actions, inter alia in the 
area of education and training, research and 
development, and new technologies. 
16 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP^s opinion 
of05November 1998 jff,i,: 
(a) the arrangements for implementing this 
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 assessing the 
programme. 
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. The opinion shall be 
delivered by the majority laid down in 
Article 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 of the 
Member States within the committee shall 
be weighted in the manner set out in that 
Article. The Chairman shall not vote. 
The Commission shall adopt measures 
which shall apply immediately. However, if 
these measures are not in accordance with 
the opinion of the committee, they shall be 
communicated by the Commission to the 
Council forthwith. 
In that event: 
- the 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; a(2) the overall balance between the different 
actions of the programme: 
17 
Amended proposal following the EP's opinio» 
71 its ^^If^^oyemberlS»^' 
- the Council, acting by a qualified 
majority, may take a different decision 
within the time limit referred to in the 
first indent. 
5. The Commission may consult the 
committee on any other matter concerning 
implementation of the programme. 
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 by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the 
minutes; in addition, each Member State 
shall have the right to ask to 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 
Funding 
1. The financial resources for the 
implementation of this programme for the 
period specified in Article 1 shall be set at 
ECU 600 million. 
2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised 
by the budgetary authority within the limits of 
the financial perspectives. 
18 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
Article 9 
Consistency and complementarity 
1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with 
the Member States, ensure the overall 
consistency with other Community activities. 
Coordination shall be ensured in particular 
between the activities of this programme and 
the other Community actions in particular 
those covered by the knowledge policy. 
The Commission shall ensure in cooperation 
with the Member States consistency between 
the implementation of this programme and 
the other Community actions relating to 
youth in the area of culture and the 
audiovisual sector, the completion of the 
internal market, the information society, 
environment, consumer protection, SMEs, 
social policies, employment, and public 
health. 
The Commission shall ensure an efficient 
link-up between this programme and the 
programmes and actions in the area of youth 
undertaken as part of the Community's 
external relations. 
2. The Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure that the measures of this programme 
will, as part of the implementation of the 
coordinated employment strategy, be 
consistent with the orientations established 
annually for the employment guidelines and 
in conjunction with the other actions 
contributing to the implementation of the 
action plans to be drawn up in this context. 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with 
the Member States, and in full respect of 
the intrinsic and specific nature of each 
programme, ensure the overall consistency 
and coordination between the programme 
activities and the other Community policies 
and actions, particularly those contributing 
to a Europe of knowledge in the area of 
education, training, youth, research and 
development, and innovation. 
The Commission shall ensure in cooperation 
with the Member States consistency and synergy 
between the implementation of this programme 
and the other Community actions relating to 
youth in the area of culture, research and 
development, and the audiovisual sector, the 
completion of the interna! market, the 
information society, environment, consumer 
protection, SMEs, social policies, employment, 
and public health. 
2. The Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure that the measures of this programme 
will, as part of the implementation of the 
coordinated employment strategy, contribute 
to the attainment of the objectives set in the 
European employment guidelines and to the 
drafting of national action plans: 
19 
Commission's initial proposal 
Hie Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure consistency and complementarity 
between action undertaken under this 
programme and Community action under the 
Structural Funds 
Article 10 
Participation of the associated Central and 
Eastern European countries,Cyprus, Turkey 
and Malta 
This programme shall be open to the 
participation of the associated Central and 
Eastern European countries (CEEC) in 
accordance with the conditions fixed in the 
Europe agreements or in existing or 
anticipated additional protocols governing 
the participation of these countries in 
Community programmes. This programme 
shall also be open to the participation, 
funded by additional appropriations, of 
Cyprus under the same rules as those 
applied to the countries of the European 
Free Trade Association (EFTA) which 
belong to the European Economic Area 
(EEA) according to the procedures to be 
agreed with this country. This programme is 
also open to participation by Turkey 
according to the procedures to be 
established with that country. 
This programme shall also be open to 
participation by Malta according to the 
procedures to be agreed with that country. Amended proposal following the EP'S opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
The Commission and the Member States shall 
ensure consistency and complementarity 
between action undertaken under this 
programme and Community action under the 
Structural Funds. They shall in particular 
facilitate transfer and dissemination on a 
greater scale through the Community 
Structural Funds, approaches and innovatory 
methods developed under this programme. 
Article 10 
Participation of the associated Central and 
Eastern European countries, EFTA countries 
which belong to the EEA, Cyprus, Turkey 
and Malta 
1. This programme shall be open to the 
participation of the associated Central and 
Eastern European countries (CEEC) in 
accordance with the conditions fixed in the 
Europe agreements or in existing or 
anticipated additional protocols governing 
the participation of these countries in 
Community programmes. This programme 
shall also be open to the participation of the 
countries of the European Free Trade 
Association (EFTA^ which belong to the 
European Economic Area fEEAY This 
programme shall also be open to the 
participation, funded by additional 
appropriations, of Cyprus according to the 
procedures to be agreed with this country. 
This programme is also open to 
participation by Turkey according to the 
procedures to be established with that 
country. 
20 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EPfs opwiciu | 
of 05 November 1998 
Article 11 
International cooperation 
The Commission shall strengthen its 
cooperation with non-Community countries and 
the relevant international organisations, 
particularly the Council of Europe. 
Article 12 
Monitoring and assessment 
The Commission shall continually monitor 
this programme in cooperation with the 
Member States. 
This monitoring shall be effected through 
the reports referred to in paragraph 3 and 
through specific activities. 
The Commission shall evaluate this 
programme periodically in cooperation with 
the Member States. The evaluation shall 
seek to appraise the effectiveness of the 
actions implemented, by reference to the 
objectives set out in Article 2. 
The evaluation shall also examine the 
complementarity between action under this 
programme and that pursued under other 
Community programmes, particularly action 
supported by the European Social Fund. 
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. Member 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. In the framework of this programme, the 
Commission shall strengthen its cooperation 
with non-Community countries and the relevant 
international organisations, particularly the 
Council of Europe. 
2. The Commission shall evaluate this 
programme periodically in cooperation with 
the Member States. The evaluation shall seek 
to appraise the relevance, effectiveness and 
impact of the actions implemented, by 
reference to the objectives set out in Article 
2. 
21 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
-, V . '. • of 05 November I5>98 ; - ,V 
The Commission shall submit to the 
European Parliament, the Council, the 
Economic and Social Committee and the 
Committee of the Regions 
- an interim report on the implementation 
of this programme no later than 30 June 
2003. 
- no later than 31 December 2005, a final 
report on the implementation of 
this programme. 
Article 13 
Entry into force 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date 
of its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities. an interim report, no later than 30 June 
2003. on the qualitative and quantitative 
aspects of programme implementation in 
relation to the funds allocated. 
Done at Brussels, on 
For the European Parliament: 
The President For the Council 
The President 
22 
SM^SS®J^SBHlffS!i 
ANNEX 
Funding approved under this programme shall 
respect the principles of co-financing and 
additionally. In accordance with Article 4(3) of 
the Decision, efforts must be made to facilitate 
access to the programmé for young people who 
face difficulties of a cultural, social, economic, 
physical, mental or geographical nature. The 
committee referred to in Article 7 of this 
Decision shall lay down the specific form these 
efforts should take. Community funding is to be 
distributed in such a way as to take account of 
the need to ensure that there is a balance in the 
mobility actions undertaken and that the young 
people of every Member State have an equal 
opportunity of participation. 
In order to achieve the objectives of this 
programme, five categories of action are to be 
implemented on the basis of the measures 
described in Article 3 of the Decision: 
• Action 1 : European voluntary service; 
• Action 2: Youth for Europe; 
• Action 3: Opportunity for youth; 
• Action 4: Joint actions; 
• Action 5: Support measures 
ACTION 1 - EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY 
SERVICE 
For the purposes of this programme, "young 
volunteer" is taken to be a person between the 
ages of 18 and 25 who is a legal resident of a 
Member State of the European Community. ANNEX 
I 
Funding approved under this programme shall ji 
respect the principles of co-financing and |j 
additionality. In accordance with Article 4(3) of sj 
the Decision, steps must be taken to facilitate jj 
access to the programme for young people and jj 
small local groups who face difficulties of a j! 
cultural, social, economic, physical, mental or jj 
geographical nature. The committee referred to |1 
in Article 7 of this Decision shall lay down the ;; 
specific form these efforts should take. || 
Community funding is to be distributed in such a 
way as to take account of the need to ensure that 
there is a balance in the mobility actions 
undertaken and that the^young people of every 
Member State have an equal opportunity of 
participation. 
For the purposes of this programme, "young 
volunteer" is taken to be a person between the 
ages of 18 and 25 (but allowing for the 
possibility of duly justified exceptions whereby 
consideration may be given to applications 
from young people outside that age bracket) 
who is a legal resident of a Member State of 
the European Community. 
23 
Coosmission's initial proposal ><<s Amended proposal following thÉEP's opinion 
of 05 November 199$ 
The young volunteer shall undertake, as an 
active citizen, to carry out an activity which 
gives tangible form to solidarity, with the aim of 
acquiring social and personal skills and 
establishing the basis for a future career while at 
the same time contributing to society as a whole. 
To this end, the young volunteer shall 
participate, in a Member State other than the one 
in which he is living, or in a non-member 
country, in a non-profit-making and unpaid 
activity which is of value to the community and 
lasts for a limited period (maximum of 12 
months) as part of a project recognised by the 
Member State and by the Community. Full board 
and the supervision of a tutor shall be provided. 
The voluntary service project shall ensure that 
the young volunteer is covered by sickness 
insurance and by any other appropriate 
insurance. The young volunteer shall receive a 
small remuneration/sum as pocket money. 
In accordance with the provisions relating to the 
programme committee referred to in Article 7, a 
certificate, issued by the Commission, shall 
confirm the young volunteers' participation in 
the European voluntary service and set out the 
experience and skills they have acquired during 
this period. 
Action 1.1 : Intra-Community European 
voluntary service 
The Community shall support transnational 
projects (for a limited period ranging in principle 
from three weeks to one year) which involve 
young people, actively and personally, in 
activities designed to help meet the needs of 
society in a wide range of fields (social, socio-
cultural, environmental, cultural, etc.). These 
projects are designed to bring young people into 
contact with other cultures and other languages, 
exposing them to new ideas and projects within 
a multicultural civilian context. The young volunteer shall undertake, as an 
active citizen, to carry out an activity which 
gives tangible form to solidarity, which will help 
him to acquire social and personal skills. To this 
end, the young volunteer shall participate, in a 
Member State other than the one in which he is 
living, or in a non-member country, in a non-
profit-making and unpaid activity which is of 
value to the community and lasts for a limited 
period (maximum of 12 months). This activity 
must be part of a project recognised by the 
Member State and by the Community, and must 
comply with the objectives of this programme as 
set out in Art. 2 and with the other Community 
policies. In particular, it should not result in job 
substitution. Full board and the supervision of a 
tutor shall be provided. The voluntary service 
project shall ensure that the young volunteer is 
covered by sickness insurance and by any other 
appropriate insurance. The young volunteer shall 
receive a small remuneration/sum as pocket 
money. 
24 
r-
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opiaioi 
of 05 November 1998 
The Community may support schemes, 
particularly those with a linguistic or 
intercultural element, which aim at preparing 
young volunteers for their departure and easing 
their integration during these activities as well as 
when they have completed their period of 
European voluntary service. These schemes may 
take the form of mentor arrangements for the 
young person. 
Action 1.2 : European voluntary service with 
non-member countries 
The Community shall support transnational 
projects with non-member countries (for a 
limited period ranging in principle from three 
weeks to one year) which involve young people, 
actively and personally, in activities designed to 
help meet the needs of society in a wide range of 
fields (social, socio-cultural, environmental, 
cultural, etc.). These projects are designed to 
bring young people into contact with other 
cultures and other languages, exposing them to 
new ideas and projects within a multicultural 
civilian context. 
Support may be given to action laying or 
consolidating the necessary foundations for 
developing transnational European voluntary 
service projects with non-member countries. 
The Community may support schemes, 
particularly those with a linguistic or 
intercultural element, which aim at preparing 
young volunteers for their departure and easing 
their integration during these activities as well as 
when they have completed their period of 
European voluntary service. These schemes may 
take the form of mentor arrangements for the 
young person. 
25 
Amended proposiïïoli^iné ib^ lK*s opinion 
of05N6vémVërI993 
ACTION 2 -YOUTH FOR EUROPE 
Action 2.1 Intra-community exchanges for 
young people 
The Community shall support mobility activities 
for young people provided these last at least one 
week, are carried out on the basis of joint 
projects within the Community and involve 
groups of young people aged in principle 
between 15 and 25 years and legally resident in a 
Member State. 
These activities, based on transnational 
partnerships between groups of young people 
shall involve their active participation and be 
designed to make it possible for them to 
discover and become aware of different social 
and cultural realities and to encourage them to 
participate in, or initiate, other activities at 
European level. Particular attention is to be paid 
to participation by young people for whom it is 
their first European activity and to small-scale or 
local groups without experience at European 
level. 
After a launch period expected to last some two 
years, Community support shall be focused 
primarily on multilateral group-mobility 
activities. Bilateral group mobility will receive 
funding only if this is justified in terms of the 
target group or a specific educational approach. 
Activities designed to strengthen the active 
involvement of young people in group mobility 
projects may receive funding under this action, 
particularly in the form of activities to give these 
young people linguistic and intercultural 
preparation before their departure. After a launch period expected to last some 
two years, Community support shall be 
focused primarily on multilateral group-
mobility activities. Bilateral group mobility will 
receive further funding if this is justified in 
terms of the target group or a specific 
educational approach. 
26 
Commission's initial proposal ! ;-K Amended proposal following theEF* opin 
of 05 November 1998 i'jii 
H; Action 2.2 Exchanges of young people with 
non-member countries 
The Community shall support mobility activities 
for young people provided these last at least one 
week, are carried out on the basis of joint 
projects and involve groups of young people 
aged in principle between 15 and 25 years and 
legally resident in a Member State or in a non-
member country. These mobility activities shall 
involve at least two Member States. 
These activities, based on transnational 
partnerships between groups of young people 
shall involve their active participation and be 
designed to make it possible for them to 
discover and become aware of different social 
and cultural realities and to encourage them to 
participate in, or initiate, other activities at 
European level. Moreover, these projects shall 
make it possible for partners in the non-member 
countries to gain experience of this kind of 
activity in the field of informal education and to 
contribute to the development of youth clubs 
and associations and of youth work in these 
countries. 
Activities designed to strengthen the active 
involvement of young people in group mobility 
projects may receive funding, particularly in the 
form of activities to give these young people 
linguistic and intercultural preparation before 
their departure. 
27 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
ACTION 3 - OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH 
In order to encourage initiative and creativity 
among young people, the Community shall 
support projects in which young people actively 
and directly participate in innovative and creative 
schemes and in those which focus on the social 
commitment of young people at local, regional, 
national or European level. These projects allow 
young people to develop their initiative and to 
put into practice activities they have themselves 
devised and in which they play the key roles. 
The Community shall support initiatives 
designed to help young volunteers to make the 
best possible use of the experience they have 
gained during their period of voluntary service 
and to encourage their active integration into 
society. These initiatives taken by young people 
on completing their European voluntary service 
will allow them to launch and promote activities 
of a social, cultural, socio-cultural and economic 
nature and/or to participate in supplementary 
educational activities. Priority access will be 
given to those young people most in need. 
Initiatives designed to encourage tolerance and 
the acceptance of differences, as well measures 
combating all forms of exclusion, should be 
given specific encouragement and stimulation. 
The Community shall be receptive to initiatives 
involving cultural and sporting activities as a 
vital form of communication between young 
people at Community level. The Community shall support initiatives 
designed to help young volunteers to make the 
best possible use of the experience they have 
gained during their period of voluntary service 
and to encourage their active integration into 
society. These initiatives taken by young people 
on completing their European voluntary service 
will allow them to launch and promote activities 
of a social, cultural, socio-cultural and economic 
nature and/or to participate in supplementary 
educational activities which can enhance their 
employment prospects. Priority access will be 
given to those young people most in need. 
28 
Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
ofOji November 1998 
Support for "Youth Initiatives" shall encourage 
extension of these projects to include similar 
initiatives conducted in other Member States in 
order to strengthen their transnational nature and 
greatly expand exchanges of experience and 
cooperation between young people. This aid 
may include organising meetings of young 
promoters of Europe-wide initiatives. Financial 
aid may be granted towards the effective 
establishment of stable partnerships designed to 
enhance the impact and permanence of 
transnational youth initiatives. 
ACTION 4 - JOINT ACTIONS 
The actions referred to in Article 6 of the present 
Decision, Community aid may qualify for 
support for activities to be undertaken jointly 
with other Community schemes in the field of 
knowledge policy, in particular Community 
programmes in the field of education and 
vocational training. 
Coordination between programmes may be 
implemented by means of calls for joint projects. 
The Commission intends in particular to develop 
a common system of information and 
observation concerning good practice in the field 
of knowledge, alongside joint actions with 
regard to multimedia for educational and training 
purposes. These projects may cover a range of 
schemes from a number of different sectors 
including youth. They may be funded in a 
complementary manner by a number of different 
Community programmes. Community support for these 'Youth 
Initiatives' shall be organised in partnership 
with other local players, such as political 
leaders in towns, associations, social services. 
29 
Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
,'of 05November 1998 
Appropriate measures, including in particular the 
creation of "European knowledge points", may 
be adopted to provide, at regional and local 
level, contact and interaction between those 
participating in the present programme and in 
programmes dealing with vocational training and 
education. 
ACTION 5: SUPPORT MEASURES 
Action 5.1 Training and cooperation for 
those involved in youth policy 
Funding shall be granted to: 
1. Activities designed to give further training 
to persons who are involved in youth work 
- particularly European Voluntary Service 
instructors, youth workers, those running 
European projects and youth initiative 
counsellors - in schemes, directly involving 
young people, of the kind described in 
Sections I, II and III of the present 
programme; the aim being to ensure such 
schemes are of an appropriately high 
quality. Particular attention shall be paid to 
activities seeking to encourage the 
participation of those young people who 
find it most difficult to participate in 
Community actions; 
2. Activities designed to develop European 
modules fulfilling the requirements for 
transnational cooperation; 
3. Activities - such as study visits, feasibility 
studies, seminars, work-experience - which 
focus particularly on exchanges of 
experience and good practice with relation 
to joint actions or issues of common 
interest, or which are designed to facilitate 
and to promote the establishment of lasting 
transnational partnerships and/or 
multilateral networks between those active 
in the field of youth work; 
30 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05November 1998 
4. Experimental activities which comprise a 
source of innovation and enrichment of 
youth policy through the implementation of 
new approaches and new forms of 
cooperation, as well as through the shared 
efforts of participants from 
differing backgrounds; 
5. Community support may also be awarded 
to conferences and seminars which seek to 
promote cooperation and the exchange of 
good practice in the field of youth, as well 
as other promotion and dissemination 
measures regarding the results of the 
projects and activities supported in the 
framework of the Community actions 
related to youth. 
Activities associated with these measures may be 
solely intra-Community in nature or involve non-
member countries. Particular attention shall be 
paid to those who work with youth at a regional 
or local level and who have no or little 
experience of, or scope for, contacts at 
European level, as well as to activities in which 
young people play the key roles. 
31 
Commission's initial proposal il,?, Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
> >: *ot 05 November 4S>98 
Action 5.2 Information for young people and 
youth studies 
1. In line with the objectives of the 
programme, and in particular to improve 
access for all young people and to enhance 
their initiative and active participation in 
society, the Commission shall encourage 
those active in the field of youth work to 
become involved in informing young people 
at European level, as well as boosting 
cooperation between the information and 
communication systems for young people 
established in the Member States and at 
Community level. In this context, particular 
stress is to be laid on broadening 
cooperation to include the fields of 
education and training as well as on the 
dialogue between and with young people. 
2. Accordingly, funding shall be provided for 
initiatives involving: 
- the acquisition of the necessary 
experience and skills to carry out youth 
information projects based on 
transnational cooperation and projects 
which provide information and, in 
particular, advisory services for young 
people; 
- cooperative projects focusing on 
information dissemination, enhancing the 
awareness among young people of the 
field covered by the programme and 
giving young people access to all 
necessary information to achieve the 
objectives of the programme; 
These initiatives could if necessary be 
organised in conjunction with similar actions 
envisaged, for instance, under the Socrates and 
Leonardo programmes: 
32 
;-Con|MI|s|o||||niiiilp| j|iiêid|i 
"''"BîHJiiil^Sftrii^98:! 
- the implementation, as part of 
transnational cooperation projects, of 
mechanisms permitting dialogue between 
and with young people, particularly 
through the use of youth-oriented media 
and new technologies. 
3. With regard to the youth studies associated 
with the programme objectives, the 
Community shall support studies focusing 
on the impact of measures taken on behalf 
of young people and, in particular, 
measures that seek to promote cooperation 
in this field. This research may take the 
form of case studies. 
Action 5.3: Support measures 
1. National agencies 
Community assistance may be provided 
to support the activities of the structures 
set up by Member States, in accordance 
with Article 5 of the Decision. 
2. Technical assistance and operational 
support 
In carrying out the programme, the 
Commission can have recourse to technical 
assistance organisations the financing of 
which may be provided for the within the 
overall envelope for the programme. It can, 
under the same conditions, have recourse to 
experts. 
Furthermore, the Commission will be able to 
undertake evaluation studies, organise 
seminars, colloquia or other meetings of 
experts, likely to facilitate the implementation 
of the programme. The Commission can also 
take foward information, publication and 
dissemination actions. 
33 
Commission's initial proposal Amended proposal following the EP's opinion 
of 05 November 1998 
The Commission shall set up a structure 
designed inter alia to develop youth projects, 
to collect information and documentation on 
youth, bringing together publications, specific 
studies, programmes and/or measures taken on 
youth-related matters by the Community 
Institutions, the Member States, organisations 
and associations. An Europa-based 
Commission-run Internet site "Youth in 
Europe" will further highlight the steps taken 
for young people at Community level and in 
the Member States, in a wide range of 
contexts: education, training, social and 
political rights, health. sport. leisure. 
accommodation. consumer matters. 
audiovisual and media, etc. It is also expected 
to make dialogue easier with young people in 
general. 
34 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 695 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 16 05 01 09 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-701-EN-C 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
3>5"