Resources made available to the Agency in 2009

Areas of Union competence deriving from the Treaty

The Commission may, within the limits and under conditions laid down by the Council acting by a simple majority in accordance with the provisions of the Treaties, collect any information and carry out any checks required for the performance of the tasks entrusted to it. (Article 337 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union)

Objectives To provide the relevant institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union and its Member States when implementing Union law with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights.

Tasks — To collect, record, analyse and disseminate relevant, objective, reliable and comparable information and data. — To develop methods and standards to improve the comparability, objectivity and reliability of data at European level. — To carry out, cooperate with or encourage scientific research and surveys, preparatory studies and feasibility studies. — To formulate and publish conclusions and opinions on specific thematic topics for the Union institutions and the Member States when implementing Union law. — To publish an annual report on fundamental-rights issues covered by the areas of the Agency's activity. — To publish thematic reports based on its analysis, research and surveys. — To publish an annual report on its activities. — To develop a communication strategy and promote dialogue with civil society.

1 — Management Board Composition One independent person appointed by each Member State, one independent person appointed by the Council of Europe and two representatives of the Commission. Task To adopt the budget, work programme and annual reports. To adopt the final budget and the establishment plan. To give an opinion on the final accounts. 2 — Executive Board Composition — Chairperson of the Management Board, — vice-Chairperson of the Management Board, — one representative of the Commission, — two other members of the Management Board, — the person appointed by the Council of Europe to the Management Board may participate in the meetings of the Executive Board. 3 — Scientific Committee Composition — Eleven independent persons, highly qualified in the field of fundamental rights, — appointed by the Management Board, shall appoint the members following a transparent call for applications and selection procedure. 4 — Director Appointed by the Management Board on a proposal from the Commission and after opinions of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (who will state their preferences). 5 — External audit Court of Auditors. 6 — Internal control Internal audit service of the European Commission. 7 — Discharge authority Parliament, on a recommendation from the Council.

Budget 17,0 million euro (15,0 million euro) of which the Union subsidy is 100 % (100 %) Staff at 31 December 2009 61 (49) foreseen in the establishment plan, of which occupied: 48 (35) + 16 (12) other staff (contract agents, detached national experts) Total staff: 77 (61) Allocated to operational: 46 (37) administrative: 27 (19) mixed: 4 (5)