EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 1.2.2019 COM(2019) 55 final 2019/0027(COD) Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards the resources for the specific allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative



EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL •Reasons for and objectives of the proposal The objective of the proposal is to adapt the amounts of resources available for economic, social and territorial cohesion set out in Article 91(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the amount of resources for the specific allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative ('YEI') set out in Article 92(5) of that Regulation and the annual breakdown of commitment appropriations reflected in Annex VI of that Regulation to reflect the increase of the resources of the YEI, in line with the adopted budget for 2019. More specifically, commitment appropriations for the specific allocation for the YEI should be increased by an amount of EUR 116,7 million in current prices, bringing the overall amount for 2019 up to EUR 350 million. In addition, in view of past experience in the context of the increase of the resources of the specific allocation for the YEI, which triggered extensive amendments to programmes to provide amounts from the European Social Fund ('ESF') to match the support from the YEI specific allocation, the EU co-legislators asked the Commission to propose facilitating measures to ensure the swift programming of the additional YEI resources in 2019 in order not to hamper the overall implementation progress of the 2014-2020 operational programmes. Therefore, the proposal introduces relevant provisions to address this request. •Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area This proposal is the result of the 2019 Union budget. •Consistency with other Union policies The proposal is consistent with other proposals and initiatives adopted by the European Commission. 2.LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY •Legal basis The review reflects the increase of the resources for the specific allocation for the YEI in the 2019 Union budget. •Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence) The proposal complies with the subsidiarity principle. •Proportionality The proposal is proportionate. It includes the necessary technical adjustments following the adoption of the 2019 budget increasing the resources of the YEI specific allocation. In addition, on the request of the budgetary authority to facilitate the programming and to ensure a smooth implementation of the increased resources, it introduces a possibility for Member States to transfer part of the additional resources to constitute the corresponding ESF support. •Choice of the instrument Proposed instrument: amendment of the current regulation. The Commission has explored the scope for manoeuvre provided by the legal framework and considers it necessary to propose amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

3.RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS •Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation Given the specific circumstances of this proposal, there was no ex-post evaluation/or fitness checks of the existing legislation. •Stakeholder consultations Given the specific circumstances of this proposal, there was no consultation of external stakeholders. •Collection and use of expertise Use of external expertise has not been necessary. •Impact assessment Not applicable. •Regulatory fitness and simplification There is not an initiative within the Regulatory Fitness Programme (REFIT) •Fundamental rights The proposal has no consequences for the protection of fundamental rights. 4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS The commitment appropriations for 2019 of the specific allocation for the YEI should be increased by EUR 116,7 million to EUR 350 million in current prices. The proposed amendment should not result in additional payment appropriations needs in 2019. For 2020 the budgetary implication should be limited only to additional payment appropriations to cover the annual pre-financing due on the increased YEI resources. 5.OTHER ELEMENTS •Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements Not applicable. •Explanatory documents (for directives)

Not applicable. •Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal The objective of the proposal is to adapt the amounts of resources available for economic, social and territorial cohesion and for the YEI set out in Article 91(1) and in Article 92(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and the annual breakdown of commitment appropriations reflected in Annex VI to include additional resources for the specific allocation for the YEI. Therefore, in line with the adopted budget for 2019, commitment appropriations for the specific allocation for the YEI should be increased by an amount of EUR 116,7 million in current prices, bringing the overall amount for 2019 up to EUR 350 million in current prices. The proposal introduces also provisions to facilitate the programming of the additional resources by Member States. Due to the advanced implementation of the 2014-2020 operational programmes and in view of the legal requirement to match the YEI specific allocation by corresponding ESF support, there is a need to prevent the possible reduction of ESF support to other policy areas and to measures outside the YEI. Therefore, the proposal introduces a second subparagraph in Article 92(5) allowing Member States to transfer up to 50% of the additional resources for the specific allocation for the YEI to the ESF to constitute the corresponding ESF targeted investment as required by Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013. 2019/0027 (COD) Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards the resources for the specific allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 177 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, Whereas: (1)Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council lays down the common and general rules applicable to the European Structural and Investment Funds. (2)The general budget of the Union for the financial year 2019 amended the total amount of resources for the Youth Employment Initiative ('YEI') by increasing commitment appropriations for the specific allocation for the YEI in 2019 by an amount of EUR 116,7 million in current prices and bringing the total amount of commitment appropriations for the specific allocation for the YEI for the entire programming period to EUR 4 527 882 072 in current prices. (3)For 2019, the additional resources of EUR 99 573 877 in 2011 prices are funded by the Global Margin for Commitments within the margin of the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020. (4)It is appropriate to provide for specific measures facilitating the implementation of the YEI, due to the advanced stage of the implementation of operational programmes for the 2014-2020 programming period.

(5)As it is urgent to amend the programmes supporting the YEI to include the additional resources for the specific allocation for the YEI before the end of 2019, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. (6)Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 should therefore be amended accordingly, HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is amended as follows: (1)in Article 91, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: "1. The resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion available for budgetary commitment for the period 2014-2020 shall be EUR 330 081 919 243 in 2011 prices, in accordance with the annual breakdown set out in Annex VI, of which EUR 325 938 694 233 represent the global resources allocated to the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund and EUR 4 143 225 010 represent a specific allocation for the YEI. For the purposes of programming and subsequent inclusion in the budget of the Union, the amount of resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion shall be indexed at 2% per year."; (2)in Article 92, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: "5. Resources for the YEI shall amount to EUR 4 143 225 010 from the specific allocation for the YEI, of which EUR 99 573 877 constitute the additional resources for 2019. They shall be complemented by ESF targeted investment in accordance with Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013. Member States who benefit from the additional resources for the specific allocation for the YEI for 2019 as referred to in the first subparagraph, may request the transfer of up to 50% of the additional resources for the specific allocation for the YEI to the ESF to constitute the corresponding ESF targeted investment as required by Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013. Such a transfer shall be made to the respective categories of region corresponding to the categorisation of the regions eligible for the increase of the specific allocation for the YEI. Member States shall request the transfer in the request for amendment of the programme in accordance with Article 30(1) of this Regulation. Resources allocated to past years may not be transferred. The second subparagraph shall apply to any additional resources for the YEI specific allocation increasing the resources beyond EUR 4 043 651 133."; (3)Annex VI is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, For the European Parliament For the Council The President The President



LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1.FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE

1.1.Title of the proposal/initiative 1.2.Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure 1.3.Nature of the proposal/initiative 1.4.Objective(s) 1.5.Grounds for the proposal/initiative 1.6.Duration and financial impact 1.7.Management mode(s) planned 2.MANAGEMENT MEASURES 2.1.Monitoring and reporting rules 2.2.Management and control system 2.3.Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities 3.ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE 3.1.Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) affected 3.2.Estimated impact on expenditure 3.2.1.Summary of estimated impact on expenditure 3.2.2.Estimated impact on operational appropriations 3.2.3.Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 3.2.4.Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework 3.2.5.Third-party contributions 3.3.Estimated impact on revenue

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1.FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE 1.1.Title of the proposal/initiative Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards the resources for the specific allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative 1.2.Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure 4 Employment, social affairs and inclusion 04 02 64 – Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) 1.3.Nature of the proposal/initiative ◻ The proposal/initiative relates to a new action ◻ The proposal/initiative relates to a new action following a pilot project/preparatory action ⌧ The proposal/initiative relates to the extension of an existing action ◻ The proposal/initiative relates to an action redirected towards a new action 1.4.Objective(s) 1.4.1.The Commission's multiannual strategic objective(s) targeted by the proposal/initiative N/A 1.4.2.Specific objective(s) and ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned Specific objective No N/A ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned N/A

1.4.3.Expected result(s) and impact Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. N/A 1.4.4.Indicators of results and impact Specify the indicators for monitoring implementation of the proposal/initiative. N/A 1.5.Grounds for the proposal/initiative 1.5.1.Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term N/A 1.5.2.Added value of EU involvement N/A 1.5.3.Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past N/A 1.5.4.Compatibility and possible synergy with other appropriate instruments N/A 1.6.Duration and financial impact ◻ Proposal/initiative of limited duration –⌧ Proposal/initiative in effect from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023 –⌧ Financial impact in 2017-2020 ◻ Proposal/initiative of unlimited duration

–Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY, –followed by full-scale operation. 1.7.Management mode(s) planned ◻ Direct management by the Commission –◻ by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations; –◻ by the executive agencies ⌧ Shared management with the Member States ◻ Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to: –◻ third countries or the bodies they have designated; –◻ international organisations and their agencies (to be specified); –◻the EIB and the European Investment Fund; –◻ bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209 of the Financial Regulation; –◻ public law bodies; –◻ bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that they provide adequate financial guarantees; –◻ bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with the implementation of a public-private partnership and that provide adequate financial guarantees; –◻ persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the CFSP pursuant to Title V of the TEU, and identified in the relevant basic act. –If more than one management mode is indicated, please provide details in the ‘Comments’ section. Comments N/A 2.MANAGEMENT MEASURES

2.1.Monitoring and reporting rules Specify frequency and conditions. N/A 2.2.Management and control system 2.2.1.Risk(s) identified N/A 2.2.2.Information concerning the internal control system set up N/A 2.2.3.Estimate of the costs and benefits of the controls and assessment of the expected level of risk of error N/A 2.3.Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities Specify existing or envisaged prevention and protection measures. N/A 3.ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE 3.1.Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) affected ·Existing budget lines In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. Heading of multiannual financial framework Budget line Type of

expenditure Contribution Number

[Heading………………………...…………] Diff./Non-diff. from EFTA countries from candidate countries from third countries within the meaning of Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation 1 Smart and Inclusive Growth 04 02 60 – European Social Fund – Less developed regions - Investment for growth and jobs goal 04 02 61 – European Social Fund – Transition regions - Investment for growth and jobs goal 04 02 62 – European Social Fund – More developed regions – Investment for growth and jobs goal 04 02 64 – Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) Diff. NO NO NO NO ·New budget lines requested

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. Heading of multiannual financial framework Budget line Type of

expenditure Contribution Number

[Heading……………………………………] Diff./Non-diff. from EFTA countries from candidate countries from third countries within the meaning of Article 21(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation [XX.YY.YY.YY] YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO 3.2.Estimated impact on expenditure Commitment appropriations for the specific allocation for the YEI for 2019 should be increased by EUR 116,7 million in current prices. Payment appropriations have been adjusted accordingly. 3.2.1.Summary of estimated impact on expenditure



EUR million in current prices (to three decimal places) Heading of multiannual financial

framework Number 1b Smart and Inclusive Growth DG: EMPL, REGIO 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL • Operational appropriations 1b: Economic, social and territorial cohesion European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund Commitments 04 02 64 – Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) (1) 116,667 0,000 116,667







Payments 04 02 64 – Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) (2) 0,000 3,500 3,500 Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope of specific programmes N/A (3) TOTAL appropriations

for DG EMPL, REGIO Commitments =1+1a +3 116,667 0,000 116,667 Payments =2+2a +3 0,000 3,500 3,500



• TOTAL operational appropriations Commitments (4) 116,667 0,000 116,667 Payments (5) 0,000 3,500 3,500 • TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope for specific programmes (6) 0,000 0,000 0,000 TOTAL appropriations

under HEADING 1b

of the multiannual financial framework Commitments =4+ 6 116,667 0,000 116,667 Payments =5+ 6 0,000 3,500 3,500





If more than one heading is affected by the proposal / initiative: • TOTAL operational appropriations Commitments (4) Payments (5) • TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope for specific programmes (6) TOTAL appropriations

under HEADINGS 1 to 4

of the multiannual financial framework

(Reference amount) Commitments =4+ 6 Payments =5+ 6 0 0



Heading of multiannual financial

framework 5 ‘Administrative expenditure’ EUR million (to three decimal places) Year

N Year

N+1 Year

N+2 Year

N+3 Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) TOTAL DG: <…….> • Human resources • Other administrative expenditure TOTAL DG <…….> Appropriations TOTAL appropriations

under HEADING 5

of the multiannual financial framework (Total commitments = Total payments) EUR million (to three decimal places) Year

N Year

N+1 Year

N+2 Year

N+3 Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) TOTAL TOTAL appropriations

under HEADINGS 1 to 5

of the multiannual financial framework Commitments Payments 3.2.2.Estimated impact on operational appropriations –◻ The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations –⌧ The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below: Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) Indicate objectives and outputs ⇩ Year

N Year

N+1 Year

N+2 Year

N+3 Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) TOTAL OUTPUTS Type Average cost No Cost No Cost No Cost No Cost No Cost No Cost No Cost Total No Total cost SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 1… - Output - Output - Output Subtotal for specific objective No 1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 2 ... - Output Subtotal for specific objective No 2 TOTAL COST 3.2.3.Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 3.2.3.1.Summary –⌧ The proposal/initiative does not require the use of appropriations of an administrative nature –◻ The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative nature, as explained below:

EUR million (to three decimal places) Year

N Year

N+1 Year

N+2 Year

N+3 Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) TOTAL HEADING 5

of the multiannual financial framework Human resources Other administrative expenditure Subtotal HEADING 5

of the multiannual financial framework Outside HEADING 5

of the multiannual financial framework Human resources Other expenditure

of an administrative nature Subtotal

outside HEADING 5

of the multiannual financial framework TOTAL The appropriations required for human resources and other expenditure of an administrative nature will be met by appropriations from the DG that are already assigned to management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together if necessary with any additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of budgetary constraints. 3.2.3.2.Estimated requirements of human resources –⌧ The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources. –◻ The proposal/initiative requires the use of human resources, as explained below: Estimate to be expressed in full time equivalent units Year

N Year

N+1 Year N+2 Year N+3 Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) • Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff) XX 01 01 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s Representation Offices) XX 01 01 02 (Delegations) XX 01 05 01 (Indirect research) 10 01 05 01 (Direct research) • External staff (in Full Time Equivalent unit: FTE) XX 01 02 01 (AC, END, INT from the ‘global envelope’) XX 01 02 02 (AC, AL, END, INT and JED in the delegations) XX 01 04 yy - at Headquarters - in Delegations XX 01 05 02 (AC, END, INT - Indirect research) 10 01 05 02 (AC, END, INT - Direct research) Other budget lines (specify) TOTAL XX is the policy area or budget title concerned. The human resources required will be met by staff from the DG who are already assigned to management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together if necessary with any additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of budgetary constraints. Description of tasks to be carried out: Officials and temporary staff External staff 3.2.4.Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework –⌧ The proposal/initiative is compatible the current multiannual financial framework.