WRITTEN QUESTION E-2951/96 by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: EU educational programmes

The EU education programmes, in particular SOCRATES and LEONARDO and their predecessors, have done sterling pioneering work in creating a European educational space. For example, through cross-border projects they have been a source of innovation in vocational training and they have launched a debate in the Member States on greater language-learning efforts.

The obvious mismatch between the appropriations that are available and the sharp rise in the number of applicants has now resulted, in some areas of the programmes, in unacceptably high rejection rates and a reduction in the funds promised for individual projects. This is a source of considerable disappointment and bitterness to applicants. There is a risk of the image of the programmes, and hence the European idea, being discredited, with rejected applicants simply dropping out.

1. Would it not be sensible to concentrate future support under SOCRATES and LEONARDO on just a few programmes, in particular those which practical experience shows produce a genuine European added value, in order to ensure that adequate funding is available to individual programmes with substantial user benefit?

2. Would it not encourage greater mobility of young workers on the European labour market, and hence improve their labour market prospects, while contributing to greater tolerance and mutual understanding in Europe, to target the budget appropriations, e.g. on the exchange measures for young people in vocational training and on the acquisition of foreign languages, particularly in light of the fact that at present only about 0.5% of all young people in non-university vocational training take part in such exchange measures?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1996)

The Commission shares the view that the Socrates and Leonardo Da Vinci programmes are contributing significantly to the creation of an open area for European cooperation in the field of education and training, and providing an important stimulus for innovation.

With regard to Socrates, the percentage of rejected applications in most parts of the programme is not unacceptably high, although the overall volume of support available may dissuade a number of potential applicants from applying. The low level of grants awarded in some parts of the programme is, however, giving rise to some concern, particularly as regards higher education Erasmus.

The Commission does not feel that the number of activities within Socrates should be reduced, since each of these contributes significant added value at European level. Nor should all support be concentrated on promoting exchange activities for young people undergoing vocational training or on measures to promote language learning. These are important sectors for support, but should take their place within a broader range of measures designed to enhance the European dimension of learning opportunities throughout the life of an individual. This is crucial both in order to promote the quality and flexibility of human resources in Europe, and to enhance the opportunities for personal fulfilment for people of all ages and in all sections of society.

Socrates should therefore continue to promote a variety of transnational activities, adapted to the needs of the groups concerned. This may involve providing a high number of individuals with a comparatively modest level of support (e.g. mobility grants for students under Erasmus or for young people participating in exchanges under Lingua). Sometimes, support is provided on a more selective basis for targeted, larger scale projects requiring correspondingly higher unit grants.

As far as the Leonardo Da Vinci programme is concerned, the Commission has concentrated resources on five priority themes in the field of vocational training - priorities which are based on the Commission white paper 'Teaching and learning - towards the learning society'.

The Commission shares the wish to stimulate European mobility for young workers, and will take care that greater resources are attributed to this within the framework of the 1997 Leonardo Da Vinci programme. The Commission also attaches the greatest importance to the elimination of obstacles which obstruct the transnational mobility of young people in education, training and research. It has just published a green paper on this subject so that a wide debate can be held before it puts forward, if deemed necessary, appropriate proposals.