WRITTEN QUESTION P-1582/00

by Maurizio Turco (TDI) to the Commission

(12 May 2000)

Subject: Use of consumer association funds

With reference to the projects submitted by consumer associations in 1998, 1999 and the first quarter of 2000, will the Commission say:

- how many projects are receiving funding, what is their purpose, what funds were requested and what funds were allocated?

- how many projects were rejected, what funds were requested and why were they rejected?

- what are the expenditure margins available to Commission officials, in total and for individual projects?

- what measures have been directly funded by Commission officials? What was their purpose and what amounts were allocated?

- what measures have been rejected by Commission officials? What was their purpose and what amounts were requested?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2000)

Decision 283/1999/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 25 January 1999 establishes the general framework for Community activities in favour of consumers for the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2003 with a total financial envelope of 112,5 million. The activities consist of actions taken by the Commission, financial support for the activities of European consumer organisations, as well as individual projects presented by consumer organisations and appropriate independent public bodies.

The conditions for granting financial support are laid down in the Decision. In defining the conditions and criteria for funding and in selecting the activities and projects the Commission is assisted by an advisory committee of representatives of the Member States. Decision 283/1999/EC stipulates that the financial support may not, in principle, exceed 50 % of the expenditure involved in implementing the project(s).

The themes of the calls for the period 1998, 1999 and 2000 have followed the Commission's priorities. The theme of the call for 1999 was training. Since the entry into force of Decision 283/1999/EC the consumer policy action programme for 1999 to 2001 supplies the logical reference for themes and targets of the call. The approach of funding fewer but larger projects is in line with the Commission's overall approach on subsidies.

In 1998, the Commission received 378 applications for financial support amounting to 34,81 million (including the support requested by European consumer organisations). It was decided to finance 63 projects, of which four were support for the annual activities of European consumer organisations. The support was 6;06 million for individual projects and 1,19 million for the activities of European consumer organisations.

In 1999, the Commission received 210 applications for financial support amounting to 19,82 million. (including the support requested by European consumer organisations). It was decided to finance 53 projects, of which four were support for the annual activities of European consumer organisations. The total amount of support was 4,54 million for individual projects and 1,42 million for the activities of European consumer organisations.

In 2000, the Commission received 178 applications for financial support amounting to 16,24 million. (including the support requested by European consumer organisations). It was decided to finance 41 projects, of which five were support for the annual activities of European consumer organisations. The support was 4,68 million for individual projects and 1,60 million for the activities of European consumer organisations.

Further information on consumer protection issues and funding granted for the period 1998-2000 is available on the Internet:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/general_info/budget_en.html.

Due to the sheer volume, the 600 files rejected during the period 1999 to 2000 for not fulfilling the conditions and criteria can not be displayed.

Additional information on financial support for the period 1998, 1999 and 2000 is sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.