WRITTEN QUESTION E-2375/00

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: European Journalism Centre

The European Journalism Centre serves as the only pan-European school of journalism. It is known as an excellent and important centre of journalism throughout the European states.

Originally begun with a budget of 450 000 from the Commission, this accounted for 90 % of the centre's funding. By 1999, the centre's budget had increased to such an extent that the same Commission grant accounted for 26 % of the centre's funding. This dramatic increase of funds from the private sector and other investors, along with the concurrent increase of projects and programmes offered by the centre, are a testament to a successful initiative and indicate Commission funds which were well invested and continue to support a viable and vibrant initiative.

Last year the centre was notified that the Commission would abolish the grant it had received from 2001 onwards, but that the centre could apply for funding directly for projects of the type which it currently offers.

The centre welcomed this proposal as it felt it could successfully compete for grant monies. With the collapse of the previous Commission and the subsequent reshuffling however, the centre is now in a position where it has not yet been notified of final policy decisions relating to this decision. If nothing is done, the centre will be in a position from December onwards of losing its grant while not yet having had the opportunity to bid for contracts to supply the funds which will be lost. The prospect of losing 25 % of its income without chance to win a tender in its place, makes project proposals, budgeting and management impossible.

Can the Commission indicate which budget lines and project tenders will be open to replace this line of funding for the European Journalism Centre?

Can the Commission state at which point these budget lines will be announced and what timeframe will be indicated for application and grant decisions?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Since its foundation in 1994, the European Journalism Centre in Maastricht has developed very important training activities for journalists from all Member States and the applicant countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Commission is aware of the importance of these activities and has supported the Centre since the very beginning.

As far as the funding in the past is concerned, the Honourable Member is mistaken on two points.

The Commission gave an annual subvention of 500 000 during the years 1992 to 1998, then 450 000 in 1999. For this year, the overall amount would be again around 450 000.

Secondly, the Commission notified the board of the European Journalism Centre already in November 1998 that the general subvention would come to an end in the year 2000. This decision was communicated at an early stage in order to allow for a reasonable period of adaptation and for exploring new initiatives and possibilities for the Centre.

The European Journalism Centre can apply to all calls for proposals launched by the Commission, such as the call for the submission of projects organised by European associations and federations (budget line A-3024), and the call for proposals: support for information campaigns organised by non-governmental organisations (budget line B3-300). Information about general conditions and time-schedules can be found in the Official journal and on the Europa server.