EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/888

(2004/C 78 E/0940)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3997/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject: Prince/Euro programme

In May 2003 the Commission issued a call for proposals under the Prince/Euro programme. The objective was the realisation of communication and information initiatives on the euro aimed at particular sections of the public, in order to respond to requests for specific information on the introduction of the euro. The total budget was approximately EUR 5 million. The Commission further expressed the intention of granting subsidies, preferably within the EUR 50 000 to 300 000 range.

Can the Commission supply a complete list of both successful and unsuccessful candidates in respect of these projects? Can it also provide information on the proofs supplied individually by the successful candidates, as required by the call for proposals itself, to confirm that the EU subsidy has had the expected publicity impact?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

One of the objectives of the Prince programme consisted in targeting specific categories of operator and sections of the public with a view to preparing the transition to the euro. This was done by organising transnational information initiatives involving at least three Member States (of which one formed part of the euro area) and with a multiplier effect.

On the basis of the selection criteria (1) applied, the Commission chose 34 projects from the 158 proposals received, i.e. 27,42 %.

With the selected recipients, the Commission reached a wide variety of information multipliers among the sections of the public indicated in the notice:

Target group Number of projects Small and medium-sized entreprises 11 Civil society (general public) 2 Young people in schools (ages 6-18) 9 Vulnerable groups 10 Regional and local authorities; outermost regions 2 Total Projects Selected 34

In view of the limited internal resources it was able to mobilise, the Commission evaluated all these projects on receiving applications and when they were completed. Reports submitted by recipients were vetted to assess whether qualitative objectives had been met for the target groups concerned. With a view to measuring the impact of the recipients' activities, the Commission asked them to use the most widespread communication techniques (publications, CD-ROMs, conferences and seminars, website, exhibitions, converters, brochures, posters, etc.). Compliance with the quantitative objectives (size of the relevant target groups and volume of material disseminated) was also evaluated.

These information initiatives took place in partner countries (at least three), had a multiplier effect and, in general, were given media coverage. The Commission takes that the view that, overall, this constitutes evidence of completion of the planned publicity measures.

The Commission will send the full list of recipients and a list of unsuccessful candidates direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat.

(1) The ten selection criteria are listed in the call for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Union:

— The relevance of the project to the needs of the target audiences and the objectives of the actions;

— The quality and consistency of the proposed means of achieving the objectives;

— The consistency of the budget with these means; Grants obtained previously (Community contracts or loans);

— The innovative nature of the project (objectives, methods);

— The reality of the actions' European transnational or transregional dimension;

— The expected multiplier effect within the target group;

— The presence or absence of other co-financers — searching for other financial partners is encouraged and will be taken into account when the files are examined;

— The technical ability of the applicant and its partners to implement the proposed project;