Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of the Czech Republic in Community programmes in the fields of training, youth and education
Date: 1997-03-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Czechia, EU programme, education policy, vocational training, young person

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  05  . 03  . 1 99  7 
COM(97)  13  final 

97/0024 (CNS) 

Proposal  for  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

concerning  the  Community  position  within  the  Association  Council 
on  the  participation  of  the  Czech  Republic  in  Community  programmes  in  the  fields 
of  training,  youth  and  education 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

Explanatory  Memorandum 

The  Additional  Protocols  with  Hungary,  the  Czech  Republic,  Slovakia,  Bulgaria  and 
Romania have entered  into force on  1  February  1996 (Additional  Protocols with  Hungary 
and  the  Czech  Republic),  on  1 July  1996  (Additional  Protocol  with  Slovakia)  and  on 1 
August  1996 (Additional  Protocols with Bulgaria and Romania). 

In view of Association  Council  decisions  which,  according  to  Article  2 of  the  Protocols, 
are to fix  the conditions  and modalities of these countries' participation,  the  Commission 
services  have  held  exploratory  discussions  in  the  respective  capitals  during  the  first 
semester  of  1996  covering  a  first  group  of  programmes  (Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Youth  for 
Europe  III,  Socrates,  Media  II)  for  which  the  legal  basis  has  been  adopted  in  1994  and 
1995, and provided  for the participation  of associated  CEC's. 

During  these  discussions,  information  has  been  provided  on  the  content  of  each  of  the 
programmes  concerned,  on  the  progress  and  timetable  of  preparatory  actions  which  are 
being  implemented,  and  on  conditions  and  modalities  for  these  countries'  participation, 
including the cost of participation. 

More  particularly,  taking  into  account  that,  according  to  Article  3 of  the  Protocols,  the 
CEC's  will  themselves  meet  the  costs  resulting  from  their  participation,  they  have  been 
invited  to  make  the  necessary  provisions  in  their  budgets  for  1997,  on  the  basis  of  cost 
estimates provided  by the Commission. 

CEC's  are,  of  course,  entitled  to  use  up  to  10  %  of  their  Phare  National  Indicative 
Programme,  to  be  decided  according  to  normal  PHARE  programming  procedures,  for 
complementing  the contribution  from  their own budget1. 

The  Commission  has  also  underlined  that,  after  this  first  set  of  programmes,  other 
programmes  in  the  fields  mentioned  in  Article  1  of  the  Additional  Protocols  will  be 
discussed  shortly  after  their  adoption  or  renewal.  This  will  be  the  case  notably  for 
programmes  in  the  field  of  culture,  the  environment,  social  policy  and  health,  energy, 
preparation  for the internal  market. 

So  far,  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  have  been  the  only  CEC's  with  an 
operational  Additional  Protocol  that  have  confirmed  to  the  Commission  in  writing  their 
willingness  to  participate  in  Leonardo  da Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates  as  from 
1997  and  to  make  available  the  necessary  budgetary  appropriations.  Whereas  the  Czech 
Republic  envisages  to  pay  its  financial  contribution  entirely  from  its  national  budget, 
Hungary  and  Romania  intend  to  spread  the  cost  of  their  participation  over  their  national 
budget and  Phare  allocation. 

A  question  of  particular  importance  to  these  countries  relates  to  the  way  in  which  they 
will be associated  to the management  and decision  making  process  of the programmes  to 
which  they  will  contribute  financially;  their  participation  will  be  an  opportunity  to  get 
acquainted  with  the  Community's  institutions  and  decision  making  mechanisms,  in 

1 COR  1  8773/94  of 27.7.1994 

addition  to  the  Structured  Dialogue.  In  the  draft  Association  Council  decisions,  it  is 
proposed  to  closely 
the 
Programmes,  to  invite  them  to  coordination  meetings  prior  to  the  meetings  of  the 
Management  Committees,  and  to  inform  them  about  their  results. 

involve  them  in  the  monitoring  of  their  participation 

in 

The  main  issues  addressed  in  the  draft  Decisions  of  the  EC  -  Czech  Republic,  EC-
Hungary  and  EC-Romania  Association  Councils  adopting  the  terms  and  conditions  for 
in  Community 
the  participation  of 
programmes  in the  fields  of training,  youth  and  education  are the  following  : 

the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania 

•  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  shall  participate  in all  measures  and  actions 
of  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Socrates  and  Youth  for  Europe,  in  principle  on  the  same 
footing  as the  Member  States  of the  Community  (Articles  1 and  2) 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

a  minimum  number  of  partners  from  EC  Member  States  will  be  required  for  all 
transnational  projects  (Article  3)  proposed  by  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  or 
Romania 

the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  shall  set  up  or  make  available  national 
structures  and  mechanisms  in order  to  implement  their  participation  (Article  4) 

the  financial  contribution  of the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  is  defined 
Article  5 and  in the  Annex 

in 

best  efforts  shall  be  made  to  facilitate  the  free  movement  and  residence  of  students, 
teachers  etc.  (Article  6) 

the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  shall  be  associated  to  the  monitoring  of 
their  participation  in the  Programmes  (Article  7) 

the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary  and  Romania  shall  be  invited  to  coordination  meetings 
prior  to  the  meetings  of  the  Programmes  Committees;  they  will  be  informed  about 
their  results  (article  8) 

• 

the  Decision  shall  apply  for  the  duration  of the  Programmes  (Article  10) 

The  adoption  of  Association  Council  decisions  to  allow  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary 
and  Romania  to  participate  in  a  first  set  of  Community  programmes  in  the  fields  of 
training,  youth  and  education  from  1997  will  offer  these  countries  the  opportunity  to 
participate  actively  in  internal  Community  instruments,  in  principle,  on  the  same  footing 
as  Member  States.  It  is, therefore,  of considerable  political  importance. 
Subject 
in  time  relevant  administrative  and  budgetary 
requirements,  other  associated  CEC's  should  also  be  able  to join  these  programmes  in  the 
course  of  1997. 

their  capacity 

to  fulfil 

to 

the  Council 

Accordingly, 
the  annexed  proposal  for  Decision 
to  adopt 
concerning  the  Community  position  within  the  Association  Council  with  the  Czech 
Republic  on  her  participation  in  the  Community  programmes  in  the  fields  of  training 
(Leonardo  da  Vinci),  youth  (Youth  for  Europe)  and  education  (Socrates). 

is  invited 

Proposal for a 
COUNCIL  DECISION 

of 

concerning the Community  position within the Association  Council 
on the participation  of the Czech Republic in Community  programmes  in the  fields 
of training, youth and  education 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Articles  126 and  127, in conjunction  with Article 228(3) first paragraph thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from  the  Commission, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European  Parliament, 

Whereas  the  Additional  Protocol  to  the  Europe  Agreement  establishing  an  association 
between  the  European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the 
Republic  of  Hungary,  of  the  other  part,  has  been  concluded  by  decision  of  the  Council 
and the Commission  of 4  December  1995, 

Whereas,  according  to  Article  1  of  the  Additional  Protocol,  the  Czech  Republic  may 
participate  in  Community  framework  programmes,  specific  programmes,  projects  or 
other  actions  notably  in  the  fields  of  training,  youth  and  education  and,  pursuant  to 
Article  2,  the  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  the  Czech  Republic  in  the 
activities referred  to in Article  1 shall be decided  by the Association  Council. 

Whereas,  Council  Decision  (94/819/EC)  of  6  December  1994  establishing  an  action 
programme  for  the implementation  of a European  Community  vocational  training  policy, 
(hereinafter  called  "Leonardo  da  Vinci"1), and  in particular  Article  9,1  thereof,  Decision 
(818/95/EC)  of  14 March  1995  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of the  Council  adopting 
the  third  phase  of  the  "Youth  for  Europe"2  programme  and  in  particular  Article  7,4 
thereof  and  Decision  (819/95/EC)  of  14 March  1995  of the  European  Parliament  and  of 
the  Council  establishing  the  Community  action  programme  in  the  field  of  education 
(hereinafter  called  "Socrates"3)  and  in  particular  article  7,3  thereof,  provide  that  these 
programmes  shall  be  open  to  the  participation  of  associated  Central  European  countries 
in  accordance  with  the  conditions  set  out  in the  Additional  Protocols  to  the  Association 
Agreements on participation  in Community  programmes, 

1 O.J. n°L 340 of 29.12.1994 

2 O.J. No. L87 of 20.04.1995 

3 O.J. No. L 87 of 20.04.1995 

Whereas,  during  the joint  meetings  of  Education  Ministers  held  in  Luxembourg  on  23 
October  1995  and  in Brussels  on  21 November  1996  in the  framework  of the  Structured 
Dialogue between the European  Union and the associated  Central  European  Countries  the 
Parties  reconfirmed  their  willingness  to  extend  the  participation  in  Leonardo  da  Vinci, 
Youth for Europe and Socrates  to these countries, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

The position  to  be taken  by the Community  within  the  Association  Council  established  by 
the  Europe  Agreement  between  the  European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of 
the one part,  and the Czech Republic, of the other part, concerning the participation  of the 
Czech Republic  in Community  programmes  in the fields of training,  youth  and  education, 
is the attached  draft  decision of the Association  Council. 

Done at Brussels 

For the  Council 

Draft Decision  n°..../96 of the EC-Czech Republic Association  Council  of 

1996 

adopting the terms and conditions for the participation  of the Czech Republic in 
Community  programmes in the fields of training, youth and  education 

THE ASSOCIATION  COUNCIL 

Having  regard  to  the  Europe  Agreement  between  the  European  Communities  and  their 
Member  States, of the one part, and the Czech Republic, of the other,4 

Having regard to the Additional  Protocol to the Europe Agreement between the European 
Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Czech  Republic,  of  the 
other  part  concerning  The  Czech  Republic's  participation  in  Community  programmes, 
and in particular Article  1 and 2 thereof;5 

Whereas  according  to  Article  1  of  the  Additional  Protocol,  the  Czech  Republic  may 
participate  in  Community  framework  programmes,  specific  programmes,  projects  or 
other actions notably  in the fields of training, youth and education; 

Whereas pursuant  to Article 2 of the  Additional Protocol the terms and conditions  for  the 
participation  of  The  Czech  Republic  in  the  activities  referred  to  in  Article  1  shall  be 
decided by the Association  Council; 

Whereas  during  the  joint  meeting  of  Education  Ministers  held  in  Luxembourg  on  23 
October  1995 and  in Brussels  on 21 November  1996 in the  framework  of the  Structured 
Dialogue  between  the  European  Union  and  the  associated  Central  European  Countries 
parties  reconfirmed  their  willingness  to  extend  the  participation  in  Leonardo  da  Vinci, 
Youth for Europe and  Socrates to these countries; 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

The Czech Republic  shall participate in the European  Community  programmes  Leonardo 
da Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates  according  to the  attached  terms  and  conditions 
which shall form  an integral part of this Decision. 

Done at 

The Chairman 

For the Association  Council 

4O.J. N °L 347 of 31.12.1993 

5O.J.N°L 317 of 30.12.1995 

Terms and  conditions for the participation  of the Czech  Republic 
in the Leonardo  da  Vinci, Youth  for Europe and  Socrates-programmes 

Article 1 

The Czech Republic shall participate in all measures and actions of the Leonardo  da Vinci, 
Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates  programmes  (hereinafter  called  "the  Programmes")  in 
conformity,  unless  otherwise  provided  in  this  Decision,  with  the  objectives,  criteria, 
procedures  and  deadlines  as  defined  in  Council  Decision  (94/819/EC)  establishing  an 
action  programme  for  the  implementation  of  a  European  Community  vocational  training 
policy,  Decision  818/95/EC  of the  European  Parliament  and  of the  Council  adopting  the 
third  phase  of  the  "Youth  for  Europe"  programme  and  Decision  n°  819/95/EC  of  the 
European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishing  the  European  Community  action 
programme in the field  of education. 

Article 2 

The  terms  and  conditions  for  the  submission,  assessment  and  selection  of  applications 
related to eligible institutions,  organisations  and  individuals  of the Czech Republic  shall be 
the  same  as  those  applicable  to  eligible  institutions,  organisations  and  individuals  of  the 
Community. 

Language  preparation  and  training  activities  concern  the  official 
languages  of  the 
Community.  In  exceptional  circumstances,  other  languages  could  be  accepted  if  the 
implementation  of the programmes  so requires. 

Article 3 

To  ensure  the  Community  dimension  of  the  Programmes,  transnational  projects  and 
activities  proposed  by the  Czech  Republic  will  be  required  to  include  a  minimum  number 
of  partners  from  the  Member  States  of  the  Community.  This  minimum  number  will  be 
decided  in the  framework  of  the  implementation  of  the  Programmes,  taking  into  account 
the  nature  of  the  various  activities,  the  number  of  partners  in  a  given  project,  and  the 
number  of  countries  participating  in  the  Programme.  Projects  and  activities  carried  out 
solely between  the Czech Republic  and  the EFTA-EEA  States  or  any  other  third  country, 
including those with  an association  agreement  with the Community,  to  which  participation 
in the programmes is open,  shall not be eligible for  Community financial  support. 

Article 4 

In  conformity  with  the  terms  of the  relevant  provisions  of  the  Decisions  on  Leonardo  da 
Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates,  The  Czech  Republic  shall  provide  the  appropriate 
structures  and  mechanisms  at  national  level  and  shall  take  all  other  necessary  steps  to 
ensure national  coordination  and  organisation  of the implementation  of the Programmes. 

Article 5 

The Czech Republic shall pay each year a contribution  to the budget  of the Community  to 
cover the costs resulting from  its participation  in the Programmes. 

The rules governing the financial  contribution  of the Czech Republic  shall be those set  out 
in  the  Annex,  which  constitutes  an  integral  part  of  this  Decision.  The  Association 
Committee shall be entitled to adapt this contribution  whenever  necessary. 

Article 6 

The Community  and its Member  States  and the Czech Republic shall make every  effort  to 
facilitate  the free  movement  and residence of students, teachers,  university  administrators, 
young  people  and  other  eligible  persons  moving  between  the  Czech  Republic  and  the 
Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by this Decision.-

Article 7 

Without  prejudice  to the responsibilities of the Commission  and the Community's  Court  of 
Auditors  in  relation  to  the  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  programmes  pursuant  to 
Articles  10,  9  and  8  of  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates  decisions 
respectively,  the  participation  of  the  Czech  Republic  in  the  programmes  shall  be 
continuously  monitored  on  a  partnership  basis  involving  the  Commission  and  the  Czech 
Republic.  The  Czech  Republic  shall  submit  to  the  Commission  relevant  reports  and  take 
part in other specific  activities set out by the Community to this end. 

Article 8 

Without  prejudice  to  the procedures  referred  to  in Article  6 of the Decision  on  Leonardo 
da Vinci, article 6 of the Decision  on Youth for Europe and 4 of the Decision  on  Socrates, 
the  Czech Republic  shall  be invited  to  coordination  meetings  on  any  question  concerning 
the  implementation  of this Decision  prior  to  the regular  meetings  of the  Committees.  The 
Commission  shall inform  the Czech Republic about the results of such regular meetings. 

Article 9 

The  language  to  be  used  as  regards  the  application  process,  contracts,  reports  to  be 
submitted  and  other  administrative  arrangements  for  the  programmes,  shall  be  one  of  the 
official  languages  of the  Community. 

Article  10 

This  Decision  shall  apply  for  the  duration  of  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe 
and  Socrates programmes (until 31 December  1999). 

Article  11 

This Decision  shall  enter into force  the first  day of the month  following  its adoption  by the 
Association  Council. 

10 

ANNEX 

FINANCIAL  CONTRIBUTION  OF THE CZECH  REPUBLIC TO 
LEONARDO  DA VINCI, SOCRATES AND YOUTH  FOR  EUROPE 

1.  The financial  contribution  of the Czech Republic will cover: 

-subsidies or any other financial  support  from  the programmes to Czech participants: 

-the  financial  support  from  the  programmes  to  the  functioning  of  the  national 
agencies, where applicable; 

-supplementary  administrative costs related  to the management  of the  programmes 
by the Commission  stemming from  the Czech Republic's  participation. 

2.  For  every  budget  year,  the  aggregated  amount  of  subsidies  or  any  other  financial 
support  received  from  the programmes  by the Czech  beneficiaries  and  by the  national 
agencies  of  the  Czech  Republic  will  not  exceed  the  contribution  paid  by  the  Czech 
Republic,  after  deduction  of the supplementary  administrative costs. 

Should  the  contribution  paid  by the  Czech  Republic  to  the budget  of the  Community, 
after  deduction  of  the  supplementary  administrative  costs,  be  higher  than  the 
aggregated  amount  of the  subsidies  or  other  financial  support  received  by the  Czech 
beneficiaries  and  by  the  national  agencies  from  the  programmes,  the  Commission  of 
the  European  Communities  will  transfer  the  balance  to  the  next  budgetary  exercise, 
and  it will be  deducted  from  the  following  year's  contribution.  Should  such  a balance 
be left  when the programmes  come to  an end,  the corresponding  amount  will be reim 
bursed to the Czech Republic. 

3.  Leonardo  da Vinci 

The Czech Republic's annual contribution  will be of 2.654.000  ECU  from  1997. From 
this  sum,  an  amount  of  175.000  ECU  will  cover  supplementary  administrative  costs 
related  to  the  management  of the  programme  by the  Commission  stemming  from  the 
Czech Republic's  participation. 

4.  Socrates 

The Czech Republic's contribution  will be : 

3.343.000  ECU  in  1997  for  its  participation  in  Chapter  II  (School  education, 
Comenius)  and  Chapter  III  (horizontal  measures).  From  this  sum,  an  amount  of 
217.000  ECU  will  cover  supplementary  administrative  costs  related 
the 
management  of  the  programme  by  the  Commission  stemming  from  the  Czech 
Republic's  participation. 

to 

5.186.000  ECU  in  1998  and  in  1999,  for  its  participation  in  the  entire  Socrates 
programme,  including  Chapter  I  (Erasmus).  From  this  sum,  an  amount  of  339.000 

H 

ECU will cover  supplementary  administrative  costs  related  to the  management  of the 
programme by the Commission  stemming from the Czech Republic's participation. 

5.  Youth for Europe 

The Czech  Republic's  annual  contribution  will  be  600  000  ECU  from  1997  onwards 
for participating in all the actions of the programme, except  Action D. From this sum, 
a yearly amount of 40.000 ECU will cover supplementary  administrative  costs related 
to  the  management  of the  programme  by the  Commission  stemming  from  the  Czech 
Republic's participation. 

6.  The  financial  regulation  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the  Community  shall 

apply, notably to the management of the contribution of the Czech Republic. 

After the entry into force  of this decision and at the beginning  of each following  year, 
the Commission shall send to the Czech Republic a call for funds  corresponding  to its 
contribution to the costs under the Decision. 

This  contribution  shall  be expressed  in  ECU  and  paid  into  an ECU  bank  account  of 
the Commission. 

The Czech Republic  shall pay its contribution to the annual costs under this  Decision 
according  to  the  call  for  funds,  at  the  latest  three  months  after  the  call  for  funds  is 
sent.  Any  delay  in  the  payment  of the  contribution  shall  give  rise  to  the  payment  of 
interest  by  the  Czech  Republic  on  the  outstanding  amount  from  the  due  date.  The 
interest  rate  corresponds  to  the  rate  applied  by  the  European  Monetary  Cooperation 
Fund  for  the  month  of  the  due  date,  for  its  operations  in  ECU6,  increased  by  1,5 
percentage points. 

The Czech Republic  shall pay the cost of its participation  in the programmes  from  its 
national  budget.  The  Czech  Republic  shall  pay  the  supplementary  administrative 
costs referred  to in paragraphs  3, 4 and 5 from  its national budget. 

6  Rate published  monthly  in the Official Journal of the European Communities - C series. 

12 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

Article B7-503:  Opening  of  Community  Programmes  to  the  associated  countries  of 
Central and Eastern Europe 

1. TITLE OF  OPERATION 

B7-50 -Cooperation with countries of Central and Eastern  Europe 

2. BUDGET HEADING  INVOLVED 

B7-503  - Opening of Community Programmes to the associated  countries of Central and 
Eastern Europe 

3. LEGAL  BASIS 

Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in particular  Articles  126 and  127, in 
conjunction  with Article 228(3) thereof. 

Additional  Protocol  to the Europe Agreement  with the Czech Republic  (Articles  228  and 
238) of 30 December  1995, providing  for the opening-up of Community  programmes  (OJ 
No 317/95) 

Council  Decision  (819/94/EC)  of  6 December  1994  establishing  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci 
programme, and in particular Article 9(1) thereof, 

Decision  of the  European  Parliament  and  of the  Council  (818/95/EC)  of  14 March  1995 
establishing the Youth for Europe programme, and in particular Article 7(4) thereof, 

Decision  of the  European  Parliament  and  of the  Council  (819/95/EC)  of  14 March  1995 
establishing the Socrates programme, and in particular Article 7(3) thereof, 

4. DESCRIPTION  OF OPERATION: 

4.1 General  objective 

The Czech Republic's participation  in the three Community  programmes concerned  on an 
equal  footing  with  the  Member  States  will  assist  in  its  future  accession  to  the  Union, 
which was the aim set by the Copenhagen European  Council  of June  1993 and  confirmed 
by  subsequent  European  Councils.  Its  participation  will  not  only  contribute  towards  the 
implementation  of  the  provisions  relating  to  economic  and  cultural  cooperation  in  the 
Europe  Agreements  but will  also enable the Czech  Republic  to familiarize  itself  with  the 
procedures and methods used in Community  programmes. 

The  decision-making  process  for  the  opening-up  of  programmes  involves  a  decision  by 
the  Association  Council  between  the  Union  and  the  associated  country.  This  decision 
also lays down the practical  arrangements for opening up the programmes. 

A  11  14 

The  Additional  Protocol  with  the  Czech  Republic  entered  into  force  on  1 February  1996 
and  provides  for  the  Czech  Republic's  participation  in  the  three  programmes  concerned 
from  1997. 

The  above-mentioned  programmes  are  not  intended  to  form  an  exhaustive  list  as  the 
process  for  opening  them  up  has  only  recently  begun.  Other  Community  programmes, 
notably in the fields  of culture, health and social  policy, energy, the environment,  etc,  have 
been  or  will  shortly  be  opened  up  to  the  countries  of  Central  and  Eastern  Europe, 
probably during  1997. 

4.2 Period  covered  and arrangements for  renewal 

Up  to  the  accession  of the  country  concerned  to  the  European  Union,  but  dependent  on 
decisions taken  as regards the budget  after  1999. 

5. CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPENDITURE  OR  REVENUE 

5.1 Non-compulsory  expenditure 

5.2 Differentiated  appropriations 

5.3  Type of revenue  involved: 

Since the  first  paragraph  of  Article  3 of the  Additional  Protocol  stipulates  that  the  Czech 
Republic  itself will meet the whole cost  of its participation,  it will be invited  to  transfer  its 
contribution  to  item  6091  of  the  EU's  budget  receipts.  There  are  no  budgetary 
implications therefore  for  item B7-503. 

6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

-  100% subsidy 

-  subsidy for joint financing  with other sources in the public and/or private  sector 

-  no provision for  all or part  of the Community  contribution  to be reimbursed 

As far  as  revenue  is concerned,  provision  for  the  Czech  Republic's  contribution  to  cover 
the cost  of its participation  is made under  item  6091. The  revenue  will be  allocated  to  the 
items for  expenditure  on the three  programmes  in question  and,  where  appropriate,  to  the 
relevant items of operating  expenditure. 

The total  revenue expected  is given under  item 7.2. 

15 

7. FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

7.1  Method  of  calculating  total  cost  of  operation  for  1997,  1998  and  1999  financial 

years (link between individual costs and total  cost) 

The calculation  is based  on the following  preconditions: 

-  each  partner  country's  contribution  to  the  financing  of  the  activities  referred  to  in  the 
Protocol  is  calculated  according  to  the  principle  that  the  country  bears  the  cost  of 
participation  itself. Heading  6091  has been  created  in the  statement  of budget  revenue 
for that  purpose; 

- 

the  Community  may decide  on a case-by-case basis to  pay  a supplement  to  the  partner 
country's  contribution.  The supplement  may be in the form  of a contribution  under  the 
PHARE  programme,  but  the  amount  cannot  exceed  10%  of  its  National  Indicative 
Programme. 

Based  on  the  Additional  Protocol  with  the  Czech  Republic,  the  financial  and  budgetary 
arrangements  for  the  three  programmes  concerned  are  as  follows:  the  costs  have  been 
calculated  on the basis  of various  parameters  inherent  in the three  programmes,  i.e.  GDP, 
population,  school  attendance,  distances  involved. 

The  cost  of  the  Czech  Republic's  participation  in  Leonardo  da  Vinci  from  1997  will  be 
ECU 2 654 000 per year. 

For  Socrates  the  amount  will  be  ECU 3 343 000  in  1997,  covering  its  participation  in 
Chapters  II  (school  education  (Comenius)  and  III  (horizontal  activities)  provided  that 
Erasmus  is not  opened  up  that  year.  In  1998  and  1999,  the  cost  will  be  ECU  5  186 000 
per year, including  Chapter I (Erasmus). 

The cost of Youth  for Europe will be ECU 600 000 per year. 

These  costs  (operational  and  administrative)  will  be  covered  entirely  from  the  Czech 
Republic's national  budget. 

7.2  Itemized breakdown  of cost 

in ECU 

Programme 

1997 

1998 

1999 

Total 

Leonardo da Vinci 
Socrates 
Youth for  Europe 
Total 
The same annual commitment  appropriation  totals are forecast  for  receipts (item  6091). 

7 962 000 
13 715 000 
1 800 000 
23 477 000 

2 654 000 
3 343 000 
600 000 
6 597 000 

2 654 000 
5  186 000 
600 000 
8 440 000 

2 654 000 
5  186 000 
600 000 
8 440 000 

0 
0 
0 
0 

of which 
Phare 

of which the 
Czech 
Republic 
7 962 000 
13 715 000 
I 800 000 
23 477 000 

16 

7.3  Operational expenditure on studies, expert meetings,  etc., included  in Part B: 

None 

7.4  Schedule for multiannual operations 

1997 

1998 

1999 

subsequent 
years 

TOTAL 

Coram,  app. 
Pay.  app. 
1997 
1998 
1999 
subsequent 
years 
Total 

No impact on item B7-503. 

-

8.  FRAUD PREVENTION  MEASURES;  RESULTS  OF MEASURES  TAKEN 

All the Commission's  contracts,  agreements  and  other  legal  commitments  provide  for  on-
the-spot  checks  by  the  Commission  and  Court  of  Auditors.  Among  other  things,  the 
beneficiaries  of  the  operations  are  obliged  to  file  reports  and  financial  statements.  These 
are analysed from  the point  of view of their content  and the eligibility of the expenditure in 
line with the objective  of Community  financing. 

The  anti-fraud  provisions  of  the  basic  budget  headings  apply  to  this  heading  too  when 
adapted to the case of the countries  of Central  and Eastern  Europe. 

9.  ELEMENTS  OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS  ANALYSIS 

9.1.  Specific  and quantified  objectives; target  population 

The  aim  of  opening  up  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Youth  for  Europe  and  Socrates 
programmes  to  the  Czech  Republic  is to  bring  it the  same  benefits  as  the  Member  States 
of  the  Community  already  enjoy  from  the  three  programmes.  The  essential  aim  of 
Community  action  on  education  and  training  should  be  to  enable  all  European  citizens  to 
achieve their  full  potential  and  display  initiative  and  creativity  so  that  they  can  participate 
fully  in  society  and  in  the  building  of  Europe.  This  objective  is  based  on  the  gradual 
establishment  of an open European  area for  education  and training. 

In the  field  of  education,  the  principal  aim  of the  Socrates  programme  is to  contribute  to 
the  development  of  quality  education  by  encouraging  cooperation  between  Member 
States. The specific  aims of the programme are: 

to  develop  the  European  dimension  in  education  at  all  levels  so  as  to  strengthen  the 
spirit of  European  citizenship, drawing on the cultural heritage of each Member  State; 

17 

to  promote  a  quantitative  and  qualitative  improvement  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
languages of the  European  Union,  and  in particular  those which  are least  widely used 
and  least taught,  leading to  greater  understanding  and  solidarity  between  the  peoples 
of the European Union, and to promote the intercultural  dimension  of education; 

to  promote  wide-ranging  and  intensive  cooperation  between  institutions  at  all  levels 
of education,  enhancing their intellectual and teaching potential; 

to  encourage  the  mobility  of  teachers,  so  as  to  promote  a  European  dimension  in 
studies and to  contribute to the qualitative improvement  of their skills; 

to  encourage  mobility  for  students,  enabling  them  to  complete  part  of their  studies  in 
another  Member  State,  so  as  to  contribute  to  the  consolidation  of  the  European 
dimension in education; 

to  encourage  contacts  among  pupils  in  the  European  Union,  and  to  promote  the 
European  dimension  in their  education; 

to  encourage  the  academic  recognition  of  diplomas,  periods  of  study  and  other 
qualifications,  with  the  aim of facilitating  the  development  of an  open  European  area 
for  education; 

to  encourage  open  and  distance  education  in  the  context  of  the  activities  of  this 
programme; 

to  foster  exchanges  of information  and  experience  so  that  the  diversity  and  specificity 
of the  educational  systems in the Member  States  become  a  source  of  enrichment  and 
of mutual  stimulation. 

In the field  of vocational  training,  the  principal  aim  of the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  programme 
is to  implement  a vocational  training  policy which  supports  and  supplements  the  action  of 
the Member  States. The main objectives  of the programme  are to: 

support  the  improvement  of  the  vocational-training  systems  and  arrangements  in  the 
Member  States  by:  improving  the  quality  of  initial  vocational  training  and  the 
transition  of  young  people  to  working  life,  improving  the  quality  of  the  Member 
States' continuing vocational  training arrangements,  supporting vocational  information 
and  guidance,  promoting  equal  opportunities  for  men  and  women  in  vocational 
training,  improving  the  quality  of  vocational  training  arrangements  for  persons 
to  socio-economic, 
disadvantaged  on  the 
geographical  or  ethnic  factors  or  by  physical  or  mental  disabilities  or  a  lack  of 
qualifications  or 
insufficient  qualifications  such  that  they  are  at  risk  of  social 
exclusion; 

labour  market,  for  example  owing 

for 

the 

improvement  of  vocational 

support 
including 
university/industry  cooperation,  concerning  undertakings  and  workers:  innovation  in 
vocational  training,  with  a  view  to  taking  into  account  technological  change  and  its 
impact  on  work  and  the  necessary  qualifications  and  skills,  investment  in  continuing 
vocational  training  for  workers,  the transfer-of  technological  innovation  in the  context 

training  measures 

18 

of  cooperation  between  undertakings  and  universities  in  the  field  of  continuing 
vocational training, the promotion  of equal opportunities for  men and  women; 

support  for  the  development  of  language  skills,  knowledge  and  the  dissemination  of 
innovation in the field  of vocational training. 

In the area of youth policy, the overall objective  of the Youth  for  Europe  programme  is to 
contribute  to  the  educational  process  of  all  young  people  through. activities  which 
complement  those  taking  place  in  the  Member  States  or  provided  at  Community  level  in 
the fields of education  and training. The specific  objectives  of the programme are to: 

promote  youth  exchanges  for  young  people  aged  15  to  25  living  in  one  or  several 
Member  States; 

support  initiatives and innovative projects  of Community  interest  or  of a  transnational 
nature  set up by young  people  for  young  people,  which  allow them  to  play  an  active 
and  acknowledged  role  in  society  and  to  develop  their  personal  abilities,  creativity, 
sense of solidarity and  independence; 

create  favourable  conditions  for  meetings  of  a  high  standard  and  ensure  the  high 
quality of  all measures taken under the programme; 

support  the  training  of  youth  leaders  to  enable  young  people  to  benefit  from 
high-quality  common  measures related  to the general objectives  of the programme; 

step  up  cooperation  among  Member  States  and  between  them  and  the  Commission 
through  exchanges  of experience and joint  initiatives at Community level, and  thus  to 
support  Member  States  in  their  endeavours  to  improve  the  quality  of  services  and 
measures  for  young  people,  in particular  through  activities  aimed  at  providing  young 
people with information  about the objectives  of the programme; 

promote  exchanges  with  young  people  from  non-member  countries  with  which  the 
Community has  concluded  in particular cooperation  agreements. 

9.2. Grounds for the  operation 

-  Need for  Community financial  aid 

No requirement  on item B7-503. 

-  Choice of ways and  means 

The  Czech  Republic's  integration  in  the  programmes  concerned  will  put  it  on  an  equal 
footing  with  the  current  EU  Member  States.  The  integration  of  Czech  nationals  in 
Community  networks  will  make  a  definite  contribution  to  preparing  the  Czech  Republic 
for future  membership. 

-  Main factors  of uncertainty  which could affect  the specific  results  of the  operation 

19 

Since projects will be selected  according to qualitative criteria,  it will only be possible to 
measure the real impact  on the basis of Czech firms'  capacity to  respond  to  the calls  for 
proposal to be launched by the Commission under the three programmes. 

9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 

The monitoring and evaluation procedures included in the Leonardo da Vinci, Youth  for 
Europe  and  Socrates  programmes  (notably  in  respect  of  evaluation,  as  included  in  the 
decisions  establishing  the  three  programmes)  will  also  cover  operations  financed  for 
Czech beneficiaries. 

20 

10.  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENDITURE 

The  administrative  resources  required  will  actually  be  mobilized  following  the  annual  Commission 
Decision on the allocation of resources, taking account in particular of manpower  and additional  amounts 
granted  by the budgetary  authority.  The supplementary  needs  can  not,  in  any  case, préjuge  the decision 
that the Commission will need to take concerning: 

a) 
b) 

the request of new posts in the framework  of the APB 
the resources allocation 

10.1 Impact on the number of posts 

Type of post 

required 

Staff 
operation 
Permanent 
posts 

to  manage 

the 

including 

duration 

Temporary 
posts 

existing 
of 

using 
resources 
the 
departments 
concerned 

using 
additional 
resources 

or 

Officials 
temporary  staff 
A 
B 
C 
Other  resources 

TOTAL 

1A 
IB 
1C 

3 

1A 
IB 

2 

10.2 Overall  financial  impact of the additional  human  resources 

1C 

1 

1997-1999 

(in ECU) 

Officials 
Temporary  staff 
Other  resources 
heading) 

(indicate  budget 

Total 

195.000 

Method  of  calculation  (total  cost  of 
the operation  1997-1999) 
65.000  ECU/year  =  195.000 
(Titles  Al,  A2, A3, A4 and A5) 

ECU 

TOTAL 
The expenses  concerning  the human  resources  needed  to carry  out this  task  that  will  be met through  the 
allocation  of  the  existing  resources  are  estimated  to  :  two  officials  (1A,  IB)  =  180.000  ECU/year  = 
540.000 ECU  (Titles Al,  A2, A3, A4 and A5) 

195.000 

21 

10.3 Increase in other operating expenses  as a result of the operation 

Budget heading  (No and  title) 

Total 

A1178/A238 
assistance 

- 

technical 

A1300 -missions 
A2500 - meetings 

A2510 - compulsory  meetings 

(in ECU) 

Method  of  calculation  (total  cost  of 
the operation  1997-1999) 

1.339.000  6%  of  the  additional  funds 

to  be 
managed  by  the agencies  assisting  the 
Commission  with the 3  programmes 
30.000  3 missions  per year  per  programme 
30.000  Participation 

Czech 
of 
representative  in  3  annual  meetings 
per  programme 

a 

141.000  Based  on  the  EUR15  budget  required 
the  additional 

in  1996,  cost  of- 
presence of Czech  representatives 

Total 
The  above  expenditure  will  be  met  from  the  receipts  (article  4§2,  third  indent  of  the  financial  regulation)  received 
from  the Czech  participation  in  Community  Programmes  (see  § 5.3  of  the financial  statement). 

1.540.000  | 

1 

22 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97)  13 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

it  16 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-97-009-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-15009-6 

Office  for  Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

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