Re-examined proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on aid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries
Date: 1997-05-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, developing countries, development aid, family planning, population policy

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 21.05.1997 
COM(97)216  final 

95/0166  (SYN) 

" Re-examined proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 

on aid for population policies and  programmes 

in the developing  countries 

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article  189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The proposed  regulation  lays down  the objectives  and practical  arrangement  for  projects 
financed  under  budget  heading  B7-631  (Aid  for  Population  Policies  and  Programmes  in 
Developing Countries). 

The  initial  proposal  for 
8 September  1995. 

this  regulation  was  presented  by  the  Commission  on 

Following  Parliament's  first  reading  on  24  May  1996  the  Commission  presented  an 
amended proposal incorporating 26 amendments on 4 September  1996. 

The Council  adopted a common position on 2 December  1996. 

On  the  basis  of  a  report  by  Mr  Nordman,  Parliament  unanimously  adopted  three 
amendments at second reading on  13 March. 

Under  Article  189C(d)  of  the  EC  Treaty  the  Commission  is  required  to  draw  up  a 
re-examined  proposal and give its opinion on the amendments. 

The  Commission  accepts  the  second  amendment  replacing  the  regulatory  committee  by 
an  advisory  committee  thus  re-establishing  the  Commission's  initial  proposal.  The 
Commission  does not, however, accept the other two amendments (1 and 5). 

Amendment  No  1 refers  to  an  increase  of  ECU  300  000  000  by  the  year  2000  in  the 
Community's  financial  contribution  for population  programmes.  Attention  is drawn  here 
to the content  of recital  No  11 to the common  position.  In it the Community  undertakes 
to  follow  up  the  Cairo  international  conference  by  increasing  its  financial  support. 
However,  since  this  is  a  political  objective  and  no  decision  has  been  taken  by  the 
Community budgetary authorities, no such formal  undertaking can be entered  into a legal 
act  such  as this  regulation.  Furthermore, this  objective  will  not be  attained  by using  the 
budget  heading  in question  (B7-631 Aid  for  Population  Policies  and  Programmes  in  the 
Developing  Countries)  to  which  only  ECU  8 000 000  has  been  allocated  and  which  the 
budgetary  authorities  do not plan  to increase  up to the year 2000.  The  sum  proposed  by 
Parliament cannot therefore be included in the context of such a regulation.  To obtain  the 
desired  increase population programmes  will have to be incorporated  gradually  into those 
financed  by budget headings for the ALA/MED regions or by the EDF. 

The Commission considers that the content of the fifth  amendment is sufficiently  covered 
by  recital  No  9  (condemning  any  violation  of  human  rights  in  the  form  of  compulsory 
abortion, compulsory  sterilization  or infanticide), recital No  10 (no support to be given  to 
incentives to encourage sterilization  or abortion)  and amendment  No  12 (underlining  that 
the  decision  taken  by  the  Cairo  conference  that  abortion  would  not  be  encouraged  as  a 
method of family  planning would be strictly adhered to). 

The list of amendments which have not been accepted by the Commission  as at annex. 

^ 

Independently  of  its  position  on  the  amendments  referred  to  above,  the  Commission 
would  point  out  that  it  has  not  included  in  its  re-examined  proposal  those  provisions  of 
the common  position  which  it cannot  accept.  In consequence  of  its  statement  entered  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Council  meeting  at  which  the  common  decision  was  adopted  the 
Commission  does not intend to incorporate provisions setting out a reference  sum  (recital 
No  18 and  Article  9 of  the  common  position)  or  those  requiring  additional  information 
(Articles  10(3)  and  12(3)  of  the  common  position).  The  Commission  considers  that  its 
procedures  (Committee  for  projects  exceeding  ECU  2  000  000,  discussion  of  general 
guidelines  and submitting of an annual report) will provide sufficient  transparency. 

2> 

AMENDMENTS  NOT  ACCEPTED  BY  THE  COMMISSION 

Council  common  position 

Parliament's  amendments 

Amendment  No  1 
Recital  8a  (new) 

(8 a) whereas the Community  has undertaken 
to follow  up the Cairo conference,  notably by 
increasing its financial  support for  population 
programmes in developing countries to 
ECU 300 000 000 by the year 2000. 

Amendment  No  5 
Article  4 (2a)  (new) 

(2a) Countries or organisations authorising or 
encouraging compulsory  abortion and 
sterilisation  or infanticide  as measures of 
controlling population  growth  shall not be 
eligible for Community  aid. 

*/ 

Re-examined proposal  for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION CEO 

on aid for  population  policies  and  programmes 

in the developing  countries 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 

Article  130w thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from  the Commission , 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article  189c of the Treaty , 

r 

(1)  Whereas  the  capacity  of  most  developing  countries  to  achieve  sustainable  human 

development  is  hampered  by  many  obstacles,  one  of  them  being  the  high  rate  of 

population  growth;  whereas  these  countries  have  adopted  national  population 

programmes; 

(2)  Whereas  the  International  Conference  on  Population  and  Development  held  in 

Cairo in  1994 adopted a programme of action; 

(3)  Whereas  the Council, in its resolution  of  11 November  1986 concerning  population 

and  development  and  that  of  18 November  1992  concerning  family  planning  and 

cooperation  with  the  developing  countries,  recognised  the  urgent  need  to  satisfy 

unmet  demand  for  family-planning  services, at the  same  time  stressing  the  need  to 

help  the  developing  countries  implement  broad-based  population  programmes 

encompassing  all the different  factors  determining control over  fertility; 

(4)  Whereas  the  European  Parliament  hearing  of  25  November  1993  highlighted  the 

complex  relationship between  population  and development;  whereas, up to a point, 

population  growth  may  promote  economic  development;  whereas,  however,  the 

very  high  rates  of  growth  observed  in  a  number  of  developing  countries  make  it 

impossible  to  satisfy  the  needs  thus  generated  and  to  open  up  prospects  for 

sustainable development, notably as far as the environment  is concerned; 

(5)  Whereas  a more  moderate  demographic  development  would  be  promoted  through 

the  following: 

-  a fairer  distribution of income among different  groups in a society, 

-  an  economic  policy  which  makes  it  possible  for  poor  women  and  men  to 

develop a diversified  livelihood, 

- 

investments  in  infrastructure  with  importance  to  people's  health,  such  as  clean 

water, improved sewerage systems and acceptable housing, 

-  a health policy which improves the access to health services for the poor, 

- 

improved  access  and  quality  for  general  education  and  training  for  women  and 

girls; 

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(6)  Whereas  a  number  of  developing  countries  have  entered  a  phase  of  demographic 

transition  characterised  by  a significant  reduction  in the fertility  rate, which  points 

at  a  change  in  attitude  conducive  to  a  reduction  in  family  size;  whereas  other 

developing  countries  have  not  entered  this  phase  and  should  therefore  receive 

special  assistance; 

(7)  Whereas  individual  freedom  of  choice  for  women,  men  and,  in  particular, 

adolescents  through  adequate  access  to  information  and  services  in  matters 

concerning  their  reproductive  rights  is  a  significant  element  of  progress  and 

development; 

(8)  Whereas  the  Community  has  been  helping  to  finance  specific  measures  and  pilot 

schemes  in  pursuit  of  these  objectives  since  1990;  whereas  it  is  time  for  the 

Community  to step up its cooperation  in this particular area, in accordance  with the 

programme of action of the said Cairo International  Conference; 

(9)  Whereas  the  Community  upholds  the right  of  individuals  to  decide  on  the  number 

and spacing of their children; whereas it denounces any violation  of human rights in 

the  form  of  compulsory  abortion,  compulsory  sterilisation,  infanticide,  rejection, 

abandonment  and  abuse  inflicted  on  unwanted  children  as  a  means  of  curbing 

population  growth; 

(10)  Whereas  no support  is to be given under this Regulation  to incentives  to encourage 

sterilisation  or  abortion  nor  to  the  improper  testing  of  contraception  methods  in 

developing countries; 

(11)  Whereas  the  Community  has  undertaken  to  follow  up  the  aforementioned  Cairo 

International  Conference,  notably by increasing  its financial  support  for  population 

programmes in the developing countries; 

(12)  Whereas, when cooperation  measures  are implemented,  the decision  adopted  at the 

Cairo International  Conference,  according to which abortion can never be promoted 

as a family-planning  method, has to be rigorously  observed; 

¥ 

(13)  Whereas 

the  recipient  countries  must  be  helped 

to 

introduce  population 

programmes  that  are  compatible  with  sustainable  development  and  to  develop 

strategies  aimed  at  giving  women  the  power  to  decide  and  achieving  equality 

between  women  and  men,  which  are  determining  factors  in  enabling  women  to 

exercise choice over child-bearing, uptake of family  planning and control over their 

own  reproductive  health,  through  measures  in  a  variety  of  social,  economic  and 

cultural sectors, and in particular the key sectors of education  and health; 

(14)  Whereas,  to  be  truly  effective,  such  population  programmes  must  be  part  of  an 

overall policy to combat poverty and counter the threats to the environment; 

(15)  Whereas  new operations of this kind will be effective  only  if they are  accompanied 

by sustainable development  enabling the harmonious  and progressive  integration of 

the developing countries into the world economy; 

(16)  Whereas  non-governmental  organisations  and  private  operators  can  play  an 

essential  role  in  ensuring  the  success  of  health,  education  and  family-planning 

policies,  in  particular  among  women,  who  are  central  to  any  sustainable  human 

development policy, and adolescents; 

(17)  Whereas  the measures  taken  under this Regulation  are to be funded  by grants  from 

the general budget of the European  Communities; 

(18)  Whereas  administrative  rules  and procedures  must be laid  down  for  cooperation  in 

this  field. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

The  Community  shall  conduct  cooperation  in  support  of  population  policies  and 

programmes  in the developing countries. 

Article 2 

Measures  taken under this Regulation  shall be directed primarily  at those countries  which 

are  furthest  away  from  the  criteria  defined  by  the  Cairo  International  Conference  on 

Population  and Development,  at the poorest and least developed countries and at the most 

disadvantaged  sections of the population of developing countries. 

Article 3 

The assistance provided under this Regulation  shall complement  and reinforce  assistance 

provided  under other instruments of development cooperation  in the education  and health 

sectors with  a view  to taking population  issues fully  into account  and to integrating  them 

in Community  programmes. 

Article 4 

1. 

In  operations  funded  in  the  course  of  the  cooperation  referred  to  in  Article  1, 

account shall be taken of the following  priority  objectives: 

-  enabling women, men and adolescents to make a free  and informed  choice  about 

the number and spacing of their children, 

-  contributing  to  the  creation  of  a  socio-cultural,  economic  and  educational 

environment  conducive  to the full  exercise  of  that choice, especially  for  women 

and  adolescents,  and  in  particular  through  the  condemnation  and  eradication  of 

all forms  of sexual  violence, mutilation  and  abuse which  affect  their dignity  and 

health, 

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-  helping  develop  or  reform  health  systems  in  order  to  improve  the  accessibility 

and  quality  of  reproductive  health  care  for  women  and  men 

including 

adolescents,  thereby  appreciably  reducing  the  risks  to  the  health  of  women  and 

children. 

2. 

Community  aid  may  be  granted  to  projects  involving  activities  in  the  following 

areas: 

-  support  for  the  establishment,  development  and  increased  availability  of 

reproductive  health  care  services  as  part  of  policies  and  programmes 

implemented  by governments, international  bodies, NGOs and private operators, 

particularly  targeting  groups for  whom the issue is especially  important,  such  as 

adolescents, pregnant women and other groups as locally  determined, 

-  help  with  the  drafting,  application  or  financing  of  policies  which  contribute  to 

the better reproductive health of women and girls, 

- 

the  improvement  of  reproductive  health  care  services,  encompassing  safe 

pregnancies,  perinatal  care,  family  planning,  prevention  and  treatment  of 

sexually  transmitted  diseases,  including  AIDS,  in  terms  of 

infrastructure, 

equipment, supplies, training or research, 

-  support  for 

information,  education  and  awareness  campaigns  aimed  at 

promoting  better reproductive  health  and  an understanding  of population  issues, 

including the wider social benefits  of speeding up the demographic  transition, 

-  family-planning  policy  and  services  including  information  on  safe  and  effective 

family-planning  methods, 

- 

the  development  of  grassroots* structures,  the  voluntary  sector,  local  NGOs  and 

south-south  cooperation  for the implementation  of programmes, the exchange of 

experience and support for cooperation  networks between partners. 

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Article 5 

The  cooperation  partners  eligible  for  financial  support  under  this  Regulation  shall  be 

regional  and  international  organisations,  local  and  Member  State-based  NGOs,  national, 

provincial  and 

local  government  departments  and  agencies,  community-based 

organisations 

including  women's  organisations,  institutes  and  public  and  private 

operators. 

Article 6 

Cooperation  initiatives  shall  be  implemented  on  the basis  of  dialogue  with  the  national, 

regional  and  local  authorities  concerned  so  as to  avoid programmes  which  are  coercive, 

discriminatory  or prejudicial  to fundamental  human rights. Account  shall  be taken  of  the 

economic,  social  and  cultural  background  of  the  sections  of  population  concerned, 

respecting universal human rights. 

Women  in particular shall be invited to take part in the design, planning,  implementation 

and evaluation of all population projects  and programmes. 

Article 7 

1. 

The  instruments  to  be  employed  in  the  course  of  operations  effected  pursuant  to 

Article  2  shall  include  studies,  technical  assistance,  training  or  other  services, 

supplies and works, along with audits and evaluation and monitoring missions. 

2.  According  to  the  needs  of  the  operations  concerned,  Community  financing  may 

cover both capital  investment,  other than  the purchase of real estate,  and  operating 

costs  in  foreign  or  local  currency.  However,  with  the  exception  of  training 

programmes,  operating  costs  may  normally  be  covered  only  during  the  start-up 

phase and on a degressive basis. 

3.  A  financial  contribution  from  the  partners  defined  in  Article  5  shall  be  sought  for 

each  cooperation  operation.  Their  contribution  shall  be  requested  within  the  limits 

of  the  possibilities  available  to the  parties  concerned  and  depending  on  the  nature 

of the operation concerned. 

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4.  A financial  contribution  from  the local partners, particularly  in respect  of  operating 

costs,  shall  be  sought  as  a  matter  of  priority  in  the  case  of  projects  intended  to 

launch  long-term  activities,  so  as  to  ensure  the  viability  of  such  projects  once 

Community  funding  comes to an end. 

5.  Opportunities  may  be  sought  for  co-financing  with  other  fund  providers,  and 

especially  with Member States. 

6. 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that  the  Community  character  of  the  aid  provided 

under this Regulation  is highlighted. 

7. 

In order to achieve the objectives  of consistency  and complementarity  referred  to in 

the  Treaty  and  with  the  aim  of  guaranteeing  optimum  effectiveness  of  all  the 

operations  concerned,  the  Commission  may  take  all  necessary  coordination 

measures, including in particular: 

(a) 

the  establishment  of  a  system  for  the  systematic  exchange  and  analysis  of 

information  on  operations  financed  and  those  which  the  Community  and  the 

Member States propose to finance;.. 

(b) 

on-the-spot coordination  of the implementation  of operations  through  regular 

meetings  and  exchange  of  information  between  representatives  of  the 

Commission  and of the Member States in the recipient country. 

8. 

In  order  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  impact  globally  and  nationally,  the 

Commission,  in liaison  with  the Member  States, shall  take  any initiative  necessary 

for  ensuring  proper  coordination  and  close  collaboration  with  the  recipient 

countries  and  the  providers  of  funds  and  other  international  agencies  involved,  in 

particular  those  forming  part  of  the  United  Nations  system,  and  more  specifically 

the United Nations Population  Fund. 

Article 8 

Financial support under this Regulation shall take the form  of grants. 

/i*_ 

Article 9 

1. 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  for  appraising,  approving  and  managing 

operations  covered  by this  Regulation  in  accordance  with  the  budgetary  and  other 

procedures in force, and in particular those laid down  in the Financial Regulation of 

21 December  1977 applicable, to the general budget of the European  Communities'. 

2. 

Projects  and programme appraisal  shall take into account the following  factors: 

-  effectiveness  and viability of operations, 

-  cultural, social, gender and environmental  aspects, 

- 

institutional development necessary  to achieve project goals, 

-  experience gained from  operations of the same kind. 

3.  Decisions  relating  to grants  of  more  than  ECU  2 million  for  individual  operations 

financed  under  this  Regulation  and  any  changes  resulting  in  an  increase  of  more 

than  20  %  in  the  sum  initially  approved  for  such  an  operation  shall  be  adopted 

under the procedure laid down in Article 10. 

4. 

The Commission  shall be authorised  to approve, without recourse to the opinion of 

the committee  provided  for  in Article  10, any supplementary  commitments  needed 

for  covering  expected  or  real  cost  overruns  in  connection  with  the  operations, 

where  the  overrun  or  additional  requirement  is equal  to 20  % or  less  of  the  initial 

commitment fixed by the financing  decision. 

5.  •  All  financing  agreements  or  contracts  concluded  under  this  Regulation  shall 

provide  for  the  Commission  and  the  Court  of  Auditors  to  conduct  on-the-spot 

checks  according  to  the usual  procedures  laid  down  by the  Commission  under  the 

rules in force, and in particular those of the Regulation referred  to in paragraph  1. 

OJ No L 356, 31.12.1977, p.  1. Regulation  as last amended  by Regulation  (EC) No 2335/95  (OJ No L 
240,7.10.1995, p. 12). 

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6.  Where  operations  are the subject  of financing  agreements  between  the  Community 

and  the  recipient country,  such  agreement  shall  stipulate  that  the payment  of  taxes, 

duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community. 

7. 

Participation  in  invitations  to  tender  and  the  award  of  contracts  shall  be  open  on 

equal  terms  to natural  and  legal  persons  of  the Member  States  and  of  the  recipient 

country. It may be extended to other developing countries. 

8. 

Supplies  shall  originate  in  the  Member  States,  the  recipient  country  or  other 

developing  countries.  In  exceptional  cases,  where  circumstances  so  warrant, 

supplies may originate elsewhere. 

9. 

Particular attention  shall be given to: 

- 

the pursuit of cost-effectiveness  and sustainable impact in project  design, 

- 

the clear definition  and monitoring  of objectives  and indications  of  achievement 

for all projects. 

Article 10 

1. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  an  advisory  committee  composed  of  the 

representatives  of  the  Member  States  and  chaired  by  the  representative  of  the 

Commission,  which  shall  be,  depending  on  the  country  or  region  at  which  the 

measures are targeted: 

(a)  for  the African,  Caribbean  and Pacific  countries, the EDF Committee  set up by 

Article  21  of  Internal  Agreement  No  91/401/EEC  on  the  financing  and 

administration  of  Community  aid  under  the  Fourth  ACP-EEC  Convention, 

adopted  on  16 July  1990 by the representatives  of  the Member  States  meeting 

with the Council; 

(b)  for  the  Mediterranean  countries,  the  MED  Committee  set  up  by  Article  6  of 

Council  Regulation  (EEC) No  1762/92 on the implementation  of the  Protocols 

on  financial  and  technical  cooperation  concluded  by  the  Community  with 

Mediterranean  non-member countries; 

AU 

(c)  for  the  countries  of  Latin  America  and  Asia,  the  ALA  Committee  set  up  by 

Article  15 of Council  Regulation  (EEC) No 443/92  on  financial  assistance  to, 

and  economic  cooperation  with,  the  developing  countries  in  Asia  and  Latin 

America. 

2. 

The  representative  of  the Commission  shall  submit  to the committee  a draft  of  the 

measures to be taken:  The committee  shall deliver its opinion  on the draft  within  a 

time  limit  which  the  chairman  may  lay  down  according  to  the  urgency  of  the 

matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 

The opinion  shall be recorded  in the minutes;  in addition, each Member State shall 

have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes. 

The  Commission  shall  take  the  utmost  account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by  the 

committee.  It  shall  inform  the  committee  of  the  manner  in  which  its  opinion  has 

been taken into account. 

3.  An exchange of views shall take place once a year on the basis of  a presentation by 

the representative of the Commission  of the general guidelines for  the operations to 

be  carried  out  in  the  year  ahead,  in  the  framework  of  a joint  meeting  of  the  three 

committees mentioned in paragraph  1. 

Article 11 

1.  At  the  end  of  each  budget  year,  the  Commission  shall  present  a  report  to  the 

European  Parliament  and  the  Council  comprising  a  summary  of  the  operations 

financed  in  the  course  of  that  year  and  evaluating  the  implementation  of  this 

Regulation over that period. 

The  summary shall  in particular contain  information  on those with  whom  contracts 

have been concluded. 

2. 

The Commission  shall regularly assess operations financed  by the Community  with 

a view to establishing whether the objectives  aimed at by such operations have been 

achieved  and  to  provide  guidelines  for  improving  the  effectiveness  of  future 

operations. The Commission  shall submit to the committee referred  to in Article  11 

a summary of the assessments  made which, if appropriate, may be examined  by the 

A* 

committee.  The  assessment  reports  shall  be  made  available  to  any  Member  States 

requesting them. 

Article 12 

1. 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  third  day following  its  publication  in 

the Official  Journal of the European  Communities. 

It shall be applicable until 31 December 2002. 

2. 

Three  years  after  this Regulation  enters  into force,  the Commission  shall  submit  to 

the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  an  overall  assessment  of  operations 

financed  by the Community  under this Regulation,  which  may include  suggestions 

regarding  the  future  of  this  Regulation  and,  where  necessary,  proposals  for 

amending or prolonging it. 

This  Regulation  shall  be  binding  in  its  entirety  and  directly  applicable  in  all  Member 

States. 

Done  a t . .. 

For the Council 

The President 

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F I N A N C I AL 

S T A T E M E NT 

Article B7-631  : Aid for population policies and programmes in the developing 

countries 

1.  TITLE OF THE OPERATION 

Aid for population policies and programmes in the developing  countries 

2.  BUDGET HEADING  INVOLVED 

Article B7-631 

3.  LEGAL BASIS: 

Amended  proposal  for  a Council  regulation  on  aid  for  policies  and  programmes  in 
the  developing  countries  presented  by  the  Commission  on  4 September  1996 
(OJ No C 323, 29/10/1996, p. 7). 

4.  DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 

4.1  General objective 

Most  developing  countries  are currently  experiencing  high  rates  of  population 
growth  and  a  lack  good  quality  accessible  reproductive  health  services.  This 
action  aims  to  help  developing  countries  design,  implement  and  evaluate 
population  and  reproductive  health  programmes  and  projects  based  on  the 
principles  that  individuals  and  families  must  be  free  to  choose  and  that 
reproductive  health  activities  must  be  designed  as  an  integral  component  of 
health  services.  Complementarity  will  be  sought  with  actions  supported  under 
B7-6000 (actions executed by NGOs). 

The  International  Conference  on  Population  and  Development  (ICPD  -  Sept. 
1994,  Cairo)  made  the  status  of  women,  their  levels  of  education  and  health, 
and  their  social,  cultural  and  economic  empowerment,  a  cornerstone  of  its 
action  plan. The  European  Union  (EU)  has  undertaken  to  follow-up  the  ICPD 
conference  in the same spirit. 

The instruments employed and projects undertaken  will focus  on: 

-  enabling  women,  men  and  adolescents  to  make  a free  and  informed  choice 

about the number and spacing of their children; 

-  contributing  to  the  creation  of  a  socio-cultural,  economic  and  educational 
environment  conducive  to  the  full  exercise  of  that  choice,  especially  for 

A% 

women  and  adolescents,  and  in  particular  through  the  condemnation  and 
eradication  of  all  forms  of  sexual  violence,  mutilation  and  abuse  which 
affect  their dignity and health; 

-  helping  develop  or  reform  health  systems  in  order  to  improve 

the 
accessibility  and  quality  of  reproductive  health  care  for  women  and  men 
including adolescents, thereby appreciably reducing the risks to the health of 
women and children. 

See 9.1 (b),  9.1 (c) and 9.2 for further  details. 

4.2  Period covered and arrangements for renewal or extension 

The  policy  concerned  is  of  an  indefinite  nature.  Individual  operations  will  be 
renewable annually until this Regulation  is adopted. 

5.  CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPENDITURE 

-  Non-compulsory  expenditure 

-  Differentiated  appropriations 

6.  TYPES OF EXPENDITURE 

-  Subsidy in the form  of a  100% grant towards project  costs.  Developing  Country 

NGOs would normally be eligible for  such  funding.. 

-  Subsidy  in  the  form  of  co-financing  projects  with  other  public  and/or  private-
sector  sources;  notably  Member  State  agencies  and  NGOs,  non-member 
countries 
the  region,  multilateral  agencies,  and  developing  countries 
themselves. The participation  of the beneficiary  in the costs of a proposed  action 
will constitute a positive element in the evaluation  of proposals. 

in 

-  Supporting  measures,  notably  in  the  form  of  technical  assistance,  evaluation, 

training, studies, and supplies. 

7.  FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

7.1  Calculation of total operational  cost (establishment of unit costs) 

The  budget  requested  for  1998  reflects  the  range  of  activities  which  will  be 
undertaken  to  achieve  the  specific  objectives  of  the  operation.  In  particular  , 
(or  part-financing) 
cost  estimates  reflect  previous  experience  in  financing 
actions  in  support  of  population  policies 
in 
estimates  of additional  actions  in the field  of  information  and awareness  which 
will  be  a  significant  feature  of  future  actions.  Services  and  supplies  paid  for 
under  the  budget  will  be  subject  to  normal  EC  tendering  and  contract 
procedures. 

in  developing  countries  and 

A% 

7.2  Indicative breakdown of expenditure 

INDICATIVE  BREAKDOWN 
Subject Area 
Support for policy and strategy  development 
Improving access to reproductive health services 
Improving quality of reproductive health services 
Support for information,  education  and awareness raising 
Support for Capacity building and South-South  collaboration 
Support for International  migration  issues 
TOTAL 

million ECU 
1.0 
2.0 
2.0 
1.0 
1.2 
0.8 
8.0 

Expenditure  will  be  widely  spread/  Approximately  25%  in  the  Eastern 
Mediterranean,  10%  in  Asia,  25%  in  Latin  America,  15%  on  South-South 
Collaboration,  and  25%  in  ACP  countries.  These  figures  are  indicative  and 
should  be  seen  in  the  context  of  considerable  additional  related  expenditure 
financed  from  other  regionally  specific  budgets  (e.g.  the  EDF  in  the  ACP 
countries). 

8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES 

-  Normal checks by Commission  officials; 

-  External audits; 

-  All  contracts  shall  entitle  the  Commission  to  conduct  financial  controls  and  to 

check performance  at the contractor's premises; 

-  Commission delegations in the countries concerned  shall monitor projects  on the 

ground. 

9.  ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS  ANALYSIS 

9.1  Types  of  actions  financed  which  contribute  to  the  general  objectives  of  the 

budget heading 

-  Support  for  the  establishment,  development  and  increased  availability  of 
reproductive  health  care  services  as  part  of  policies  and  programmes 
implemented by governments, international bodies, NGOs and private operators. 
-  help  with  drafting,  application  or  financing  of  policies  which  contribute  to  the 

better reproductive health of women and girls. 

-  The  improvement  of  reproductive  health  care  services,  encompassing  safe 
pregnancies,  perinatal  care,  family  planning,  prevention  and  treatment  of 
sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. 

A% 

-  Support  for 

information,  education  and  awareness  campaigns  aimed  at 
promoting  better  reproductive  health  and  an  understanding  of  population  and 
reproductive health issues. 

-  Development  of  grass-roots  structures,  the  voluntary  sector,  local  NGOs  and 
south-south  cooperation  for the implementation  of programmes, the exchange of 
experiences and support for cooperation  networks between partners. 

9.2  Justification  for the operation 

9.2.1  Need for Community financial  aid 

Budget  heading  B7-631  (ex  B7-5050)  was  created  at  the  instigation  of 
Parliament. The operation  will give concrete expression  to the wish of the EU 
to  make  a  practical  contribution  to  the  follow-up  of  the  International 
Conference  on Population  and Development. 

The  proposed  EU  operation  will  help  developing  countries  confront  the 
serious  economic  and  social  problems  associated  with  high  rates  of 
population  growth  and  poor  reproductive  health  of  people,  which  threaten  to 
erode progress  made  in other  areas  and  impose  serious  strain  on  the  existing 
social  infrastructure. 
It  is  hoped  to  significantly  contribute  to  the  socio 
economic  well-being  of  the  target  populations,  notably  through  meeting 
demand  for  reproductive  health  (including  mother  and  child  health)  services 
and reducing maternal and infant  mortality and morbidity. 

The  proposed  operation  will  also  complement  bilateral  measures  already 
supported  by  Member  States.  Close  collaboration  with  those  responsible  for 
Member  State  bilaterally  funded  programmes,  will  contribute  to  significant 
improvements  in  the coordination  of policy  and  activity  between  the  EU  and 
the Member States. 

Donor meetings are planned to improve coordination  between  donor agencies. 
Such  exchanges  of  information  will  avoid  duplication,  and  enhance  the 
coherence and cost-effectiveness  of the European programme. 

9.2.2. Procedures 

Decisions  on  actions  of  more  than  2  MECU,  and  any  modification  of  such 
actions  leading  to  an  increase  of  more  than  20 % of  the  original  budget,  will 
only be made following  consultation  with  an  Advisory  Committee  composed 
of representatives  of the Member States and chaired by a representative  of the 
Commission.  Actions  of  less  than  2  MECU  will  be  selected  through 
consultation  within  the  Commission.  Because  EU  Delegations  are  better 
informed  on  the  level  of  other  donor  activity  in  their  countries,  all  proposals 
will  either  be  screened  in  advance  by  the  Delegations  or  sent  to  the 
Delegations  for  comment  prior  to  decision;  this  procedure  should  maximise 
complementarity  and minimise  duplication. 

£o 

The  Guidelines  for  the  Financing  of  Population  Related  Initiatives  in 
Developing  Countries  will  be  extensively  revised  to  give  all  necessary 
information  on  the  financing  of  actions  under  this  budget  line  (financing 
conditions;  admissible  costs;  eligibility  of  applicants, 
initiatives  and 
countries; procedures for the submission  of applications etc.). 

The  guidelines  will  stress  the  priority  to  be  given  to  initiatives  which 
complement  other  national  and/or regional  activities funded  by the EU or the 
EDF in ACP and ALA MED countries 

9.3. Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 

The  logical  framework  exercise  has  been 
monitoring and evaluation  of projects. 

introduced 

into  the  preparation, 

Progress  against  stated  objectives  can  be  measured  using  selected  objectively 
verifiable  indicators (OVIs) such as: 

- increased utilisation of  reproductive health  services 
- contraceptive prevalence rate 
- number of new  acceptors 
- reduction  in case fatality  rate for direct obstetric  complications 
- reduction in perinatal  mortality 
- % of births attended by trained health personnel 
- reduction in maternal mortality rate 
- reduction  in infant mortality rate 

Technical  assistance  will  be  used  to  assess  specific  outputs  through  a  process  of 
ongoing project  monitoring. 

A number  of  specific  impact  studies  will  be carried  out.  The  project  design  of  all 
major  operations financed  under B7-631 will include an evaluation  requirement. 

The Commission  will also use the results of evaluations undertaken  by other  bodies 
(e.g. USAID, ODA, the World Bank, UNFPA, and the IPPF). 

An  overall  evaluation  of  the  budget  line,  covering  the  period  1990-1995,  was 
undertaken  in  1995. The  recommendations  and  results  shall  be  integrated  into  the 
revised  guidelines for  submitting  proposals. They will form  the basis against  which 
all  actions  will  be  screened  for  renewal,  termination,  or  realignment.  Towards  the 
end of the programme cycle a similar overall evaluation will be carried out. 

10.  Administrative  expenditure 

The actual  mobilisation  of the administrative  resources  required  will  depend  on  the 
annual Commission  decision  on the allocation  of resources, taking into account  any 
additional  amounts or staff  allowed by the budgetary  authority. 

2/i 

10.1.  Impact on the number of posts 

The  officials  required  can  be  assigned  from  existing  resources  in  the  units 
concerned within Directorates-General  IB and VIII. 

Type of post 

Staff  to  be  assigned  to  the 
project 
Permanent 
posts 

Temporary 
posts 

of which 

Duration/ 
year 

By recourse 
to additional 
staff 

By using 
existing  staff 
in the DG or 
service 
concerned 

A 
B 
C 

Officials  or 
temporary 
officials 
Other staff 
Total 

0.2 
0 
0 

0.2 

1.0 
0.1 
0 

1.1 

1.2 
0.1 
0 

1.3 

-

-

indefinite 

10.2.  Overall financial  impact of the additional  staff 

Expenditure  on  the  staff  required  for  this  operation  will  be  covered  by  mobilising 
existing  resources  (within  the  unit  concerned)  :  0.2 officials  +  1.1  temporary 
officials  (Al, A2, A4, A5): ECU  130 000 per year. 

10.3.  Increase in other operational expenditure resulting from the operation 

The  resources  required  for  this  operation  will  be  obtained  by  recourse  to  existing 
resources within the unit or directorate concerned. 

SSU 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 216 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

01  11  17 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-97-204-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-19597-9 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

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