Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme for youth (COM(98)0331 C4-0511/98 98/0197(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)
Date: 1998-11-05
Institutions: Committee on Culture and Education, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, continuing education, hiring, vocational training, young person, youth employment













EUR-Lex - 51998AP0389 - EN






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51998AP0389

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme for youth (COM(98)0331 C4-0511/98 98/0197(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)  


Official Journal C 359 , 23/11/1998 P. 0075 





A4-0389/98Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme for youth (COM(98)0331 - C4-0511/98 - 98/0197(COD))The proposal was approved with the following amendments:(Amendment 1)Recital 6>Original text>(6) Whereas there is a need to promote active citizenship, to strengthen the links between measures pursued under this programme, and to step up the fight against exclusion in all its forms, including racism and xenophobia; whereas special attention should be focused on removing all forms of inequality and on promoting equal opportunities for women and men;>Text following EP vote>(6)Whereas there is a need to promote active citizenship, to strengthen the links between measures pursued under this programme, and to step up the fight for respect for human rights and against exclusion in all its forms, including racism, excessive nationalism and xenophobia; whereas special attention should be focused on respecting minorities, on removing all forms of inequality and on ensuring equal participation of women and men;(Amendment 2)Recital 6a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6a) Whereas a special effort must be made to reach young people who for cultural, social, physical, economic or geographical reasons find it more difficult to participate in this programme; whereas the result of this effort must be specifically assessed;(Amendment 3)Recital 6b (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6b) Whereas youth exchanges in particular contribute to mutual trust, the strengthening of democracy, tolerance, a willingness to cooperate and solidarity between the rising generations, and whereas they are therefore crucial for the cohesion and further development of the Union;(Amendment 4)Recital 6c (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6c) Whereas European Voluntary Service must be further expanded as a useful instrument to prepare people for working life and enable them to acquire additional knowledge and skills; whereas, however, it should be confined to work which does not replace potential or paid jobs or result in any reduction therein; whereas the organisations concerned, particularly the host organisations themselves or the larger framework to which they belong, must be non-commercial and/or non-profit-making and must respect and apply the principles and rules of the European Union;(Amendment 5)Recital 6d (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6d) Whereas European Voluntary Service must be further developed as a worthwhile opportunity for transnational voluntary participation, as a means of developing European citizenship and membership of the Union and as useful experience in preparation for working life and the acquisition of additional knowledge;(Amendment 6)Recital 6e (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6e) Whereas the Commission and Member States will ensure that the actions in this programme are adequately publicised in order to ensure that they are not in practice reserved for the initiated; whereas it is necessary to ensure that national centres reach young people in general, and not just those who belong to youth organisations;(Amendment 7)Recital 6f (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6f) Whereas in its resolution of 14 May 1998 on the information and communication policy in the European Union(1) the European Parliament stated that, with regard to support and action programmes, the selection of projects should be more transparent and the reasons for the choice should be clearer to those who submit the projects;____________(1) OJ C 167, 1.6.1998, p. 230.(Amendment 8)Recital 6g (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6g) Whereas, if the youth programmes are to have a genuine impact, some of the priorities in defining the programmes' structure and budget must include training, the mobility of trainers and language learning;(Amendment 9)Recital 6h (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6h) Whereas this Decision establishes a Community framework intended to contribute to the development of transnational voluntary service activities; whereas the Member States must adopt appropriate and coordinated measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles in order to further improve young people's access to the programme and facilitate recognition of the specificity of young volunteers;(Amendment 10)Recital 6i (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6i) Whereas the participation of young people in voluntary service activities is a type of informal education, whose quality will be largely based on appropriate preparatory measures, including those of a linguistic and cultural nature; whereas it helps to determine the future direction of their lives, to broaden their horizons and to develop their social skills, active citizenship, balanced integration into society from the economic, social and cultural point of view, and promotes awareness of true European citizenship;(Amendment 11)Recital 6j (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(6j) Whereas the Commission and Member States must seek to guarantee complementarity between European Voluntary Service activities and the various similar national schemes;(Amendment 13)Recital 7a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(7a) Whereas the integration of young people into the world of work is an essential element of their integration into society, and whereas this also calls for all their skills and qualifications acquired as part of their experience of informal education to be recognised and developed;(Amendment 14)Recital 9a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(9a) Whereas the Commission and the Member States should ensure consistency and complementarity between measures financed under this programme and those financed under the Structural Funds on the basis of clear guidelines drawn up by the Commission;(Amendment 15)Recital 10a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(10a) Whereas in its resolution of 2 July 1998 on the Communication from the Commission on promoting the role of voluntary organizations and foundations in Europe(1) the European Parliament recognised the essential role played by non-profit-making organisations in the implementation of the European Union's social policies and programmes and called for the provision of adequate capacity-building measures;__________(1) OJ C 226, 20.7.1998, p. 66.(Amendment 16)Recital 11>Original text>(11) Whereas provision should be made to open up this programme to participation by the associated Central and East European countries, in accordance with the conditions established in the relevant agreements, notably the association agreements, to Cyprus on the same terms as those applied to the EFTA/EEA countries as well as to Turkey and Malta according to the procedures to be agreed with these countries;>Text following EP vote>(11)Whereas provision should be made to open up this programme, subject to full compliance with the principles set out in Recital 6, to participation by the associated Central and East European countries, in accordance with the conditions established in the relevant agreements, notably the association agreements, to Cyprus on the same terms as those applied to the EFTA/EEA countries as well as to Turkey and Malta according to the procedures to be agreed with these countries;(Amendment 17)Recital 13a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(13a) Whereas, pursuant to Article 126 of the Treaty, it is for the Member States to develop and strengthen the instruments for youth so as to increase the effectiveness of action by the European Union;(Amendment 18)Article 1(3)>Original text>3. This programme shall contribute to the Europe of knowledge through the implementation of a European education area fostering the development of lifelong education and training. It shall permit the development of the knowledge and skills conducive to the full exercise of citizenship.>Text following EP vote>3.This programme shall contribute to active citizenship on the part of young people and their commitment to the further development of the Union, and to a knowledge policy in Europe by means of the promotion of a European educational area to improve the opportunities of young people and their employability.(Amendment 19)Article 2(1), introduction>Original text>1. In order to allow young people to acquire knowledge and skills, and to exercise responsible citizenship so as to become an active part of society, notably by promoting the role of young women, the objectives of the present programme are as follows:>Text following EP vote>1.In order to allow young people to acquire knowledge, information and skills, and to exercise responsible citizenship so as to become an active part of society, notably by promoting the role of young women, the objectives of the present programme are as follows:(Amendment 21)Article 2(1)( b)>Original text>(b) to promote an active contribution by young people to the building of Europe through their participation in transnational exchanges within the Community or with non-member countries, by means of which they may discover the true nature of Europe in all its diversity and become more aware of other environments, thus helping to combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia;>Text following EP vote>(b)to promote the building of a tolerant society in Europe by encouraging participation of young people in transnational projects involving exchanges within the Community or with non-member countries, the purpose of which is to help them discover the true nature of Europe in all its social and cultural diversity and become more aware of other environments, thus helping to promote respect for human rights and combat racism, nationalism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia;(Amendment 22)Article 2(2)>Original text>2. In implementing these objectives, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that action under this programme is consistent with the Community's other actions and policies, particularly with regard to employment, to the removal of inequality, to equal opportunities for women and men, and to social policy.>Text following EP vote>2.In implementing these objectives, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that action under this programme is consistent with the Community's other actions and policies, particularly with regard to employment, to the removal of social inequality, to equal opportunities for women and men, and to social policy.(Amendment 23)Article 3(1), introduction and (a) and (b)>Original text>1. The aims of this programme shall be pursued by means of the following actions, the operational content and the application procedures of which are described in the Annex to this Decision:>Text following EP vote>1.The aims of this programme as stated in Article 2 shall be pursued by means of the following actions, the operational content and the application procedures of which are described in the Annex to this Decision:>Original text>(a) European voluntary service;>Text following EP vote>(a) Youth for Europe;>Original text>(b) Youth for Europe;>Text following EP vote>(b) European voluntary service;(Amendment 24)Article 3(2)(b)>Original text>(b) promotion of virtual mobility;>Text following EP vote>(b)promotion of the use of information and communications technology;(Amendment 25)Article 3(2)(ca) (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(ca) support for transnational projects to promote European citizenship and the commitment of young people to the development of the Union;(Amendment 26)Article 3(2)(d)>Original text>(d) promotion of language skills and understanding of different cultures;>Text following EP vote>(d)promotion of the linguistic and cultural diversity of the EU;(Amendment 27)Article 4(1)>Original text>1 This programme is aimed at young people, in principle between the ages of 15 and 25, who are legal residents of a Member States, as well as those involved in youth work.>Text following EP vote>1.This programme is aimed at young people, in principle between the ages of 14 and 27, who are legal residents of a Member State, as well as those involved in youth work. The age limits may be adjusted to some extent, taking account of the specific circumstances in the participating countries.(Amendment 28)Article 4(3)>Original text>3. The Commission and Member States shall ensure that special efforts are made to assist young people who, for cultural, social, physical, economical or geographical reasons, find it more difficult to participate in existing action programmes at Community, national, regional or local level and shall accordingly take account of the difficulties faced by this target group.>Text following EP vote>3.Special efforts shall be made in terms of preparatory measures, technical assistance and capacity-building measures to assist young people and small, local groups who, for cultural, social, physical, economic or geographical reasons, find it more difficult to participate in existing action programmes at Community, national, regional or local level.>Original text>>Text following EP vote>The Commission and Member States shall, moreover, ensure that at least one third of the appropriations for Action 1, for the youth initiatives section of Action 3 and for Action 4 is used to assist this target group and facilitate its access to the programme.(Amendment 29)Article 4(3a) (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>3a. The Commission and the Member States shall coordinate efforts so that the beneficiaries of the programme can have access to social welfare and medical assistance.(Amendment 30)Article 5(3)>Original text>3. The Commission and Member States shall take appropriate action to develop structures established at Community and national level to achieve the objectives of the programme, to facilitate access to the programme for young people and other partners at local level, to evaluate and monitor actions called for under the programme and to apply consultation and selection arrangements. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that they take measures designed adequately to inform and raise the awareness of young people moving to another country, in particular briefing volunteers on their rights and obligations at European, national and local level. The Member States shall ensure that appropriate information and publicity is provided on actions supported by the programme.>Text following EP vote>3.The Commission and Member States shall take appropriate action and provide adequate assistance in order to develop structures established at Community, national and, where applicable, regional level to achieve the objectives of the programme, render implementation user-friendly and geared to young people, so that the programme becomes more accessible, to facilitate access to the programme for young people and other partners at local level, to evaluate and monitor actions called for under the programme, in compliance with the provisions of Article 12 and to apply consultation and selection arrangements. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that they take measures designed adequately to inform and raise the awareness of young people moving to another country, in particular briefing volunteers on their rights and obligations at European, national and local level. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that sufficient information and publicity is provided for the measures under this programme to ensure that the public is fully aware of them, especially to promote what is provided for in Article 4(2) and (3).(Amendment 31)Article 5(4)>Original text>4. Each Member State shall endeavour to take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of the programme and to take appropriate measures to remove any obstacles in gaining access to this programme.>Text following EP vote>4.Each Member State shall endeavour to take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of the programme and to take appropriate measures to remove any legal or administrative obstacles in gaining access to this programme, in particular by ensuring that young people who participate in transnational activities and exchanges under this programme do not forfeit their rights, especially those relating to social protection.(Amendment 32)Article 6>Original text>As part of the process of building up a Europe of knowledge, the measures of this programme may be implemented as joint actions with other Community actions forming part of the knowledge policy, particularly Community programmes in the area of education and training.>Text following EP vote>As part of the process of building up a Europe of knowledge, the measures of this programme may be implemented as joint actions with other Community actions forming part of the knowledge policy, particularly Community programmes in the area of education and training.Clear management structures and implementation procedures are required for this purpose.(Amendment 34)Article 7(2)(aa) (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>(aa) the general balance between the various actions in the programme;(Amendment 33)Article 7(5a) (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>5a. Whenever such consultation takes place, representatives of youth organisations at European Union level, appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from such organisations, shall participate in the work of the committee as observers and will have the right to request that their position be recorded in the minutes of the meetings.(Amendment 35)Article 8(1)>Original text>1. The financial resources for the implementation of this programme for the period specified in Article 1 shall be set at ECU 600 million.>Text following EP vote>1.The financial resources for the operational implementation of this programme for the period specified in Article 1 shall be set at ECU 800 million, including ECU 280 million for the Youth for Europe action referred to in Article 3(1)(a), ECU 280 million for the European Voluntary Service action referred to in Article 3(1)(b), ECU 100 million for the Opportunity for Youth action referred to in Article 3(1)(c), ECU 6 million for the joint actions referred to in Article 3(1)(d), and ECU 134 million for the support measures referred to in Article 3(1)(e).>Original text>>Text following EP vote>1a. That amount may possibly be reviewed in a proportion not exceeding 20% of the amount as part of annual budgetary conciliation.(Amendment 36)Article 9(1), 1st subparagraph>Original text>1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure the overall consistency with other Community activities. Coordination shall be ensured in particular between the activities of this programme and the other Community actions in particular those covered by the knowledge policy.>Text following EP vote>1.The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure the overall consistency with other Community activities, without prejudice to the individual character and specificity of each programme. Coordination shall be ensured in particular between the activities of this programme and the other Community actions in particular those covered by the knowledge policy.(Amendment 37)Article 10(1)>Original text>1. This programme shall be open to the participation of the associated central and eastern European countries (CEEC) in accordance with the conditions fixed in the Europe agreements or in existing or anticipated additional protocols governing the participation of these countries in Community programmes. This programme shall also be open to the participation, funded by additional appropriations, of Cyprus under the same rules as those applied to the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which belong to the European Economic Area (EEA) according to the procedures to be agreed with this country. The present programme is also open to participation by Turkey according to the procedures to be established with this country>Text following EP vote>1.This programme shall be open, subject to full compliance with the provisions of Recital 6 and Articles 2 and 4, to the participation of the associated central and eastern European countries (CEEC) in accordance with the conditions fixed in the Europe agreements or in existing or anticipated additional protocols governing the participation of these countries in Community programmes. This programme shall also be open to the participation, funded by additional appropriations, of Cyprus under the same rules as those applied to the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which belong to the European Economic Area (EEA) according to the procedures to be agreed with this country. The present programme is also open to participation by Turkey according to the procedures to be established with this country(Amendment 38)Article 12(2)>Original text>2. The Commission shall evaluate this programme periodically in cooperation with the Member States. The evaluation shall seek to appraise the effectiveness of the actions implemented, by reference to the objectives set out in Article 2.>Text following EP vote>2.The Commission shall evaluate this programme periodically in cooperation with the Member States. The evaluation shall seek to appraise the effectiveness of the actions implemented, by reference to the objectives set out in Article 2 and to ascertain whether equality of access to the programme as laid down in Article 4(2) and (3) is being achieved.>Original text>The evaluation shall also examine the complementarity between action under this programme and that pursued under other Community programmes, particularly action supported by the European Social Fund.>Text following EP vote>The evaluation shall also examine the complementarity between action under this programme and that pursued under other Community programmes, particularly action supported by the European Social Fund.The results of this evaluation, accompanied, where appropriate, by the Commission's remarks and recommendations, shall be submitted for consideration to the committee and forwarded to the European Parliament.>Original text>There shall be regular external evaluations of the results of the Community actions in accordance with criteria established using the procedure under Article 7(2).>Text following EP vote>There shall be regular external evaluationsat European, national and, where applicable, regional level of the results of the Community actions in accordance with the arrangements established using the procedure under Article 7(2).(Amendment 39)Article 12(4), 1st indent>Original text>- an interim report on the implementation of this programme no later than 30 June 2003;>Text following EP vote>-an interim report on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of this programme in the light of the appropriations allocated no later than 30 June 2003;(Amendment 40)Annex, introduction, 1st paragraph>Original text>Funding approved under this programme shall respect the principles of co-financing and additionality. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the Decision, efforts must be made to facilitate access to the programme for young people who face difficulties of a cultural, social, economic, physical, mental or geographical nature. The Committee referred to in Article 7 of this Decision shall lay down the specific form these efforts should take. Community funding is to be distributed in such a way as to take account of the need to ensure that there is a balance in the mobility actions undertaken and that the young people of every Member State have an equal opportunity of participation.>Text following EP vote>Funding approved under this programme shall respect the principles of co-financing and additionality. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the Decision,provision must be made to facilitate access to the programme for young people and small, local groups who face difficulties of a cultural, social, economic, physical, mental or geographical nature. The Committee referred to in Article 7 of this Decision shall lay down the specific form these efforts should take. Community funding is to be distributed in such a way as to take account of the need to ensure that there is a balance in the mobility actions undertaken and that the young people of every Member State have an equal opportunity of participation, i.e. that Article 4(3) is taken into account.(Amendment 41)Annex, Action 1, 1st paragraph>Original text>For the purposes of this programme, 'young volunteer' is taken to be a person between the ages of 18 and 25 who is a legal resident of a Member State of the European Community.>Text following EP vote>For the purposes of this programme, 'young volunteer' is taken to be a person between the ages of 18 and 25(without, however, excluding the possibility, by way of exception, in certain duly justified cases, of considering the candidacies of young people outside these age limits) who is a legal resident of a Member State of the European Community.(Amendment 42)Annex, Action 1, 2nd paragraph>Original text>The young volunteer shall undertake, as an active citizen, to carry out an activity which gives tangible form to solidarity, with the aim of acquiring social and personal skills and establishing the basis for a future career while at the same time contributing to society as a whole. To this end, the young volunteer shall participate, in a Member State other than the one in which he is living, or in a non-member country, in a non-profit-making and unpaid activity which is of value to the community and lasts for a limited period (maximum of 12 months) as part of a project recognised by the Member State and by the Community. Full board and the supervision of a tutor shall be provided. The voluntary service project shall ensure that the young volunteer is covered by sickness insurance and by any other appropriate insurance. The young volunteer shall receive a small remuneration/sum as pocket money.>Text following EP vote>The young volunteer shallengagein an activity which gives tangible form to solidarity and helps them acquire social and personal skills, thus improving their employment opportunities. To this end, the young volunteer shall participate, in a Member State other than the one in which he is living, or in a non-member country, in a non-profit-making and unpaid activity which is of value to the community and lasts for a limited period (maximum of 12 months). This activity must be part of a project recognised by the Member State and by the Community and comply with the aims of this programme set out in Article 2 and other Community policies. In particular it should not result in job substitution. Full board and the supervision of a tutor shall be provided. The voluntary service project shall ensure that the young volunteer is covered by sickness insurance and by any other appropriate insurance. The young volunteer shall receive a small remuneration/ sum as pocket money.(Amendment 43)Annex, Action 1, 2nd paragraph a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>The activities must be confined to work which does not replace potential or paid jobs or result in any reduction therein. The organisations concerned, particularly the host organisations themselves or the larger framework to which they belong, must be non-commercial and/or non-profit-making and must respect and apply the principles and rules of the European Union.(Amendment 44)Annex, Action 1.1, 2nd paragraph>Original text>The Community may support schemes, particularly those with a linguistic or intercultural element, which aim at preparing young volunteers for their departure and easing their integration during these activities as well as when they have completed their period of European voluntary service. These schemes may take the form of mentor arrangements for the young person.>Text following EP vote>The Community may support schemes, particularly those with a linguistic or intercultural element, which aim at preparing young volunteers for their departure and easing their integration during these activities as well as when they have completed their period of European voluntary service. These schemes may take the form of mentorand counselling arrangements for the young person and can be combined with action under the Opportunity for Youth strand.(Amendment 45)Annex, Action 1.2, 3rd paragraph>Original text>The Community may support schemes, particularly those with a linguistic or intercultural element, which aim at preparing young volunteers for their departure and easing their integration during these activities as well as when they have completed their period of European voluntary service. These schemes may take the form of mentor arrangements for the young person.>Text following EP vote>The Community may support schemes, particularly those with a linguistic or intercultural element, which aim at preparing young volunteers for their departure and easing their integration during these activities as well as when they have completed their period of European voluntary service. These schemes may take the form of mentorand counselling arrangements for the young person and can be combined with action under the Opportunity for Youth strand.(Amendment 46)Annex, Action 1.2a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>Action 1.2a: Post-EVS initiatives>Original text>>Text following EP vote>The Community shall support initiatives designed to help young volunteers to make the best possible use of their experience and to encourage their active integration into society. These initiatives taken by young people on completing their European voluntary service will allow them to launch and promote activities of a social, cultural, socio-cultural and economic nature and/or to participate in supplementary educational activities with the potential for conversion into employment. Priority access will be given to those young people most in need.(Amendment 47)Annex, Action 2.1, 1st paragraph>Original text>The Community shall support mobility activities for young people provided these last at least one week, are carried out on the basis of joint projects within the Community and involve groups of young people aged in principle between 15 and 25 years of age and legally resident in a Member State.>Text following EP vote>The Community shall support mobility activities for young people provided these last at least one week, are carried out on the basis of joint projects within the Community and involve groups of young people aged in principle between14 and 27 years of age and legally resident in a Member State. The age limits may be adjusted to some extent, taking account of the specific circumstances in the participating countries.(Amendment 48)Annex, Action 2.1, 2nd paragraph>Original text>These activities, based on transnational partnerships between groups of young people shall involve their active participation and be designed to make it possible for them to discover and become aware of different social and cultural realities and to encourage them to participate in, or initiate, other activities at European level. Particular attention is to be paid to participation by young people for whom it is their first European activity and to small-scale or local groups without experience at European level.>Text following EP vote>These activities, based on transnational partnerships between groups of young people shall involve their active participation and be designed to make it possible for them to discover and become aware of different social and cultural realities and to encourage them to participate in, or initiate, other activities at European level.In accordance with the provisions of Articles 4(3) and 5(3) particular attention is to be paid to participation by young people for whom it is their first European activity and to small-scale or local groups without experience at European level.(Amendment 49)Annex, Action 2.1, 3rd paragraph>Original text>After a launch period expected to last some two years, Community support shall be focused primarily on multilateral group-mobility activities. Bilateral group mobility will receive funding only if this is justified in terms of the target group or a specific educational approach.>Text following EP vote>After a launch period expected to last some two years, Community support shall be focused primarily on multilateral group-mobility activities. Bilateral group mobility will receivefurther funding if this is justified in terms of the target group or a specific educational approach, the circumstances of a small language area or the peripheral location of participants..(Amendment 51)Annex, Action 2.1, 4th paragraph a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>In allocating Community support for this action, the provisions of Article 4(3) of this Decision shall be applied.(Amendment 52)Annex, Action 3, 2nd to 5th paragraphs>Original text>The Community shall support initiatives designed to help young volunteers to make the best possible use of the experience they have gained during their period of voluntary service and to encourage their active integration into society. These initiatives taken by young people on completing their European voluntary service will allow them to launch and promote activities of a social, cultural, socio-cultural and economic nature and/or to participate in supplementary educational activities. Priority access will be given to those young people most in need.>Text following EP vote>The Community shall support initiatives designed to help young volunteers to make the best possible use of the experience they have gained during their period of voluntary service and to encourage their active integration into society. These initiatives taken by young people on completing their European voluntary service will allow them to launch and promote activities of a social, cultural,and socio-cultural nature and/or to participate in supplementary educational activities. Priority access will be given to those young people most in need.>Original text>Initiatives designed to encourage tolerance and the acceptance of differences, as well measures combating all forms of exclusion, should be given specific encouragement and stimulation.>Text following EP vote>Support for 'Youth Initiatives¨ shall encourage extension of these projects to include similar initiatives conducted in other Member States in order to strengthen their transnational nature and greatly expand exchanges of experience and cooperation between young people. This aid may include organising meetings of young promoters of Europe-wide initiatives. Financial aid may be granted towards the effective establishment of stable partnerships designed to enhance the impact and permanence of transnational youth initiatives.>Original text>The Community shall be receptive to initiatives involving cultural and sporting activities as a vital form of communication between young people at Community level.>Text following EP vote>Initiatives designed to encourage tolerance and the acceptance of differences, as well measures combating all forms of exclusion, should be given specific encouragement and stimulation.>Original text>Support for 'Youth Initiatives¨ shall encourage extension of these projects to include similar initiatives conducted in other Member States in order to strengthen their transnational nature and greatly expand exchanges of experience and cooperation between young people. This aid may include organising meetings of young promoters of Europe-wide initiatives. Financial aid may be granted towards the effective establishment of stable partnerships designed to enhance the impact and permanence of transnational youth initiatives.>Text following EP vote>The Community shall be receptive to initiatives involving cultural and sporting activities as a vital form of communication between young people at Community level.>Original text>>Text following EP vote>Community support for such 'Youth Initiatives¨ shall be provided in partnership with other local players, such as political leaders in towns, associations and social services.(Amendment 54)Annex, Action 3, 5th paragraph a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>In allocating Community support for this action, the provisions of Article 4(3) of this Decision shall be applied.(Amendment 55)Annex, Action 4, 2nd paragraph>Original text>Coordination between programmes may be implemented by means of calls for joint projects. The Commission intends in particular to develop a common system of information and observation concerning good practice in the field of knowledge, alongside joint actions with regard to multimedia for educational and training purposes. These projects may cover a range of schemes from a number of different sectors including youth. They may be funded in a complementary manner by a number of different Community programmes.>Text following EP vote>Coordination between programmes may be implemented by means of calls for joint projects. The Commission intends in particular to develop a common system of information and observation concerning good practice in the field of knowledge, alongside joint actions with regard to multimedia for educational and training purposesand to promote the establishment of pathways, guiding young people from disadvantaged background from activities developing their sense of social responsibility and self-confidence through to transnational educational or vocational experiences. These projects may cover a range of schemes from a number of different sectors including youth. They may be funded in a complementary manner by a number of different Community programmes.(Amendment 56)Annex, Action 4, 3rd paragraph a (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>In allocating Community support for this action, the provisions of Article 4(3) of this Decision shall be applied.(Amendment 57)Annex, Action 5.2(1) and (2), 1st and 2nd indents>Original text>1. In line with the objectives of the programme, and in particular to improve access for all young people and to enhance their initiative and active participation in society, the Commission shall encourage those active in the field of youth work to become involved in informing young people at European level, as well as boosting cooperation between the information and communication systems for young people established in the Member States and at Community level. In this context, particular stress is to be laid on broadening cooperation to include the fields of education and training as well as on the dialogue between and with young people.>Text following EP vote>1.In line with the objectives of the programme, and in particular to improve access for all young people and to enhance their initiative and active participation in society, the Commission shall encourage those active in the field of youth work to become involved in informing young people at European level, as well as boosting cooperation between the information and communication systems for young people established in the Member States and at Community level. In this context, particular stress is to be laid on broadening cooperation to include the fields of formal and informal education and training as well as on the dialogue between and with young people.>Original text>2. Accordingly, funding shall be provided for initiatives involving:>Text following EP vote>2.Accordingly, funding shall be provided for initiatives involving:>Original text>- the acquisition of the necessary experience and skills to carry out youth information projects based on transnational cooperation and projects which provide information and, in particular, advisory services for young people;>Text following EP vote>- the acquisition of the necessary experience and skills to carry out youth information projects based on transnational cooperation and projects which provide information and, in particular, advisory services for young people;>Original text>- cooperative projects focusing on information dissemination, enhancing the awareness among young people of the field covered by the programme and giving young people access to all necessary information to achieve the objectives of the programme;>Text following EP vote>- cooperative projects focusing on information dissemination, enhancing the awareness among young people of the field covered by the programme and giving young people access to all necessary information to achieve the objectives of the programme; such initiatives to provide information, increase awareness among target groups and disseminate evaluations shall be carried out in coordination with the activities of the same type provided for in Action/Point 8 (Support measures) of the Annexes to the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes;(Amendment 58)Annex, Action 5.2(3)>Original text>3. With regard to the youth studies associated with the programme objectives, the Community shall support studies focusing on the impact of measures taken on behalf of young people and, in particular, measures that seek to promote cooperation in this field. This research may take the form of case studies.>Text following EP vote>3.With regard to the youth studies associated with the programme objectives, the Community shall support studies focusing on the impact of measures taken on behalf of young people and, in particular, measures that seek to promote cooperation in this field. Such studies shall analyse, as far as possible, the impact of other policies on the world of youth and shall seek to provide a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the needs of young people and of the circumstances in which they live.>Original text>>Text following EP vote>Priority shall be given to studies concerning the paths taken by less-favoured and marginalised young people; they shall analyse, in particular, the factors which have promoted or hampered the social integration of young people and shall bring to the fore input from the informal education sector and from the third sector in general. Priority shall also be given to comparative studies of measures designed to promote the spirit of initiative, including their impact on local development, particularly through the creation of activities (creation of jobs, creation of cultural or social enterprises, etc.). This research may take the form of case studies, the most relevant of which shall be made public.(Amendment 59)Annex, Action 5.2(3a) (new)>Original text>>Text following EP vote>3a. The Commission shall set up a structure whose purpose, inter alia, shall be to develop youth projects and to collect information and documentary resources on youth, bringing together publications, specific studies, programmes and/or measures taken for young people originating from the Community institutions, the Member States, organisations and associations. A 'Young People in Europe' Internet site, managed by the Commission through Europa, will increase the visibility of measures for young people taken at Community level and in the Member States in widely differing areas: education, training, social and political rights, health, sport, leisure, housing, consumption, audiovisual, media, etc. It would also facilitate dialogue with all young people.(Amendment 60)Annex, Action 5.3(1)>Original text>Community assistance may be provided to support the activities of the structures set up by Member States, in accordance with Article 5 of the Decision.>Text following EP vote>Community assistance may be provided to support the activities of the structures set up by Member Stateswith a view to achieving the objectives set out in Articles 4(3) and 5 of the Decision.(Amendment 61)Breakdown (million ECU)>TABLE>Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme for youth (COM(98)0331 - C4-0511/98 - 98/0197(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)The European Parliament,- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(98)0331 - 98/0197(COD) ((OJ C 311, 10.10.1998, p. 6. )),- having regard to Article 189b(2) and Article 126 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C4-0511/98),- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,- having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinions of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Budgets (A4-0389/98),1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty;4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and requests that the conciliation procedure be initiated;5. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.