Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Bulgaria in Community programmes in the fields of vocational training and education
Date: 1998-12-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Association Council (EU), Bulgaria, EU programme, education, vocational training

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  14.12.1998 
COM(1998) 750  final 

98/0352 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning  the Community  position within  the Association  Council 

on the participation  of Bulgaria  in Community  programmes  in the fields  of 
vocational training and  education 

(presented by the Commission) 

Explanatory Memorandum 

The importance of the participation of applicant countries in Community programmes as 
part of the enhanced preaccession strategy which was stressed by the Commission in its 
"Agenda 2000" Communication of 14 July 1997, was reiterated by the European Council 
at  its  meeting  of  12  and  13  December  1997  in  Luxembourg.  This  participation  will 
indeed  help  representatives  from  these  countries  to  familiarise  themselves  with  the 
Union's policies and working methods and with adopting the Acquis, in view of  future 
accession. 

The  Europe  Agreements  or  their  Additional  Protocols  concerning  the  participation  in 
Community  programmes  explicitly  mention  the  fields  of  vocational  training  and 
education  as  an  eligible  area.  Moreover,  they  convey  the  task  to  define  terms  and 
conditions for participation to the Association Council. 

So far, the CEC's confirmed to the Commission in writing their willingness to participate 
in  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Socrates  programmes.  For  some  countries  Association 
Council  decisions  were  taken  to  this  effect.  Bulgaria  recently  also  provided  required 
information  on the way it  intends to  finance  its participation  throughout  the  remaining 
life time of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes, i.e. 1999. 

In view of this participation, a number of preparatory actions have been undertaken, such 
as the establishment of decentralised management structures in Sofia for the community 
programmes  in  the  fields  of  vocational  training  (Leonardo  da  Vinci)  and  education 
(Socrates), which should help making this participation a success. 

The main issues addressed in the annexed draft Decision of the EC-Bulgaria Association 
Council  adopting  the  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  Bulgaria  in  the 
Community  programme  in  the  field  of  vocational  training  and  education,  are  the 
following : 

•  Bulgaria  shall participate  in all actions of the vocational training  and education  in 
conformity  with the objectives, criteria and procedures of the programme  (Annex I, 
paragraph 1). 

• 

terms  and  conditions  for  the  submission,  assessment  and  selection  of  applications 
shall be the same as for Member States (Annex I, paragraph 2). 

•  a  minimum  number  of  partners  from  EC  Member  States  shall  be  required  for  all 

transnational projects proposed by Bulgaria (Annex I, paragraph 3). 

•  Bulgaria shall set up or make available national structures and mechanisms in order 

to implement the programme (Annex I, paragraph 4) 

• 

the financial  contribution  of Bulgaria is defined  in Annex I, paragraph  5 and in the 
Annex  II;  bearing  in  mind  that  Bulgaria,  according  to  article  3  of  the  additional 
protocol, shall pay the cost of its participation and that the Community may decide a 
financial  support,  the  breakdown  between  the  contribution  from  Bulgaria's  own 
budget and from Phare has been indicated 

•  best  efforts  shall be made to  facilitate  the free movement  and residence  of students, 

teachers and university administrators (Annex I, paragraph 6) 

•  Bulgaria  shall  participate  in  the  monitoring  of  its  participation  in  the  Programmes 

(Annex I, paragraph 7) 

•  Bulgaria  shall  be  invited  to  co-ordination  meetings  prior  to  meetings  of  the 
programmes Committees; it shall also be invited about its results (Annex I, paragraph 
8) 

• 

the language to be used in all administrative arrangements for the programme shall be 
one of the official  languages of the Community (Annex I, paragraph 9) 

• 

the Decision shall apply for the duration of the Programmes (Article 2 of the Decision) 

The  adoption  of  Association  Council  decision  to  allow  Bulgaria  to  participate  in  the 
Community programmes namely in Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates in 1999 will offer the 
country the  opportunity to  participate  actively  in this internal  Community instrument,  as 
part  of  the  re-inforced  pre-accession  strategy.  It  is,  therefore,  of  considerable  political 
importance. 

Subject to its capacity to fulfil in time relevant administrative and budgetary requirements, 
Bulgaria should also be able to join other programmes in 1999. 

In  order  to  allow  Bulgaria  to join  the  community  programmes  concerned  in  1999,  the 
Council is requested to adopt the annexed proposal for a Council decision. 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

of 

concerning the Community position within the Association  Council 

on the participation  of Bulgaria in Community programmes in the fields of 
vocational training and education 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article  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 
Bulgaria,  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,  Bulgaria  may  participate  in 
Community  framework  programmes,  specific  programmes,  projects  or  other  actions 
notably  in the  fields  of  vocational  training  and  education,  and pursuant  to Article  2, the 
terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  Bulgaria  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,  and 
Decision  (819/95/EC) of  14 March  1995 of the European Parliament  and  of the  Council 
establishing  the  Community  action  programme  in  the  fields  of  vocational  training  and 
education  (hereinafter  called  "Socrates")2  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, 

,O.J.n°L340of29.12.1994 

2 O.J. no. L87 of 20.04.1995 

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 Bulgaria, of the other part, concerning the participation of Bulgaria in 
Community programmes in the fields of vocational training and education, is the attached 
draft decision of the Association Council. 

Done at Brussels 

For the Council 

ANNEX 

Draft  Decision  n°..../98  of  the  EC-Bulgaria  Association  Council  of 
adopting  the  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  Bulgaria 
Community programmes in the fields of vocational training and education 

..1999 
in 

The ASSOCIATION COUNCIL 

Having regard to the Europe Agreement  between the European Communities  and their 
Member States, of the one part, and Bulgaria, of the other part,3 

Having  regard  to  the  Additional  Protocol  to  the  Europe  Agreement  establishing  an 
association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, 
and  Bulgaria,  of  the  other  part  concerning  Bulgaria's  participation  in  Community 
programmes4, and in particular Article 1 and 2 thereof; 

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

Whereas pursuant to Article 2 of the said Additional Protocol the terms and conditions 
for the participation of Bulgaria in the activities referred to in Article 1  are to be decided 
by the Association Council; 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Bulgaria shall participate  in the European  Community programmes Leonardo da Vinci 
and Socrates according  to the terms  and  conditions  set out  in Annexes I and II which 
shall form an integral part of this Decision. 

Article 2 

This  Decision  shall  apply  for  the  duration  of  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Socrates 
programmes. 

Article 3 

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

Done at 

3 O.J. N°L 358 of 31.12.1994 

4  O.J. N°L  317 of  30.12.1995 

For the Association Council 
The Chairman 

Annex I 

Terms and conditions for the participation  of Bulgaria 
in the  Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates  programmes 

1.  Bulgaria  will  participate  in  all  activities  of  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Socrates 
(hereinafter  called  "the Programmes") in conformity,  unless otherwise provided in this 
Decision, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and time limits laid down in Council 
Decision  (94/819/EC) establishing  an  action  programme  for  the  implementation  of a 
European  Community  vocational  training  policy  and  Decision  n°  819/95/EC  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European  Community  action 
programme  Socrates. 

2. 

- 

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

Language preparation and vocational 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. 

3. 
To  ensure  the  Community  dimension  of  the  Programmes,  transnational  projects 
and  activities  proposed  by  Bulgaria  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 Bulgaria and EFTA States which are parties to the EEA agreement  or any 
other third countries, including those with an association agreement with the Community, 
to which participation in the programme is open, are not eligible for Community  financial 
support. 

4. 
In  conformity  with  the  terms  of  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  Decisions  on  the 
Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Socrates,  Bulgaria  will  lay  down  the  appropriate  structures  and 
mechanisms at national level and will take all other necessary steps to ensure national cor 
ordination and organisation of the implementation of the Programmes. 

5. 
Bulgaria  will pay each year a contribution  to the general  budget  of the  European 
Union to  cover the  costs resulting  from  its participation  in the  Programmes,  (see Annex 
o) 

The Association Committee is entitled to adapt this contribution whenever necessary. 

6. 
The Member States of the Community and Bulgaria will make every effort  within 
the framework  of the existing provisions, to facilitate  the free  movement and residence of 
students, teachers,  university  administrators  and  other  eligible  persons  moving  between 
Bulgaria  and  the  Member  States  of  the  Community  for  the  purpose  of  participating  in 
activities covered by this Decision. 

7 

7. 
Without  prejudice  to  the  responsibilities  of  the  Commission  and  the  Court  of 
Auditors of the European Community in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the 
programmes  pursuant  to  the  Decisions  concerning  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Socrates 
(Articles  10 and 8 respectively), the participation of Bulgaria in the programmes will  be 
continuously mcmitored on a partnership basis involving Bulgaria and the Commission of 
the  European  Cornmunities.  Bulgaria  will  submit  the  necessary  reports  to  the 
Commission  and take  part  in  other specific  activities  undertaken by  the  Community  in 
that context. 

Without  prejudice  to  the  procedures  referred  to  in Article  6  of  the  Decision  on 
8. 
Leonardo da Vinci  and article 4 of the Decision on Socrates, Bulgaria will  be invited to 
co-ordination meetings  on any question concerning the implementation  of this  Decision 
prior to the regular meetings  of the Committees. The Commission will  inform  Bulgaria 
about the results of such regular meetings. 

9. 
The  language to be used  as regards the  application process,  contracts, reports to 
be submitted and other administrative  arrangements for the programmes, will  be one  of 
the official  languages of the Community. 

Annex 2 

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF BULGARIA TO 
THE LEONARDO DA VINCI AND SOCRATES  PROGRAMME 

•1.  The financial contribution of Bulgaria will cover: 

subsidies  or  any  other  financial  support  from 
participants; 

the  programmes 

to  Bulgarian 

financial  support  from  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  programme  to  the  functioning  of  the 
national agency; 

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

For  every  financial  year,  the  aggregated  amount  of  subsidies  or  any  other  financial 
support  received  from  the  programmes  by  the  Bulgarian  beneficiaries  and  by  the 
Leonardo da Vinci national agencies of Bulgaria will not exceed the contribution  paid 
by Bulgaria, after  deduction of the supplementary administrative costs. 

Should the contribution paid by Bulgaria to the general budget of the European Union, 
after  deduction  of  the  supplementary  administrative  costs,  be  higher  than  the 
aggregated  amount  of  the  subsidies  or  other  financial  support  received  from  the 
programmes  by  the  Bulgarian  beneficiaries  and  by  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  national 
agency, 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  contribu 
tion.  Should  such  a balance  be  left  when  the programmes  come  to  an  end,  the  corre 
sponding amount will be reimbursed to Bulgaria. 

3.  Leonardo da Vinci 

Bulgaria's  contribution  for  participating  in  1999  will  be  ECU  1  114  000.  From  this 
sum, an amount of ECU  72 000 will cover supplementary  administrative  costs  related 
to the management  of the programme  by the  Commission  stemming  from  Bulgaria's 
participation. 

4.  Socrates 

Bulgaria's  contribution  will  be  ECU  4  140  000  in  1999  for  its  participation  in  the 
entire Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates, including Chapter I (Erasmus). From this  sum, 
an  amount  of  ECU  270  000  will  cover  supplementary  administrative  costs  related  to 
the  management  of  the  programme  by  the  Commission  stemming  from  Bulgaria's 
participation. 

5.  The financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union will 

apply, notably to the management of the contribution of Bulgaria. 

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

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

The  calculation  of  the  annual  contribution  is  based  on  a participation  during  a  full 
financial year. Should the Association Council Decision enter into force in the course 
of a year, the contribution for that year will be adapted taking into account the state of 
implementation of the Programmes for that particular year. 

Bulgaria will 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 
Bulgaria on the outstanding amount from the due date. The interest rate corresponds to 
the rate applied by the European Monetary  Co-operation Fund, for the month of the 
due date, for its operations in ECU2, increased by 1,5 percentage points. 

6.  Bulgaria will  pay the supplementary  administrative  costs referred to in paragraphs 3 

and 4 from its national budget. 

7.  Of  the  remainder  of  its  annual  contribution  to  the  Leonardo da  Vinci programme, 
referred to in paragraph 3, Bulgaria will pay ECU 31  000 from its national budget in 
1999.  Subject to  regular PHARE programming  procedures, ECU  1 Oil  000  will  be 
paid from Bulgaria's PHARE National Programme of 1999. 

Of the remainder of its annual contribution to the Socrates, referred to in paragraph 4, 
Bulgaria will  pay ECU  116 000 from its national  budget in  1999. Subject to regular 
PHARE  programming  procedures,  ECU  3  754  000  will  be  paid  from  Bulgaria's 
PHARE national programme of 1999. 

2  Rate published monthly in the Official Journal of the European Communities - C Series 

10 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

1. TITLE OF  OPERATION 

Participation of Bulgaria in the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes 

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  Article  126  and  127, in 
conjunction  with Article 228(3) thereof. 

Additional  Protocol  to  the  Europe  Agreement  with  Bulgaria  of  4  December  1995, 
providing for the opening-up of Community programmes (OJ No L 317/24) 

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  (819/95/EC) of  14 March  1995 
establishing the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates, and in particular Article 7(3) thereof, 

' 

4. DESCRIPTION  OF  OPERATION: 

4.1 General  objective 

The Additional  Protocol with Bulgaria entered into force  on  1 August  1996 and  provides 
for  Bulgaria's participation  in Community  programmes  in a wide  range  of  areas,  among 
which vocational training and education. 

In  line  with  the  Commission  communication  "Agenda  2000"  of  16.07.1997  and  of  the 
conclusions  of  the  European  Council  in  Luxembourg,  Bulgaria's  participation  in  the 
Leonardo  da Vinci  and  Socrates programmes  will  be part  of the reinforced  preaccession 
strategy which will assist this country in its preparation for future  accession to the Union. 
Its  participation  will  not  only  contribute  towards  the  implementation  of  the  provisions 
relating  to  economic  and  cultural  co-operation  in  the  Europe  Agreements  but  will  also 
enable Bulgaria to familiarise  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 the opening up of the programmes. 

/! 

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 opened up to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 

4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal 

Until the end of the Community programmes concerned, i.e. 31.12.1999. 

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 Bulgaria 
itself will meet the costs resulting from its participation, it will be invited to transfer  its 
contribution to item 6091 of the EU's budget receipts. However, as the second paragraph 
of Article 3 states that the Community may supplement Bulgaria's contribution (by up to 
10% of the National  Indicative Programme), Bulgaria will contribute only part from its 
national budget, with the remainder being charged to heading B7-503 following a transfer 
from  heading B7-500. 

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 Bulgaria'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 programmes in question and, where appropriate, to the relevant items 
of operating expenditure. 

The total revenue expected is given under item 7.4. 

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT 

7.1  Method of calculating total cost of operation for  1999 financial year (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; 

12 

-  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. 

i 

Based  on  the  Additional  Protocol  with  Bulgaria,  the  financial  and  budgetary 
arrangements  for  the  programme  concerned  are  as  follows  :  the f costs  have  been 
calculated on the basis of various parameters inherent in the programme, i.e. GDP, young 
population,  distances involved. 

The cost of Bulgaria's participation in the Leonardo da Vinci programme will  amount to 
ECU 1 114 000 in 1999. 

For Socrates, the cost will be ECU 4  140 000 in 1999. 

The above-mentioned figures, from which the supplementary administrative costs - to be 
borne exclusively  by  Bulgaria  -  have to be deducted, are divided  as follows  : Bulgaria 
will pay ECU 31 000 and ECU  116 000 of the operational costs of its participation in the 
Leonardo  et  Leonardo  da Vinci  and  Socrates  respectively  from  its  national  budget  of 
1999 ;  subject to regular PHARE programming procedures, the remaining ECU  1 011 
000 and ECU  3 754 000 will be paid from Bulgaria's annual PHARE National Indicative 
Programme of  1999. 

7.2  Itemised breakdown of cost in ECU 

Programme 

1999 

of which Bulgaria 

of which Phare 

Leonardo da Vinci 

1 042 000 

31 000 

1011000 

Socrates 

Total 

3 870 000 

116 000 

3 754 000 

4 912 000 

147 000 

4 765 000 

in ecu 

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

None 

/a-14 

7.4  Schedule for multiannual operations 

Amounts to be charged to item B7-503 

1999 

TOTAL 

4 765 000  I 

4 765 000 

Commitment 
appropriations 
payment 
appropriations 

1999 
subsequent  years 
Total 

4  180 000 
585 000 
4 765 000  [ 

4 765 000 

•(*)  Schedule  based  on  the  method  of  payment  currently  applying  to  the  Leonardo  da 
Vinci and Socrates programmes. 

The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows: 

Item 6091 

1999 

I subsequent  I  TOTAL 
years 

operational part 
administrative part 
Total 

147 000 
342 000 
489 000 

| 

147 000 
342 000 
489 000 

| 

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 and Socrates programmes to Bulgaria is to 
bring  it the same  benefits  as the  Member  States  of the  Community  already  enjoy  from 
these programmes. The essential  aim of  Community  action on education and vocational 
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 vocational training. 

15 

In the  fields  of  vocational  training  and education, the principal  aim of the Leonardo da 
Vinci  and  Socrates  is  to  contribute  to  the  development  of  quality  education  by 
encouraging co-operation between Member States. 
The specific  aims of the Socrates 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; 

•  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  co-operation  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 disadvantaged on the labour market, for example owing to socio-economic, 
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; 

•  support  for  the 

improvement  of  vocational 

including 
university/industry  co-operation, 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 

training  measures 

16 

in the context  of co-operation 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. 

9.2. Grounds for the operation 

-  Need for  Community financial aid 

In  view  of  the  high  cost  of  participation  in  the  programmes  and  Bulgaria's  precarious 
budgetary  situation,  assistance  from  PHARE  as  provided  for  in  Article  3(2)  of  the 
Additional Protocol is essential. 

-  Choice of ways and means 

With  a  contribution  from  PHARE,  supplemented  by  one  from  the  national  budget, 
Bulgaria's  integration  in the programmes  concerned  will put  it  on  an  equal  footing  with 
the  current  EU  Member  States.  The  integration  of  Bulgarian  nationals  in  Community 
networks will make a definite  contribution to preparing Bulgaria for future  membership. 

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

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

9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 

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

10. ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENDITURE 

The administrative resources required will actually be mobilised 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 request of new posts in the framework  of APB, 

a) 
b)  the resources allocation. 

17 

10.1 Impact on the number of posts 

Type of post 

Staff  required  to  manage  the 
operation 
Permanent 
posts 

Temporary 
posts 

including 

Using  existing 
resources 
of 
the 
departments 
concerned 

duration 

1999 

using 
additional 
resources 

or 

Officials 
temporary  staff 
A 
B 
C 

Other resources 
(A-7002) 
TOTAL 

1 
1 

2 

1 
1 

2 

2,98 

2,98 

2,98 

2,98 

18 

10.2 Overall financial impact of the additional human resources 

Temporary staff 
Other resources 
(A-7002) 

Total 

Method of calculation 

(in ecu) 

298 000 

2,98 man x  100.000 ECU x 1 year = 
298 000 ECU 

TOTAL 

1 

298 000 

| 

(*) Calculations based on titles Al, A2, A4, A5 and A7. 

For item A-7002 the additional  expenditure will be met from  the receipts  (article 4 par. 2, third 
indent  of  the  financial  regulation)  received  from  Bulgaria's  participation  in  Community 
programmes (see point 5.3 of the financial statement) 

The  expenses  concerning  the  human  resources  needed  to  carry  out  this  task  that  will  be  met 
through the allocation of the existing resources (calculations based on titles Al,  A2, A4, A5 and 
A7) are estimated to 216 000 ECU  (1 A post and 1  B post in 1999) 

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

Budget heading (No and title)  Total 

A7010-missions 

7 000 

A7030 - meetings 

37 000 

(in ecu) 

Method  of  calculation  (total  cost  of 
the operation in 1999) 

1  166  ECU  x  3  missions  x  2 
programmes  =  6.996  ECU  (roundup 
to 7.000 ECU) 

2 Bulgarian  representatives  x  1.166 
ECU x 8 meetings x 2 programmes = 
37 312 ECU (round  down to 37 000 
ECU) 

Total 

1 

44.000 

1 

The above expenditure will be met from the receipts (article 4 par. 2, third indent of the financial 
regulation) received from Bulgaria's participation in Community programmes (see point 5.3 of the 
financial statement). 

19 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98) 750 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

16  04  11  15 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-98-747-EN-C 

Office  for  Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

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