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 training and education
Date: 2000-04-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Bulgaria, EU programme, Member States' contribution, education, vocational training

EN

1

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 12.04.2000
COM(2000) 207 final

2000/0078 (ACC)

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 training and education

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 confirmed the enlargement process
launched at its meeting of December 1997 in Luxembourg. The enhanced Pre-Accession
Strategy defined in 1997 has been reiterated, which includes the participation of the
13 candidate States in Community programmes as an important part of such strategy.

As regards the ten candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), participation
in Community programmes is provided in their respective Europe Agreements. Pursuant to
the Europe Agreements, the conditions and modalities of these countries’ participation are
defined by the respective Association Councils.

In the case of the education, training and youth programmes, all the CEECs have been
participating in 1999 in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and of the Socrates
programmes, and in the Youth for Europe programme. For some of them, participation in
these programmes started already in 1997, others joined the programmes in 1998 and others
in 1999. Their participation in these programmes has been an important element in these
countries’ pre-accession process.The Association Council decisions
the
arrangements for this participation expired on 31 December 1999, as did the decisions
establishing the programmes themselves.

setting out

The second phase of Leonardo da Vinci, the second phase of Socrates, and a new Youth
programme, are succeeding the previous programmes. The decisions establishing the second
phase of Leonardo da Vinci and of Socrates provide that the programmes shall be open to the
participation of the CEECs. A similar provision is included in the draft decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Community action programme
Youth, which is in the process of adoption.

All the CEECs have confirmed their willingness to participate in the new programmes as from
2000, and to pay their financial contribution partly from their national budget, and partly from
their annual Phare allocation. As provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European
Council in Luxemburg of 12 and 13 December 1997, these countries’ financial contributions
of their own are steadily increasing.

Because of the transnational nature of these programmes, it is in the interests of all parties that
the activities undertaken within the first generation of programmes could continue within the
successor programmes without any interruption.

So as to allow the CEECs to participate in these new programmes since their beginning, the
Commission has tabled a proposal for the adoption of two decisions of each Association
Council, one for the two programmes already in force, Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates,
and one for the Youth programme. So the proposed decisions concerning Leonardo da Vinci II
and Socrates II could be adopted first, and the proposed decisions concerning Youth could be
adopted as soon as the decision establishing the programme will enter into force.

The main issues addressed in the proposed draft Decisions of the Association Councils are the
following :

• projects and initiatives submitted by participants from the CEECs shall be subject to the
same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to these programmes as are applied to
Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment, and selection of
in the
applications and projects,

the responsibilities of

the national

structures

2

implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their
participation in the programmes ;

• the CEECs will pay each year a contribution to the programmes, as established in the
Association Council decisions. This contribution will not be reimbursed to the CEEC if, at
the end of the year, the results fall short of the contribution paid ;

• as provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European Council in Luxemburg, the
CEECs will be invited to attend the Programme Committees as observers, for the points
which concern them ;

• the decisions will apply for the duration of the programmes and will enter into force the

day of their adoption.

The early adoption of Association Council decisions would allow the candidate countries to
continue being integrated in Community networks and other activities in the fields of
education, vocational training and youth without any interruption.

Accordingly, the Council is invited to adopt the annexed 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 training and education.

3

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 training and education

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles
149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

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

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 training and education and, pursuant to Article 2, the terms and
conditions for the participation of Bulgaria in these activities shall be decided by the
Association Council.

Following the Decision 2/99 of 15 March 1999 of the Association Council between
the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic
of Bulgaria, of the other part1, Bulgaria has been participating in the first phase of the
Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes since 1 April 1999.

Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the
Community vocational training action programme “Leonardo da Vinci”2, and in
particular Article 10 thereof, and Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the
European Parliament and the Council establishing the second phase of the Community
action programme in the field of education “Socrates”3, and in particular Article 12
thereof, provide that these programmes shall be open to the participation of associated
Central and Eastern European countries in accordance with the conditions set out in
the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the
respective Association Councils,

1

2

3

OJ L 99, 14.4.1999, p. 28.
OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33.
OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p.1.

4

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council
The President

5

Draft

DECISION N° …/ 2000 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the
Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part

of .....

adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in
Community programmes in the fields of training and education

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

Having regard to the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the
other part, concerning Bulgaria’s participation in Community programmes, and in particular
Articles 1 and 2 thereof1;

Whereas :

(1)

(2)

(3)

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 training and education.

According to Article 2 of the Additional Protocol, the terms and conditions for the
participation of Bulgaria in these activities shall be decided by the Association
Council.

Following the Decision 2/99 of 15 March 1999 of the Association Council between
the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic
of Bulgaria, of the other part2, Bulgaria has been participating in the first phase of the
Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes since 1 April 1999, and has expressed
the wish to participate in the second phase of the programmes,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

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

1

2

OJ L 317, 30.12.1995, p. 25.
OJ L 99, 14.4.1999, p. 28.

6

This Decision shall apply for the duration of the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II
programmes, starting from 1 January 2000.

Article 2

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Association Council
The President

7

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

ANNEX I

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

Bulgaria will participate in the activities of the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II
programmes (hereinafter called “the Programmes”) in conformity, unless otherwise
provided in this Decision, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and deadlines as
defined in Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 and Decision
(253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council
establishing these Community action programmes.

In conformity with the terms of Articles 5 of the Decisions on Leonardo da Vinci II
and Socrates II and with the provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member
States and of the Commission concerning the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates
National Agencies adopted by the Commission, Bulgaria shall establish the
appropriate structures for the coordinated management of the implementation of the
programme actions at national level, and take the measures needed to ensure the
adequate funding of these Agencies, which will receive programme grants for their
activities. Bulgaria will take all other necessary steps for the efficient running of the
Programmes at national level.

To participate in the Programmes, Bulgaria will pay each year a contribution to the
general budget of the European Union according to the modalities described in
Annex II.

If necessary in order to take into account programme developments, or the evolution
of Bulgaria’s absorption capacity, the Association Committee is entitled to adapt this
contribution, so as to avoid budgetary imbalance in the implementation of the
programmes.

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

Bulgarian experts may be taken into consideration by the Commission when
appointing independent experts according to the relevant provisions of the decisions
establishing the programmes to assist it in the project evaluation.

With a view to ensure the Community dimension of the Programmes, to be eligible
for Community financial support, projects and activities will have to include at least
a partner from one of the Member States of the Community.

For the mobility activities referred to in Annex I, section III.1 of the Leonardo da
Vinci II decision, and for the Socrates decentralised actions, as well as for financial
support to the activities of the National Agencies set up in accordance with point 2
above, funds will be allocated to Bulgaria on the basis of the annual programme
budget breakdown decided at Community level and the Bulgaria’s contribution to the
to the activities of the
programme. The maximal amount of financial support

8

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

National Agencies will not exceed 50 % of the budget for the National Agencies’
work programmes.

The Member States of the Community and Bulgaria will make every effort, within
the framework of existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence
of students, teachers, trainees, trainers, university administrators, young people 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.

Activities covered by this Decision shall be exempt from imposition by Bulgaria of
indirect taxes, customs duties, prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in
respect of goods and services intended for use under such activities.

Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission of the European
Communities and the Court of Auditors of the European Communities in relation to
the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes pursuant
to the decisions
concerning Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II (Articles 13 and 14 respectively),
the participation of Bulgaria in the programmes will be continuously monitored on a
partnership basis involving the Commission of the European Communities and
Bulgaria. Bulgaria will submit to the Commission relevant reports and take part in
other specific activities set out by the Community in that context.

conformity with

the Community’s Financial Regulations,

In
contractual
arrangements concluded with, or by, entities of Bulgaria shall provide for controls
and audits to be carried out by, or under the authority of, the Commission and the
Court of Auditors. As far as financial audits are concerned, they may be carried out
with the purpose of controlling such entities’ income and expenditures, related to the
contractual obligations towards the Community. In a spirit of cooperation and mutual
interest, the relevant authorities of Bulgaria shall provide any reasonable and feasible
assistance as may be necessary or helpful under the circumstances to perform such
controls and audits.

The provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member States and of the
Commission concerning the Leonardo da Vinci and the Socrates National Agencies
the
adopted by the Commission will apply to the relations between Bulgaria,
Commission and the Bulgarian National Agencies. In the event of irregularity,
negligence or fraud imputable to the Bulgarian National Agencies, the Bulgarian
authorities shall be responsible for the funds not recovered.

Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Articles 7 of the Decision on
Leonardo da Vinci II and Article 8 of the Decision on Socrates II, representatives of
Bulgaria will participate as observers in the Programme Committees, for the points
which concern them. These committees shall meet without
the presence of
representatives of Bulgaria for the rest of the points, as well as, at the time of voting.

The language to be used in all sorts of contacts with the Commission, 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.

The Community and Bulgaria may terminate activities under this Decision at any
time upon twelve months’ notice in writing. Projects and activities in progress at the

9

time of termination shall continue until their completion under the conditions laid
down in this Decision.

10

ANNEX II

Financial contribution of the Republic of Bulgaria
to Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II

1.

Leonardo da Vinci

The financial contribution to be paid by Bulgaria to the budget of the European
Union to participate in the Leonardo da Vinci II programme will be the following (in
€
) :

Year 2000

Year 2001

Year 2002

Year 2003

Year 2004

Year 2005

Year 2006

3 024 000

3 108 000

3 318 000

3 465 000

3 611 000

3 800 000

3 947 000

2.

Socrates

The financial contribution to be paid by Bulgaria to the budget of the European
Union to participate in the Socrates II programme in 2000 will be 4 077 000

€

.

The contribution to be paid by Bulgaria for the following years of the programme
will be decided by the Association Council in the course of the year 2000.

3.

Bulgaria will pay the contribution mentioned above, partly from the Bulgarian
national budget, and partly from Bulgaria’s PHARE National Programme. Subject to
a PHARE separate programming procedure, the requested PHARE funds will be
transferred to Bulgaria by means of a separate Financing Memorandum. Together
with the part coming from Bulgaria’s State budget, these funds will constitute
Bulgaria’s national contribution, out of which it will make payments in response to
annual calls for funds from the Commission.

4.

PHARE funds will be requested according to the following schedule :

–

–

€

3 745 110

for the contribution to the Socrates II programme in 2000;

for the contribution to the Leonardo da Vinci II programme, the following
yearly amounts (in

€

)

Year 2000

Year 2001

Year 2002

Year 2003

Year 2004

Year 2005

Year 2006

2 880 000

2 807 000

2 800 000

Amount to be
specified later

Amount to be
specified later

Amount to be
specified later

Amount to be
specified later

The remaining part of the contribution of Bulgaria will be covered from the
Bulgarian State budget.

5.

The financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union will
apply, notably to the management of the contribution of Bulgaria.

Travel costs and subsistence costs incurred by representatives and experts of
Bulgaria for the purposes of taking part as observers in the work of the committees
referred to in Annex I, Point 11 or other meetings related to the implementation of
the Programmes shall be reimbursed by the Commission on the same basis as and in

11

accordance with the procedures currently in force for nongovernmental experts of the
Member States of the European Union.

6.

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 each of the respective programmes under this Decision.

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

Bulgaria will pay its contribution according to the call for funds :

- by 1 May for the part financed from its national budget, provided that the call for
funds is sent by the Commission before 1 April, or at the latest one month after the
call for funds is sent if later ;

- by 1 May for the part financed from PHARE, povided that the corresponding
amounts have been sent to Bulgaria by this time, or at the latest in a period of 30
days after these funds have been sent to Bulgaria.

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 Central Bank, on the due date, for its
operations in EURO, increased by 1.5 percentage points.

12

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

TITLE OF OPERATION

Participation of Bulgaria in Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates

2.

BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED

B7-030 Economic aid to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe
6091 Revenue accruing from the participation of the associated countries of central
Europe in Community programmes

3.

LEGAL BASIS

Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150,
in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof ;

the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria, providing for the
participation in Community programmes ;

Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of
the Leonardo da Vinci programme, and in particular Article 10 thereof ;

the European Parliament and of

Decision of
(253/2000/EC) of
24 January 2000 establishing the second phase of the Socrates programme, and in
particular Article 12 thereof.

the Council

4.

4.1

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

General objective

to the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria provides for
The Additional Protocol
Bulgaria’s participation in Community programmes in a wide range of areas, among
which education, and vocational training.

the
Its participation will not only contribute towards the implementation of
provisions relating to economic and cultural cooperation in the Europe Agreement,
but will also enable Bulgaria to familiarise itself with the procedures and methods
used in Community programmes.

since 1 April 1999.

Bulgaria has been participating in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and
Socrates programmes
In line with the Commission
communication “Agenda 2000” of 16.7.1997 and of the conclusions of the European
Council in Luxemburg, Bulgaria’s participation in these programmes has been part
of the reinforced preaccession strategy which assist this country in its preparation for
future accession to the Union.

The decision-making process for the opening-up of programmes involves a decision
by the Association Council between the Union and Bulgaria. The decision of the

13

Association Council of 15 March 1999 establishing the participation of Bulgaria in
the first phase of these programmes has expired on 31 December 1999.

This new draft Association Council Decision aims at allowing the Bulgarian
participation to be carried on and to ensure continuity between the first and the
second phase of these programmes.Like the first one,
lays down conditions,
notably as concerns Bulgaria’s financial contribution, and practical arrangements for
participating in these programmes.

it

4.2

Period covered and arrangements for renewal

Until the end of the Community programmes concerned, i.e. 31.12.2006.

5.

5.1

5.2

5.3

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

Non-compulsory expenditure

Differentiated appropriations

Type of revenue involved

Since Article 3 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement stipulates that
Bulgaria itself will meet the costs resulting from its participation, it will be invited to
pay a contribution for participating in the programmes. As the same article states that
the Community may supplement Bulgaria’s contribution, Bulgaria will contribute
only part from its national budget. The remaining part of its contribution will be
taken from its PHARE National Programme. The required PHARE funds will be
charged to heading B7-030, and transferred to Bulgaria by means of a separate
Financing Memorandum. Together with the part coming from Bulgaria’s State
budget, these funds will constitute Bulgaria’s national contribution, out of which it
will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission. The
total contribution, once paid by Bulgaria, will be transferred to item 6091 of the EU’s
budget receipts.

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 two programmes in question and,
where appropriate, to the relevant items of operating expenditure. The total
revenue expected is given under item 7.4.

14

7.

7.1

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and
total costs)

the
Based on the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria,
financial and budgetary arrangements for the two programmes concerned are as
follows: the Bulgaria’s contribution takes into account two elements :

- the foreseeable operational costs, which have been calculated on the basis of the
programme budgets (the previsional yearly breakdown of the Leonardo da Vinci
budgetary envelope, and the draft preliminary budget for Socrates for 2000), the
country’s estimated take-up capacity, and previous experience of its participation in
the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes,

- the foreseeable administrative costs, corresponding to the meetings and missions.
These estimated administrative costs amount yearly to 24 000
for Leonardo da
Vinci, and 50 000

for Socrates.

€

€

Bulgaria will use part of its national PHARE annual programme as a complement to
its state budget to finance its contribution to the operational costs.

7.2

Itemised breakdown of cost (in

€
)

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Total

Leonardo
da Vinci

3 024 000

3 108 000 3 318 000 3 465 000 3 611 000 3 800 000 3 947 000 24 273 000

Socrates

4 077 000

4 077 000

TOTAL 7 101 000

3 108 000 3 318 000 3 465 000 3 611 000 3 800 000 3 947 000 28 350 000

7.3

Operational expenditure for studies, experts etc. included in Part B of the
budget

p.m. : up to a maximum in proportion to the appropriations of that kind in the EUR
15 allocations for Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates, but within the limits allowed by
the part of the contribution which comes from the country's national budget.

7.4

Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations

Amounts to be charged to item B7-030

2000

2001

2002

TOTAL

Comm. app. 6 625 110 2 807 000 2 800 000 12 232 110

Pay. app.

6 625 110 2 807 000 2 800 000 12 232 110

The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows:

15

Item 6091

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

TOTAL

operational
part

Administrative
part

7 027 000

3 084 000 3 294 000 3 441 000 3 587 000 3 776 000 3 923 000 28 132 000

74 000

24 000

24 000

24 000

24 000

24 000

24 000

218 000

TOTAL

7 101 000

3 108 000 3 318 000 3 465 000 3 611 000 3 800 000 3 947 000 28 350 000

8.

FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

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 Europe.

9.

9.1

ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The aim of opening up the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes to
Bulgaria is to bring about similar benefits as for Member States of the Community.
The essential aim of Community action on education and training is to enable all
European citizens to achieve their full potential and to display initiative and
creativity so that they can participate fully in society and in the building of Europe.
This objective is based on the gradual establishment of an open European area for
education and training.

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

–

–

–

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

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

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

16

–

–

–

–

–

–

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;

for

concerning undertakings

the improvement of vocational

training measures including
support
and workers:
university/industry cooperation,
innovation in vocational
training, with a view to taking into account
technological change and its impact on work and the necessary qualifications
and skills,
the
transfer of technological innovation in the context of cooperation between
undertakings and universities in the field of continuing vocational training, the
promotion of equal opportunities for men and women;

in continuing vocational

training for workers,

investment

support
dissemination of innovation in the field of vocational training.

the development of

for

language skills, knowledge and the

9.2

Grounds for the operation

– Need for Community financial aid

17

In view of the high cost of participation in the programmes and Bulgaria’s precarious
budgetary situation, assistance from PHARE is essential.

– Choice of ways and means

With a contribution from the national budget, supplemented by one from PHARE,
Bulgaria’s integration in the programmes concerned will allow its citizens to
cooperate with their counterparts in 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’ and institutions’
capacity to respond to the calls for proposal launched by the Commission under the
two programmes.

9.3

Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

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

10.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET)

Actual mobilization of
the necessary administrative resources will depend on the
Commission’s annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the number
of staff and additional amounts authorized by the budgetary authority.

18

10.1

Effect on the number of posts

Type of post

Staff to be assigned to managing
the operation

Source

Duration

Permanent
posts

Temporary
posts

A
B
C

Officials or
temporary staff

Other resources

Total

1
1

2

Additional
resources

2000-2006

Existing
resources in
the DG or
department
concerned

1
1

2

10.2

Overall financial impact of the human resources

Amounts

Method of calculation (total cost for the period 2000-2006)

EUR

Officials (*)

1 512 000

2 men x 7 years x 108 000

Temporary staff

Other resources

Total

1 512 000

(*) By using existing resources required to manage the operation (Calculation based on titles
A1, A2, A4, A5 and A7)

19

10.3

Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation

EUR

Budget heading

Amounts

Method of calculation (yearly cost of the action)

A 7010 –missions

13 000

1100 EURO x 12 yearly missions

A 7031 –committees

26 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 27 participants in
two-days meetings*

A 7030 - other meetings

28 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 29 participants in
two-days meetings*

Total

7000

74 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for Bulgarian experts
participating in 4 meetings of 7 days in average

* 2 representatives in 12 committee and subcommittee meetings (8 for Socrates, and 4 for
Leonardo da Vinci ) , and 1 representative in 3 Socrates subcommittee meetings

2 representatives in 5 Leonardo da Vinci meetings, and 1 participant in 19 Socrates

meetings

The above expenditure will be met from the receipts (article 4 par.2, third indent of the
financial regulation) received from Bulgaria (see point 5.3 and 7.4 of the financial statement).

20

*
*
*