Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Bulgaria in the "Youth" Community action programme (presented by the Commission)
Date: 2000-04-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Association Council (EU), Bulgaria, EU programme, project evaluation, young person

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 14.04.2000
COM(2000) 221 final

2000/ 0083 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation
of Bulgaria in the “Youth” Community action programme

(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 setting out
the
arrangements for this participation expired on 31 December 1999, as did the decisions
establishing the programmes themselves.

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 Luxembourg 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 Luxembourg, 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 the “Youth” Community action programme.

3

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation
of Bulgaria in the “Youth” Community action programme

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Article 149, 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 field of youth 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 2/98 of 29 October 1998 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 Youth for Europe
programme since 1 November 1998.

Decision (…/2000/EC) of … 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council
establishing the “Youth” Community action programme2, and in particular Article 11
thereof, provide that this programme 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,

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

1

2

OJ L 340, 16.12.1998, p. 30.
OJ L …, ….2000, p.. [agreement reached by the Conciliation Committee on 29 February 2000]

4

in the “Youth” Community action programme,
Association Council.

is the attached draft decision of the

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
the “Youth” Community action programme

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 field of youth.

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 2/98 of 29 October 1998 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 Youth for Europe
programme since 1 November 1998, and has expressed the wish to participate in the
new Youth programme,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Bulgaria shall participate in the “Youth” Community action programme (hereinafter called
Youth) 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 340, 16.12.1998, p. 30.

6

This Decision shall apply for the duration of the Youth programme, 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 Youth programme

Bulgaria will participate in the activities of the Youth programme (hereinafter called
“the Programme”) in conformity, unless otherwise provided in this Decision, with
as defined in Decision
the objectives,
(…/2000/EC) of … 2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing
this Community action programme.

criteria, procedures and deadlines

In conformity with the terms of Article 5 of the Decision establishing the Youth
programme and with the provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member
States and of the Commission concerning the Youth National Agencies adopted by
the Commission, Bulgaria shall establish the appropriate structure 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 this Agency, which will
receive programme grants for its activities. Bulgaria will take all other necessary
steps for the efficient running of the Programme at national level.

To participate in the Programme, 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 submission, assessment and selection of
The terms and conditions for
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 decision
establishing the programme to assist it in the project evaluation.

With a view to ensure the Community dimension of the Programme, 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 actions to be managed on a decentralised basis, as well as for financial
support to the activities of the National Agency 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
programme. The maximal amount of financial support
to the activities of the
National Agency will not exceed 50 % of the budget for the National Agency’s work
programme .

8

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

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 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 programme pursuant to Article 13 of the
decision establishing it, the participation of Bulgaria in the programme will be
continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving the Commission of the
to the Commission
European Communities and Bulgaria. Bulgaria will submit
relevant reports and take part in other specific activities set out by the Community in
that context.

conformity with

the Community’s Financial Regulations,

contractual
In
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 Youth National Agencies adopted by the Commission
will apply to the relations between Bulgaria, the Commission and the Bulgarian
National Agency. In the event of irregularity, negligence or fraud imputable to the
Bulgarian National Agency, the Bulgarian authorities shall be responsible for the
funds not recovered.

Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 8 of the Decision
establishing the Youth programme, representatives of Bulgaria will participate as
observers in the Programme Committee, for the points which concern them. This
committee 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
time of termination shall continue until their completion under the conditions laid
down in this Decision.

9

ANNEX II

Financial contribution of the Republic of Bulgaria
to the Youth programme

1.

2.

The financial contribution to be paid by Bulgaria to the budget of the European
Union to participate in the Youth programme in 2000 will be 739 000

€

.

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.

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.

3.

PHARE funds will be requested according to the following schedule :

–

–

€

517 300

for the contribution to the Youth programme in 2000 ;

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

4.

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 committee
referred to in Annex I, Point 11 or other meetings related to the implementation of
the Programme shall be reimbursed by the Commission on the same basis as and in
accordance with the procedures currently in force for nongovernmental experts of the
Member States of the European Union.

5.

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 programme 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, provided 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.

10

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.

11

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

TITLE OF OPERATION

Participation of Bulgaria in the Youth programme

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, in
conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof ;

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

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council (…/2000/EC) of … 2000
establishing the Youth programme, and in particular Article 11 thereof.

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 youth.

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.

Bulgaria has been participating in the Youth for Europe programme since 1
November 1998. In line with the Commission communication “Agenda 2000” of
in Luxembourg,
16.7.1997 and of the conclusions of
Bulgaria’s participation in this programme has been part of
the reinforced
preaccession strategy which assist this country in its preparation for future accession
to the Union.

the European Council

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
Association Council of 29 October 1998 establishing the participation of Bulgaria in
this programme has expired on 31 December 1999.

12

This new draft Association Council Decision aims at allowing the Bulgarian
participation to be carried on and to ensure continuity between the new Youth
programme and its predecessor. Like the first one, it lays down conditions, notably as
concerns Bulgaria’s
for
financial
participating in the programme.

and practical

arrangements

contribution,

4.2

Period covered and arrangements for renewal

Until the end of the Community programme 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 programme. 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 programme in question and, where
appropriate, to the relevant items of operating expenditure. The total revenue
expected is given under item 7.4.

13

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 programme 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’s budget (the draft preliminary budget for Youth for 2000), the country’s
estimated take-up capacity, and previous experience of its participation in the Youth
for Europe programme,

- the foreseeable administrative costs, corresponding to the meetings and missions.
These estimated administrative costs amount yearly to 19 000

€

.

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

€

739 000
budget, and 517 300 from Phare.

for 2000, of which 221 700 will be financed from the Bulgarian national

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 the Youth programme, 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

€

517 300

in 2000 in commitment appropriations and in payment appropriations.

The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows:

€

739 000
administrative costs

in 2000, of which 720 000

€

for the operational costs, and 19 000 for the

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.

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9.

9.1

ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The aim of opening up the Youth programme to Bulgaria is to bring about similar
benefits as for Member States of the Community. The essential aim of Community
action on youth 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 youth.

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

–

–

–

–

–

–

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

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

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

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

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

aim at reinforce the sense of solidarity, promoting the active participation and
integration in the society of young people and stimulating the acquisition of
new skills and competencies by young people through an informal learning
experience by means of participating to transnational European Voluntary
Service activities for the benefit of local communities .

9.2

Grounds for the operation

–

Need for Community financial aid

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

15

–

Choice of ways and means

With a contribution from the national budget, supplemented by one from PHARE,
Bulgaria’s integration in the programme 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 organisations’ capacity
to respond to the calls for proposal
launched by the Commission under the
programme.

9.3

Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

The monitoring and evaluation procedures included in the Youth programme
(notably in respect of evaluation, as included in the decision establishing the
programme) will also cover operations financed for Bulgarian beneficiaries.

10.

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

Actual mobilisation 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 authorised by the budgetary authority.

16

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

Additional
resources

2000-2006

Existing
resources in
the DG or
department
concerned

1

1

10.2

Overall financial impact of the human resources

Amounts

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

EUR

Officials (*)

756 000

1 man x 7 years x 108 000

Temporary staff

Other resources

Total

756 000

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

17

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

3 000

1100 EURO x 3 yearly missions

A 7031 –committees

4 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 2 participants in 2
two-days meetings

A 7030 – other meetings

8 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 2 participants in 4
two-days meetings

Total

4 000

19 000

Travel
participating in 4 two-days meetings

and subsistence

allowance

allowance

for

1

expert

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).

18