Common Position (EC) No 54/2000 of 23 November 2000 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty of the European Community, with a view to adopting a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001 to 2005)
Date: 2000-11-23
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, audiovisual industry, audiovisual programme, vocational training

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COMMON POSITION (EC) No 54/2000

adopted by the Council on 23 November 2000

with a view to the adoption of a Decision No .../2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council, of ..., on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European
audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)

(2000/C 375/04)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

(3)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Article 150(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

(4)

Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the
Regions (3),

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 251 of the Treaty (4),

Whereas:

(1)

From 6 to 8 April 1998, the Commission, in cooperation
with the Presidency-in-office, held a European audiovisu-
al conference on ‘Challenges and opportunities of the
digital age’ in Birmingham. This consultation process
highlighted the need for an improved programme of
training in the audiovisual sector which concentrated on
all the new aspects of the digital age. The Council of
28 May 1998 took note of the final conclusions of the
said conference and called for new schemes to be
developed to encourage a strong and competitive pro-
gramme industry.

(2)

The Report of the High-Level Group on Audiovisual
Policy of 26 October 1998, entitled ‘The Digital Age:
European Audiovisual Policy’, concluded that, in this
environment, both initial and continuous training in the
audiovisual sector should be strengthened.

(1) OJ C 150 E, 30.5.2000, P. 59.
(2) OJ C 168, 16.6.2000, p. 8.
(3) OJ C ...
(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 6 July 2000 (not yet
published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of
23 November 2000 and Decision of the European Parliament of
... (not yet published in the Official Journal).

The challenges of production, distribution and avail-
ability of European audiovisual content were the main
topics discussed at the Forum on Audiovisual Policy
entitled ‘European content for the digital millennium’
organised in Helsinki on 10 and 11 September 1999
by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the
Commission.

The seminar ‘Training for the new millennium’ held
by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the
Commission in Oporto on 10 and 11 April 2000
stressed in its conclusions that efforts in training are
required to facilitate the growth and desirable inter-
nationalisation of the European audiovisual industry.

(5)

(6)

(7)

In the Communication from the Commission to the
European Parliament and the Council entitled ‘Audiovis-
ual policy: next steps’, the Commission recognises the
considerable impact on employment which the digital
age will have in the audiovisual industry.

The Green Paper on ‘The Convergence of the Telecom-
munications, Media and Information Technology Sec-
tors, and the Implications for Regulation’ recognises that
the emergence of new services will lead to the creation
of new jobs. Adapting to the new markets requires
staff
trained in the use of new technologies. The
Commission’s public consultation on the Green Paper
confirmed the demand for specialised vocational training
adapted to the needs of the market.

In its Conclusions of 27 September 1999 on the results
of the public consultation on the Green Paper (5), the
Council called upon the Commission to take account of
those results when drawing up proposals for measures
to strengthen the European audiovisual sector, including
the multimedia sector.

(5) OJ C 283, 6.10.1999, p. 1.

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(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

The European Council held in Luxembourg on 20
and 21 November 1997 recognised that continuous
education and vocational training can make a major
contribution to the employment policies of the Member
States with a view to improving suitability for employ-
ment, adaptability and the spirit of enterprise, and
promoting equality of opportunities.

The European Council meeting held in Lisbon on
24 March 2000 also emphasised the importance of
appropriate training, particularly in new technologies
used by the information society.

In its report to the European Council on job oppor-
tunities in the information society, the Commission
noted that the new audiovisual services offered a strong
potential for job creation.

It is therefore appropriate to facilitate the development
of investment in the European audiovisual industry and
call on the Member States to encourage the creation of
new jobs by various means.

(12) The Commission implemented an ‘Action programme to
promote the development of the European audiovisual
(1991-1995)’, adopted by Council
industry (MEDIA)
Decision No 90/685/EEC (1) and comprising, in particu-
lar, support for training activities to improve the pro-
fessional skills of persons working in the European
audiovisual programme industry.

(13) The Community strategy for developing and strengthen-
ing the European audiovisual industry was confirmed
under the MEDIA II programme adopted by Council
Decision No 95/563/EC (2), and by Council Decision
No 95/564/EC (3). On the basis of the achievements of
the abovementioned MEDIA II programme, its continu-
ation should be ensured in the light of the results
obtained.

(14)

In its report on the results obtained under the MEDIA II
from 1 January 1996 to
(1996-2000) programme,
30 June 1998,
the
programme meets the principle of the subsidiarity of
Community funds to national funds, since the field of
intervention of MEDIA II supplements the traditionally
predominant role of the national schemes.

the Commission considers that

(16) As it

is necessary to take cultural aspects of
into account

the
indicated in
audiovisual
sector
it should be ensured
Article 151(4) of
that participation in this programme reflects European
cultural diversity.

the Treaty,

as

(17) With a view to encouraging European audiovisual
projects, the Commission will examine the possibility
of complementary funding from other Community
instruments in particular under the ‘e-Europe’ Action
plan, such as those covered by the European Investment
Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF) as well
as the Fifth Framework Programme of the European
Community for research, technological development
and demonstration activities adopted by Decision
No 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the
(4). Professionals in the audiovisual sector
Council
will be informed about the different types of funding
available at Community level.

(18) The emergence of a European audiovisual market calls
for professional skills adjusted to the new dimension of
the market, particularly in the field of the economic,
financial and commercial management of audiovisual
projects and in the use of new technologies in the design,
development, production, distribution, marketing and
broadcasting of programmes.

(19) Professionals should be given the professional skills to
allow them to benefit fully from the European and
international dimension of the market for audiovisual
programmes, and they must be encouraged to develop
projects which meet the needs of that market.

(20) Particular emphasis should be given to specialised train-
ing in intellectual property rights including the relevant
Community rules, as well as to specialised training in
the marketing of audiovisual products focusing in
particular on new technologies as dissemination and
marketing vehicles.

(21) Equal opportunities are a basic principle in Community
policies which must be taken into account
in the
implementation of this programme.

(15) The Commission recognised the positive impact of the
MEDIA II programme on employment in the audiovisual
industry in its Communication on Community Policies
in Support of Employment.

(22) Training for professionals should comprise the essential
economic,
legal, technological and business content;
rapid changes in these subjects make lifelong learning
necessary.

(1) OJ L 380, 31.12.1990, p. 37.
(2) OJ L 321, 30.12.1995, p. 25.
(3) OJ L 321, 30.12.1995, p. 33.

(4) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 1.

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(23)

In order to ensure that professionals master new tech-
nologies, special emphasis should be given to training in
the use of these technologies, and thereby increasing
competitiveness of enterprises in the audiovisual sector.

Community acquis
in particular Council Directive
89/552/EEC of 3 October 1998 on the coordination of
certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or
administrative action in Member States concerning the
pursuit of television broadcasting activities1 (1).

(24)

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the
networking of vocational training centres should be
encouraged in order to facilitate the exchange of know-
how and best practice in an international environment.

(25) Support for vocational training should take account of
structural objectives, such as developing the potential
for creation, production, marketing and distribution in
countries or regions with a low audiovisual production
capacity; and/or a restricted linguistic or geographical
area; as well as the development of an independent
European production and distribution sector, in particu-
lar small and medium-sized enterprises.

(26)

In accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and
proportionality and in view of the fact that the objectives
of the proposed measures concerning the implemen-
tation of vocational training policy cannot be achieved
by the Member States,
in particular in view of the
transnational partnerships to be established between the
training centres,
the measures necessary to achieve
them should be implemented by the Community. This
Decision does not go beyond what is needed to achieve
these objectives.

(27) The measures proposed under this programme are all
aimed at achieving transnational cooperation which
brings an added value to the measures being taken in the
Member States, in accordance with the aforementioned
principle of subsidiarity.

(28) The associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe,
those EFTA countries which are members of the EEA,
Cyprus, Malta and Turkey are recognised as potential
participants in Community programmes on the basis of
supplementary appropriations and in accordance with
the procedures to be agreed with those countries. Those
countries of Europe which have signed the Council of
Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television belong
to the European audiovisual area and may therefore, if
they wish, and taking into account budgetary consider-
ations or other priorities of their audiovisual industries,
participate in the programme or benefit under a limited
cooperation scheme, on the basis of the supplementary
appropriations, in accordance with the procedures to be
established in the agreements between the interested
parties.

(30) Cooperation in the field of vocational training on the
part of the European training establishments and those
in third countries, on the basis of common interests, is
likely to create an added value for the European audiovis-
ual industry. Moreover, opening up to third countries
will raise awareness of European cultural diversity and
will lead to the dissemination of common democratic
values. Such cooperation will be developed on the basis
of supplementary appropriations and in accordance with
the procedures to be established in the agreements
between the interested parties.

(31)

(32)

In order to enhance the added value of the Community
action, it is necessary to ensure, at all levels, that the
measures taken under this Decision are consistent with
and complementary to other Community action. It is
desirable to coordinate the activities laid down by the
programme with those undertaken by international
organisations such as the Council of Europe.

the Lisbon
In accordance with the conclusions of
European Council, the Council and Commission are to
report by the end of 2000 on the review of the EIB and
EIF financial instruments which was undertaken in order
to redirect funding towards business start-ups, high-tech
firms and micro-enterprises, as well as other risk capital
or guarantee mechanism initiatives proposed by the EIB
and EIF. In this connection, particular attention should
be paid to the audiovisual sector,
including training
programmes.

(33) This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the
framework constituting the
programme, a financial
prime reference, within the meaning of point 33 of the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between
the European Parliament,
the Council and Com-
mission (2),
for the budgetary authority during the
annual budgetary procedure.

(34) The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down
the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission (3),

(29) The opening-up of the programme to European third
countries should be subject to a prior examination as to
the compatibility of their national legislation with the

(1) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive
97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ
L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60).
(2) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Establishment of the programme

A vocational training programme, MEDIA Training, hereinafter
referred to as ‘the programme’, is hereby established for the
period from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005.

The programme is intended to give professionals in the
European audiovisual programme industry, mainly through
continuous vocational training, the necessary skills to allow
them to take full advantage of the European and international
dimension of the market and of the use of new technologies.

Article 2

Objectives of the programme

1.

The objectives of the programme are as follows:

(a) To meet the industry’s needs and promote competi-
tiveness by improving the continuous vocational training
of professionals in the audiovisual sector, with a view to
giving them the know-how and skills needed to create
competitive products on the European and other markets,
in particular in the field of:

— application of new technologies, and in particular
digital technologies, for the production and distri-
bution of audiovisual programmes with a high
commercial and artistic added value;

— economic, financial and commercial management,
including the legal framework and the techniques
for the financing, production and distribution of
audiovisual programmes;

— script-writing techniques and storytelling including
techniques for the development of new audiovisual
programme types.

Particular attention will be paid to the opportunities for
distance learning and pedagogic innovation offered by
the development of on-line technologies.

For these training activities, cooperation between various
players in the audiovisual industry, such as script-writers,
directors and producers, will be encouraged.

(b) To encourage cooperation and the exchange of know-
how and best practice through networking between
the partners responsible for training, namely training
establishments, the professional sector and undertakings,
as well as through developing training for the trainers.

Particular importance will be attached to encouraging the
gradual establishment of networks in the audiovisual
training sector and in continuous training for the trainers.

2.
To achieve the objectives set out in the first subparagraph
of paragraph 1(a) and in paragraph 1(b), particular attention
shall be devoted to the specific needs of countries or regions
with a low audiovisual production capacity and/or a restricted
linguistic or geographical area, as well as to the development
of an independent European production and distribution
sector, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises.

The objectives set out in paragraph 1 shall be realised in

3.
accordance with the arrangements contained in the Annex.

Article 3

Coordination

In order to achieve maximum coordination, the Commission
shall ensure that there is cooperation between the training
activities referred to in the programme and the development
projects supported under the MEDIA Plus programme estab-
lished under Council Decision 2000/.../EC (1).

Article 4

Financial provisions and funding conditions

The beneficiaries of Community support taking part in
1.
implementing the actions set out in the Annex shall provide a
substantial proportion of the funding. Community funding
shall not exceed 50 % of the cost of operations. However, in
the cases expressly provided for in the Annex, this proportion
may be as much as 60 % of the cost of operations.

2.
The beneficiaries of Community support shall ensure
that in principle a majority of the participants in a training
measure, nationals of States participating in the programme,
are of a nationality other than that of the beneficiary’s country.
To that end, support to facilitate participation by professionals
from different linguistic areas may be included in Community
funding for the training measure.

training
As an exception, certain initial vocational
measures in which the industrial sector
is directly
involved, such as master’s degrees, may also be supported
if no other Community support is available and in fields
for which there are no support measures at national level.

(1) See page 44 of this Official Journal. Council Decision on the
implementation of a programme to encourage the development,
distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works
(MEDIA Plus — Development, Distribution and Promotion)
(2001-2005)

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3.
The Commission shall ensure that, as far as possible, an
appropriate proportion of the funding annually available, to
be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 6(2), is reserved for new activities.

Article 6

Committee

Community funding shall be determined according to

4.
the costs and nature of each project planned.

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

5.
The financial framework for the implementation of this
programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set
at EUR [50] million.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4
and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to
Article 8 thereof.

6.
The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspec-
tive.

Article 5

Implementation of the programme

The Commission shall be responsible for the implemen-

1.
tation of the programme.

2.
The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision concerning the matters referred to below shall be
adopted in accordance with the management procedure
referred to in Article 6(2):

(a)

(b)

general guidelines for all the measures described in the
Annex;

the content of the calls for proposals, the definition of
the criteria and the procedures for the selection of
projects;

(c)

the appropriate percentage of the funds available each
year reserved for new activities;

(d)

the arrangements for following up and assessing actions;

(e)

any proposal
for a Community allocation exceeding
EUR 200 000 per beneficiary and per year. This threshold
may be reviewed in the light of experience.

3.
The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision concerning all the other matters shall be adopted
in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in
Article 6(3). This procedure shall also apply to the final choice
of technical assistance offices.

Technical assistance shall be governed by the provisions

4.
adopted pursuant to the Financial Regulation.

5.
The Commission shall give the European Parliament and
the Council regular and timely notice of the implementation
of the programme,
in particular the use of the available
resources.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at two months.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3
and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to
Article 8 thereof.

4.

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 7

Consistency and complementarity

In the implementation of the programme, the Commission
shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure
general consistency and complementarity with other relevant
Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge
upon the training and audiovisual fields.

The Commission shall also ensure coordination between the
programme and other Community programmes in the field of
initial and continuous training, and with the operation of the
European Social Fund, in accordance with the rules of the
Fund.

The Commission shall ensure effective liaison between this
programme and programmes and actions in the training and
audiovisual
fields being carried out in the framework of
Community cooperation with non-member countries and the
relevant international organisations.

Article 8

Opening-up of the programme to third countries

1.
The programme shall be open to the participation of
the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in
accordance with the conditions laid down in the association
agreements or their additional protocols relating to partici-
pation in Community programmes concluded or to be con-
cluded with those countries.

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2.
The programme shall be open to the participation of
Cyprus, Malta, Turkey and those EFTA countries which are
members of the EEA Agreement, on the basis of supplementary
appropriations, in accordance with the procedures to be agreed
with those countries.

3.
After completion of the projects, the Commission shall
evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and
the impact of their implementation, in order to assess whether
the original objectives have been achieved.

3.
The programme shall be open to the participation of the
countries which are Parties to the Council of Europe Conven-
tion on Transfrontier Television, other than those referred to
in paragraphs 1 and 2, on the basis of supplementary
appropriations,
in accordance with the conditions to be
established in the agreements between the interested parties.

4.
The opening-up of the programme to the European third
countries referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 is subject to a
prior examination as to the compatibility of their national
legislation with the Community acquis, including the second
subparagraph of Article 6(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC.

The programme shall also be open to cooperation
5.
with other third countries on the basis of supplementary
appropriations and cost sharing under agreed procedures to
be established in the agreements between the interested parties.
The European third countries referred to in paragraph 3 which
do not wish to participate fully in the programme may be
eligible for cooperation under the conditions set out in this
paragraph.

Article 9

Monitoring and evaluation

4.
The Commission shall submit to the European Parlia-
ment, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and
the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the
impact and effectiveness of the programme, on the basis of the
results after two years of implementation. This report shall
include performance indicators such as impact on employ-
ment.

This report shall be accompanied, if need be, by any proposal
regarding adjustment.

5.
On completion of the programme, the Commission shall
submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic
and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a
detailed report on the implementation and results of the
programme.

The Commission’s report shall, in particular, give an account
of the added value created by the Community’s financial
support, its possible impact on employment, and the coordin-
ating measures referred to in Articles 3 and 7.

Article 10

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2001.

1.
The Commission shall ensure that measures taken under
this Decision are subject to prior appraisal, and to subsequent
monitoring and evaluation, taking care to ensure the accessi-
bility of the programme and its transparency.

Done at ...

The beneficiaries selected shall submit an annual report

2.
to the Commission.

For the European Parliament

For the Council

The President

The President

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ANNEX

1. MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED

In support of and in addition to the measures being undertaken by the Member States, the programme aims to
permit professionals to adapt to the dimension of the market, and in particular the European market, for
audiovisual works, by promoting vocational training in:

— new technologies including the conservation and enhancement of the European film and audiovisual

heritage;

— economic, financial and commercial management,

including the legal framework, distribution and

marketing;

— script-writing techniques and the development of new programme types.

Training activities will take account of the legal framework in the area of intellectual property rights, in
particular the relevant Community rules.

Professionals from the audiovisual industry and from radio will have access to the relevant training activities.

The programme will encourage cooperation on the proposed measures between the various players in the
audiovisual industry, such as script-writers, directors and producers, with a view to improving the quality and
commercial potential of projects by means of closer cooperation between the various groups of professionals.

1.1. Training in new technologies

This training aims to develop the ability of professionals to use advanced creation and dissemination
techniques, in particular in the fields of animation, computer graphics, multimedia and interactive
applications including post-production techniques facilitating the transnational movement of European
works.

The measures proposed are as follows:

— promoting the development and updating of the modules for training in the new audiovisual

technologies, in parallel to the measures being taken by the Member States;

— networking the training courses, promoting exchanges of trainers and professionals by awarding
grants, organising work experience in undertakings in other Member States, and contributing to the
training of trainers, through distance learning, and by promoting exchanges and partnerships
involving countries and regions with a low audiovisual production capacity and/or a restricted
linguistic or geographical area.

1.2. Training in economic, financial and commercial management

This training aims to develop the ability of professionals to appreciate and use the European dimension
in the development, production, marketing and distribution/dissemination of audiovisual programmes.

The measures proposed are as follows:

— promoting the development and updating of the modules for training in management, in parallel to

the measures being taken by the Member States and emphasising the European dimension;

— networking the training courses, promoting exchanges of trainers and professionals by awarding
grants, organising work experience in undertakings in other Member States, contributing to the
training of trainers, through distance learning, and by promoting exchanges and partnerships
involving countries and regions with a low audiovisual production capacity and/or a restricted
linguistic or geographical area.

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1.3. Script-writing techniques

This training is aimed at experienced script writers and directors in order to improve their ability to
develop techniques based on both conventional and interactive script-writing and storytelling methods
for all types of audiovisual programmes.

The measures will be as follows:

— promoting the development and updating of the training modules for identifying target audiences;
publication and development of scripts for an international audience aimed at quality productions;
relations between the script-writer, the director, the producer and the distributor;

— networking the training courses, promoting exchanges of trainers and professionals by awarding
grants, organising work experience in undertakings in other Member States, contributing to the
training of trainers, through distance learning, and by promoting exchanges and partnerships
involving countries and regions with a low audiovisual production capacity and/or a restricted
linguistic or geographical area.

1.4. Networks of training courses

The objective is to encourage recipients of support under the programme to step up coordination of their
activities in continuous training in order to establish European networks.

1.5.

Initial vocational training activities

As an exception support may be provided for activities in some fields of initial vocational training where
no other Community or national funding is on offer, including master’s degrees in which there is a link
with industry in the form of a partnership and/or work experience.

2.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

2.1. Approach

In implementing the programme, the Commission, assisted by the Committee provided for in Article 6,
will work closely with the Member States. It will also consult the partners concerned. It will ensure that
the participation of professionals reflects adequately Europe’s cultural diversity.

It will encourage designers of training modules to cooperate with establishments, the professional sector
and undertakings in their work and in their follow-up.

The Commission will ensure that the designers of training modules take all steps with a view to respecting
the principle set out in Article 4(2), and, if specific reasons justify departing from this principle, that
Community added value is ensured.

It will ensure that establishments provide linguistic facilities, in particular in the area of script-writing
techniques.

It will facilitate the participation of trainees, particularly from countries and regions with a low audiovisual
production capacity and/or a restricted linguistic or geographical area.

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2.2. Community contribution

Community cofinancing of the total training costs will be provided within a framework of joint funding
with public and/or private partners, generally up to a limit of 50 %. This percentage may be raised to
60 % for training activities in countries or regions with a low audiovisual production capacity and/or a
restricted linguistic or geographical area.

As a general rule, Community financial assistance granted for projects under the programme may cover a
maximum period of three years, subject to a periodic review of progress achieved.

The procedure set out in Article 6(2) will be applied to determine the allocation of funding for each type
of measure provided for under point 1.

In accordance with the rules for Community funding, and pursuant to the procedure set out in Article 6(2),
the Commission will lay down a set of rules for funding in order to determine the ceiling for each
continuous training activity and professional trained.

Designers of modules and training establishments will be selected by calls for proposals.

As far as possible, the Commission will ensure that an appropriate percentage of the funds available each
year is allocated to new activities.

2.3.

Implementation

2.3.1. The Commission,

in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, will

implement the
programme. It will call upon consultants and technical assistance offices to be selected, after a call for
proposals, on the basis of their expertise in the sector, experience acquired in the MEDIA II programme,
or other experience acquired in this area. The technical assistance will be financed by the programme’s
budget. In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 6(2), the Commission may also conclude
partnerships for operations with specialised bodies, including those which have been set up under other
European initiatives, such as Audiovisual Eureka, Eurimages and the European Audiovisual Observatory,
in order to implement joint measures which meet the objectives of the programme in the field of
training. The Commission will make the final selection of the beneficiaries of the programme and will
decide on the financial support to be granted, in accordance with Article 5.

It will give grounds for its decisions to applicants for Community support and ensure the transparency
of implementation of the programme.

The beneficiaries will take steps to publicise the Community’s support.

In selecting supported activities, the Commission will, in addition to the priorities set out in Article 2(2),
take particular account of the following criteria:

— partnership between training establishments, the professional sector and undertakings;

— the innovatory nature of the measure;

— the multiplier effect of the measure (including utilisable results, e.g. manuals);

— the cost-effectiveness of the measure;

— availability of other national or Community support measures.

For the implementation of the programme, and in particular the assessment of the projects receiving
funding under the programme, and for the networking measures, the Commission will ensure that it
makes use of the skills of recognised experts in the audiovisual sector in the fields of training,
development, production, distribution, promotion and also management of rights, especially in the new
digital environment.

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In order to ensure the independence of the consultants and experts whose services it uses, the
Commission will lay down incompatibility provisions in respect of the participation of these groups of
persons in the invitations to submit proposals under the programme.

2.3.2. Through appropriate measures, the Commission will make known the opportunities offered by the
programme and ensure its promotion. The Commission will also provide via the Internet comprehensive
information concerning all support arrangements available under the European Community’s policies
which are of relevance to the audiovisual sector.

In particular, the Commission and the Member States will take the necessary measures, by continuing
the activities of the network of MEDIA Desks and Antennae, and by ensuring that the professional skills
of the latter are strengthened, in order to:

— inform professionals in the audiovisual sector of all support arrangements available to them under

European Community policies;

— ensure that the programme is publicised and promoted;

— encourage the greatest possible participation of professionals in the measures under the programme;

— assist professionals in presenting their projects in response to calls for proposals;

— foster transfrontier cooperation between professionals;

— act as a relay with the various support bodies in the Member States with a view to ensuring that the

measures under this programme are complementary to the national support measures.

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STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL REASONS

I.

INTRODUCTION

1. On 31 January 2000, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the
Council a proposal for a decision, based on article 150(4) of the Treaty of the European
Community, establishing a vocational training programme aimed at the professionals of the
audiovisual industry.

2.

The Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on 27 April 2000.

3.

The Committee of Regions adopted its opinion on 15 June 2000.

4.

The European Parliament delivered its opinion on 6 July 2000.

5.

In the light of the European Parliament’s opinion, the Commission submitted an amended
proposal for a decision on 2 September 2000.

6. On 23 November 2000, the Council adopted its common position in accordance with the

article 251 of the Treaty.

II.

AIM OF THE PROPOSAL

The proposal aims to improve the continuous vocational training of professionals in the audiovisual
sector, with the view of giving them the know-how and skills needed to create competitive products
to the European and other markets.

1. General comments

In its common position the Council has approved the essence of the Commission proposal while
making some amendments which it thought desirable.

2.

Specific comments

2.1. Amendments made by the Council to the Commission proposal

2.1.1. Committee procedures (Articles 5 and 6)

The Council introduced a committee procedure whereby the powers of the committee
would be exercised, depending on the subject matter, under either the management or
the advisory committee procedure. Also, the Council included a subparagraph 5(4) on
regular and timely notice of the implementation of the programme.

2.1.2. Consistency and complementarity (Article 7)

The Council added this article to ensure the consistency and complementarity with
other Community policies, programmes and actions.

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2.1.3. Nationality of participants in a training measure (Article 4(2) and Annex 2.1)

The Council supported the overall aim of having the majority of participants in a
training measure from other participating countries, however, at the same time, the
Council noted that in exceptional cases a lower figure would be acceptable. It considered
appropriate to add the words ‘in principle’ to the article 4(2). While the wording of the
original proposal referred to ‘a nationality other than the country in which the training
takes places’, in the common position this was replaced by the reference to ‘a nationality
other than the beneficiary’s country’. The possibility to support the ‘linguistic facilities’
for a training measure was added.

Annex 2.1. explains when it would be possible to depart from the majority rule
concerning participants of a training measure.

2.1.4. Transparency (Annex 2.3.1)

In order to improve the present situation, the Council included in the text, firstly, the
requirement for that the Commission’s decision process should be transparent to the
applicants for Community support and, secondly, the requirement for transparency of
implementation of the entire programme.

2.1.5. Other Questions

— Co-operation between different players of the industry (Annex 1)

The Council wished to encourage the co-operation between the different players of the
creative process also through training measures.

— Follow-up of training actions (Annex 2.1)

The Council added the possibility to include follow-up actions as a part of training
actions.

— Multiannual programmes (Annex 2.2)

This addition allows multiannual funding of training measures.

— Evaluation of the consultants and technical assistance offices (Annex 2.3.1)

The Council wished to clarify the requirements concerning consultants and technical
assistance offices.

— Co-operation with specialised bodies (Annex 2.3.1)

The Council clarified the text concerning the possible partners for co-operation,
mentioning especially the operations set up under other European initiatives.

— steps leading to the present programme (recitals 4 and 5)

The Council added these two recitals to highlight the preparatory work that led to the
present programme.

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2.2. European Parliament amendments

2.2.1. Parliament amendments adopted by the Commission

The Commission adopted in full,
amendments.

in part or in essence 32 of the 38 Parliament

2.2.2. Parliament amendments adopted by the Council

The Council adopted in full, in part of in essence all 32 amendments proposed by the
Parliament and adopted by the Commission. Also, the Council, with required unanimity,
adopted in part or in essence 5 of the 6 amendments proposed by the Parliament but
rejected by the Commission. The only amendment rejected by the Council was
amendment number 24.

2.2.3. Parliament amendment not adopted by the Council

The Council did not accept the amendment 24 concerning the funding of
the
programme, as the Council was of the opinion that the decided level of funding would
enable the programme to reach its objectives.

III. CONCLUSIONS

The Council considers that its common position constitutes a balanced text, reflecting the training
needs of the European audiovisual sector.

The programme builds on the good experiences gained during the earlier Community programmes
in this domain, however, stressing more than the previous programmes training in new technologies.

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ANNEX

DRAFT STATEMENT FOR ENTRY IN THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Statement of the Commission

The Commission maintains that the intervention of a Committee under Council Decision 1999/468/EC in the choice
of consultants and technical assistance offices referred to in point 2.3.1 of the Annex complies neither with the
Commission’s role in implementing the budget as conferred upon it by Article 274 of the Treaty, nor with its
competence as a contracting authority as conferred upon it by the Financial Regulation. Furthermore, when actually
selecting these consultants and technical assistance offices, the Commission will scrupulously observe the relevant
provisions of Directive 92/50/EEC on public service contracts and of the Financial Regulation.