Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council modifying Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)
Date: 2003-04-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, audiovisual programme, continuing vocational training, programmes industry

EN

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 16.4.2003
COM(2003) 188 final

2003/0064 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

modifying Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the
European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)

(presented by the Commission)

 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The MEDIA Training programme was adopted by Decision n°163/2001/EC of the European
Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  19  January  2001  to  run  from  1  January  2001  to  31
December 2005, with a budget of EURO 50 million. 

This programme results from a proposal made by the European Commission on the basis of
Article 150(4), intended to  continue  Community  action  in  this  sector.  The  Commission  had
initially  implemented  an  “Action  programme  to  promote  the  development  of  the  European
audiovisual industry (MEDIA) (1991-1995)”, adopted by Council Decision 90/ 685/EEC, and
comprising, in particular, support for training activities to improve the professional skills of
persons working in the European audiovisual programme industry. This was followed by the
MEDIA II Programme (1996-2000), adopted by Council Decision 95/ 563/EC and by Council
Decision  95/564/EC,  which  confirmed  the  Community  strategy  for  developing  and
strengthening the European audiovisual industry.

The MEDIA-Training proposal aimed to achieve the following objectives, which are based on
the EC Treaty objectives:

To  meet  the  industry's  needs  and  promote  competitiveness  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 distribution 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.

To  encourage  co-operation  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.

The  MEDIA-Training  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. The programme has now existed
since 1991. During this period, the programme has supported numerous projects, which have
had  a  positive  impact  on  employment  within  the  European  audiovisual  sector,  imparting
professional skills to allow professionals to benefit fully from the European and international
dimension of the market for audiovisual programmes.

This programme comes to an end at a time when there will be major changes for the future
structure  and  functioning  of  the  European  Union.  A  number  of  important  elements  will
certainly entail changes to Community action in this field: the European Union will welcome
ten new Member States, the Intergovernmental Conference will produce results based on the
Convention for the future of Europe, the European Parliament elections and the appointment
of a new European Commission. It is clear that the European audiovisual sector will also be

2

affected by these changes, changes that the programme will need to adapt to. However, it is
not  possible  at  the  current  time  to  predict  accurately  the  extent  of  shape  of  these  future
modifications.

Despite this situation, it is essential to ensure continuity of Community support for the sector,
and  to  avoid  any  disruption  of  these  mechanisms  in  support  of  Community  objectives  laid
down in the Treaty. In addition, such actions involve a large number of professionals from the
European  audiovisual  sector.  In  view  of  these  circumstances,  the  European  Commission
proposes that the existing programme should be prolonged unchanged for 2006.

It is necessary to assure a legal basis to enable the programme to be prolonged by one year. At
the same time, the Commission will continue to explore all existing possibilities for action in
this field, through preparatory actions, such as the i2i Audiovisual “growth and audiovisual”
action, and through studies to establish which forms of training are needed for the sector. 

This  approach  will  enable  the  Commission  to  prepare,  on  the  basis  of  the  insight  gained,
together  with  the  results  of  the  mid-term  evaluation  foreseen  in  Article  9  of  the  Decision
establishing  the  programme  and  the  results  of  the  public  consultation,  a  proposal  for  a  new
programme for Community support for the audiovisual sector.

The  European  Commission  intends  to  present  a  proposal  for  the  establishment  of  a  new
European Community programme for support of the European audio-visual sector, before the
end of 2003. This programme would begin in 2007. Whilst it is clear that the other European
Institutions and  the operators concerned consider  that the  MEDIA programmes have  been a
success, the European Commission aims to further improve its action in this field.

The European Commission therefore proposes:

– 

– 

to prolong MEDIA-Training for 2006;

to  adjust  the  overall  budget  of  the  MEDIA  Training  programme  as  prolonged  to
EURO 57.40 million.

3

2003/0064 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

modifying Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the
European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee2,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions3,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty4,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The Council and the European Parliament by Decision n°163/2001/EC established the
programme MEDIA-Training, a training programme for professionals in the European
audiovisual programme industry, to run from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005.

It  is  essential  to  ensure  the  continuity  of  Community  policy  for  the  support  of  the
European  audiovisual  sector  in  view  of  the  objectives  followed  by  the  Community
under Article 150 of the Treaty,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Decision 163/2001/EC is hereby amended as follows: 

Article 1

(1) In Article 1, the date of 31 December 2005 is replaced by that of 31 December 2006

(2) In Article 4(5), the financial framework set at EUR 50 million is replaced by EUR 57.40
million.

1

2

3

4

OJ C , , p. .
OJ C , , p. .
OJ C , , p. .
OJ C , , p. .

4

                                                
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Article 2

Article3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament
The President

For the Council
The President

5

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Policy area(s): Culture - Industrial Policy

Activit(y/ies): Support to the audiovisual industry

Title of action:
DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
modifying Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the
European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)

1.

BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S)

B3-2011 MEDIA Training (15.05.01.02)

2.

OVERALL FIGURES 

2.1.

Total allocation for action (Part B):

7,400 € million for commitment

This  amount  represents  the  budgetary  impact  of  the  proposal  to  prolong  the
programme,  which  is  due  to  end  on  31  December  2005,  for  the  additional  year
concerned, 2006.

This amount relates to EU25. An amount corresponding to the impact of enlargement
in 2004 will be added to the programme’s overall budget, as modified by the current
prolongation proposal.

2.2.

Period of application: 

1 January 2006 - 31 December 2006

2.3.

Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure:

(a)

Schedule  of  commitment  appropriations/payment  appropriations 
intervention) (see point 6.1.1)

(financial

€ million (to three decimal places)

Commitments

2006
7,400

2007

2008

2009

Total

Payments

4,200

1,400

1,800

7,400

(b)

Technical and administrative assistance and support expenditure (see point 6.1.2)

Commitments

Payments

6

Subtotal a+b

Commitments

7,400

Payments

4,200

1,400

1,800

7,400

7,400

(c)

Overall  financial  impact  of  human  resources  and  other  administrative  expenditure
(see points 7.2 and 7.3)

Commitments/
payments

TOTAL a+b+c

Commitments

Payments

7,400

4,200

1,400

1,800

7,400

7,400

2.4.

Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective

[X] Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming.

2.5.

Financial impact on revenue:5

[X] Proposal  has  no  financial  implications  (involves  technical  aspects  regarding

implementation of a measure)

3.

BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS

Type of expenditure

New

Comp/
Non-comp

Diff/
Non-diff

NO/
YES

EFTA
contribution

Contributions
form applicant
countries

Heading in
financial
perspective

YES/NO

YES/NO

No 3

4.

LEGAL BASIS

Art. 251 EC treaty

Art. 150 EC treaty

5

For further information, see separate explanatory note.

7

                                                
5.

5.1.

DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS

Need for Community intervention 6

5.1.1. Objectives pursued

The  objective  of  the  prolongation  is  to  ensure  the  continuation  of  the  MEDIA  Training
Programme for support of the European audiovisual industry for the  year 2006. The present
programme will  finish  on  the  31  December  2005.  The  prolongation  is  deemed  necessary  to
ensure continuity of Community action in the transition period, which will be characterised by
very important institutional changes (enlargement of the Union, new European Parliament and
a new commission). Moreover the prolongation will allow the MEDIA Programme to comply
with the financial perspectives which have been established until 2006.

The  present  request  for  prolongation  does  not  include  any  amendment  to  Coucil  Decision
163/2001/CE of 19 January 2001 except for the duration of the programme. As a consequence
an additional year of budget allocation will be established.

The objectives of the decision will remain the support of the European  audiovisual  industry
by enhancing its competitiveness. The MEDIA Training programme focuses on the provision
of training schemes for professionals of the audiovisual sector in respect of creative capacities
and the commercial skills needed to complete the production process. Priority is given to the
use of new  technologies  in  audiovisual  production  and  to  the  strengthening  of  transnational
co-operation in Europe.

5.1.2. Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluation 

The  MEDIA  Training  Programme  built  upon  the  achievements  of  the  MEDIA  I  and  II
Programmes.  These  programmes  were  the  subject  of  extensive  evaluation  exercises,  which
helped  in  drafting  their  continuation  in  the  MEDIA  Training  programme.  The  ex-ante
evaluation  carried  out  by  the  Commission  services  has  reaffirmed  the  need  for  a  specific
training programme to enhance the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry.  It
has also pointed out the necessity of focussing on the use of new technologies for production
and distribution and has shown the advantages in terms of efficiency of the consolidation of
European networks among training institutions. Finally, it has identified through the training
actions  a  way  to  reduce  the  imbalances  of  production  capacities  in  Europe  and  therefore
particularly supports training programmes in countries with a low audiovisual capacity. 

5.1.3. Measures taken following ex post evaluation

A mid-term evaluation of the MEDIA Training programme is currently being initiated by the
Commission  services  assisted  by  an  independent  consultant.  As  the  decision  reads,  the
evaluation findings could allow for an adjustment in the programme with a view at improving
its  efficacy.  The  Commission  will  provide  all  relevant  institutions  with  the  outcome  of  the
evaluation in the form of an official communication.

5.2.

Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements

The prolongation of the  MEDIA Training programme does not include  modifications  to the
structure of the programme. It will continue its support to institution organising and managing

6

For further information, see separate explanatory note.

8

                                                
training projects in  Europe.  The  training  supported  will  involve  all  actors  of  the  production
process including directors, produces, screenwriters and will also support their co-operation.
The aim will be that of strengthening their artistic and commercial skills. Training institutions
will also be the object of training action to ensure a proper “know-how” exchange. 

The beneficiary will receive financial support from the Commission for up to fifty percent of
the total budget of the projects involved. Financial support will be given in the form of grants
and could cover also expenses related to the participation to training schemes for participants
from other European countries then the one organising the training. Only in exceptional cases
will  the  Community  contribution  cover  up  to  sixty  percent  of  total  budget  of  the  single
project. 

5.3.

Methods of implementation

The implementation mechanism will respect the general regulation of Community actions. It
includes  grants,  loans  and  co-financing  schemes,  based  on  detailed  financial  requests.  The
Community  is  fully  financing  services  such  as  the  organisation  of  expert  panels,  market
studies,  evaluation  of  projects  and  technical  assistance.  The  financing  will  be  awarded
following calls for tender and calls for proposals.

The MEDIA Plus Programme is centrally managed by the Commission services. A technical
Assistance Office located in Brussels assists the Commission services in management related
issues.  This  office  is  financed  on  budgetary  line  B3-2010A  (15.01.04.08)  (covering  both
MEDIA  Plus  and  MEDIA  Training).  At  national  level  and  in  co-operation  with  national
authorities  MEDIA  desks  ensure  the  interface  with  the  beneficiaries  of  the  Programme.  It
should be  noted  that a study has been launched to examine the possibility of replaceing  the
existing technical assistance office with an Executive Agency.

6.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

6.1.

Total financial impact on Part B - (over the entire programming period)

6.1.1.

Financial intervention

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places)

Breakdown

2006

Total

Action 1: Training schemes

TOTAL

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

9

6.1.2.

Technical  and  administrative  assistance,  support  expenditure  and  IT  expenditure
(commitment appropriations)

It should be noted that the technical assistance costs for the MEDIA Traning programme
are  covered  by  budgetary  line  B3-2010A  (15.01.04.08)  that  covers  the  Technical
Assistance Office for both MEDIA Training and MEDIA Plus.

The  nature  of  these  expenses  could  be  altered  if  the  results  of  a  study  on  costs  and
effectiveness that will be launched in 2003 prove that it would be advantageous to set up
an Executive Agency to manage the programme.

6.2.

Calculation  of  costs  by  measure  envisaged  in  Part  B  (over  the  entire
programming period)7

Breakdown 

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places)

Type
of outputs
(projects, files )

Number of
outputs

Average unit
cost

(total for years
1…n) 

Total cost

(total for years
1…n)

1

2

3

4=(2X3)

Action 1 - Training schemes

TOTAL COST

37

0,200

7,400

7,400

If necessary explain the method of calculation

7.

IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE 

7.1.

Impact on human resources

The  officials  currently  managing  the  implementation  of  the  existing  programmes  (MEDIA
Plus  and  MEDIA  Training)  will  manage  the  prolongation  of  the  MEDIA  Training
Programme.  This  is  detailed  in  the  financial  fiche  for  the  prolongation  of  the  MEDIA  Plus
programme.

7.2.

7.3.

Overall financial impact of human resources

Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action

It  should  be  noted  that  the  administrative  expenditure  for  the  MEDIA  Traning
programme is covered under those of the MEDIA Plus programme.

8.

FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION

8.1.

Follow-up arrangements

In terms of implementation of  the  programme  the  prolongation  will  continue  on  the  system
built  up  under  MEDIA  Training.  It  will  involve  the  participation  a  selection  panels  of  the

7

For further information, see separate explanatory note.

10

                                                
various  calls  for  proposals,  the  monitoring  of  ongoing  service  contracts  and  the  financial
control of all transactions.

8.2.

Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation

A mid term evaluation of the MEDIA Training Programme is currently being initiated by the
Commission sceances with the assitance of an external independent consultant. The results of
such  an  evaluation  will  help  in  correcting  if  needed  implementational  shortcomings  and
structural  deficiencies  of  the  current  programme.  At  the  end  of  the  MEDIA  Training
Programme  an  independent  evaluator  will  carry  out  an  evaluation  of  the  impact  of  the
programme.  The  results  of  the  ex-post  evaluation  will  be  transmitted  to  the  Parliament,  the
Council, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. 

9.

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

All the contracts, conventions and legal undertakings concluded between the Commission and
the beneficiaries  under  the  programme foresee the  possibility  of  an  audit  at  the  premises  of
the  beneficiary  by  the  Commission’s  services  or  by  the  Court  of  Auditors,  as  well  as  the
possibility  of  requiring  the  beneficiaries  to  provide  all  relevant  documents  and  data
concerning  expenses  relating  to  such  contracts,  conventions  or  legal  undertakings  up  to  5
years  after  the  contractual  period.  Beneficiaries  are  subject  to  the  requirement  to  provide
reports  and  financial  accounts,  which  are  analysed  as  to  the  eligibility  of  the  costs  and  the
content,  in  line  with  the  rules  on  Community  financing  and  taking  account  of  contractual
obligations, economic principles and good financial management.

11