WRITTEN QUESTION P-2110/03 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission. Closure of the Europa Centrum in the Netherlands.
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU sponsorship, Netherlands, financial regulation, information centre, non-governmental organisation, promotion of the European idea

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/219

As regards the conditions for obtaining grants, NGOs have to satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in
specific detail in each call for proposals. These criteria are announced together with the call for proposals,
are transparent, and accessible to all potential applicants. They generally include conditions on the status
(non-profit-making), geographic location, trade record and financial viability.

(2004/C 33 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2110/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Closure of the Europa Centrum in the Netherlands

(19 June 2003)

Is the Commission aware that the Europa Centrum in the Hague, a foundation providing information on
the EU, will close on 1 July 2003?

How does the Commission explain that the foundation has not been granted a subsidy for 2003?

Does the Commission agree with me that information on the European Union and its institutions is of
crucial importance?

How does the Commission plan to ensure that in the year ahead, in which events of major importance for
the EU are on the agenda (enlargement to include ten new countries, European Parliament elections,
drafting of a Constitution), reliable and detailed information can be provided in the Netherlands if the
Europa Centrum foundation (cid:1) which is a key source of information for young people and schools (cid:1) is no
longer able to take on this task?

Is the Commission prepared to reconsider the foundation’s application for a subsidy? If so, when will it be
able to give its final answer? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of and deeply regrets the fact that Europa Centrum will close on 1 July 2003.
Information and communication about the Union and its Institutions is extremely important, as the
Honourable Member recalls, particularly in the Netherlands, which will assume the Union-presidency in
the second half of 2004. The loss of Europa Centrum is therefore clearly felt by the Commission and the
national authorities in the Netherlands.

the new Financial Regulation (1) prevents operating grants to
As the Honourable Member knows,
organisations such as Europa Centrum which cannot exist solely on the basis of project-based subventions,
via calls for proposals.

As far as this kind of project-based grants is concerned, the Europa Centrum has been awarded in 2003
two grants by the Directorate General (DG) for Education and Culture, in the framework of the Calls for
Proposals addressed to Non-Governmental Organisations and Associations of European Interest. Unfor-
tunately, after the sad decision to terminate its activities, the Europa Centrum will not be able to use these
grants.

It goes without saying that, if Europa Centrum changes this decision in the future and starts over its
activities, nothing would prevent it to present one or more projects in the framework of new calls for
proposals and the Commission would of course seriously consider them, as it does with any other project.

A call was published by the Commission’s Representation in the Netherlands in May 2003, following the
adoption of the work programme for DG Press and Communication on 28 March 2003. The first deadline
for this call was set at the 30 June 2003.

(1) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the

general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.