Decision No 2318/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 December 2003 adopting a multiannual programme (2004 to 2006) for the effective integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning Programme)
Date: 2003-12-05
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, educational system, information society, information technology

31.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 345/9

DECISION No 2318/2003/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 5 December 2003

adopting a multiannual programme (2004 to 2006) for the effective integration of information and
in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning
communication technologies (ICT)

Programme)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

(4)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Article 149(4) and Article 150(4)
thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

(5)

Having regard to the opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee for

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The objectives of the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci
education and training programmes established by Deci-
sion No 253/2000/EC (4) and Decision 1999/382/EC (5)
respectively include the development of open and
distance learning, and the use of
information and
communication technologies.

The conclusions of the European Council meeting held
in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 (the Lisbon
Council), emphasised the need for adaptation of Euro-
pean education and training systems to the needs of the
knowledge economy, and declared the promotion of
new basic skills, in particular in information technolo-
gies, as one of the three main components of this new
approach.

The initiative ‘eLearning: designing tomorrow's educa-
tion’,
launched in May 2000 by the Commission in
response to the Lisbon Council was endorsed by the
European Council at its meeting in Feira in June 2000.
At its meeting in Stockholm in March 2001, the Euro-
pean Council noted the positive results of the initiative.

(1) OJ C 133, 6.6.2003, p. 33.
(2) OJ C 244, 10.10.2003, p. 42.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 8 April 2003 (not yet
published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 16
June 2003 (OJ C 233 E, 30.9.2003, p. 24) and Position of the Euro-
pean Parliament of 21 October 2003 (not yet published in the Offi-
cial Journal).

(4) Decision No 253/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 24 January 2000 establishing the second phase of the
Community action programme in the field of education ‘Socrates’
(OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p. 1). Decision as amended by Decision No
451/2003/EC (OJ L 69, 13.3.2003, p. 6).

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

The ‘eLearning Action Plan’ developed the four action
the eLearning initiative (infrastructures and
lines of
equipment,
training, European quality contents and
services and cooperation at all levels) in 10 key actions,
bringing together the various Community programmes
and instruments, for increased coherence and synergy
between them and for enhanced accessibility to users.

On 15 May 2001 the European Parliament adopted a
Resolution (6) on both Commission Communications on
the subject recognising that the eLearning initiative is
helping to strengthen the idea of a ‘single European
educational area’, which complements the European
research area and the European single market, and
calling for it to be developed independently under a new
specific programme, with a clear legal basis, avoiding
duplication with existing programmes and providing
more visibility and added value to Community action.

The Council Resolution of 13 July 2001 on eLearning (7)
endorses this initiative, and calls upon the Commission
to continue and to intensify its actions in this field.

The Commission adopted, on 21 November 2001, the
Communication ‘Making a European area of
lifelong
learning a reality’, indicating the potential of e-learning
for making available and managing new educational
opportunities to this end.

The conclusions of the European Council meeting held
in Barcelona in March 2002 called for a Europewide
school-twinning action and were
followed by the
Commission Report on school twinnings via Internet,
presented to the European Council at its meeting in
Seville, as well as an Internet and computer user's certifi-
cate for secondary school pupils.

There is a need to address the problem of social exclu-
sion resulting from the inability of some individuals to
take full advantage of the benefits offered by information
and communication technologies (ICT) and the Internet
in the knowledge society, the so-called ‘digital divide’,
which often affects young people,
the disabled and
elderly, and social categories who are already victims of
other forms of exclusion.

(5) Council Decision 1999/382/EC of 26 April 1999 establishing the
training action

second phase of
programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ (OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33).

the Community vocational

(6) OJ C 34 E, 7.2.2002, p. 153.
(7) OJ C 204, 20.7.2001, p. 3.

L 345/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.12.2003

(10)

Close attention needs to be paid to the education and in-
service training of teachers so that they are able to use
the Internet and ICT in the classroom in a critical and
educationally responsible manner.

(18)

(11)

Close attention should be paid to gender differences in
the use of e-learning and the promotion of equal oppor-
tunities in this field.

(19)

E-learning has the potential to help the Union respond
to the challenges of the knowledge society, to improve
the quality of learning, to facilitate access to learning
resources, to address special needs, and to bring about
more effective and efficient learning and training at the
workplace,
in small and medium-sized
enterprises.

in particular

The need for a European dimension in higher education
was identified in the Bologna Declaration, signed by 29
European Ministers for Education on 19 June 1999,
together with the importance of developing an e-
learning dimension in this context.

(20)

promotion

The European Union should pay close attention to the
education
effective
campuses
in mobility
programmes within the European Union and with third
countries.

complement

activities

virtual

higher

to

of

There is a need to reinforce and complement existing
instruments and to consider the role of eLearning also in
the context of the preparation of the new generation of
instruments in the field of education and training.

In order to reinforce the added value of Community
action it is necessary to ensure coherence and comple-
implemented in the
mentarity between the actions
framework of this Decision and other relevant Com-
munity policies,
in particular
the Information Society Technologies thematic priority
of the sixth framework programme for research estab-
lished by Decision No 1513/2002/EC (1).

instruments and actions,

The candidate countries for accession to the European
Union and EEA-EFTA States should be able to participate
in the eLearning programme. Experts and educational
institutions from other third countries should be able to
participate in the exchange of experience in the frame-
work of existing cooperation with these third countries.

(1) Decision No 1513/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 27 June 2002 concerning the
sixth framework
programme of the European Community for research, technological
development and demonstration activities, contribution to the crea-
tion of the European Research Area and to innovation (2002 to
2006), (OJ L 232, 29.8.2002, p. 1).

The eLearning programme should be regularly moni-
tored and evaluated in cooperation between the
Commission and the Member States in order to allow
for readjustments, particularly in the priorities for imple-
menting the measures. The evaluation should include an
external evaluation to be conducted by independent,
impartial bodies.

e-learning,

cannot be

Since the objective of the proposed action, namely the
promotion of European cooperation to improve the
quality and accessibility of education and training by an
effective use of
sufficiently
achieved by the Member States and can therefore by
reason of the transnational dimension of the actions and
measures necessary be better achieved at Community
level, the Community may adopt measures, in accord-
ance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in
Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle
of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Deci-
sion does not go beyond what is necessary in order to
achieve that objective.

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

(21)

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),

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Establishment of the programme

1.
This Decision establishes the eLearning Programme, a
multiannual programme for the improvement of the quality
and accessibility of European education and training systems
through the effective use of information and communication
technologies (ICT), hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’.

The programme shall be implemented over a period
2.
starting on 1 January 2004 and ending on 31 December 2006.

(2) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. Agreement as amended by Decision
2003/429/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L
147, 14.6.2003, p. 25).
(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

(17)

31.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 345/11

Article 2

Objectives of the programme

frameworks (Erasmus programme, Bologna process), and
providing an ‘e-learning dimension’
to their operational
tools (European credit
transfer system (ECTS), European
Masters, quality assurance, mobility);

1.
The overall objective of the programme is to support and
develop further the effective use of ICT in European education
and training systems, as a contribution to a quality education
and an essential element of their adaptation to the needs of the
knowledge society in a lifelong learning context.

2.

The specific objectives of the programme are:

(a) to identify the actors concerned and inform them of ways
and means of using e-learning for promoting digital literacy
and thereby contribute to strengthening social cohesion
and fostering intercultural
and personal development
dialogue;

(c) e-twinning of schools in Europe and promotion of teachers'

training:

actions in this area will support and further develop
networking in schools, to make it possible for all schools in
Europe to build pedagogical partnerships with schools else-
where in Europe,
to promote innovative cooperation
methods and transfer quality educational approaches and
reinforce language learning and intercultural dialogue;
actions in this area will also address the updating of
teachers' and trainers' professional skills in the pedagogical
and collaborative use of
ICT through an exchange and
dissemination of good practices and the setting up of trans-
national and multidisciplinary cooperation projects;

(b) to exploit the potential of e-learning for enhancing the

European dimension in education;

(d) transversal actions:

(c) to provide mechanisms for supporting development of
European quality products and services, and for exchange
and transfer of good practice;

(d) to exploit the potential of e-learning in the context of inno-
vation in teaching methods with a view to improving the
quality of the learning process and fostering the autonomy
of learners.

actions in this area will address the promotion of e-learning
in Europe, building on the monitoring of the eLearning
Action Plan. The objectives are the dissemination, promo-
tion and transfer of good and innovative practices and
results from the projects and programmes and to reinforce
cooperation between the various actors involved,
in par-
ticular by fostering public-private partnerships.

Article 3

2.
These actions shall be implemented in accordance with
the procedures set out in the Annex, and through the following
approaches, which may be combined where appropriate:

Areas of intervention of the programme

1.
The objectives of the programme shall be pursued in the
following areas of intervention, in accordance with the action
lines described in the Annex:

(a) promoting digital literacy:

actions in this area will address the contribution of ICT in
school and more broadly in a lifelong learning context, in
particular for those who, owing to their geographical loca-
tion, social situation or special needs, do not have easy
access to those technologies. The objective is to identify
good examples and build synergies between the many
national and European activities, which address these target
groups;

(b) European virtual campuses:

actions in this area will pursue a better integration of the
virtual dimension in higher education. The objective is to
encourage the development of new organisational models
for providing higher education in Europe (virtual campuses)
and for European exchange and sharing schemes (virtual
mobility), building on existing European cooperation

(a) support
impact
prospects for long-term sustainability;

for strategic
for pilot projects, with potential
in education and training practice, and clear

(b) support for the development of methods, tools and practice
and for the analysis of trends in the design and use of ‘e-
learning’ models for education and training;

(c) support for innovative actions by European networks and
partnerships designed to foster innovation and quality in
the design and use of products and services, based on the
relevant use of ICT for education and training;

(d) support

for European networks and partnerships

that
promote and strengthen the pedagogical and educational
use of Internet and ICT and for the exchange of good prac-
tice. These activities are designed to ensure that teachers
and pupils are not only technically proficient at using
Internet and ICT but are also proficient in a pedagogical,
critical and responsible sense;

L 345/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.12.2003

(e) support for European cooperation, transfer of e-learning
products, and dissemination and exchange of good practice;

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

(f) technical and administrative assistance.

4.

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 4

Implementation of the programme and cooperation with
the Member States

Article 7

1.

The Commission shall:

Consistency and complementarity

(a) ensure the implementation of

the Community actions

covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex;

(b) ensure synergies with other Community programmes and
actions in the field of education, research, social policy and
regional development;

The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member
1.
States, ensure overall consistency and complementarity of the
programme with other relevant Community policies,
instru-
ments and actions, in particular with the Socrates, Leonardo da
Vinci education and training programmes and the Youth
programme.

(c) foster and facilitate cooperation with international organisa-

tions developing activities in the field of e-learning.

2.
The Member States shall identify appropriate correspon-
dents who shall cooperate closely with the Commission as
regards relevant information about e-learning use and practice.

2.
The Commission shall ensure efficient linkage and, where
appropriate, coordinated actions, between this programme and
the programmes and actions in the area of new technologies
for education and training,
in particular with the relevant
actions for research, technological development and demonstra-
tion activities under the sixth framework programme.

Article 5

Implementing measures

The following measures necessary for the implementation
this Decision shall be adopted in accordance with the

1.
of
management procedure referred to in Article 6(2):

(a) the annual plan of work, including priorities, and the selec-

tion criteria and procedures and results;

(b) the annual budget and the breakdown of funds among the
in accordance with

different actions of the programme,
Articles 9 and 10;

(c) the measures for monitoring and evaluating the programme

and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2.
All other measures necessary for the implementation of
this Decision shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory
procedure referred to in Article 6(3).

Article 6

Committee

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

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

Article 8

Funding

1.
The financial framework for the implementation of the
programme for the period specified in Article 1 is hereby set at
EUR 44 million.

Annual

appropriations

2.
authorised by the
budgetary authority within the limit of the financial perspec-
tive.

shall be

Article 9

Budget distribution

Budgetary distribution between the actions shall be as follows:

(a) e-learning for promoting digital

literacy: around 10 % of

total budget;

(b) European virtual campuses: around 30 % of total budget;

(c) e-twinning of schools in Europe and promotion of teacher

training: around 45 % of total budget;

(d) transversal actions and monitoring of eLearning action plan:

maximum 7,5 % of total budget;

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

(e) technical and administrative assistance: maximum 7,5 % of

total budget.

31.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 345/13

Article 10

Participation of candidate countries for accession to the
European Union and EEA-EFTA States

The conditions and detailed rules for the participation of candi-
date countries for accession to the European Union and EEA-
EFTA States in the programme shall be established in accord-
ance with the relevant provisions of the instruments governing
the relations between the Community and these countries.

Article 11

Cooperation with third countries

On the initiative of the Commission, experts from third coun-
tries other than those referred to in Article 10 may be invited
to participate in conferences and meetings with the exception
of meetings of the Committee referred to in Article 6.

The Commission shall ensure external evaluation of the
2.
programme at the moment of its completion. This evaluation is
intended to assess the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the
different actions, and it shall also consider the overall impact of
the programme. Special attention shall be paid to social cohe-
sion issues and to equal opportunities issues.

evaluation shall also examine

This
complementarity
between action under the programme and that pursued under
other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions.

the

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions an ex post evaluation report by the
end of 2007.

Article 13

Entry into force

The funds allocated for the reimbursement of travel and subsis-
tence expenses, under the applicable Commission regulations,
shall not exceed 0,5 % of the programme's total budget.

This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following
that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Union.

Article 12

Monitoring and evaluation

Done at Brussels, 5 December 2003.

1.
The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme
in cooperation with the Member States. This monitoring shall
include the report referred to in paragraph 2 and specific activ-
ities.

For the European Parliament

For the Council

The President

P. COX

The President

P. LUNARDI

L 345/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.12.2003

1. ACTION LINES

ANNEX

The action lines are a means to implement the general objective of the programme: to foster the development and
appropriate use of e-learning in Europe, and to accompany Member States' efforts in this field. They are structured
according to the four areas of intervention of the programme.

Action line 1:

‘Promoting digital literacy’

Action in this field must cover both conceptual and practical issues, from the understanding of digital literacy to identifi-
cation of remedial actions for specific target groups. Digital literacy is one of the essential skills and competences needed
to take an active part in the knowledge society and the new media culture. Digital literacy also relates to media literacy
and social competence, as they have in common objectives such as active citizenship and the responsible use of ICTs.

(a) Identification and dissemination of good practice in the promotion of digital literacy. Particular attention will be paid
to improving access to learning resources for those who have no easy access to ICT, to addressing different cognitive
and didactic approaches, and different learning styles, to addressing special needs, for example, those of immigrants,
hospitalised children or disabled users; and to exploring the use of engaging and motivating approaches.

(b) Awareness actions via European networks in this field. The programme will support actions carried out by European
networks, associations, public authorities, public-private partnerships, etc.; supporting contacts and exchange of
good practice between them.

Action line 2:

‘European virtual Campuses’

This action line aims at providing an ‘e-learning dimension’ to European initiatives in the field of higher education,
contributing to the creation of a European area of higher education.

(a) Development of existing instruments in particular those concerning virtual mobility as a complement and reinforce-
ment for physical mobility (virtual Erasmus); recognition and validation schemes (based on ECTS); information and
guidance services, and any other synergies between virtual and traditional models. These projects should be based on
institutional agreements, whenever possible extending or complementing existing cooperation agreements in the
context of the Community mobility programmes.

(b) Transnational virtual campuses. The programme will support strategic projects to be proposed by higher educational
establishments from at least three Member States. Cooperation models for e-learning should be developed regarding:
design of joint curricula development by several universities, including agreements for the evaluation, validation and
recognition of acquired competences, subject to national procedures; large-scale experiments of virtual mobility in
addition to physical mobility; and development of innovative dual mode curricula, based on both traditional and on-
line learning methods.

(c) European e-learning models for higher education. These projects should develop new models for cooperation
between European higher education institutions, in particular addressing the provision of continuous training and
professional development, and in the development of learning support services as well as for training teachers, trai-
ners and other educational personnel in the pedagogical use of e-learning; examining quality assurance methods; the
development of a better understanding of organisational change and possible risks associated with implementing e-
learning in higher education; and the development of European models for public-private partnerships in the field of
e-learning in higher education, as well as developing the opportunities opened by new partnerships and funding
models.

Action line 3:

‘E-twinning for primary and secondary schools in Europe and promotion of teachers' training’

This action line should facilitate school twinnings via the Internet, and promote teachers' training, while stimulating
European schools to build pedagogical partnerships with schools elsewhere in Europe, fostering language learning and
intercultural dialogue. The action will address primary and secondary schools.

(a) Identification and analysis of existing initiatives. This action should analyse existing practices. It will identify good
demonstration projects on the contribution of educational multimedia and of communication networks for
supporting school twinning, especially in the area of multilingual and multicultural projects. It will provide case
studies, evaluation materials and methods with a view to helping teachers to exploit the potential of ICT for innova-
tive cooperation methods, such as, for example, virtual classrooms, joint curricula developments for the in-service
training of teachers, multidisciplinary approaches or the use of common teaching tools and resources.

31.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 345/15

(b) E-twinning support network. This network would be formed by teachers or educators with experience in the area of
European cooperation. It will provide pedagogical support and guidance; tools and services for partner search;
methods for exchange of experience as well as an Internet hub, based on existing websites, for the twinning action.

(c) Support for cooperation networks in the field of in-service training of teachers and of other educational personnel.
These networks will be based on institutions responsible for the pedagogical use of information and communication
technologies. These networks will focus on priority areas of cooperation as outlined in the context of the Report on
the concrete and future objectives of the education and training systems. Particular attention will be given to setting
up favourable conditions for exploiting the potential of ICT for innovative cooperation methods, for the exchange of
educational resources and approaches, and for the joint development of training materials.

(d) Promotion and communication actions. Success of the initiative depends on a dynamic communication action,
anchored in the website, and including, inter alia, design of an attractive visual image, publications, press releases,
preparation of fact-sheets on schools projects, launching and closing events, competitions and awards.

Action line 4: Transversal actions and monitoring of the eLearning Action Plan

In addition, funding will be given to transversal actions, such as:

(a) support for active monitoring of the eLearning Action Plan. This action would provide increased coherence and visi-
bility to EU actions on e-learning, via the dissemination of relevant material, such as reports and studies, the clus-
tering of projects addressing similar objectives or using similar methodologies; and support for exchange of experi-
ence, networking and any other possible synergies within the Action Plan activities;

(b) maintenance of an eLearning portal, providing an easy, one-stop access to European activities in the fields of e-
learning and to existing information sources, directories, databases, or knowledge repositories; and facilitating user-
friendly access to EU programmes, projects, studies, reports and working groups;

(c) awareness and information actions via European networks. This action would support European networks in the
field of e-learning, and relevant activities such as focused conferences, seminars, or workshops on key e-learning
themes such as quality assurance; and foster European debate and exchange of good practice in this field;

(d) design and development of monitoring, analysis and forecasting tools for e-learning in Europe, in cooperation with

Eurostat and the European Investment Bank.

This programme may also contribute to cross-actions with international projects related to good and effective use of ICT
for education and training, such as, for example, those under way at the OECD or Unesco.

Technical support actions

In addition, the programme execution will be supported by actions aiming at the dissemination of results (e.g. publica-
tions, Internet referencing, showcasing projects and events), and transfer, if necessary, by strategic studies addressing
emerging problems or opportunities, or any other key issues for e-learning evolution in Europe. The programme will
also support continuing feedback by users and participants, and its final external evaluation.

2. METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUDGET INTERVENTION

Funding will be granted following calls for tenders and calls for proposals.

There will be 100 % financing for purchased services (such as case studies, or experts) and possibly for the contribution
to a future Executive Agency, which is under consideration.

Actions will be funded through:

— subsidies covering a maximum of 80 % of the eligible costs with other sources in the public and/or private sector for

cooperation projects such as, for example, innovative projects of a structuring nature (all action lines),

— subsidies covering a maximum of 80 % of the eligible costs for eLearning partnerships led by higher education insti-
tutions, aiming at providing an ‘e-learning dimension’ and new models for European higher education (action line 2),

L 345/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.12.2003

— 100 % financing of a support structure for school twinning, including an internet hub; a European network for peda-
gogical support, in cooperation with Member States; promotion and dissemination actions; and any other necessary
support action such as, for example, review of existing twinning schemes or production of an ad hoc partner search
tool. Subsidies between 50 and 80 % are provided for support the promotion and dissemination actions undertaken
by Member States (action line 3),

— subsidies between 50 and 80 % of the costs linked to information and communication actions, such as seminars,

visits, joint reports, peer reviewing and similar dissemination and knowledge sharing actions (all action lines).

The delivery mechanisms provided for in the proposal follow broadly the usual Community approach to grants and co-
funding on the basis of a detailed financial request. There will also be parts that are fully financed by the Community,
such as the support network and the central web site for the school twinning action. Funding will be granted following
calls for proposals and tenders.

The programme will be managed by the Commission, with possible assistance from a future Executive Agency, the crea-
tion of which is currently under study The appropriation is intended to cover expenditure for studies, meetings of
experts, information, conferences and publications directly linked to the objective of the programme, plus any other
expenditure on technical and administrative assistance not involving public authority tasks.