Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass)
Date: 2003-12-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: administrative transparency, apprenticeship, professional experience, professional qualifications, vocational training

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 17.12.2003
COM(2003)796 final

2003/0307 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences
(Europass)

(presented by the Commission)

EN

  EN

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

1.1.

Policy context

1.

2.

1

2

3

4

5

Over the last decade growing attention has been paid at both national and European
level  to  the transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences,  for  both  academic  and
occupational purposes. Lack of transparency has often been regarded as an obstacle
to  mobility,  for  either  educational  or  occupational  purposes,  and  a  constraint  on
developing  the  flexibility  of  labour  markets  in  Europe;  making  qualifications  and
competences  more  transparent  is  essential  to  increase  and  improve  mobility  –
between  countries  and  regions,  sectors  and  companies,  as  well  as  from  learning  to
working in the perspective of lifelong learning.

The  emphasis  placed  on  these  issues  has  become  particularly  strong  and  explicit
since  the  Lisbon  European  Council  of  March  2000.  The  Presidency  conclusions
identified  increased  transparency  of  qualifications  as  one  of  three  main
components  in  an  approach  aiming  at  a  better  match  between  the  provisions  of
education and training systems and the emerging needs of the knowledge society in
terms  of  level  and  quality  of  employment  and  lifelong  learning1.  In  particular,  the
conclusions expressly recommended the development of a common European format
for  curriculum  vitae  and  of  a  Europe-wide  information  system  on  learning
opportunities, which have since been established2.

Two years later, the Barcelona European Council endorsed the work programme on
the follow-up of the  objectives report  and  set  the  objective  for  European  education
and  training  to  become  a  world  quality  reference  by  2010.  To  this  purpose,  it
specifically called for further action to ensure the transparency of diplomas and
qualifications  through  appropriate  instruments,  mentioning  ECTS,  the  diploma
and certificate supplements and the European CV3.

The Commission Communication on “Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning
a  Reality”  of  21  November  2001  dealt  with  these  issues  under  the  heading  of
“Valuing  learning”,  stressing  how  transparency  tools  help  people  in  having  their
skills  acknowledged,  no  matter  whether  they  were  acquired  within  or  outside  the
formal learning systems4.

a 

European 

Promoting  and  generalising  the  use  of  transparency  documents,  with  a  view  of
creating 
by
Recommendation 2001/613/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of
10 July  2001  on  mobility  within  the  Community  for  students,  persons  undergoing
training, volunteers, teachers  and  trainers5,  and  a  number  of  measures  in  this  sense

qualifications,  was 

advocated 

area 

of 

Presidency Conclusions of the Lisbon European Council, 23-24 March 2003, point 25.
Ibid. points 26 and 29. The Ploteus portal is mentioned in § 1.2 below, and the European CV is one of
the documents that shall be brought in the framework here proposed.
Conclusions of the Barcelona European Council, 15-16 March 2002, point 44.
COM(2001) 678 final.
OJ L 215, 9.8.2001, p. 30.

2

 
                                                
had  been  included  in  the  action  plan  on  mobility  endorsed  by  the  Nice  European
Council in December 20006.

The Communication from the Commission on an Action Plan for skills and mobility7
called  for  the  implementation  and  development  of  instruments  supporting  the
transparency  and  transferability  of  qualifications  to  facilitate  mobility  within  and
between  sectors  by  2003,  as  well  as  for  the  establishment  of  a  One-stop  European
Mobility  Information  Site  as  part  of  a  wider  European  network  to  provide
comprehensive and easily accessible information to citizens on key  aspects of jobs,
mobility, learning opportunities and the transparency of qualifications in Europe. The
Council  Resolution  on  skills  and  mobility  of  3  June  20028  and  the  Council
Resolution  on  lifelong  learning  of  27  June  20029  called  for  increased  cooperation,
among  others  towards  a  framework  for  transparency  and  recognition  based  on  the
existing instruments.

In  the  last  two  years,  a  process  aiming  at  increased  cooperation  in  vocational
education and training has been started. Inspired by the “Bologna process” in higher
education,  this  process  is  based  on  two  policy  documents,  the  Copenhagen
Declaration  of  30  November  200210  and 
the  Council  Resolution  of
19 December 2002  on  the  promotion  of  enhanced  European  cooperation  in
vocational  education  and  training11.  The  Copenhagen  Declaration  expressly  called
for action to increase “transparency in vocational education and training through
the  implementation  and  rationalisation  of  information  tools  and  networks,
including  the  integration  of  existing  instruments  such  as  the  European  CV,
certificate  and  diploma  supplements,  the  Common  European  Framework  of
reference for languages and the Europass into one single framework”.

This proposal for a Decision establishes the single framework for the transparency of
qualifications  and  competences  advocated  by  the  above  mentioned  Council
Resolution  and  provides  for  the  adequate  implementation  and  support  measures.
Rationalisation and coordination  are  the  key  principles,  applied  to  the  transparency
documents, their implementation bodies and the related networks.

This proposal for a Decision provides for Community financial support only for the
development phase (2005-2006). It is the Commission’s intention to provide support
for  the  subsequent  years  in  the  framework  of  the  proposed  future  generation  of
programmes in the field of education and training which are in the process of being
prepared.

Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting
within  the  Council  of  14  December  2000  concerning  an  action  plan  for  mobility  (2000/C  371/03),
OJ C 371, 23.12.2000, p. 4.
COM(2002) 72 final of 13.2.2002.
OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 1.
OJ C 163, 9.7.2002, p. 1.
Declaration  of  the  European  Ministers  of  Vocational  Education  and  Training,  and  the  European
Commission,  convened  in  Copenhagen  on  29  and  30  November  2002,  on  enhanced  European
cooperation in vocational education and training.
Cf. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/copenhagen/index_en.html
OJ C 13, 18.1.2003 p. 2.

3

3.

4.

6

7

8

9

10

11

 
                                                
1.2.

The transparency of qualifications and competences

1.

2.

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Transparency of qualifications and competences is a different issue than the  formal
recognition  of  qualifications.  Increased  transparency  is  pursued  for  the  sake  of
recognition  in  a  wider,  social  sense:  to  improve  understanding  and  appreciation  of
both  qualifications  and  competences  on  the  labour  market.  Transparency  never
implies legal recognition, even if legal recognition requires a satisfactory degree of
transparency.

The  transparency  of  both  qualifications  and  competences  is  the  specific  aim  of  a
number of European initiatives in the last years.

(cid:1)  Higher education proved to be a privileged field for initiatives aimed at improving
the  transparency  and  comparability  of  qualifications.  The  European  Credit
Transfer System (ECTS) was initiated 15 years ago at Community level as a pilot
scheme  under  the  first  Erasmus  programme;  it  is  now  used  by  more  than  one
thousand higher education institutions, including non-university ones, within and
beyond the European Union12. In 1999, European Ministers of  Education started
the  “Bologna  process”,  with  a  view  to  achieve  overall  convergence  of  the
structures  of  the  different  higher  education  systems  through  voluntary  reforms
based  on  common  principles  and  agreed  objectives13.  In  the  31  countries
concerned,  National  Academic  Recognition  Information  Centres  (NARIC)  have
been set up14.

(cid:1)  In  close  connection  with  the  ECTS,  a  document  has  been  jointly  created  by  the
European  Commission,  the  Council  of  Europe  and  UNESCO  to  improve  the
transparency  of  higher  education  qualifications:  the  Diploma  Supplement.  Its
promotion  is  an  obligation  for  all  state  parties  to  the  Convention  on  the
Recognition  of  Qualifications  concerning  Higher  Education  in  the  European
Region15.  Its  use,  recommended  among  others  by  the  1999  Bologna  declaration
and  by  the  2001  Council  and  European  Parliament  Recommendation  on
mobility16,  is  gaining  ground  in  higher  education  institutions  throughout  Europe
and beyond17, and in several countries is supported by  legislative measures. The
Conference of European Ministers on “Realising the European Higher Education
Area”,  held  in  Berlin  in  September  2003,  set  the  objective  that  every  student
graduating  as  from  2005  should  receive  the  Diploma  Supplement  automatically
and  free  of  charge18,  issued  in  a  widely  spoken  European  language.  The

Cf. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ects_en.html and
http://www.enic-naric.net
Cf. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna_en.html
Cf. http://www.enic-naric.net
Adopted at Lisbon, 11 April 1997 (UNESCO, European Treaty Series No. 165). The establishment of
such  a  document  at  Community  level  had  been  called  for  by  the  1996  Council  Conclusions  on  the
synergies  between  academic  recognition  and  professional  recognition  of  qualifications  in  the
Community, OJ C 195 of 6.7.1996, p. 6.
Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within the
Community 
trainers,
OJ L 215 of 9.8.2001, p. 30.
Cf. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html
Communiqué of the Conference.
Cf. http://www.bologna-berlin2003.de/en/communique_minister/index.htm

for  students,  persons  undergoing 

training,  volunteers, 

teachers  and 

4

 
                                                
Commission  has  introduced  a  “Diploma  Supplement  label”  for  higher  education
institutions who fulfil these requirements.

(cid:1)  Since 2000 the Europass-Training  document  is  available  to  record  in  a  common
format mobility experiences satisfying a number of common criteria, namely the
fact  that  part  of  the  learning  takes  place  in  a  working  environment.  It  was
established  by  a  specific  Council  Decision  and  is  of  application  in  the  EEA
countries19. About 50 000 Europass-Training document were delivered to citizens
in the 18 countries in the first three years of operation.

(cid:1)  Efforts  to  improve  mutual  understanding  of  the  qualifications  systems  of  the
various  Member  States  and  of  the  qualifications  themselves  were  advocated  by
Council  Resolution  of  3  December  199220,  while  Council  Resolution  of
15 July 199621  specifically  tackled  the  issue  of  making  vocational  training
certificates  clearer  to  read.  Concrete  steps  in  this  sense  were  taken  within  the
European Forum for the transparency of vocational qualifications, set up in 1998
as a joint initiative of Commission and Cedefop. Including members appointed by
Member  States,  social  partners  and  the  Commission,  the  Forum  granted  more
consistency  and  visibility  to  the  debate  on  transparency.  this  work  resulted  in  a
number  of  practical  recommendations,  integrated  into  wider  legal  acts.  In
particular,  the  Forum  originally  proposed  the  certificate  supplements,  the
European CV and the national reference points for qualifications described in the
following paragraphs.

(cid:1)  Certificate  Supplements,  which  explain  what  a  certain  qualification  means  in
terms  of  competences  and  with  reference  to  the  training  system  to  which  it
belongs,  are  now  being  developed  in  all  Member  States  following  an  agreed
common  template22.  Issuing  supplements  to  vocational  training  certificates  is
recommended by the 2001 Council and European Parliament Recommendation on
mobility.

(cid:1)  The European common format for Curriculum vitae is available since March 2002
on  the  Internet  as  well  as  on  paper23.  As  its  name  declares,  it  is  a  personal
document,  to  be  completed  by  its  holder.  Specifically  called  for  by  the
Conclusions  of  the  2000  Lisbon  Council24,  it  was  defined  in  a  Commission
Recommendation25.  From  the  website  of  Cedefop  more  than  500 000  CVs  were
downloaded from March 2002 to September 2003.

(cid:1)  National Reference Points for Vocational Qualifications (NRP) were or are being
set up in all Member States, aiming to be the first and main contact for all issues

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Council  Decision  1999/51/EC  of  21  December  1998  on  the  promotion  of  European  pathways  in
work-linked training, including apprenticeship, OJ L 17, 22.1.1999, p. 45.
Further information at http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/europass/index_en.html
OJ C 49, 19.2.1993, p. 1.
OJ C 224, 1.8.1996, p. 7.
Cf. http://www.cedefop.eu.int/transparency/certsupp.asp
Cf. http://www.cedefop.eu.int/transparency/cv.asp or http://europa.eu.int/eures
Conclusion 26. Cf. http://ue.eu.int/en/Info/eurocouncil/index.htm
Commission  Recommendation  of  11  March  2002  on  a  common  European  format  for  curricula  vitae
(CVs), C(2002) 516, OJ L 79 of 22.3.2002, p. 66.

5

 
                                                
concerning  qualifications26.  Setting  up  NRPs  is  recommended  by  the  2001
Council and European Parliament Recommendation on mobility.

to  understanding  and  dealing  with 

(cid:1)  A significant contribution to transparency in the field of education and training is
offered  by  information  and  guidance  services,  namely  as  concerns  guiding
citizens  and  operators 
learning  and
qualification systems  in  other countries.  In  particular, the Euroguidance network
operates in this sense throughout Europe. Started under the Petra programme, it is
now  co-funded  by  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  programme27.  The  Euroguidance
network  is  among  others  responsible  with  providing  the  content  of  the  Ploteus
portal,  which  since  March  2003  allows  citizens  to  look  for  information  on
learning  opportunities  in  Europe  and  guides  them  through  the  education  and
training systems of other countries28. Ploteus, which also provides the information
on learning opportunities for the European Job Mobility Portal29, is the first step
towards the European information service on learning opportunities called for by
the Conclusions of the 2000 Lisbon Council, that is being  developed by  making
national service inter-operable throughout Europe.

As concerns in particular language skills, the Council  of  Europe  has  developed  the
Common  European  Framework  of  References  for  Languages  and  the  European
Language Portfolio. The former is a tool for setting clear standards to be attained at
successive  stages  of  learning  and  for  evaluating  outcomes  in  an  internationally
comparable manner. It is increasingly used in the reform of national curricula and by
international  consortia  for  the  comparison  of  language  certificates.  The  European
Language Portfolio is a document where citizens can record their language skills and
experiences,  based  on  the  Common  Framework.  Specialised  Portfolios  are  being
developed  in  Council  of  Europe  Member  States,  depending  on  the  age  of  learners
and  national  contexts  and  respecting  the  agreed  set  of  common  principles  and
guidelines30.

Within  the  social  dialogue  framework,  social  partners  at  European  level  agreed  in
February  2002  on  a  framework  of  actions  for  the  lifelong  development  of
competencies and  qualifications31,  which  indicate  the  recognition  and  validation  of
competencies  and  qualifications  as  one  of  four  priority  areas  for  action  based  on  a
principle  of  shared  responsibility.  Under  this  area,  social  partners  stressed  the
necessity  to  improve  transparency  and  transferability,  as  a  means  to  facilitate
geographical  and  occupational  mobility  and  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  labour
markets, and committed themselves to a deeper dialogue and to participation to the
debate on these issues.

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned  European  tools  and  initiatives,  that  were
developed and  agreed at European level, although their implementation depends  on

Cf. http://www.cedefop.gr/transparency/refpoint.asp
Cf. http://www.euroguidance.org.uk
Cf. http://www.ploteus.net
Cf. http://europa.eu.int/eures
Cf. http:// www.culture2.coe.int/portfolio
lifelong  development  of
ETUC,  UNICE/UEAPME,  CEEP,  “Framework  of  actions  for 
competencies and  qualifications”,  14  March  2002.  Text  available  in  the  Internet  sites  of  the
organisations, http://www.etuc.org, http://www.unice.org, http://www.ueapme.org,
http://www.ceep.org

the 

6

3.

4.

5.

26

27

28

29

30

31

 
                                                
voluntary  action  by  Member  States,  a  large  number  of  transparency  related
instruments have been developed at national, local and industry level. They include
skill  passports  –  like  the  EMU-Pass,  developed  by  the  European  Metal  Union  to
facilitate the mobility of skilled workers in the metal industry32, assessment tools, as
well  as  a  multitude  of  occupational  profiles,  qualifications  frameworks  and
web-based information services.

A number of such tools were also developed within pilot projects under the Leonardo
da Vinci programme. One of these projects was the origin of the European Computer
Driving Licence (ECDL), a well-known European-wide qualification which enables
people to demonstrate their competence in computer skills33. Another project resulted
in  the  Estia  website,  which  gave  information  on  the  learning  and  qualification
systems of many European countries and was used as a basis for the relevant section
of the Ploteus portal34. A project  co-financed within the  first phase of  Leonardo da
Vinci partially  anticipated the  concept of the  existing  Europass-Training  document,
while two projects within the second phase  aimed at  the targeted promotion of  this
instrument35.

1.3.

Aim

1.3.1.

The added value of a single transparency framework for all education and training

1.

2.

32

33

34

35

As  mentioned  above,  a  number  of  tools  are  already  available  to  citizens  for  both
education  and  training,  namely  the  common  European  CV  format,  the  Diploma
Supplement,  the  current  Europass-Training.  Certificate  Supplements  and  European
Language  Portfolios  are  being  produced  by  national  authorities  according  to  the
models  agreed  at  European  level.  Citizens  can  also  be  helped  by  guidance  and
information services. However, added value  can  be  achieved  by  rationalisation  and
simplification  underpinned  by  legislative  action  at  Community  level,  aimed  at
coordinating and streamlining the different tools.

The  documents  listed  above  satisfy  specific  needs  and  were  established  through
different  arrangements,  so  it  is  not  surprising  that  they  are  usually  managed  and
promoted separately. People who know about the Europass-Training may not know
about the European CV or the certificate supplement. This applies to both applicants,
who may not be able to fully exploit tools which are indeed available, and those who
examine applications – for instance employers, who may not correctly appreciate the
supporting and clarifying role of these tools.

While these documents are separate, and while each of them has critical features of
its own, they all share one and the same purpose: helping people in communicating
their  qualifications  and  competences.  Coordinating  them  could  therefore  improve

http://leonardo.cec.eu.int/pdb, 

Cf. http://www.emu-pass.com.
Cf. http://leonardo.cec.eu.int/pdb, no. 1480 (1995-1999). Cf. http://www.ecdl.com
Cf. 
Cf. http://www.estia.educ.goteborg.se
Cf.  http://leonardo.cec.eu.int/pdb:  No.  65627  (1995-1999)  (cf.  http://www.europass-formation.org);
“Europathway  and  Europass”,  No.  115700  and  “Pro-Europass”,  No.  126609 
(2000-2006)
(cf. http://www.amiedu.net/europass).

(1995-1999).

36041, 

76330 

3651, 

Nos. 

7

 
                                                
access,  visibility  and  effectiveness  of  each  of  them.  Efforts  towards  a  coordinated
promotion have been made in some countries36.

Integrating the existing tools in a coordinated framework, promoted and followed-up
in each country  by  a  single  body  and  supported  by  suitable  information  systems  at
national  and  European  level,  would  make  these  documents  easier  to  access,  more
coherent and better known. As they are communication tools, this means they would
become more effective and more useful: a coordinated portfolio of documents has
a stronger communication impact than a loose collection of separate documents.

Similar considerations apply to the  existing networks intended to help citizens with
issues  related  to  transparency.  First  of  all,  for  each  of  the  documents  mentioned
above a different body or network operates at national level. The National Reference
Points  and  Euroguidance  are  two  further  networks  offering  information  to  citizens
and operators. The NARIC and ENIC networks also have a close remit. In very few
countries  some  of  these  activities  are  carried  out  by  the  same  organisation,  but  the
norm  is  fragmentation  rather  than  coordination37.  The  result  is  that  citizens  can
find  it  difficult  to  get  all  the  benefit  they  could  from  the  valuable  information
made available by the various networks and services.

There  is  a  need  for  coordination  and  rationalisation  of  the  existing  tools  and
networks,  and  this  requires  action  at  Community  level.  In  fact,  the  documents
concerned  are  already  produced,  coordinated  or  agreed  upon  at  Community  level
(and  beyond  in  the  case  of  the  Diploma  Supplement  and  the  European  Language
Portfolio) and the networks and services concerned operate throughout Europe. The
European dimension is an unquestioned, intrinsic feature of both the documents and
the networks. The single framework can therefore only be established at Community
level.

Rationalising tools and networks and coordinating their activity, in particular through
an  act  adopted  at  Community  level,  will  also  benefit  the  development  of  further
tools.  In  fact,  parties  interested  in  creating  any  such  tools  –  national  authorities,
international organisations, organisations representing the social partners or the civil
society – will find an existing, coherent reference framework. This will help them in
assessing  their  own  needs  and  devising  appropriate  proposals  in  the  wider  context,
thus promoting the development of consistent instruments.

Summing up, bringing the different documents together into a single framework, and
streamlining the related implementation and support networks, will provide citizens
with  a  more  effective  communication  tool  –  more  coherent,  easier  to  access,
more visible and more widely acknowledged – and will offer a sound reference
framework for the development of further tools.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1.3.2. General, specific and operational objectives

The  general,  long-term  objectives  are  indicated  by  Articles  149  and  150  of  the
Treaty.  An  improved  transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences  will  in  fact
facilitate:

36

37

Cf. in particular the Austrian initiative “Chance Europa”: http://www.chance-europa.at
For  instance,  only  in  Italy,  Finland  and  Luxembourg  the  same  organisation  acts  as  National  Contact
Point for Europass-Training and as National Reference Point.

8

 
                                                
– 

– 

the  mobility  of  students,  including  by  being  instrumental  to  the  academic
recognition  of  diplomas  and  periods  of  study.  This  is  indicated  as  one  of  the
aims of Community action in order to contribute to the development of quality
education (Article 149),

the mobility of trainees, as well as vocational integration and reintegration into
the labour market. These are indicated among the aims of Community action to
implement a vocational training policy (Article 150).

In  order  to  achieve  these  long-term  objectives,  the  proposed  action  is  expected  to
produce the following specific objectives:

– 

– 

– 

– 

better awareness of and access to the existing transparency instruments among
citizens – namely learners, teachers and trainers, employers and admission staff
of  learning  bodies  –  by  bringing  them  together  into  a  single,  coordinated
framework and rationalising the related networks,

stronger  communication  impact  of  the  existing  transparency  instruments,
through the use of a common, well promoted logo,

opportunity for development of further transparency instruments,

information  on 

better 
transparency  and  mobility  –
opportunities,  conditions,  recognition  –  by  closely  associating  guidance
services with the coordinated operation of the transparency framework.

issues  related 

to 

On a more operational level, the following objectives should be pursued:

– 

– 

– 

an  adequate  implementation  mechanism  must  be  set  up,  so  that  the  Europass
portfolio and its documents are available and promoted,

learning  providers  and  mobility  promoters  should  complete  and  award
Europass  documents  as  appropriate  and  link  them  into  the  Europass
framework,

the  Europass  framework  and  its  documents  should  be  used  by  citizens  when
applying for a job or for admission to an education or training opportunity.

How  far  these  objectives  are  achieved  can  be  assessed  analysing  quantitative  and
qualitative information that can be  available  from  management  or  obtained  through
specific surveys. A table matching objectives and indicators, as well as summarising
the basic activities to carry out, is provided in the financial statement attached to this
proposal for a Decision.

1.4.

Consultation and ex ante evaluation

A preliminary outline of the single framework was presented to and endorsed by the
Directors  General  of  Vocational  Training  at  their  meeting  of  10-11  march  2003  in
Thessaloniki.  The  draft  text  was  met  with  a  favourable  opinion  at  the  meeting  of
20 October in Benevento.

9

 
A  more  structured  outline  of  this  proposal  for  a  Decision  was  welcomed  by  the
Advisory  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  (ACVT)  on  5  June  200338.  ACVT
members  were  also  consulted,  through  written  procedure,  on  the  draft  text  in
October 2003. Comments were favourable and constructive.

Comments  from  the  Directors  General  of  Vocational  Training  and  the  ACVT  have
been taken into  account,  namely  by  stressing  the  coordinating  role  of  the  Europass
National Agencies.

The  preparation  of  this  draft  proposal  also  took  into  account  contributions  and
comments  from  a  working  group  established  to  follow  up  the  Copenhagen
Declaration  in  the  field  of  Transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences39  and
from the representatives of the existing Europass-Training National contact points.

Positive and constructive comments were also expressed by the relevant services of
the Council of Europe.

An internal ex ante evaluation exercise was carried out in Summer 2003. It involved
services  within  the  Directorate  General  for  Education  and  Culture,  which  is
responsible  at  Community  level  for  all  the  documents  and  networks  concerned  by
this proposal for a Decision. The exercise defined the global, specific and operational
objectives  indicated  in  the  paragraph  above;  they  are  also  reproduced,  in  a  table
which also indicated the related indicators, in the financial statement attached to this
proposal. The ex ante evaluation exercise was also valuable in producing a bottom up
estimation  of  the  costs  on  which  the  amount  of  reference  for  financial  support  is
based.

1.5.

Legal basis and legal form of the instrument

1.

2.

Articles 149 and 150 of the Treaty are the legal basis of this proposal for a Decision.

The appropriate legal form is a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council,
repealing  Council  Decision  1999/51/EC  which  established 
the  existing
Europass-Training.

2.

CONTENT

2.1.

Purpose and scope of this proposal for a Decision

To achieve the aims indicated above, this proposal for a Decision establishes a single
framework  for  the  transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences,  known  as
“Europass”,  provides  for  the  adequate  implementation  and  support  measures  and
indicates the costs envisaged for the first two years of implementation.

38

39

The  ACVT  is  a  tripartite  consultative  body  composed  by  representatives  of  workers’  organisations,
employers’ organisations and governments. Cf. Council Decision of 2 April 1963 laying down general
principles  for  implementing  a  common  vocational  training  policy  (1963/266/EEC),  OJ  No.  63,
20.4.1963,  p. 1338  and  Rules  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Vocational  Training,  63/688/EEC,
OJ L 190, 30.12.1963, p. 3090.
The  working  group  includes  representatives  of  Member  States  and  candidate  countries,  as  well  as
representatives of the European social partners.

10

 
                                                
Coordination and rationalisation are the key concepts: the Europass is a coordinated
portfolio of documents; all related activities – implementation, promotion, support –
are streamlined and coordinated.

2.2.

The  Europass  framework  for  the  transparency  of  qualifications  and
competences

The  main  concept  is  to  link  separate  documents  aimed  at  the  transparency  of
qualifications and competences into a single framework, in the form of a structured
portfolio of documents, known as “Europass”.

The  brand  name  “Europass”  is  taken  over  from  the  existing  Europass-Training,
which is reformed by this proposal for a Decision and renamed as “MobiliPass”.

The  name  “Europass”  does  not  have  any  country  related  connotation  and  the
reference to a  “pass” immediately calls to  mind  the  main  feature  of  the  framework
and all its documents: they are meant to help citizens that move from one situation to
another, even when this does not involve any geographical mobility.

The core of the Europass portfolio is the European CV, to which the other “Europass
documents” will be linked. This proposal for a Decision directly brings together into
the Europass portfolio some existing documents, but makes clear that this is not the
exhaustive  list  of  Europass  documents:  in  future,  further  documents  could  be
considered parts of the Europass, provided that they share the purpose to improve the
transparency of qualifications and competences and that they satisfy the operational
conditions  required  to  be  integrated.  It  will  be  a  responsibility  for  the  Commission
and the relevant national authorities to verify that these conditions are met.

For citizens, using any single Europass document or the whole Europass portfolio is
a  voluntary  act:  they  are  an  opportunity  offered  to  citizens  and  not  an  obligation
made to them.

2.3.

The existing documents included in the Europass framework

This  proposal  for  a  Decision  defines  the  first  five  documents  included  in  the
Europass portfolio. These documents already exist, with the partial exception of the
MobiliPass, which is established to replace the current Europass-Training (keeping in
fact  many  of  its  features).  For  the  other  documents  no  real  change  is  necessary,
besides for them to carry the Europass logo and be available in electronic form.

Ensuring that a common Europass logo and coherent graphic options are used for all
Europass  documents  will  be  a  shared  responsibility  of  the  Commission  and  the
relevant  national  authorities  or  international  organisations.  For  each  document,  a
description is given in a specific annex, including a generic model of structure for the
European CV, the MobiliPass  and the certificate supplement. However, no detailed
specification is given in this proposal for a Decision as concerns the accurate layout
and the related graphic solutions, in order to allow for adaptations and improvements
as appropriate.

The  existing  documents  brought  together  into  the  Europass  framework  by  this
proposal  for  a  Decision  are  all  documents  established  at  European  level,  either  by
Community institutions, or by international organisations like the Council of Europe
and  Unesco,  or  agreed  by  Member  States  in  the  context  of  a  policy  process  at

11

 
Community level. As explained in the sections below, they cover qualifications and
competences in a lifelong learning perspective, focusing on all personal competences
(CV),  language  learning  (European  Language  Portfolio),  mobility  experiences
(MobiliPass)  and  qualifications  in  vocational  education  and  training  (Certificate
Supplement) or in higher education (Diploma Supplement). Further documents may
be  added  in  future,  to  allow  in  particular  for  a  closer  focus  on  specific  sectors  or
skills.

2.3.1.

The European CV: the backbone of the portfolio

The European CV is a slightly improved version of the common European format for
CV  established 
in  March  2002.
through  a  Commission  Recommendation 
Improvements only concern the terminology; all other features remain unchanged.

Like all CVs, it is a personal document completed by the concerned person.

2.3.2.

The MobiliPass: making mobility visible

After  five  years  of  operation  (Council  Decision  1999/51/EC  entered  into  force  on
1 January 2000), the Europass-Training will be replaced by the MobiliPass, meant to
record European learning pathways, that is periods of learning in another country that
satisfy  certain  quality  criteria.  These  criteria  do  not  include  the  requirement  –
characteristic  of  the  existing  Europass-Training  –  that  the  learning  should  be
“work-linked training”.

Like  for  the  current  Europass-Training,  no  limitation  is  envisaged  as  concerns  the
age and the occupational status of the person that follows the pathway or the level of
education or training.

The MobiliPass is therefore meant to record all experiences of transnational mobility
for  learning  purposes  throughout  Europe  which  satisfy  some  quality  criteria.  In
particular,  this  will  include  all  citizens  participating  in  mobility  projects  within
Community  programmes  in  the  field  of  education  and  learning,  who  should
automatically receive a MobiliPass. However, it should be clear that the scope of the
MobiliPass goes beyond the Community programmes.

The  structure  of  this  document  is  based  on  that  of  the  current  Europass-Training,
with some improvements.  In particular,  it  allows  for  a more detailed  description  of
the  mobility  experience,  using  the  same  competence-based  approach  of  the
European CV.

Like the existing Europass-Training, this is an individual document, which describes
in a common format the particular experience of each holder. It is not completed by
its holder, but by the sending and host organisations involved.

This reform of the Europass-Training concept, which widens it into a more general
record of European mobility experiences for all learning purposes, takes into account
the  conclusions  of  the  mid-term  evaluation  and  is  consistent  with  opinions  often
expressed  by  stakeholders,  and  confirmed  by  an  external  evaluation  finalised  in
August  2003.  Europass-Training  was  a  pilot  initiative,  which  after  some  years  of
operation  with  a  limited  scope  is  now  being  developed  into  a  more  comprehensive
instrument.

12

 
2.3.3.

The Diploma Supplement: transparency in higher education

The  diploma  supplement  concerns  higher  education:  it  is  the  document  jointly
developed  with  the  Council  of  Europe  and  UNESCO,  to  make  higher  education
degrees  more  transparent.  It  is  a  personal  document,  containing,  among  others,
information related to the specific educational pathway of each individual holder. It
is completed by the institution which delivers it to its holder along  with  the degree
which  it  supplements.  Bringing  it  into  the  Europass  framework  does  not  need  any
real  change,  besides  adding  the  Europass  logo.  Awarding  procedures  are  also
unchanged.

2.3.4.

The Certificate Supplement: transparency in vocational education and training

The certificate supplement concerns vocational education and training. This proposal
does not make any change to common format recently agreed informally by Member
States  and  now  used  by  national  authorities  to  prepare  the  actual  supplements  for
each certificate.

This  document  has  a  different  nature  from  the  others,  as  it  does  not  refer  to  its
specific  holder:  a  certificate  supplements  clarifies  the  vocational  qualification  to
which it refers, and is the same for all those who hold that qualification.

2.3.5.

The European Language Portfolio: recording language skills

The  European  Language  Portfolio  adapts  the  model  agreed  within  the  Council  of
Europe  and  based  on  the  Common  Framework  for  Languages.  It  is  a  document
where  citizens  can  record  the  linguistic  and  cultural  skills  they  have  acquired.  It
contains  in  particular  a  Language  Passport,  where  holders  can  give  details  on  their
proficiency  in  languages.  Countries  can  adapt  the  common  model,  for  instance  to
better gear it to the needs of specific target groups.

2.4.

The implementation measures

The  key feature  as concerns the implementation measures  is  that  in  each  country  a
single body, known as the Europass National Agency (ENA), should be appointed to
coordinate all the related activities.

It should be clear that the Commission is not proposing the creation of a further body
to  be  added  to  the  existing  ones.  This  proposal  for  a  Decision  aims  at  improved
effectiveness through rationalisation: the transparency documents are brought into a
single  framework,  to  be  coordinated  by  a  single  body.  Each  Member  State  shall
decide whether its ENA should be established by expanding one of relevant existing
bodies, by merging several such bodies or by replacing them. All activities related to
the  implementation  at  national  level  of  this  proposal  for  a  Decision  shall  receive
Community  financial  support  exclusively  through  one  yearly  grant  awarded  to  the
ENA, which would act as implementation body at national level in accordance with
Article 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation40.

40

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, p. 1.

13

 
                                                
The activities for which the ENA shall be responsible shall include in fact the tasks
currently  carried  out  at  national  level  by  a  number  of  bodies,  such  as  the
Europass-Training  National  Contact  Points  and  the  National  Reference  Points  for
Vocational Qualifications. They can be grouped under the following categories:

–  Managing  the  transparency  documents.  The  existing  transparency  documents
directly concerned by this proposal for a Decision are now run by a number of
structures in each country, according to procedures which may be more or less
adapted to  the national context. This depends on the  nature  of  the  documents
and on how they were introduced. Some activities cannot, by their very nature,
be the responsibility of the Europass National Agencies. For instance, it is an
essential feature of the diploma supplement to be managed by higher education
institutions. For other documents, it will largely  be  a national  choice  whether
the  Europass  National  Agency  should  directly  manage  them  rather  than
coordinate other bodies.

It is important to note that the Europass is an open framework, which in future
will  probably  include  other  transparency  documents  than  those  listed  in  this
proposal  for  a  Decision.  It  is  quite  unlikely  that  Europass  National  Agencies
should  directly  manage  all  of  them,  but  all  documents  acknowledged  as
Europass  documents  should  be  managed  in  coordination  with  the  Europass
National Agencies.

Europass  National  Agencies  should  also  ensure  that  all  Europass  documents
are  also  available  in  paper  version  –  not  only  as  printouts  of  the  electronic
documents,  but  as  separately  produced  paper  documents  for  a  number  of
reasons. First, not all citizens have access to or are acquainted with the Internet
or information technology in general. Second, paper documents can be used for
promotional  purposes.  Finally,  as  is  often  reported  by  the  Europass-Training
contact points the delivery of material documents, possibly in the context of an
awarding ceremony, can be a factor of motivation.

Setting  up  and  managing  the  information  system.  In  order  to  ensure  that
Europass documents as electronic files can be linked to each other, this activity
should  be under  the  direct  responsibility  of  the  Europass  National  Agency.  It
will  have  to  ensure  that  the  information  system  supporting  the  Europass
framework at national level is fully inter-operable with those in other countries,
that  all Europass  documents  can  be  completed  in  electronic  form  and  that  all
their holders have access to them in this form, including through the European
Job Mobility Portal. (Cf. section 2.5 below on the information system.)

Promoting  the  portfolio  and  its  documents.  The  Europass  portfolio  and  its
documents are communication tools, and they can only be effective if they are
well  known.  Coordinated  promotional  efforts  at  all 
levels  are  vital.
Coordinating  them  at  national  level,  and  coordinating  them  with  action  at
European level, will be a major task of the Europass National Agencies.

Providing  information  and  guidance.  Citizens  will  need  information,  advice
and support to access the different  documents and the  Europass portfolio  and
put them to good use. Most of such support will not be provided directly by the
Europass National Agency: citizens will address the local  guidance  centres or
Internet  based  service.  Therefore,  it  seems  appropriate  that  the  Europass

– 

– 

– 

14

 
National Agency works in close coordination with the Euroguidance network,
which has long experience providing information and guidance in the field of
education, training and qualifications in a European dimension. In the medium
term,  after  the  development  phase  (2005-2006)  the  ENA  should  take  on  the
responsibility  for  these  activities,  as  well  as  for  the  operation  of  the  Internet
based Ploteus portal, which in particular guides citizens to finding information
on  learning  opportunities  throughout  Europe  and  to  understanding  the
education  and  training  systems  of  other  countries.  Access  to  Europass
information  will  also  be  provided  through  the  European  Job  Mobility  Portal,
and  cooperation  established  with  such  relevant  services  as  the  NARIC
networks and “Dialogue with citizens” is also essential.

– 

the  Commission.  The  Europass  portfolio 

Networking at European level. Europass National Agencies will have to form a
network  coordinated  by 
is
intrinsically transnational as  a concept  and  as  practical  tool,  and  coordination
will  be  as  vital  at  European  as  at  national  level.  Each  country’s  Europass
National Agency should be the natural contact for the Commission and for the
Europass  National  Agencies  in  other  countries  as  concerns  the  Europass
portfolio 
transparency  of  qualifications  and
competences in general.

in  particular,  as  well  as 

One  specific  task  of  the  network  of  Europass  National  Agencies  will  be  to
provide the Commission with opinions on the inclusion of further documents in
the Europass portfolio.

2.5.

The information system for the Europass framework

The Europass framework and the related support services should rely upon a suitable
information system, allowing to link in a coordinated way the completed documents
and to make them available to their holders through the Internet.

Reflecting  the  usual  composition  of  an  application  portfolio  in  paper  form,  the
European CV file is the backbone of the electronic Europass: a portfolio for a given
citizen is created by establishing links from sections of his/her CV file with his/her
further Europass documents as appropriate.

The Europass information system should be managed partially at European level and
partially  at  national  level.  In  particular,  there  should  be  a  Europass  Internet  portal,
appropriately  interrelated  to  the  European  Job  Mobility  Portal,  giving  access  to
information services which will be mostly managed at national level (as the Europass
documents are issued at national level). However, no detail is given in this proposal
for  a  Decision  on  which  part  of  the  system  should  be  managed  at  which  level,
because  this  might  vary  in  time;  organisational  arrangements  between  the
Commission  and  the  Member  States  should  adapt  to  choose  the  most  effective
solution allowed by the relevant technologies.

This  proposal  provides  therefore  for  the  basic  features  of  the  information  system,
without giving any indication on the technological solutions, in order not to commit
the Commission and Member States to options that might soon become obsolete.

The basic operational principle is that all parts managed  at national level should be
fully interoperable. This not only concerns consultation: a citizen can in principle be

15

 
awarded Europass documents in different countries and it should be possible to link
them with his/her CV from any concerned country.

All  Europass  documents,  either  completed  by  citizens  like  the  European  CV  or
released  by  authorities,  should  be  available  in  the  relevant  part  of  the  information
system. However, citizens should be entitled to retrieve from the information system
only their personal Europass documents. It is clear that all relevant Community and
national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of
privacy should be fully respected.

It  is  important  that  the  Europass  information  system  should  be  open  to  future
developments.  This  not  only  refers  to  the  fact  that  further  transparency  documents
can  be  included  in  the  Europass  framework:,  it  will  be  necessary,  in  particular,  to
take  account  of  evolving  European  labour  market  information  systems,  such  as  the
European Job Mobility Portal41.

2.6.

Financial implications: period and financial reference amount

Given that Europass is intended to be a permanent instrument for citizens, this legal
basis has an unlimited duration. Therefore no reference amount is indicated and the
annual appropriations shall simply be authorised by  the budget authority within  the
limits of the financial perspective.

The  financial  statement  indicates  the  costs  envisaged  for  the  first  two  years  of
operation (2005 and 2006).

In  2007  a  new  generation  of  programmes  in  the  field  of  education  and  training
should  enter  into  force  under  the  new  financial  perspectives.  In  the  context  of
rationalisation  that  will  characterise  the  new  programmes  as  much  as  this  proposal
for  a  Decision,  it  is  the  Commission’s  intention  that  after  2006  the  proposed
Europass  framework  should,  like  other  actions  at  Community  level  in  these  fields,
take place within the framework of the new programmes, in the form of a horizontal
policy  action.  Financial  support  after  2006  would  therefore  be  provided  for  within
the global budget envelope of the new generation of programmes. Costs should not
be significantly higher than those envisaged for the first two years.

3.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the above, the Commission proposes to the European Parliament and
the Council the adoption of this proposal for a Decision, which establishes a single
framework  for  the  transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences,  known  as
“Europass”,  and  provides  for  the  adequate  implementation  and  support  measures,
envisaging Community financial support for the period 2005-2006.

41

Cf. http://europa.eu.int/eures

16

 
                                                
2003/0307 (COD)

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences
(Europass)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular
Articles 149 and 150 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1,

Having regard to the opinion of the European 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)

An  improved  transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences  will  facilitate  mobility
throughout  Europe  for  lifelong  learning  purposes,  therefore  contributing  to  the
development  of  quality  education  and  training,  and  will  facilitate  mobility  for
occupational purposes, between countries as well as across sectors.

The action plan on mobility endorsed by the European Council held in Nice on 7 and
8 December 2000 and Recommendation 2001/613/EC of the European Parliament and
of  the  Council  of  10  July  2001  on  mobility  within  the  Community  for  students,
persons  undergoing  training,  young  volunteers,  teachers  and  trainers5,  recommended
the generalisation  of the use  of documents  for  the  transparency  of  qualifications  and
competences,  with  a  view  to  creating  a  European  area  of  qualifications.  The
Commission’s  Action  Plan  for  skills  and  mobility6  called  for  instruments  supporting
the transparency and transferability of qualifications to be developed and strengthened
to  facilitate  mobility  within  and  between  sectors.  Further  action  to  introduce
instruments  improving  the  transparency  of  diplomas  and  qualifications  was  also
demanded  by  the  European  Council  held  in  Barcelona  on  15  and  16  March  2002.
Council Resolution of 3 June 2002 on skills and mobility7 and Council Resolution of

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

OJ C
OJ C
OJ C
OJ C
OJ L 215, 9.8.2001, p. 30.
COM(2002) 72 final.
OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 1.

17

 
                                                
27  June  2002  on  lifelong  learning8  call  for  increased  cooperation,  with  a  view
inter alia  to  creating  a  framework  for  transparency  and  recognition  based  on  the
existing instruments.

Council  Resolution  of  19  December  2002  on  the  promotion  of  enhanced  European
cooperation  in  vocational  education  and  training9  called  for  action  to  increase
transparency  in  vocational  education  and  training,  through  the  implementation  and
rationalisation of information tools and networks, including the integration of existing
instruments into one  single  framework. This framework should consist  in a portfolio
of  documents  with  a  common  brand  name  and  a  common  logo,  open  to  the  future
inclusion  of  other  documents  consistent  with  its  purpose,  supported  by  adequate
information systems and promoted through sustained promotional action at European
and national level.

A number of instruments have been developed in recent years, both at Community and
at  international  level,  to  help  European  citizens  to  better  communicate  their
qualifications and competences when looking for a job or for admission to a learning
scheme.  These  include  the  common  European  format  for  curricula  vitae  (CVs)
proposed  by  Commission  Recommendation  2002/236/EC  of  11  March  200210,  the
Diploma  Supplement  recommended  by  the  Convention  on  the  Recognition  of
Qualifications  concerning  Higher  Education  in  the  European  Region,  adopted  at
Lisbon  on  11  April  1997, 
the  Europass  Training  established  by  Council
Decision 1999/51/EC of 21 December 1998 on the promotion of European pathways
in work-linked training, including apprenticeship11, the Certificate Supplement and the
European Language Portfolio developed by the Council of Europe.

Provision of good quality information and guidance is an important factor in achieving
improved  transparency  of  qualifications  and  competences.  The  existing  services  and
networks  already  play  a  valuable  role  that  could  be  enhanced  through  closer
cooperation in order to reinforce the added value of Community action.

It is therefore necessary to ensure coherence and complementarity between the actions
implemented in pursuance of this Decision and other relevant policies, instruments and
actions.  The  latter  include,  at  Community  level,  the  European  Centre  for  the
by
Development 
Regulation (EEC) No 337/75  of  the  Council12  the  European  Training  Foundation
established  by  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  1360/9013,  the  European  Employment
Service (EURES) established by Commission Decision 2003/8/EC14. Likewise, at the
international level, there is the European Network of National Information Centres on
Academic Recognition (ENIC), established by the Council of Europe and Unesco.

established 

Vocational 

(Cedefop) 

Training 

of 

OJ C 163, 9.7.2002, p. 1.
OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2.
OJ L 79, 22.3.2002, p. 66.
OJ L 17, 22.1.1999, p. 45.
OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1655/2003 (OJ L L 245,
29.9.2003 p. 41).
OJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No. 1648/2003 (OJ L 245,
29.9.2003, p. 22).
OJ L 5, 10.1.2003, p. 16.

18

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

 
                                                
(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

The Europass training document established by Decision 1999/51/EC should therefore
be replaced by a similar document with a wider scope, serving to record all periods of
transnational mobility for learning purposes, at whatever level and for whatever target,
achieved throughout Europe, which satisfy appropriate quality criteria.

The Europass scheme  should be implemented through national bodies in compliance
with Article 54(2)(c) and (3) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom)  No 1605/2002 of
25 June 2002  on  the  Financial  Regulation  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the
European Communities15.

Participation  should  be  open  to  acceding  States,  to  non-Community  countries  of  the
European Economic Area and to the candidate countries for accession to the European
Union,  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  provisions  in  the  instruments  governing
relations between the European Community and those countries.

Social  partners  play  an  important  role  in  relation  to  this  Decision,  and  should  be
involved  in  its  implementation.  The  Advisory  Committee  for  Vocational  Training,
composed  of  representatives  of  the  social  partners  and  of  the  national  authorities  of
Member States, should be regularly informed on the implementation of this Decision.

Since  the  objectives  of  the  action  to  be  taken  cannot  be  sufficiently  achieved  by  the
Member  States  and  can  therefore,  by  reason  of  its  scale  and  broad  scope,  be  better
achieved  at  Community  level,  the  Community  may  adopt  measures,  in  accordance
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 Decision does not
go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(12) Council Decision 1999/51/EC should be repealed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Subject-matter and scope

This  Decision  establishes  a  Community  framework  for  achieving  the  transparency  of
qualifications and competences by means of the creation of a personal, coordinated portfolio
of  documents,  to  be  known  as  “Europass”,  which  citizens  can  use  on  a  voluntary  basis  to
better communicate and present their qualifications and competences throughout Europe.

The use of Europass or of any of the Europass documents does not impose any obligations or
confer any rights other than those defined in this Decision.

15

OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

19

 
                                                
Article 2

Europass documents

The Europass documents shall be:

(a)

(b)

(c)

the European curriculum vitae (hereafter the European CV) referred to in Article 3;

the documents referred to in Articles 4 to 7;

any  further  documents  approved  as  Europass  documents  by  the  Commission,  after
consulting the Europass National Agencies referred to in Article 9.

The Europass documents shall carry the Europass logo.

Article 3

European Curriculum Vitae

The  European  CV  shall  provide  citizens  with  the  opportunity  to  present  in  a  clear  and
comprehensive way information on all their qualifications and competences.

The European CV shall be as set out in Annex I.

Article 4

MobiliPass

The “MobiliPass” shall record periods of learning attended by holders in countries other than
their own.

The “MobiliPass” shall be as set out in Annex II.

Article 5

Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement shall provide information on its holder's educational achievements
at higher education level in his own country.

The Diploma Supplement shall be as set out in Annex III.

20

 
Article 6

European Language Portfolio

The European Language Portfolio shall record its holder's language competences

The European Language Portfolio shall be as set out in Annex IV.

Article 7

Certificate Supplement

The Certificate Supplement shall describe the competences and qualifications corresponding
to a vocational training certificate.

The Certificate Supplement shall be as set out in Annex V.

Article 8

Europass in the Internet

In  order  to  implement  this  Decision,  the  Commission  and  the  relevant  national  authorities
shall  cooperate  in  setting  up  and  managing  a  Europass  Internet-based  information  system,
which  shall  include  elements  managed  at  European  level  and  elements  managed  at  national
level.

The information system supporting the Europass framework shall be as set out in Annex VI.

Article 9

Europass National Agency (ENA)

1.

Each Member State shall designate a Europass National Agency (ENA), which shall
be responsible at national level for the coordination of all activities referred to in this
Decision  and  which  shall  replace,  where  appropriate,  existing  bodies  currently
carrying out similar activities.

A  European  network  of  ENAs  is  hereby  established.  Its  activities  shall  be
coordinated by the Commission.

2.

The ENAs shall:

(a)

coordinate,  in  cooperation  with  the  relevant  national  bodies,  the  activities
related  to  making  available  or  issuing  the  Europass  documents,  or  where
appropriate carry out these activities;

21

 
(b)

set  up  and  manage  the  national  information  system,  in  accordance  with
Article 8;

(c)

promote the use of Europass, including through Internet based services;

(d)

(e)

ensure, in cooperation with the relevant bodies, that adequate information and
guidance  on  the  Europass  and  its  documents  is  made  available  to  individual
citizens;

provide  citizens  with  information  and  guidance  on  learning  opportunities
throughout  Europe,  on  the  structure  of  education  and  training  systems,  and
other  issues  related  to  mobility  for  learning  purposes,  in  particular  through
close coordination with relevant Community services;

(f) manage  at  national  level  the  Community  financial  support  for  all  activities

related to this Decision;

(g)

participate in the European network, coordinated by the Commission.

3.

The  Europass  National  Agency  (ENA)  shall  act  as  an  implementation  body  at
of
in 
national 
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002.

accordance  with  Article 54(2)(c) 

level 

and 

(3) 

Article 10

Commission’s and Member States’ tasks

The Commission and the Member States shall:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

ensure that adequate promotion and information activities are carried out at European
and national level, supporting and integrating as necessary the action of the ENAs;

ensure  the  adequate  cooperation,  at  the  appropriate  level,  with  relevant  services,  in
particular the EURES service and other relevant Community services;

take steps to facilitate equal opportunities, in particular by raising awareness among
all relevant actors;

ensure that social partners are involved in the implementation of this Decision;

ensure that in all activities related to the implementation of the present Decision the
relevant  Community  and  national  provisions  concerning  the  processing  of  personal
data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

Article 11

Commission tasks

1.

The  Commission  shall,  in  cooperation  with  the  Member  States,  ensure  the  overall
consistency  of  the  actions  implemented  in  pursuance  of  this  Decision  with  other

22

 
relevant  Community  policies,  instruments  and  actions,  in  particular  in  the  fields  of
education,  vocational  training,  youth,  employment,  research  and  technological
development.

The  Commission  shall  secure  the  expertise  of  the  European  Centre  for  the
Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in implementing this programme, in
accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 337/75.

Subject  to  the  same  conditions  and  in  the  relevant  areas,  coordination  shall  be
established  under  the  auspices  of  the  Commission  with  the  European  Training
Foundation as set out by Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90

The  Commission  shall  regularly  inform  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Vocational
Training on the implementation of this Decision.

2.

3.

Article 12

Participating countries

Participation in the activities referred to in this Decision shall be open to acceding States and
to  the  countries,  other  than  Member  States,  which  are  members  of  the  European  Economic
Area in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement.

Participation  shall  also  be  open  to  the  candidate  countries  for  accession  to  the  European
Union in accordance with their respective European Agreements.

Article 13

Evaluation

Every four  years  after the entry into force of this Decision, the  Commission  shall  submit to
the European Parliament and the Council an evaluation report on its implementation, based on
an evaluation carried out by an independent body.

Article 14

Financial provisions

The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budget authority within the limits of the
financial perspective.

The expenditure resulting from this Decision shall be as set out in Annex VII.

23

 
Decision 1999/51/EC is repealed.

Article 15

Repeal

Article 16

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2005.

Article 17

Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament
The President

For the Council
The President

24

 
ANNEX I

The European Curriculum Vitae (CV)

1.

1.1.

Description

The  European  CV  builds  upon  the  common  European  format  for  curricula  vitae
(CVs) established by the Commission Recommendation 2002/236 of 11 March 2002
(C(2002) 516).

It  provides  individual  citizens  with  a  model  for  the  systematic,  chronological  and
flexible presentation of  their  qualifications  and  competences.  Specific directions  on
the different fields are provided and a set of guidelines and examples has also been
produced to help citizens to complete the CV.

1.2.

The European CV includes categories for the presentation of:

– 

– 

– 

information  on  personal  matters,  language  proficiency,  work  experience  and
educational and training attainments,

additional  competences  held  by  the 
organisational, artistic and social skills,

individual,  emphasising 

technical,

additional information which might be added to the CV in the form of one or
more annexes.

The European CV is a personal document which contains self declarations written by
individual citizens.

The template is quite detailed, but it will be  up to the individual citizens to  choose
which fields to fill. Citizens that complete the electronic form – either downloaded or
on line – should be allowed to remove any field which they choose not to complete.
For instance, a person that does not indicate his or her gender or that has no specific
technical skill to report, should be allowed to remove these fields, so that they don’t
appear as blank fields on the screen or in the printed version.

The European CV is the backbone of the framework: a Europass portfolio for a given
citizen will include the European CV completed by the citizen himself or herself, and
one  or  more  other  Europass  documents,  according  to  the  specific  learning  and
working history of that citizen. The electronic form of the European CV should allow
to establish links from its sections to the relevant Europass documents, for instance
from  the  education  and  training  sector  to  a  Diploma  Supplement  or  a  Certificate
Supplement.

In conformity with Article 11(e) of the Decision to which this Annex is attached, in
managing the European CV, particularly in its electronic form, appropriate measures
should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community
and national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection
of privacy are fully respected.

1.3.

1.4.

1.5.

1.6.

25

 
2.

Common structure of the European CV

In the box, the model for the structure and text of the European CV is indicated. The layout of
both the paper and the electronic version, as well as modifications of the structure  and text,
shall be agreed between the Commission and the competent national authorities.

Text in italics is meant as an aid to completing the document.

(Europass logo)

EUROPEAN CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Individual citizens can choose which field to complete

Name SURNAME, other name(s)
Address House number, street name, postcode, city, country
Telephone
Fax
E-mail
Nationality
Date of birth Day, month, year
Gender

OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Dates (from – to) Add separate entries for each relevant post occupied, starting with the
most recent.
• Name and address of employer
• Type of business or sector
• Occupation or position held
• Main activities and responsibilities

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Dates (from – to) Add separate entries for each relevant course you have completed, starting
with the most recent.
• Name and type of organisation providing education and training
• Principal subjects/occupational skills covered
• Title of qualification awarded
• Level in national classification (if appropriate)

PERSONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES

Acquired in the course of life and career but not necessarily covered by formal certificates
and diplomas.

Mother tongue Specify mother tongue

26

 
Other languages Specify language
• Understanding

Reading Indicate level: cf. instructions.
Listening Indicate level: cf. instructions.

• Speaking

Conversation Indicate level: cf. instructions.
Presentation Indicate level: cf. instructions.

• Writing Indicate level: cf. instructions.

Social skills and competences
Living and working with other people, in positions where communication is important and
situations where teamwork is essential (for example culture and sports), in multicultural
environments, etc.
Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Organisational skills and competences
Coordination and administration of people, projects and budgets; at work, in voluntary work
(for example culture and sports) and at home, etc.
Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Computer skills and competences
Word processing and other applications, database searching, acquaintance with Internet,
advanced skills (programming etc.).
Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Technical skills and competences
With specific kinds of equipment, machinery, etc. other than computers.
 Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Artistic skills and competences
Music, writing, design, etc.
 Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Other skills and competences
Competences not mentioned above.
 Describe these competences and indicate where they were acquired.

Driving licence(s)
 State here whether you hold a driving license and if so for which category of vehicle.

Additional information
 Include here any other information that may be relevant, for example contact persons,
references, etc.

Annexes
 List any attached annexes.

27

 
ANNEX II

The MobiliPass

1.

1.1.

Description

The “MobiliPass” is meant to record, using a common European format, a European
learning pathway as defined in section 1.2.

It  is  a  personal  document,  recording  the  specific  European  learning  pathway
achieved by its holder.

It  will  help  the  holder  to  better  communicate  what  he/she  gained  through  this
experience, particularly in terms of competences.

1.2.

A European learning pathway is a period that a person – of whatever age, educational
level and occupational status – spends in another country for learning purposes and
that:

– 

either  takes  place  within  the  framework  of  a  Community  programme  in  the
field of education and training,

– 

or satisfies all the following quality criteria:

– 

– 

the  period  in  another  country  takes  place  within  the  framework  of  a
learning initiative based in the country of provenance of the person that
follows it,

the  organisation  responsible  for  the  learning  initiative  in  the  country  of
provenance  (sending  organisation)  stipulate  with  the  host  organisation
and  submit  to  the  Europass  National  Agency  (or  a  body  delegated  to
manage  the  MobiliPass)  in  the  country  of  provenance,  a  written
agreement  on  the  content,  objectives  and  duration  of  the  European
learning  pathway,  ensuring  that  appropriate  linguistic  preparation  is
provided  to  the  concerned  person,  and  identifying  a  mentor  in  the  host
country,  charged  with  assisting,  informing,  guiding  and  monitoring  the
concerned person,

– 

each of the countries involved must be a Member State of the European
Union or an EFTA/EEA country.

1.3.

The MobiliPass is completed by the sending and host organisations involved in the
mobility project, in a language agreed between them and the concerned person.

Citizens  who  are  awarded  a  MobiliPass  are  entitled  to  ask  for  a  translation  in  a
second  language,  chosen  by  them  between  the  languages  of  the  sending  and  host
organisations or a third, widely spoken language. In the case of a third language, the
responsibility for translation rests with the sending organisation.

1.4.

The MobiliPass includes personal information (cf. paragraph 2 below). The name of
the person who is awarded the MobiliPass is the only compulsory piece of personal
information.  The  organisations  completing  the  MobiliPass  can  only  complete  the
other fields concerning personal information if the concerned person agrees to it.

28

 
The field “Qualification” is also not compulsory, in recognition of the fact that not all
education or training initiative lead to a formal qualification.

Any  arrangement  for  completing  the  MobiliPass  in  electronic  form  –  either
downloaded or on line – should allow any field which has not been completed to be
removed, so that no blank field appears on the screen or in the printed version.

1.5.

The Europass National Agency is responsible for ensuring that:

–  MobiliPass documents are only released to record European learning pathways,

– 

– 

all MobiliPass documents are completed in electronic form,

all MobiliPass are also awarded to their holders in paper  form, using  a folder
specifically produced in cooperation with the Commission.

1.6.

In conformity with Article 11(e) of the Decision to which this Annex is attached, in
managing  the  MobiliPass,  particularly  in  its  electronic  form,  appropriate  measures
should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community
and national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection
of privacy are fully respected.

2.

Common format of the MobiliPass

In the box below, the structure and the text of the MobiliPass are indicated. The layout of both
the paper and the electronic version, as well as modifications of the structure and text, shall be
agreed between the Commission and the competent national authorities.

Each  item  of  text  is  numbered,  to  facilitate  its  retrieval  in  a  multilingual  glossary.  Text  in
italics is meant as an aid to completing the document.  Fields marked with a star (*) are not
compulsory.

(Europass logo)

MOBILIPASS

(1) 

This MobiliPass is awarded to

(2) 

first name and surname of the holder

(3) 

by

(4) 

organisation  responsible  for  organising  the  learning  initiative  in  the  country  of
provenance

(5) 

on date dd/mm/yyyy

(6) 

(7) 

Signature/stamp (signature and stamp of the organisation awarding the document)

PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE HOLDER

(8) 

Surname

29

 
(9) 

First name / Other names

(10)  Signature

(11) 

* Address House number, street name, postcode, city, country

(12) 

* Contact e.g. e-mail, telephone

(13) 

* Date of birth dd/mm/yyyy

(14) 

* Nationality

(15) 

* Space for photograph

(16)  EUROPEAN LEARNING PATHWAY

(17)  Education or training initiative followed in the course of which the European pathway

was completed

(18) 

* Qualification diploma, title or other certificate to which the learning initiative leads,
if any

(19)  Duration of the European pathway;

(20)  From dd/mm/yyyy To dd/mm/yyyy

(21)  Details of the host partner

(22)  Name and function of the mentor

(23)  Content of the European pathway.

(24)  This  section  should  provide  relevant  details,  as  appropriate,  of  the  education  or
training  followed  or  the  work  experience  acquired  during  the  pathway  and,  where
appropriate, the skills and competences acquired and the method of assessment.

(25)  The description should highlight how the European pathway improved:

(26) 

the acquaintance of the holder with the  technical skills and competences specifically
related to the particular subject field of his/her education or training initiative;

(27) 

the holder’s language skills;

(28) 

the holder’s social skills and competences;

(29) 

the holder’s organisational skills and competences;

(30) 

any other skills and competences of the holder.

(31)  Signatures of the host partner and the holder.

30

 
ANNEX III

The Diploma Supplement

1.

1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

1.4.

1.5.

Description

The  Diploma  Supplement  (DS)  is  a  document  attached  to  a  higher  education
diploma, in order to make it easier for third persons – particularly persons in another
country  –  to  understand  what  the  diploma  means  in  terms  of  knowledge  and
competences acquired by its holder.

To this purpose, the DS describes the nature, level, context, content and status of the
studies  that  were  pursued  and  successfully  completed  by  the  individual  who  holds
the original diploma to which the DS is attached. It is therefore a personal document,
referring to its specific holder.

The DS does not replace the original diploma and does  not  give any  entitlement to
formal recognition of the original diploma by academic authorities of other countries.
On the other hand, it facilitates a sound appreciation of the original diploma, so that
it  can  be  helpful  to  obtain  recognition  by  the  competent  authorities  or  by  or
admission staff.

The  DS  is  produced  by  the  competent  national  authorities  according  to  a  template
that  has  been  developed  by  a  Joint  European  Commission  -  Council  of  Europe  -
UNESCO working  party that  tested  and  refined  it.  The  DS  template  is  available  in
the 11 official languages of the European Union. It is a flexible, non-prescriptive tool
which is conceived for practical purposes, and can be adapted to local needs.

The DS includes eight sections, that  identify  the holder  of the  qualification (1)  and
the qualification itself (2), give information on the level of the qualification (3), the
contents and results gained (4), the function of the qualification (5), allow for further
information  (6),  certify  the  Supplement  (7),  and  finally  give  information  on  the
national  higher  education  system  (8).  Information  in  all  eight  sections  should  be
provided. Where information is not provided, an explanation should give the reason
why.  Institutions have to apply to the DS the same authentication procedures as for
the diploma itself.

In conformity with Article 11(e) of the Decision to which this Annex is attached, in
managing  the  Diploma  Supplement,  particularly  in  its  electronic  form,  appropriate
measures  should  be  taken  by  the  competent  authorities  to  ensure  that  the  relevant
Community and national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and
the protection of privacy are fully respected.

31

 
2.

Common structure of the Diploma Supplements

In  the  box  below,  the  common,  non-binding  model  of  structure  and  text  of  the  Diploma
Supplement  is  indicated.  The  layout  of  both  the  paper  and  the  electronic  version  shall  be
agreed with the competent national authorities.

(Europass logo)

DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT

1.

Information identifying the holder of the qualification

1.1/1.2 Family Name / First Name:

1.3 Date, Place, Country of Birth:

1.4 Student Number or Code:

2.

Information identifying the qualification

2.1 Name of Qualification (Full, Abbreviated):

Name of Title (Full, Abbreviated):

2.2 Main Field(s) of Study for the Qualification:

2.3 Name of Institution Awarding Qualification:

2.4 Name of Institution Administering Studies:

2.5 Language(s) of Instruction/Examination:

3.

Information on the level of the qualification

3.1 Level of Qualification:

3.2 Official Length of Programme:

3.3 Access Requirement(s):

4.

Information on the contents and results gained

4.1 Mode of Study:

4.2 Program Requirements:

4.3 Program Details:

4.4 Grading Scheme, grade distribution guidance

4.5 Overall Classification:

5.

Information on the function of the qualification

32

 
5.1 Access to Further Study:

5.2 Professional Status:

6.

Additional information

6.1 Additional Information:

6.2 Additional Information Sources:

7.

Certification of the supplement

This Diploma Supplement refers to the following original Documents:

Official

Stamp/Seal

Information on the national higher education system:

8.1 Types of Institutions and Institutional Control

8.2 Types of programs and degrees awarded

8.3 Approval/Accreditation of Programs and Degrees

8.4 Organisation Studies

8.4.1  Integrated  "Long"  (one-Tier-)  Programs:  (Diploma  degrees,  Magister  Artium,
Staatsprüfung)

8.4.2 First/Second Degree Programs (Two-tier): (Bakkalauereus/Bachelor - Magister
/Master degrees)

8.5 Specialised Graduate Studies

8.6 Doctorate

8.8 Grading Scheme

8.9 Access to Higher Education

8.10 National Sources of Information

33

 
ANNEX IV

The European Language Portfolio

1.

1.1.

Description

The European Language Portfolio (ELP), developed by the Council of Europe, is a
document in which language learners can record their language learning and cultural
experiences and competencies.

1.2.

The ELP has two functions: pedagogic and reporting.

As regards the former, it is designed to enhance the motivation of language learners
to  improve  their  ability  to  communicate  in  different  languages  and  to  pursue  new
learning  and  intercultural  experiences.  It  seeks  to  help  learners  to  reflect  on  their
learning objectives, plan their learning and learn autonomously.

As  regards  its  reporting  function,  the  ELP  aims  to  document  its  holder's  language
proficiency  in  a  comprehensive,  informative,  transparent  and  reliable  way.  It  helps
learners take stock of the levels of competence they have reached in one or several
foreign languages and enables them to inform others in a detailed and internationally
comparable manner.  All  competence  is  valued,  regardless  whether  gained  inside  or
outside of formal education.

1.3.

The ELP contains:

– 

– 

– 

a  language  passport  which  its  owner  regularly  updates.  The  owner  describes
his/her  language  skills,  according  to  common  criteria  accepted  throughout
Europe,

a  detailed  language  biography  describes  the  owner's  experiences  in  each
language,

a  dossier  enables  examples of personal  work  to be  kept  to  illustrate  language
competencies.

The European Language Portfolio is the property of the learner.

1.4.

1.5.

A  set  of  common  principles  and  guidelines  has  been  agreed  for  all  Portfolios.
Different  models  are  being  developed  in  Council  of  Europe  member  States
depending on the age of learners and national contexts. All models must conform to
agreed principles and be approved by the European Validation Committee in order to
use the Council of Europe logo. Below a model is given  for the language passport,
which  is  the  section  of  the  Portfolio  which  has  to  be  completed  according  to  a
defined structure.

In conformity with Article 11(e) of the Decision to which this Annex is attached, in
managing  the  European  Language  Portfolio,  particularly  in  its  electronic  form,
appropriate measures should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the
relevant  Community  and  national  provisions  concerning  the  processing  of  personal
data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

34

 
2.

Common structure of the Language Passport section of the European Language
Portfolio

In  the  box  below,  the  common,  non-binding  model  of  structure  and  text  of  the  Language
Passport  section  of  the  European  Language  Portfolio  is  indicated.  The  layout  of  both  the
paper and the electronic version shall be agreed with the competent national authorities.

(Europass logo)

LANGUAGE PASSPORT

Profile of Language Skills

Mother tongue(s): [indicate]

Language:

Writing

Spoken
interaction

Spoken
production

Reading

Listening

Self-assessment

(To be repeated as many times as necessary.)

Summary of language learning and intercultural experiences

Language learning and use in country/region where the language is not spoken

Language:

Up to 1 year Up to 3 years

Up to 5 years

Over 5 years

Primary/
secondary/
vocational
education

Higher education

Adult education

Other courses

Regular  use 
the workplace

in

Regular 
contact
with  speakers  of
the language

Other

Further information on language and intercultural experiences

(To be repeated as many times as necessary.)

35

 
Stays in a region where the language is spoken

Language:

Up to 1 month Up to 3 months Up to 5 months Over 5 months

Using the
language for
study or
training

Using the
language at
work

Other

Further information on language and intercultural experiences

Certificates and diplomas

Language:Level:

Title:

Awarded by:

Year:

(To be repeated as many times as necessary.)

36

 
ANNEX V

The Certificate Supplement

Description

The Certificate Supplement (CS) is a document attached to a vocational certificate, in
order to make it easier for third persons – particularly persons in another country – to
understand  what  the  certificate  means  in  terms  of  competences  acquired  by  its
holder.

To this purpose, the CS provides information on:

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the skills and competences acquired,

the range of occupations accessible,

the awarding and accreditation bodies,

the level of the certificate,

the different ways of acquiring the certificate,

the entry requirements and access opportunities to next level education.

It is not a personal document: all holders of the same certificate in a  given  country
will hold the same CS, attached to their certificate.

The  CS  doesn’t  replace  the  original  certificate  and  doesn’t  give  any  entitlement  to
formal recognition of the original certificate by authorities of other countries. On the
other hand, it facilitates a sound appreciation of the original certificate, so that it can
be helpful to obtain recognition by the competent authorities.

Certificate Supplements are produced by the competent authorities at national level
and issued to citizens who hold the corresponding certificate according to procedures
agreed at national level.

1.

1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

Section 2 below provides the common structure of Certificate Supplements.

2.

Common structure of the Certificate Supplements

In the box below, the common model of  structure  and  text  of  the  Certificate  Supplement  is
indicated. The layout of both the paper and the electronic version shall be agreed, as well as
modifications of the structure and text, between the Commission and the competent national
authorities.

(Europass logo)

CERTIFICATE SUPPLEMENT

1. Title of the certificate (In the original language).

2. Translated title of the certificate (This translation has no legal status).

37

 
3. Profile of skills and competences

4. Range of occupations accessible to the holder of the certificate (If applicable)

5. Official basis of the certificate

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Name and status of the body awarding the certificate

status  of 
Name 
accreditation/recognition of the certificate

and 

the  national/regional/sectoral 

authority  providing

Level of the certificate (national or international)

Grading scale / Pass requirements

Access to next level of education/training

International agreements

Legal basis of the certificate

6. Officially recognised ways of acquiring the certificate

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Description of vocational education and training received

School-/training centre-based

Workplace-based

Accredited prior learning

Percentage of total programme (%)

Duration (hours/weeks/months/years)

Total duration of the education/ training leading to the certificate

Entry / access requirements

Additional information

More information (including a description of the national qualifications system) available at:
www.

38

 
ANNEX VI

Information systems

The Commission and the Member States shall cooperate to ensure that the individual citizens
are allowed to complete, and later to retrieve  and edit or remove, through the  Internet, their
European  CV  and  any  other  Europass  document  which  does  not  need  to  be  issued  by
authorised bodies.

All  Europass  documents  issued  by  authorised  bodies  are  completed  in  electronic  form  and
made  available  for  retrieval  –  by  their  holders  only  –  throughout  Europe  While  choices
concerning  the  appropriate  technological  instrument  should  be  made  in  cooperation  by  the
Commission and the relevant national authorities taking into account the state of the art and
the existing national systems, the features listed below should be ensured.

1.

Design principles

Open  system.  The  Europass  information  system  should  be  developed  taking  into
account  the  opportunity  for  future  developments,  with  particular  reference  to  the
inclusion  of  further  documents  in  the  Europass  framework  and  to  integration  with
information services on job and learning opportunities.

Interoperability. The parts of the Europass information system managed at national
level in the different countries should be fully interoperable with each other and with
the parts managed at European level.

2.

2.1.

Document management and access

All  Europass  documents  issued  by  authorised  bodies  should  be  completed  in
electronic form, according to the procedures agreed between the issuing bodies and
the  Europass  National  Agency  and  in  conformity  with  the  procedures  agreed  at
European level.

2.2.

The  European  CV  and  any  other  Europass  document  which  does  not  need  to  be
issued by authorised bodies should also be available in electronic form.

2.3.

Citizens shall be entitled:

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

to complete, and later to retrieve and edit, through the Internet their European
CV  and  any  other  Europass  document  which  does  not  need  to  be  issued  by
authorised bodies,

to  establish,  update  and  remove  links  between  their  European  CV  and  their
other Europass documents,

to remove or have removed from the Europass information system any of their
Europass document,

to attach any other supporting documents to their Europass documents,

to print totally or partially their Europass and its annexes, if any.

39

 
2.4.

Access  to  documents  including  personal  information  shall  only  be  allowed  to  the
concerned person.

40

 
ANNEX VII

Financial Annex

1.

2.

2.1.

2.2.

2.3.

The  expenditure  is  intended  to  co-finance  implementation  at  national  level  and  to
cover some costs incurred at Community level in relation to coordination, promotion
and production of documents.

Community financial support to national implementation activities will be provided
through yearly operating grants to the Europass National Agencies.

Europass  National  Agencies  need  to  be  established  as  legal  persons  and  will  not
receive any other operating grant from the Community budget.

The  grants  will  be  awarded  after  approval  of  a  work  programme  related  to  the
activities listed in Article 9 of this Decision and based on specific terms of reference.

The co-financing rate shall not exceed 50% of the total costs of the operation.

In  carrying out the  Decision, the Commission  may  have  recourse  to  experts  and  to
technical assistance organisations, the financing of which may be provided for within
the  overall  financial  framework  for  the  Decision.  The  Commission  may  organise
seminars,  colloquia  or  other  meetings  of  experts  as  are  likely  to  facilitate  the
implementation of the Decision, and undertake appropriate information, publication
and dissemination actions.

41

 
LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Policy area(s): Education and culture.

Activit(y/ies): Vocational Training.

TITLE OF ACTION: A SINGLE FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRANSPARENCY OF QUALIFICATIONS AND

COMPETENCES (EUROPASS)

1.

BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S)

15030101 et 15010405 - Europass.

2.

2.1.

2.2.

OVERALL FIGURES

Total allocation for action (Part B): EUR 2 million for commitment per year.

Period of application:

Given that Europass is intended to be a permanent instrument for citizens, this legal
basis has an unlimited duration. Therefore no reference amount is indicated and the
annual appropriations shall simply be authorised by  the budget authority within  the
limits of the financial perspective.

This  proposal  for  a  Decision  establishes  a  framework  for  the  transparency  of
qualifications and competences which will  enter into  force on 1  January 2005. The
financing of the costs incurred by this Decision will be assured:

– 

– 

for  the  years  2005  and  2006,  corresponding  to  the  development  phase  of  the
framework, through the Decision itself,

for the following years, through the decisions establishing the future generation
of programmes in the field of education and training, which are in the process
of being prepared.

For this reason, the present financial statement only covers the costs incurred during
the years 2005 and 2006. The costs for the years after 2006 will not be substantially
higher than those indicated for 2005 and 2006.and will be included in the  financial
statements  annexed  to  the  proposals  for  the  future  programmes  in  education  and
training.

42

 
2.3.

Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure:

(a)

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

(financial

EUR million (to three decimal places)

2005

2006

2007

Commitments

1.875

1.875

Payments

1.250

1.875 0.625

Total

3.750

3.750

(b)

Technical 
(see point 6.1.2)

and 

administrative 

assistance 

and 

support 

expenditure

2005

2006

2007

Commitments

0.125

0.125

Payments

0.80

0.125 0.045

Subtotal a+b

Commitments

2005
2.000

2006
2.000

2007

Payments

1.330

2.000 0.670

Total

0.250

0.250

Total
4.000

4.000

(c)

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

Commitments/
payments

2005
0.459

2006
0.459

2007

TOTAL a+b+c

Commitments

2005
2.459

2006
2.459

2007

Payments

1.789

2.459

0.670

Total
0.918

Total
4.918

4.918

2.4.

Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective

X

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming.

[…] Proposal  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the  relevant  heading  in  the  financial

perspective.

[…] Proposal  may  require  application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Interinstitutional

Agreement.

43

 
2.5.

Financial impact on revenue1:

Proposal  has  no  financial  implications  (involves  technical  aspects  regarding
implementation of a measure)

X

OR

[…] Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows:

3.

BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS

Type of expenditure

New

EFTA
contribution

Contributions
form applicant
countries

Heading in
financial
perspective

Non-comp

Diff

NO

YES

YES

No 3

4.

LEGAL BASIS

The legal basis is provided by Articles 149 and 150 of the Treaty.

5.

5.1.

DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS

Need for Community intervention2

5.1.1. Objectives pursued

(cid:1)  The  proposed  action  rationalises  the  existing  tools  and  networks  aimed  at
transparency in the field of education and training, in order to improve their
effectiveness.

Good communication about qualifications and competences is crucial when a person
applies for a job or for admission to a learning opportunity. A number of tools have
been developed in the recent  years at various levels to improve the transparency of
qualifications and competences, so that citizens can better communicate them. They
are  particularly  helpful  when  applicant  and  employer  don’t  come  from  the  same
country,  but  in  this  age  of  fast-paced  change  interaction  between  can  be  difficult
even when no transnational mobility is involved.

The  tools  include  documents,  that  integrate  qualifications  (e.g.  Diploma  or
Certificate  Supplement)  or  record  specific  experiences  (e.g.  Europass-Training)  or
competencies  (e.g.  European  Language  Portfolio),  as  well  as  networks  meant  to
inform and guide citizens (e.g. Euroguidance and the National Reference Points).

1

2

For further information, see separate explanatory note.
For further information, see separate explanatory note.

44

 
                                                
The  existing  documents  and  network  are  usually  separate  and  uncoordinated.  This
can be confusing for both applicants and those who examine applications. Bringing
these  tools  together  in  a  framework,  coordinated  in  each  country  by  a  single  body
and supported by suitable information systems  at  national  and  European  level,  will
make them more effective.

As  the  various  tools  concerned  are  already  European  tools  –  and  this  is  an
unquestioned  inherent  feature  –  the  single  framework  bringing  them  together  can
only be a European framework.

The  main  specific  objective  is  therefore  to  improve  awareness  of,  access  to  and
effectiveness  of  the  existing  instruments  for  the  transparency  of  qualifications  and
competences by bringing them together into a single, coordinated framework with a
well promoted logo and rationalising the related networks.

(cid:1)  This will contribute to the global objective of improving the quality of education
and  training,  through  increased  mobility  of  learners,  as  well  as  facilitating  their
integration or reintegration in the labour market.

The objectives of the proposed actions and the related indicators can be summarised
as follows:

General objectives

Indicators

To contribute to the development of quality
education, in particular by encouraging the mobility
of students, including by being instrumental –
through increased transparency – to the academic
recognition of diplomas and periods of study.

To contribute to implementing a vocational training
policy, in particular by encouraging the mobility of
trainees  and  by  facilitating  vocational  integration
and  reintegration  into  the  labour  market,  through
better communication of learning achievements.

Quantitative/qualitative data (through specific
surveys) on the perceptions – by citizens,
promoters, employers – of the role of the Europass
framework in relation to geographical or cross-
industry mobility and to the transition from learning
to work.

Specific objectives

Indicators

Better awareness of and access to the existing
transparency instruments among citizens – namely
learners, teachers and trainers, employers and
admission staff – by bringing them together into a
single, coordinated framework. and rationalising the
related networks.

Quantitative/qualitative data (through specific
surveys) on awareness among the population groups
concerned.

Data available from management:
number of transparency documents released;
number of frameworks in the information system;

Stronger communication impact of the existing
transparency instruments, through the use of a
common, well promoted logo.

Opportunity for development of further
transparency instruments.

Quantitative/qualitative data (through specific
surveys) on the perceptions – by citizens,
promoters, employers – of the role of the Europass
framework and the Europass documents in
successful applications.

Quantitative/qualitative data (through specific
surveys) on the role of the Europass framework in
the development of new tools.

45

 
Adequate  information  on  issues  related  to  mobility
– opportunities, conditions, recognition – by closely
associating  guidance  services  with  the  coordinated
operation of the transparency framework.

Quantitative/qualitative  data 
specific
surveys)  on  the  use  of  guidance  and  information
services.

(through 

Operational objectives

Indicators

Implementation mechanism up and running. The
Europass framework and its documents are
available and promoted.

Use of the Europass framework by learning
providers and mobility promoters, which complete
and award Europass documents as appropriate and
link them into the framework.

- number of documents distributed / completed /
downloaded (management data, surveys).

- rate of use, e.g. number of mobility records against
number of mobility experiences (management data,
surveys);

rate  of  awareness  among  promoters  and

- 
institutions (surveys).

The Europass framework and its documents are
used by citizens when applying.

- rate of use by applicants (surveys);

- rate of awareness among citizens (surveys).

Awareness of the Europass framework and its
documents among employers and admission staff.

-  awareness,  visibility  and  appreciation  among
employers (surveys).

5.1.2. Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluation

The  present  proposal  for  a  Decision  follows  on  the  Copenhagen  Declaration  of
30 November  20023  and  the  Council  Resolution  of  19  December  2002  on  the
promotion  of  enhanced  European  cooperation  in  vocational  education  and  training
(VET)4,  that  expressly  called  for  action  to  increase  “transparency  in  vocational
education and training through the implementation and rationalisation of information
tools  and  networks,  including  the  integration  of  existing  instruments  such  as  the
European  CV,  certificate  and  diploma  supplements,  the  Common  European
Framework of reference for languages and the Europass into one single framework”.

These acts, that generated the policy process towards enhanced cooperation in VET
known as the “Copenhagen process”, were themselves the result of a long process of
debate  and  consultation  which  had  been  formalised  under  the  Belgian  Presidency,
namely  in  the  meeting  of  Directors  General  of  Vocational  Training  held  on
2 October 2001, building upon a discussion that had taken place in a similar occasion
in Vaxjö earlier that year (21-24 April) under the Swedish Presidency.

The debate focused in particular on issues related to vocational qualifications but was
characterised  by  a  comprehensive  approach  in  a  lifelong  learning  perspective.  The
process involved since the beginning representatives of the social partners, who later
co-signed the Copenhagen Declaration.

3

4

Declaration  of  the  European  Ministers  of  Vocational  Education  and  Training,  and  the  European
Commission,  convened  in  Copenhagen  on  29  and  30  November  2002,  on  enhanced  European
cooperation in vocational education and training.
Cf. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/copenhagen/index_en.html
OJ C 13 , 18.1.2003, p. 2.

46

 
                                                
A  first  stock-taking  occasion  had  been  offered  by  the  conference  on  enhanced
cooperation  in  VET  organised  by  the  Commission  on  10-11  June  2002,  where
opinions favourable to integration or coordination of networks, tools and documents
aimed at the transparency of qualification were expressed by a number of speakers.

In the context of the “Copenhagen process” that puts in practice the above mentioned
declaration  and  resolution,  a  technical  working  group  on  transparency  was  set  up,
including representatives of Member States, candidate countries and social partners.
In June 2003 it presented a report to the Commission, arguing for the creation of a
single  framework  organising  the  different  existing  tools  around  the  European  CV,
but conceived in order to allow other tools to be added. The report stressed the need
to establish an adequate Internet based information system and examined options for
the implementation of a framework along these lines.

In the first half of 2003 a mid-term evaluation of the Europass-Training initiative was
carried out by external consultants. The final report, delivered in August 2003, stated
that the Europass Training was a potentially good instrument, but could not fully be
exploited, mainly because of shortfalls in its format (namely the lack of an electronic
format) and its deliberately limited scope (work-linked training), but also because of
a  general  lack  of  coordination  with  other  transparency  tools  and  initiatives.  In
particular, its cumbersome format and its isolation from other initiatives made it very
difficult  for  the  Europass  Training  to  become  well  know  and  easily  recognisable,
which are key success factors for a transparency tool.

The  evaluation  concluded  that,  while  the  Europass  Training  document  itself  could
benefit from improvements in its format and its organisational framework, a real leap
forward  could  only  be  achieved  by  reforming  the  whole  system  of  transparency
related documents, integrating or at least better coordinating them. Promoters, users
and particularly employers may have heard about the several existing tools, but their
lack  of  coordination  may  make  them  more  confusing  than  helpful.  Therefore  the
policy  options  recommended  included  improving  both  the  Europass-Training
document  taken  as  a  single  tool  and  the  situation  of  all  Community  transparency
documents, for which an improved coordination was recommended.

A number of lessons can be learned from past initiatives, namely the management of
the Europass-Training initiative, the Euroguidance network and the NARIC network,
as  well  as  experience  gained  with  the  European  CV,  the  diploma  and  certificate
supplement. Some general conclusions can be drawn:

– 

– 

there is widespread agreement among stakeholders that better  coordination of
the various instruments would make them more useful;

transparency  tools  and  services  cannot  be  established  and  left  to  themselves;
they reach citizens if they are actively supported. This support can take several
forms:  coordinated  and  co-financed  implementation,  including  promotional
action (the case of the Europass Training); national legislative action (e.g. the
diploma  supplement);  strong  networking  (Ploteus  and  the  Euroguidance
network).

47

 
As concerns in particular the efficiency of management:

– 

when Community financial support is provided to national activities, attention
should be paid to the administrative workload that may be required by possibly
the  administrative
small  grants.  Rationalisation  should  also  concern 
framework.

5.1.3. Measures taken following ex post evaluation

No relevant case. Interim evaluation available for initiatives related to the proposed
action were taken into account in the ex-ante evaluation (cf. previous section).

5.2.

Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements

1.

Description  of  the  proposed  action.  This  proposal  for  a  Decision  establishes  a
single  transparency  framework  and  provides  for  the  related  implementation
measures, streamlining the existing tools and networks. The content can be outlined
as follows:

– 

– 

– 

a single transparency framework is established, under the name “Europass”,
as  a  portfolio  of  documents  carrying  a  common  logo.  For  the  time  being  it
includes the European CV – which is the core of the portfolio –, the Diploma
Supplement,  the  MobiliPass  (an  expanded  Europass-Training),  the  European
Language Portfolio, the Certificate Supplement. The framework is open to the
future inclusion of new documents,

a coordinated Europass information system is envisaged,

provisions are made for the implementation:

– 

– 

in  each  country  one  single  body  will  be  responsible  for  the  activities
related to the implementation of the Decision at national level,

the need for promotion, information and guidance is stressed.

Real changes will concern in particular the Europass-Training. Taking into account
the  conclusions  of  the  evaluation  study  and  opinions  expressed  by  a  number  of
stakeholders,  it  is  proposed  to  remove  the  condition  that  the  European  pathway
should  be  work-linked.  This  amounts  to  widen  its  scope  to  include  all  periods  of
learning in another country – therefore the proposed name is therefore “MobiliPass”.
The  structure  will  also  be  changed  to  allow  for  a  more  detailed  description  of  the
mobility experience.

For the other  existing  documents,  like  the  Diploma  or  Certificate  Supplements,  the
only  real  change  would  be  to  add  the  Europass  logo  on  the  documents  and  some
exchange  of  information  will  be  required  with  the  body  coordinating  the  Europass
framework. They would be delivered by the same issuing bodies as now, according
to the established procedures.

48

 
2.

Calculation  of  the  envisaged  costs.  This  financial  statement  only  refers  to
Community financial support to be provided for the development phase (2005-2006),
as support for the subsequent years should be provided within the framework of the
new  programmes  in  the  fields  of  education  and  training  which  are  now  in  the
process  of being  prepared.  The  yearly  costs  should  not  be  significantly  different  in
the subsequent years: on the one hand there may be increased costs due to increased
volume of activity, on the other hand in the first two years launch and development
will require stronger efforts, which will not be necessary after 2006.

The  proposed  action  should  be  managed  following  an  indirect  centralised
approach, supporting the operation of national agencies in the terms of Article 54 of
the Financial Regulation. The national agencies will be responsible for all activities,
including in particular:

– 

– 

– 

promotion and launch activities. These costs will be proportionally higher in
these first two years. The Europass transparency framework and the documents
brought  into  it  are  communication  tools,  and  it  is  vital  to  provide  adequate
support to effective promotion activities. At least one major launch conference
and one sustained information campaign should take place in each  country in
this initial two year period. In large countries it is likely that more events will
take place. one major launch conference should be held in each country in this
phase.  The  average  cost  of  the  launch  conference  can  be  estimated  at
EUR 60 000.  Other  activities  will  include  minor  events,  production  and
dissemination of booklets, posters, cards, videos and other advertising actions
on the various media. In the  national agency of  an  average  sized  country  this
activity will probably require at least one full time person in this initial period.
The  average  cost  of  promotional  activities  (including  the  launch  conference)
can be estimated at around EUR 120 000 for two years, of which about half for
personnel costs;

development  and  management  of  the  information  systems  and  portals  at
national level. In particular, the ENAs will have to ensure  that all  institutions
releasing Europass documents are in a position to complete them in electronic
form.  On  average,  costs  related  to  the  information  system  for  the  two  year
period  can  be  estimated  at  EUR 100 000,  of  which  about  two-thirds  for
personnel costs and the rest for technical costs, including Internet costs;

to  users  and  general
dissemination  of  Europass  documents,  support 
coordination and network activities. The national agency will directly manage
the MobiliPass (which replaces the current Europass-Training), make available
and  provide  support  to  users  for  the  European  CV  and  the  certificate
supplement,  and  should  coordinate  all  activities  related  to  the  other  Europass
documents,  which  are  awarded  by  higher  education  institutions  (diploma
supplement)  or  made  available  in  different  forms  (European  Language
Portfolio). The costs of these activities will vary significantly according to the
size of the country, but on average it could be estimated at around EUR 40 000
(personnel costs) on a yearly basis, that is EUR 80 000 for the two year period.

49

 
The cost per annum of the operation of a Europass national agency can be estimated
on  average  at  EUR 150 000,  or  EUR  300 000  for  two  years.  At  a  50%  rate  of
co-financing, this means that supporting the operation of the national agencies should
cost on average EUR 75 000 per country per year. For two years and 25 countries
this  means  that  the  total  of  the  support  to  the  implementation  of  the  proposed
action at national level is EUR 3.750 million.

As mentioned, one of the activities to be carried out by the national agencies is the
management  of  the  MobiliPass,  which  is  a  wider  version  of  the  current
Europass-Training  initiative.  It  is  possible  to  estimate  how  much  it  would  cost  to
manage  this  activity  alone,  leaving  apart  all  the  other  tasks  related  to  the  Europass
framework.  For  the  existing  Europass-Training  initiative,  support  to  national
implementation in 15 Member States involves costs slightly above EUR 1.2 million.
This means  that,  for 25 Member States  and  for  two  years,  supporting  the  existing
Europass-Training alone would cost about EUR 4 million.

However, the scope of the MobiliPass is very much wider than that of the existing
Europass-Training and its target population is several times larger. As an indication,
the yearly number of Erasmus students (more than 100 000), is four times as big as
the  existing
the  yearly  number  of  European  pathways 
Europass-Training. The total number of users of the MobiliPass can be estimated as
close to 150 000 per year, compared to the 25 000 yearly recipients of the Europass-
Training.  The  activities  demanded  to  the  Europass  National  Agency  in  terms  of
coordination,  counselling  and  advice  to  sending  organisations  will  increase
accordingly, as they will cater not only for a limited share of training institutions, but
also for all higher education institutions involved in Erasmus or in any other mobility
scheme.

recorded  by 

The  comparison  makes  it  clear  that  the  proposed  rationalisation  will  result  in
increased  efficiency:  supporting  the  whole  Europass  framework  will  cost  as
much as supporting the current Europass Training initiative.

The  costs  at  European  level  are  related  to  the  operation  of  the  network
(six meetings  in  two  years),  to  the  production  of  documents  in  paper  form  (an
estimated  300 000  copies)  and  the  production  of  a  video  (costs  based  on  the
experience  within  the  Europass-Training  initiative:  the  production  of  a  video
concerning both mobility and the Europass-Training cost about EUR 75 000).

5.3.

Methods of implementation

The proposed  action will be implemented through some activity at European level (network
coordination, European information system and Internet site, promotional events and actions)
and particularly at national level, through national agencies appointed by national authorities.

Implementation  at  national  level  will  be  supported  through  operating  grants  to  the  national
agencies.

50

 
6.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

6.1.

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

6.1.1.

Financial intervention

Commitments (in EUR million to three decimal places)

Breakdown

2005

2006

2007

support 

to
Community 
implementation  at  national
level

1.875

1.875

15 03 01 01 TOTAL 1.875

1.875

Total

3.750

3.750

6.1.2.

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

2005

2006

2007

Total

2) Support expenditure

a) Studies

b) Meetings of experts

0.049*

0.049**

c) Information and
publications

0.076

0.076

Subtotal 2

0.125

0.125

15 01 04 05 TOTAL 0.125

0.125

* 3 network meetings x 1 representative x 25 Member States x 650 = 48 750.

0.098

0.152

0.250

0.250

51

 
6.2.

Calculation  of  costs  by  measure  envisaged  in  Part  B  (over  the  entire
programming period)5

Commitments (in EUR million to three decimal places)

Breakdown

Support to implementation at
national level.
The activities that the national
agencies will carry out include
promotional activities (videos,
booklets, events), the development
and management of the national
information system, the
dissemination of Europass
documents and general network
activities. Cf. § 5.2 above.
Budget line 15030101
(ex B3 1020)

Implementation  at  European  level.
Budget 
(ex
B3 1020A)

15010405 

line 

Type
of outputs
(projects, files )

1

Operation of the
national agency

Meetings of NA

Production of
documents**

Promotional
events and
activities
(video)

TOTAL COST

* Cost of one meeting: 25 X 650 = EUR 16 250.

Number of
outputs

Average unit
cost

(total for years
1…n)

Total cost

(total for years
1…n)

2

50

6

1

1

=

3

4=(2X3)

0.075

3.750

0.01625*

0.098

0.090

0.062

0.090

0.062

=

4.000

**  Production  of  documents:  300  000  items  X  EUR  0.300  (average  unit  cost,  taking  into
account the development cost – graphic, prototypes etc.).

5

For further information, see separate explanatory note.

52

 
                                                
7.

IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

7.1.

Impact on human resources

Staff to be assigned to management of the
action using existing and/or additional
resources

Number of
permanent posts

Number of
temporary posts

Total

2

1

1

4

2

1

1

4

Description of tasks deriving from the
action

Policy development, coordination and
management; financial and
administrative management; secretarial
support.

Types of post

Officials 
temporary staff

or

A

B

C

Other human resources

Total

7.2.

Overall financial impact of human resources

Type of human resources

Amount (EUR)

Method of calculation *

Officials

Temporary staff

Other human resources

432 000

4 x 108 000

(specify budget line)

Total

432 000

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.

7.3.

Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action

Budget line

(number and heading)

Overall allocation (Title A7)

A0701 – Missions

Amount EUR

Method of calculation

3 300

5 missions x 650* within EU and participating countries

A07030 – Meetings

23 400

3 working groups meetings x 12 participant x 650 = 23 400

Information 
5001/A-4300)

systems 

(A-

Other  expenditure  -  Part  A
(state which)

Total

26 700

* Cost per unit
The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.
1 Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs.

53

 
I.

II.

III.

Annual total (7.2 + 7.3)

Duration of action

Total cost of action (I x II)

EUR 458 700

2 years

EUR 917 400

The  needs  for  human  and  administrative  resources  shall  be  covered  within  the
allocation  granted  to  the  managing  DG  in  the  framework  of  the  annual  allocation
procedure.

8.

FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION

8.1.

Follow-up arrangements

Follow-up information will be collected from management data and through surveys
carried  out  at  national  level.  The  table  of  objectives  in  5.1.1  indicates,  for  each
objective, the kind of information the will be collected to assess the achievements.

8.2.

Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation

It  is  envisaged  that  every  four  years  after  the  entry  into  force  of  the  Decision  an
evaluation  report  will  be  prepared  by  the  Commission,  based  on  an  external
evaluation.

As  it  is  planned  that  after  2006  the  implementation  of  the  proposed  action  is
continued  within  the  framework  of  the  new  generation  of  programmes  that  should
enter into force in 2007, the first evaluation report should be prepared and financially
supported within that framework.

9.

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

Funding  decisions  and  contracts  between  the  Commission  and  the  beneficiaries
provide  for  in  situ  checks  to  be  carried  out  on  the  premises  of  beneficiaries  of  a
Community  grant  by  the  Commission  and  the  Court  of  Auditors,  and  bestow  the
power to require evidence of any expenditure made under such contracts, agreements
and legal undertakings within five years following the end of the contractual period.

Beneficiaries are subject to reporting and financial accounting obligations, and these
are analysed from the point of view of content and eligibility of expenditure, bearing
in  mind  the  purpose  of  the  Community  funding,  and  taking  account  of  contractual
obligations and of the principles of economy and sound financial management.

Appended  to  the  financial  agreements  is  information  of  an  administrative  and
financial nature, designed to specify the kind of expenditure which is eligible under
such agreements. Where appropriate, Community coverage of certain cost elements
will be limited to items which are real, identifiable and verifiable in the beneficiary’s
book-keeping arrangements, so as to facilitate checking and auditing (and evaluation
for selection purposes) of projects in receipt of funding.

54