Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and the Council on the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) - Towards a Just Society {SEC(2005) 690}
Date: 2005-06-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European cultural event, European social policy, anti-discriminatory measure, equal treatment, job access

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 1.6.2005 
COM(2005) 225 final 

2005/0107 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL  

on the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) 
Towards a Just Society 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2005) 690} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

In its Communication on "Working together for growth and jobs – a new start for the Lisbon 
strategy"1, the Commission underlined that "renewed growth is vital to prosperity, can bring 
back full employment and is the foundation of social justice and opportunity for all". 

It will be difficult to achieve the ambitious Lisbon strategic objectives if large groups of the 
EU’s  population  are  excluded  from  jobs,  training  and  other  opportunities.  Eliminating 
discrimination  in  order  to  reap  the  benefits  of  diversity  is  an  important  element  in  the 
development  of  a  more  competitive  and  dynamic  economy  and  society.  The  Commission's 
Communication on the Social Agenda for the period 2005-2010, emphasised the importance 
of  promoting  equal  opportunities  for  all  in  order  to  achieve  a  more  cohesive  society.  It 
announced  the  Commission's  intention  to  develop  a  new  framework  strategy  on  non-
discrimination and equal opportunities for all (set out in the Communication that accompanies 
this draft Decision).  

One  of  the  major  initiatives  announced  in  the  Communication  is  to  propose  that  2007  be 
designated European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. The European Year responds to one 
of the key challenges identified by respondents to the Commission's Green Paper on Equality 
and  non-discrimination  in  an  enlarged  EU2.  The  vast  majority  of  contributions  called  for 
further  awareness-raising  initiatives,  in  order  to  challenge  discriminatory  attitudes  and 
behaviour,  as  well  as  informing  people  about  their  legal  rights  and  obligations.  The  global 
objective  of  the  Year  will  be  to  raise  awareness  of  the  benefits  of  a  just,  cohesive  society 
where  there  is  equality  of  opportunity  for  all.  This  will  require  tackling  barriers  to 
participation  in  society  and  promoting  a  climate  in  which  Europe's  diversity  is  seen  as  a 
source of socio-economic vitality. 

2. 

THE  RIGHT  TO  EQUALITY  AND  TO  PROTECTION  AGAINST 
DISCRIMINATION 

A considerable body of European legislation has been put in place over the past thirty years in 
an effort to tackle sex discrimination related to pay, working conditions and social security. 
Today, promoting equality between women and men is recognised as one of the Community's 
essential  tasks  (Article  2  of  the  EC  Treaty).  The  Community  must  aim  to  eliminate 
inequalities and promote equality between women and men in all its activities (Article 3(2) of 
the EC Treaty).  

The adoption of the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 which introduced a new Article 13  into  the 
EC  Treaty,  represented  a  quantum  leap  forward  in  the  fight  against  discrimination.  On  the 
basis  of  this  Article,  the  European  Community  adopted  unanimously  and  in  record  time  a 
comprehensive  package  consisting  at  that  time  of  two  Directives3  and  a  Community  action 
programme.  The  adoption  of  this  package  was  a  demonstration  of  the  European  Union's 

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COM(2005) 24. 
COM(2004) 379. 
Council  Directive  2000/43/EC  of  29  June  2000  and  Council  Directive  2000/78/EC  of  27  November 
2000. 

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commitment  to  a  society  free  from  discrimination.  It  also  served  as  a  signal  to  countries 
outside the EU that the principle of equality and non-discrimination forms part of the bedrock 
of  fundamental  rights  on  which  the  EU  is  based.  More  recently,  the  Council  adopted 
legislation in relation to gender (Directive 2004/113/EC) implementing the principle of equal 
treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services. 

2007  will  be  a  significant  year  for  the  European  legislative  framework  in  the  area  of  anti-
discrimination.  The  extra  time  accorded  to  some  Member  States  to  transpose  both  the 
disability  and  age  provisions  of  Directive  2000/78/EC  will  have  expired.  Thereafter,  all 
individuals, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age and 
sexual orientation, will be entitled to uniform protection against discrimination throughout the 
EU. In addition, by 31 December 2007, Member States will have to transpose the provisions 
of the Gender Equality Directive 2004/113/EC into their national legal orders. 

An effort is required to ensure that these EU laws, which have the potential to have a huge 
impact on people in their daily lives, become more widely known and accessible to the public. 
This  will  involve  promoting  better  understanding  about  the  harm  that  discrimination  can 
cause as well as underlining that there is a legal obligation not to discriminate against others.  

3. 

RESPONDING TO EMERGING POLICY CHALLENGES  

Despite  the  enactment  of  far-reaching  EU  anti-discrimination  and  equality  legislation, 
discrimination and inequality continues to be a feature of everyday life in the EU.  

3.1. 

Addressing persistent inequalities 

Women,  who  have  benefited  from  legal  protection  against  discrimination  for  more  than  30 
years,  continue  to  be  paid  on  average  15%  less  than  men  for  comparable  work.  European 
society continues to fall short of being representative of its diverse populations – most visibly 
in the decision and policy-making arena. For example, only 23% of parliamentary seats in the 
EU are currently occupied by women.  

Large-scale  surveys  conducted  by  the  International  Labour  Organisation  in  some  EU 
countries have shown that with equal qualifications, personal characteristics such as ethnicity, 
disability and age have a bearing on the prospects of finding a job.  

Other groups continue to experience high levels of exclusion, both in terms of labour market 
participation  and  of  poverty.  Migrants  and  ethnic  minorities  living  in  deprived  urban  areas 
often face a double risk of being socially excluded - due to local urban residence and due to 
their ethnicity. An EU study on "the situation of Roma in an enlarged Union"4 reports that, in 
countries  where  data  are  available,  the  Roma  population  experience  significant  barriers  in 
employment and education.  

3.2. 

Recognition of the changing nature of European society 

Europe's population is ageing as a result of the decline in fertility and mortality rates and this 
will  have  huge  consequences  for  the  labour  market.  Europe  will  see  its  working  age 
population  decline  by  over  20  million  during  the  next  25  years.  This  development  clearly 

4 

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/roma04_en.pdf 

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underlines  the  need  for  offsetting  the  demographic  effects  on  labour  supply  by  raising  the 
participation rates of those excluded, for whatever reason, from the labour market.  

In  many  EU  countries,  international  migration  and  increased  mobility  have  accentuated  the 
trend  towards  more  ethnic,  cultural  and  religious  diversity.  The  emergence  of  2nd  and  3rd 
generations of the descendants of migrants may require the development of new policies. The 
enlargement  of  the  Union  has  drawn  more  attention  to  the  situation  of  Roma  people,  who 
constitute the most disadvantaged ethnic minority group in Europe.  

Building social cohesion is a key challenge for the Union. This implies allowing all members 
of  Europe's  diverse  society  to  realise  their  potential  and  to  participate  fully  in  economic, 
social and political life.  

4. 

A EUROPEAN YEAR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL  

4.1. 

General objectives 

Despite progress achieved to date at EU level to eliminate discrimination and promote equal 
opportunities,  there  remains  much  scope  for  further  action.  Even  the  most  carefully  drafted 
legislation will prove inadequate if the political will is not there to translate it into long-term 
action and if it does not enjoy broad popular support. 

Building  on  and  learning  from  the  achievements  of  previous  European  Years,  notably  the 
1997  European  Year  Against  Racism  and  most  recently  the  2003  European  Year  of  People 
with  Disabilities  and  the  pan-European  information  Campaign  "For  diversity  –  against 
discrimination"5,  the  European  Year  of  Equal  Opportunities  for  all  will  provide  an 
opportunity  to  promote  a  more  cohesive  society  that  celebrates  differences  within  the 
framework of EU core values, such as gender equality. It will seek to raise awareness of the 
substantial EU acquis in the field of equality and non-discrimination, as well as stimulating 
debate, dialogue and exchanges of good practice.  

4.2. 

Specific objectives – Rights – Representation - Recognition –and Respect 

4.2.1.  Rights – Raising awareness on the right to equality and non-discrimination 

There  is  a  need  to  improve  public  awareness  about  EU  legislation  on  equality  and  non-
discrimination. The EU has one of the most advanced legislative frameworks in the world in 
these areas but there appears to be limited public awareness of the rights and obligations that 
this legislation confers. The European Year will seek to highlight the message to the public at 
large  that  all  people,  irrespective  of  their  sex,  racial  or  ethnic  origin,  religion  or  belief, 
disability, age and sexual orientation are entitled to equal treatment.  

4.2.2.  Representation – Stimulating debate on ways to increase the participation in society 

Debate  and  dialogue  should  be  engaged  as  appropriate  to  promote  greater  participation  of 
under-represented groups in all sectors and at all levels of society. Equal opportunities policy 
is  not  simply  limited  to  the  elimination  of  discrimination.  It  also  means  promoting  full  and 
equal participation of all. The disadvantages experienced by some communities e.g the Roma 

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www.stop-discrimination.info 

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are  so  wide-scale  and  embedded  in  the  structure  of  society  that  positive  action  may  be 
necessary to remedy the nature of their exclusion. In this regard, the European Year will seek 
to  highlight  the  need  to  promote  and  develop  policies  and  initiatives  to  increase  the 
participation of groups that are under-represented in society. 

4.2.3.  Recognition - Celebrating and accommodating diversity 

The  European  Year  will  aim  to  raise  awareness  of  the  positive  contribution  that  people, 
irrespective of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age and sexual 
orientation  make  to  society  as  a  whole.  It  will  seek  to  engage  the  wider  public  in  an  open 
debate  on  what  diversity  means  in  today’s  Europe  and  how  to  create  a  positive  climate  in 
which differences are valued and in particular the right to protection against discrimination is 
respected. The European Year will acknowledge the diversity of Europe as a source of socio-
economic  vitality  which  should  be  harnessed,  valued  and  enjoyed  because  it  enriches  the 
social fabric of Europe and is an important component of Europe’s economic prosperity. 

4.2.4.  Respect and tolerance – Promoting a more cohesive society 

The  European  Year  will  seek  to  raise  awareness  about  the  importance  of  promoting  good 
relations between the various groups in society, and in particular among young people. It will 
also seek to bring different people or groups together in an effort to promote and disseminate 
the values of equal treatment and fight against discrimination. Key to this will be to work on 
eliminating stereotypes and prejudices.  

4.3. 

Delivering change  

The  European  Year  will  target  common  barriers  and  inequalities  affecting  several 
communities. It will address the reality of discrimination on multiple grounds. It will ensure 
that  gender  issues  are  mainstreamed  in  all  its  related  actions.  It  will  seek  to  encourage  the 
promotion  of  good  relations  among  different  communities,  building  trust  and  understanding 
that will contribute to a more cohesive society.  

The European Year will also take account of progress made at national level and the socio-
economic  and  cultural  contexts  in  the  participating  countries.  To  this  end,  the  Commission 
considers it appropriate to decentralise the bulk of activities of the Year to the national level. 
Activities defined at European level to ensure consistency in the approach can then be adapted 
to the specificities of each participating country.  

4.3.1.  Working in partnership with the participating countries  

The Union can provide a framework for action in support of equal opportunities for all, but, 
tangible  progress  can  only  be  achieved  through  close  partnership  between  the  Commission 
and the participating countries. To that effect, in respect to the actions at the national, regional 
or local level, the Commission will delegate its budget implementing powers to the relevant 
national authorities. 

To be effective, the EU will seek to engage with a very wide range of stakeholders, inviting 
them  to  join  an  ongoing  dialogue  about  the  Year’s  priorities  and  delivery  mechanisms. 
Consequently, the Year will need to reach beyond traditional interest groups on equality/non-
discrimination issues, in order to mobilise society at large. 

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To ensure effective delivery, the Commission services will develop operational guidelines for 
the implementation of the European Year. The guidelines will be a point of reference for the 
development of the national policy plans for implementing the European Year that will have 
to  be  submitted  by  the  participating  countries  to  the  Commission  by  December  2006  at  the 
latest..  Once  approved  by  the  Commission,  these  plans  will  condition  the  delegation  of  the 
Community  budget  implementing  powers  to  the  relevant  selected  national  intermediary 
bodies. 

4.3.2.  Working together 

Action on equality is, of course, not the sole responsibility of the national authorities. To be 
effective  in  meeting  its  objectives,  the  European  Year  should  foster  the  participation  of  all 
stakeholders  who  can  promote  equality  and  non-discrimination  e.g  social  partners, 
representatives of civil society, etc. It must heighten awareness, mobilise and obtain input and 
long-term commitment from those stakeholders in order to make them active players for the 
success of the European Year.  

To this effect, participating countries will be requested to: 

–  designate a national coordination body including representatives of the Government, social 

partners, targeted communities and other segments of civil society; 

–  establish a broad partnership with a view to integrating equal opportunities issues into all 
relevant policy areas, including in the employment and educations sector, the media, and 
the business and policy-making sectors. 

5. 

COMPLEMENTARITY 

The  Commission  will  ensure  that  the  activities  financed  during  the  Year  will  be 
complementary  to  other  relevant  Communityaction  in  fields  such  as  the  Structural  Funds, 
rural development, education and training, culture, inter-cultural dialogue, youth, citizenship, 
employment,  social  affairs  and  equal  opportunities,  fundamental  rights,  immigration  and 
asylum etc. Coordinating mechanisms will therefore be put in place to avoid overlap and to 
channel support towards promoting the key messages of the Year. 

6. 

EU ADDED-VALUE (SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY) 

The measures proposed for the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All are designed to 
add  value  at  European  level  by  raising  awareness  about  European  core  values  (rights  to 
equality and non-discrimination) and by stimulating public debate in the increasing diversity 
of European society. Given their scale and nature, these are actions which are best – or which 
can only be – carried out at European level. The proposal therefore conforms to the principle 
of subsidiarity set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. 

The  activities  envisaged  relate  to  the  provision  and  exchange  of  information  and  good 
practice.  There  will  also  be  further  study  in  areas  where  there  is  a  currently  a  lack  of 
information. The proposal for the Year emphasises how important it is to respect the different 
traditions  and  national  contexts  of  the  Member  States,  both  to  enable  flexibility  in 
implementation and to avoid interfering with the good practices which already exist in some 
Member States. In this way, the proposal also complies with the principle of proportionality. 

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7. 

EXTERNAL CONSULTATION  

This proposal for a European Year of Equal Opportunities for All is a direct response to the 
clear challenge identified in the numerous contributions to the Green Paper on “Equality and 
Non-Discrimination  in  an  enlarged  Union”  and  to  the  various  external  evaluations  of 
Community relevant programmes.  

8. 

EX-ANTE EVALUATION 

The  ex-ante  evaluation  of  the  European  Year  is  attached  to  this  proposal  for  a  European 
Parliament  and  Council  Decision.  It  has  been  carried  out  by  the  Commission.  The  results 
available  show  the  relevance  of  the  support  actions  proposed  in  achieving  the  objectives 
described above, as well as the value added of Community level action in this area. 

9. 

DETAILED EXPLANATION PER ARTICLE  

Article 1 designates 2007 as the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All  

Article 2 defines the objectives of the Year. 

Article  3  presents  the  content  of  the  actions  and  refers  the  reader  to  the  Annex  for  further 
details. 

Article 4 defines the terms of co-operation and implementation at Community level and sets 
out how the actions at European level under the Year will be implemented.  

Article 5 defines the terms of co-operation and implementation with the Member States and 
sets out how the actions under the European Year will be implemented.  

Article 6 establishes an advisory committee to assist the Commission with decisions about the 
implementation of the Year 

Article  7  lays  down  the  financial  arrangements  for  the  actions  to  be  implemented  at 
Community and national levels. 

Article 8 sets out the procedure to be applied for the selection of actions at Community and 
national levels. 

Article  9  requires  the  Commission,  in  co-operation  with  the  Member  States,  to  ensure 
consistency and complementarity with other Community actions and initiatives. 

Article 10 defines the terms of participation of the participating countries. 

Article  11  establishes  the  budget  for  the  action,  in  conformity  with  the  Interinstitutional 
Agreement on Legal Bases. The amount proposed might be revised on the basis of the final 
agreement on the new financial perspectives 2007-2013. 

Article 12 provides that the Commission may co-operate with international organisations. 

Article 13 provides the monitoring and evaluation framework to be applied to the European 
Year. 

Article 14 defines the terms of the entry into force of the Decision. 

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2005/0107 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL  

on the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) 
Towards a Just Society 

(Text with EEA relelvance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article 13(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission6, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee7, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions8, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty 

Whereas:  

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

On  the  basis  of  Article  13  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  the 
Council  has  adopted  Directive  2000/43/EC  implementing  the  principle  of  equal 
treatment  between  persons  irrespective  of  racial  or  ethnic  origin  in,  inter  alia, 
employment, vocational training, education, goods and services, and social protection; 
Directive  2000/78/EC  establishing  a  general  framework  for  equal  treatment  in 
employment and occupation which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion 
or  belief,  disability,  age  and  sexual  orientation  and  Directive  2004/113/EC 
implementing the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access 
to and supply of goods and services. 

Non-discrimination  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  the  European  Union.  Article  21  of 
the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union prohibits discrimination on 
a variety of grounds.  

Equality between men and women is a fundamental principle of the European Union. 
Articles  21  and  23  of  the  Charter  of  Fundamental  Rights  of  the  European  Union 
prohibit any discrimination on grounds of sex and require equality between men and 
women to be ensured in all areas. 

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

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(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Article 3(2) of the Treaty requires the Community to aim to eliminate inequalities and 
to promote equality between men and women in all its activities.  

The Social Agenda 2005-2010, which complements and supports the Lisbon Strategy, 
has  a  key  role  in  promoting  the  social  dimension  of  economic  growth.  One  of  the 
priorities  of  the  Social  Agenda  is  the  promotion  of  equal  opportunities  for  all  as  a 
vector for a more cohesive society. 

The year 2007 will mark the 10th anniversary of the European Year Against Racism, 
which has enabled considerable progress to be made towards the elimination of racial 
discrimination. 

European  legislation  has  significantly  raised  the  level  of  guaranteed  equality  and 
protection against inequalities and discrimination across the EU and acted as a catalyst 
for  the  development  of  a  more  coherent,  rights-based  approach  to  equality  and  non-
discrimination.  

Key  to  the  successful  impact  of  the  Community  non-discrimination  legislative 
framework is the extent to which it enjoys broad popular support. The European Year 
should act as a catalyst in raising awareness and in building momentum. It should help 
to focus political attention and mobilise everyone concerned in order to drive forward 
the new equal opportunities framework strategy of the European Union. 

The varying levels of progress made at national level and the differing national socio-
economic,  and  cultural  contexts  and  sensitivities  call  for  the  bulk  of  activities  of  the 
Year  to  be  decentralised  at  national  level,  through  a  system  of  indirect  centralised 
management in accordance with the procedures as laid down in article 54(2)(c) of the 
Financial Regulation and its implementing rules9. 

(10)  Participation to the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All should be opened to 
Member States, to EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established 
under  the  European  Economic  Area  Agreement  (EEA),  to  the  candidate  countries 
benefiting  from  a  pre-accession  strategy  and  countries  from  the  Western  Balkans,  in 
line with the conditions laid down pursuant to their respective agreements, and to the 
countries  covered  by  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy,  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of the May 2004 Strategy Paper and the Country Action Plans. 

(11)  Consistency  and  complementarity  with  other  Community  action  is  needed,  in 
particular  with  action  to  combat  discrimination  and  social  exclusion,  and  to  promote 
fundamental  rights,  education  and  training,  culture  and  intercultural  dialogue,  youth, 
citizenship, immigration and asylum, and gender equality.  

(12)  This  decision  established  a  financial  framework  for  the  entire  duration  of  the 
programme which is to be the principal point of reference for the budgetary authority, 
within  the  meaning  of  point  33  of  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  of  6  May  1999 

9 

Council  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  n°  1065/2002  of  25  June  2002  on  the  Financial  Regulation 
applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Communities  (OJ  L  248,16.9.2002);  Commission 
Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No  2342/2002  of  23  December  2002  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the 
implementation of 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 357, 31.12.2002). 

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between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on  budgetary 
discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure10. 

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

(14)  The  objectives  of  the  proposed  European  Year  cannot  be  fully  achieved  at  Member 
States level due to the need, inter alia, for multilateral partnerships, the transnational 
exchange of information and the Community-wide dissemination of good practice, and 
can therefore by reason of the scale of action 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 to achieve those objectives. 

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  

Article 1 
Establishment of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 

The  year  2007  shall  be  designated  as  the  "European  Year  on  Equal  Opportunities  for  All" 
(hereinafter: "the European Year"). 

Article 2 
Objectives 

The objectives of the European Year shall be as follows:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

Rights  –  Raising  awareness  on  the  right  to  equality  and  non-discrimination  -  The 
European  Year  will  highlight  the  message  that  all  people,  irrespective  of  their  sex, 
racial  or  ethnic  origin,  religion  or  belief,  disability,  age  and  sexual  orientation  are 
entitled to equal treatment. 

Representation – Stimulating a debate on ways to increase the participation of under-
represented  groups  in  society  –  The  European  Year  will  encourage  reflection  and 
discussion on the need to promote their greater participation in society in all sectors 
and at all levels. 

Recognition – Celebrating and accommodating diversity – The European Year will 
highlight  the  positive  contribution  that  people,  irrespective  of  their  sex,  racial  or 
ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, capacities, age and sexual orientation can make to 
society as a whole, in particular by accentuating the benefits of diversity. 

(d) 

Respect and tolerance – Promoting a more cohesive society –The European Year will 
raise  awareness  about  the  importance  of,  promoting  good  relations  between  all  in 

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OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p.1. 

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society, and in particular among young people, and promoting and disseminating the 
values underlying the fight against discrimination. 

Article 3 
Content of actions 

1. 

The  actions  designed  to  meet  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  2  shall  entail  the 
development of or the provision of support for: 

(a) 

meetings and events; 

(b) 

information and promotional campaigns; 

(c) 

cooperation with media, business and enterprise; 

(d) 

surveys and studies on a Community or a nation- wide scale. 

2. 

Details of the actions referred to in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex. 

Article 4 
Cooperation and implementation at Community level 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that  the  Community  actions  covered  by  this  Decision  are 
implemented in conformity with the Annex.  

In  particular,  the  Commission  shall  make  the  necessary  arrangements  to  ensure  the 
consistency  and  complementarity  of  the  Community  action  and  initiatives  referred  to  in 
Article 9 so as to help meet the objectives set out in Article 2. 

It shall conduct a regular exchange of views with stakeholders particularly at European level 
on  the  design,  implementation  and  follow-up  of  the  European  Year.  To  that  end,  the 
Commission  shall  make  the  relevant  information  available  to  such  stakeholders.  The 
Commission shall inform the Committee established under Article 6(1) of their opinion. 

Article 5 
Cooperation and implementation at national level 

1. 

Each State shall establish or designate a national co-ordinating body or an equivalent 
administrative  body  to  organise  its  participation  in  the  European  Year.  Each  State 
shall ensure that this organ is representative of a range of organisations representing 
people  potentially  exposed  to  discrimination  and  unequal  treatment  and  other 
relevant stakeholders. 

Each  State  shall  ensure  that  this  body  is  involved  in  the  design,  definition  and 
execution  of  the  National  Policy  Plan  to  be  submitted  to  the  Commission  by  31 
December  2006  at  the  latest.  National  Policy  Plans  shall  consist  of  translating  the 
objectives set out in Article 2 into the national and cultural contexts. 

EN 

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2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

The  Commission  shall  delegate  its  budget  implementing  power  to  national 
intermediary  bodies  chosen  by  the  participating  States  and  approved  by  it  in 
accordance  with  the  procedures  laid  down  under  Part  II(1)  of  the  Annex,  in 
accordance with the provisions of Article 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation. 

Once  satisfied  that  the  procedure  and  conditions  referred  to  under  Part  II(1)  of  the 
Annex have been complied with, the Commission shall approve the body selected for 
delegation, and delegate the relevant budgetary powers to it. 

The national intermediary bodies shall take all the steps necessary for executing the 
implementing  tasks  delegated  to  them  as  detailed  in  Part  II(2)  of  the  Annex  as 
regards  the  selection  and  management  of  the  local,  regional  and  national  actions 
referred to in Part II(4) of the Annex.  

A  delegation  agreement  must  be  signed  between  the  intermediary  body  and  the 
Commission  as  a  prerequisite  for  the  body’s  implementation  of  its  delegated  tasks. 
The Commission shall be entitled to monitor and supervise the intermediary bodies 
in compliance with the requirements imposed by the Financial Regulation. 

Article 6 
Committee 

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee, composed of one representative 
per State and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative per 
State shall be designated from the national intermediary body as referred to in Article 
5(2). 

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

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 

Article 7 
Financial arrangements 

Measures which are Community-wide in nature, as described in Part I of the Annex, 
may be subsidised up to 80% or give rise to procurement contracts financed from the 
general budget of the European Communities. 

Measures  which  are  local,  regional  or  national,  as  described  in  Part  II(4)  of  the 
Annex,  may  be  co-financed  from  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Communities 
up to a maximum of 50% of the total consolidated costs of the actions implemented 
at local, regional or national levels, and in accordance with the procedure referred to 
in Article 5(2). 

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Article 8 
Application and selection procedure 

1. 

2. 

Decisions  on  the  financing  of  measures  under  Article  7(1)  shall  be  adopted  by  the 
Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 6(2).  

Requests for financial assistance for measures under Article 7(2) shall be submitted 
to the national intermediary bodies set up by the States. On the basis of the opinion 
expressed by the national co-ordinating bodies, the national intermediary bodies shall 
select  beneficiaries  and  allocate  financial  assistance  to  the  applicants  selected  in 
accordance with the procedures referred to in Article 5(3). 

Article 9 
Consistency and complementarity 

The  Commission  together  with  the  participating  countries  shall  ensure  consistency  between 
the measures provided for in this Decision and other Community, national and regional action 
and initiatives. 

They shall ensure maximum complementarity between the European Year and other existing 
Community,  national  and  regional  initiatives  and  resource,  where  the  latter  can  help  to 
achieve the objectives of the European Year.  

Article 10 
Participating countries 

Participation in the European Year shall be open to: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

Member States 

EFTA states that are party to the EEA Agreement in accordance with the provision 
of that agreement ; 

The candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with 
the  general  principles  and  the  general  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  on 
these countries in Community programmes laid down, respectively, in the framework 
agreement and the decision of the Association Councils ; 

The  countries  of  Western  Balkans  in  accordance  with  the  arrangements  to  be 
established  with  these  countries  under  the  framework  agreements  on  the  general 
principles for their participation in Community programmes ; 

The  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  (ENP)  partner  countries,  in  accordance  with 
the  general  principles  and  the  general  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of 
these  countries  in  Community  programmes  laid  down  in  the  May  2004  Strategy 
Paper and the Country Action Plans. Any EC financial support for activities in ENP 
partner  countries  in  this  context  will  be  covered  by  the  European  Neighbourhood 
Policy  Instrument  (ENPI)  in  accordance  with  the  priorities  and  procedures 
established in the overall cooperation with these countries. 

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Article 11 
Budget 

The  financial  framework  for  implementing  the  activities  referred  to  in  this  Decision  for  the 
period 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2007 shall be 13.6 million EUR. 

Article 12 
International cooperation 

Within  the  framework  of  the  European  Year,  the  Commission  may  cooperate  with  the 
relevant international organisations 

Article 13 
Monitoring and evaluation 

The Commission  shall  submit,  by  31 December 2008 at the latest, a report to the European 
Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of 
the Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the measures provided 
for in this Decision. 

Article 14 
Entry into force 

This  Decision  shall  take  effect  on  the  twentieth  day  following  that  of  its  publication  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President, 

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX  

Nature of the actions referred to in Article 3 

(I) 

1. 

COMMUNITY-WIDE ACTION 

Meetings and events 

(a)  Organisation of meetings at Community level 

(b)  Organisation  of  events  to  raise  awareness  of  the  objectives  of  the  European 
Year, including the conferences to open and close the European Year, by way 
of support granted to the countries holding the EU presidency at that time and 
the organisation of the first annual "Equality Summit" 

2. 

Information and promotional campaigns involving: 

(a)  The  development  of  a  logo  and  slogans  for  the  European  Year,  for  use  in 

connection with any activity linked to the European Year 

(b)  An information campaign on a Community-wide scale 

(c)  Appropriate  measures  to  highlight  the  results  and  raise  the  visibility  of 
Community  actions  and  initiatives  contributing  to  the  objectives  of  the 
European Year 

(d)  The  organisation  of  European  competitions  highlighting  achievements  and 

experiences in the themes of the European Year 

3. 

Other actions 

Cooperation  with  corporate,  broadcasting  and  media  organisations  in  particular  as 
partners spreading the information about the European Year 

Surveys  and  studies  on  a  Community-wide  scale,  including  a  series  of  questions 
intended  to  assess  the  impact  of  the  European  Year,  to  be  included  in  a 
Eurobarometer  survey  and  an  evaluation  report  on  the  effectiveness  and  impact  of 
the European Year 

4. 

This funding may be in the form of: 

–  the  direct  purchase  of  goods  and  services,  in  particular  in  the  field  of 

communication, via open and/or restricted calls for tender 

–  the  direct  purchase  of  consultancy  services,  via  open  and/or  restricted  calls  for 

tender 

–  subsidies  allocated  to  cover  the  expenses  of  special  events  at  European  level  to 
highlight and raise awareness of the European Year: this funding will not exceed 
80% of the total expenditure incurred by the recipient 

EN 

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The  Commission  may  make  use  of  technical  and/or  administrative  assistance  to  the  mutual 
benefit  of  the  Commission  and  of  the  Prticipating  States,  for  example  to  finance  outside 
expertise on a specific subject 

(II) 

NATIONAL LEVEL 

1. 

Actions  at  local,  regional  or  national  level  may  qualify  for  financing  from  the 
Community budget up to a maximum of 50% of the total costs per Member State.  

To  that  purpose,  the  Commission  delegates  its  budget  implementing  power  to 
national  intermediary  bodies.  With  reference  to  Articles  35,  38  and  39  of  the 
implementing rules to the Financial Regulation, each Member State shall propose its 
national  intermediary  body  and  testify  in  writing  to  the  Commission  that  the 
intermediary body: 

(a) 

is  a  public-sector  body  or  private-law  body  with  a  public  service  mission 
submitted to a national audit body 

(b) 

is subject to the law of the Member State in which it has been set up 

(c) 

satisfies  the  requirements  of  sound  financial  management  as  shown  by  prior 
analysis 

(d)  has put in place, before it begins performing its tasks, internal control systems, 

accounting systems, and grant award procedures in place 

(e) 

(f) 

has  a  sound  track  record  in  dealing  with  non-discrimination  and  equal 
treatment issues  

offers adequate financial guarantees, issued preferably by a public authority, in 
particular as regards full recovery of amounts due to the Commission 

Each  Member  State  shall  testify  in  writing  to  the  Commission  that  its  proposed 
choice  has  been  made  in  an  objective  and  transparent  manner  to  match  the 
requirements identified by the Commission. 

2. 

Once delegated by the Commission budget implementing power, each intermediary 
body shall implement the following tasks 

(a) 

(b) 

select  the  local,  regional  and  national  actions  on  the  basis  of  a  call  for 
proposals developed in accordance with the National Policy Plan and carry out 
all the activities necessary to launch such a call  

award  and  pay  grants  and  manage  the  specific  subsidy  agreements  with  the 
selected  actions,  involving  all  the  activities  required  to  launch  and  conclude 
grant  procedures,  including  the  signing  of  the  agreements  and  if  needed 
recovery of the grants paid 

(c) 

check  whether  the  services  performed  by  the  selected  actions  have  been 
implemented correctly 

EN 

16 

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(d) 

(e) 

report  to  the  Commission  on  how  the  services  are  performed,  supply  any 
information  requested  and  notify  without  delay  any  substantial  change  in  its 
procedure or systems and the reasons for change 

take  appropriate  measures  to  prevent  irregularities  and  fraud  and  if  necessary 
bring  prosecutions  to  recover  funds  lost,  wrongly  paid  or  incorrectly  used 
without  prejudice  to  the  responsibilities  of  the  European  Commission  in 
accordance with Regulations n°2988/95, n°2185/96 and n°1073/99. 

(f) 

shall forward to the Commission and more particularly to the European Anti-
Fraud Office (OLAF) without any delay any information relating to suspected 
and actual cases of fraud or corruption or any other illegal activity. 

3. 

The  Court  of  Auditors  and  OLAF  shall  have  the  same  rights  as  the  Commission, 
especially as regards access. 

The Commission  may  carry out checks on the beneficiaries of contracts and grants 
from the national intermediary body. 

The Commission may decide to  withdraw  responsibility  for the  performance of the 
tasks  assigned  when  the  conditions  imposing  that  the  national  intermediary  body 
operate in such a way to ensure total compliance with the principle of sound financial 
management  and  with  the  legal  and  financial  conditions  for  the  delegation  are  no 
longer fulfilled. 

To  that  effect,  the  implementing  measures  and  grant  agreements  arising  from  this 
Decision  shall  provide  in  particular  for  supervision  and  financial  control  by  the 
Commission (or any representative authorised by it), audits by the Court of Auditors, 
and for on-the-spot checks carried out by OLAF or any Commission department, in 
accordance with the procedures of the Council Regulation n°2185/96. 

5. 

Actions at local, regional or national level may include: 

(a)  Meetings  and  events  connected  with  the  objectives  of  the  European  Year, 

including an event to launch the European Year 

(b) 

Information  campaigns  and  measures  to  disseminate  the  principles  and 
underlying values celebrated by the European Year at national level including 
the organisation of awards and competitions 

(c)  Cooperation with corporate, broadcasting and media organisations in particular 
as partners spreading the information about the European Year at national level 

(d)  Surveys and studies other than those mentioned in 1(A) above 

EN 

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(III) 

ACTION  FOR  WHICH  NO  FINANCIAL  AID  FROM  THE  COMMUNITY  BUDGET  IS 
AVAILABLE  

The Community will offer its moral support, including written authorisation to use the logo 
and other material associated with the European Year, for initiatives undertaken by public or 
private  organisations,  where  those  organisations  can  demonstrate  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Commission that the initiatives involved are or will be in progress during the European Year 
2007 and are likely to contribute significantly to achieving one or more of the objectives of 
the European Year.  

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Annex 1

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

NAME  OF  THE  PROPOSAL:  European  Year  of  Equal  Opportunities  for 

1. 
All 

2. 

ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK 

Policy Area(s) concerned and associated Activity/Activities: 

Policy Area:  Employment and Social Affairs 

Activity : 

European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 

3. 

BUDGET LINES 

3.1.  Budget lines (operational lines and related technical and administrative assistance 
lines (ex- B.A lines)) including headings:  

New  budget  line  04.04.12  aimed  at  supporting  activities  carried  out  in  the 

framework of the Year 

3.2.  Duration of the action and of the financial impact: 

01.01.2006 – 31.12.2007 

3.3.  Budgetary characteristics (add rows if necessary) : 

Budget 
line 

04.04.12 

Type of expenditure 

New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
from applicant 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
perspective 

Non-
comp 

Non-
diff11 

YES 

YES 

YES 

No [3…] 

11 

Non-differentiated appropriations here after referred to as NDA. 

EN 

19 

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4. 

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES 

4.1. 

Financial Resources 

4.1.1.  Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA) 
in current prices 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Section 
no. 

Expenditure type 

2006 

2007  

2008 

2009 

n + 4 
and 
later 

201
0 

Total 

Operational expenditure12 

Commitment 
Appropriations (CA) 

8.1 

Payment  Appropriations 
(PA) 

a 

b 

6,000 

7,600 

2,410 

7,480  3,250  0,460 

13,600 

13,600 

Administrative expenditure within reference amount13 

& 
Technical 
administrative  assistance 
(NDA) 

8.2.4 

c 

TTOOTTAALL  RREEFFEERREENNCCEE  AAMMOOUUNNTT  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Commitment 
Appropriations 

Payment 
Appropriations 

a+c  6,000 

7,600 

b+c  2,410 

7,480  3,250  0,460 

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount14 

Human 
associated 
(NDA) 

resources 

and 
expenditure 

8.2.5 

d 

0,432 

0,540  0,432 

Administrative  costs,  other 
than  human  resources  and 
not 
associated 
included in reference amount 
(NDA) 

costs, 

8.2.6 

e 

0,026 

0,095  0,026 

13,600

13,600

1,404 

0,147 

12 
13 
14 

Expenditure that does not fall under Chapter xx01 of the Title xx concerned. 
Expenditure within article xx0104 of Title xx. 
Expenditure within chapter xx01 other than articles xx0104 or xx0105. 

EN 

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Total indicative financial cost of intervention 

TOTAL  CA 
cost 
Resources 

of 

TOTAL  PA 
cost 
Resources 

of 

including 
Human 

including 
Human 

Co-financing details 

a+c
+d+
e 

b+c
+d+
e 

6,458 

8,235  0,458 

15,151 

2,868 

8,115  3,708  0,460 

15,151 

If  the  proposal  involves  co-financing  by  Participating  States,  or  other  bodies  (please 
specify  which),  an  estimate  of  the  level  of  this  co-financing  should  be  indicated  in  the 
table  below  (additional  lines  may  be  added  if  different  bodies  are  foreseen  for  the 
provision of the co-financing): 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Co-financing body 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

Participating States 

f 

0,100  6,500 

TOTAL CA including co-
financing 

a+c
+d+
e+f 

6,558  14,735 

+ 

n 
4and 
later 

n  + 
3 

Total 

6,600 

21,293 

4.1.2.  Compatibility with Financial Programming 

x 

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming and with next 
financial  programming  (Commission's  February  2004  Communication on 
the financial perspectives 2007-2013 COM(2004) 101) 

Proposal will entail reprogramming of the relevant heading in the financial 

(cid:133) 
perspective. 

(cid:133) 
Proposal may require application of the provisions of the Interinstitutional 
Agreement15 (i.e. flexibility instrument or revision of the financial perspective). 

4.1.3.  Financial impact on Revenue 

x 

Proposal has no financial implications on revenue 

(cid:133) 

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

15 

See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement. 

EN 

21 

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NB:  All  details  and  observations  relating  to  the  method  of  calculating  the 
effect on revenue should be shown in a separate annex. 

Budget line 

Revenue 

EUR million (to one decimal place) 

Situation following action 

[Yea
r n] 

[n+1] [n+2] [n+3

] 

[n+4]  [n+5]

16

Prior to
action 
[Year 
n-1] 

a) Revenue in absolute terms 

b) Change in revenue 

 ∆ 

(Please  specify  each  revenue  budget  line  involved,  adding  the  appropriate 
number of rows to the table if there is an effect on more than one budget line.) 

4.2.  Human  Resources  FTE  (including  officials,  temporary  and  external  staff)  –  see 
detail under point 8.2.1. 

Annual requirements 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

n + 4 
and 
later 

Total 
number 
human resources 

of 

4 

5 

4 

5. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES 

in  the  Explanatory 
Details  of  the  context  of  the  proposal  are  required 
Memorandum.  This  section  of  the  Legislative  Financial  Statement  should  include 
the following specific complementary information: 

5.1.  Need to be met in the short or long term 

The  changing  nature  of  our  societies  poses  significant,  complex  and  new  challenges  to 
social, economic and political life. 

Women, who have benefited from legal protection against discrimination for more than 
30  years,  continue  to  be  paid  on  average  15%  less  than  men  for  comparable  work. 
European society continues to fall short of being representative of its diverse populations 

16 

Additional columns should be added if necessary i. e. if the duration of the action exceeds 6 years. 

EN 

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–  most  visibly  in  the  decision  and  policy-making  arena.  For  example,  only  23%  of 
parliamentary seats in the EU are currently occupied by women.  

Large-scale  surveys  conducted  by  the  International  Labour  Organisation  in  some  EU 
countries  have  shown  that  with  equal  qualifications,  personal  characteristics  such  as 
ethnicity,  disability  and  age  have  a  bearing  on  the  prospects  of  finding  a  job.  Other 
groups  continue  to  experience  high  levels  of  exclusion,  both  in  terms  of  labour  market 
participation  and  of  poverty.  Migrants  and  ethnic  minorities  living  in  deprived  urban 
areas  often face a double risk of being socially excluded - due to  local urban  residence 
and  due  to  their  ethnicity.  Although  there  is  a  lack  of  ethnic  data  on  this  issue  across 
Europe, figures from the United Kingdom17 show that ethnic minorities face significant 
differences  in  their  labour  market  achievements  compared  with  the  majority  of  the 
population  in  comparable  situations.  An  EU  study  on  "the  situation  of  Roma  in  an 
enlarged  Union"18  reports  that,  in  countries  where  data  are  available,  the  Roma 
population experience significant barriers in employment and education.  

Europe's population is ageing as a result of the decline in fertility and mortality rates and 
this will have huge consequences for the labour market. Europe will see its working age 
population decline by over 20 million during the next 25 years. This development clearly 
underlines the need for offsetting the demographic effects on labour supply by raising the 
participation  rates  of  those  excluded,  for  whatever  reason,  from  the  labour  market. 
Figures consolidated by the European Community Household Panel19 suggest that there 
is a correlation between ageing and disability. 

In  many  EU  countries, international  migration  and  increased  mobility  have  accentuated 
the trend towards more ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. The emergence of 2nd and 
3rd  generations  of  the  descendants  of  migrants  may  require  the  development  of  new 
policies. The enlargement of the Union has drawn more attention to the situation of Roma 
people, who constitute the most disadvantaged ethnic minority group in Europe.  

Building  social  cohesion  is  a  key  challenge  for  the  Union.  This  implies  allowing  all 
members of Europe's diverse society to realise their potential and to participate fully in 
economic, social and political life. Equality within an increasingly diverse society is not 
just  an  issue  for  those  who  experience  discrimination,  it  is  central  to  the  well-being, 
prosperity,  unity  and  cohesiveness  of  European  society  as  a  whole.  Equality  is  a 
mainstream, not a minority concern – it is a matter for all. 

5.2.  Value-added  of  Community  involvement  and  coherence  of  the  proposal  with 
other financial instruments and possible synergy 

17 

18 
19 

UK  Strategy  Unit  -  "Ethnic  minorities  and  the  Labour  Market"  -  2003  (http://www.number-
10.gov.uk/su/ethnic%20minorities/report/index.htm). 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/roma04_en.pdf 
"Disability  and  social  participation  in  Europe",  European  Commission,  Eurostat,  theme  3 
"Population and social conditions", 2001, ISBN 92-894-1577-0. 

EN 

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The  measures  proposed  for  the  European  Year  of  Equal  Opportunities  for  All  are 
designed  to  add  value  at  European  level  by  raising  awareness  about  European  issues 
(rights  to  equality  and  non-discrimination),  by  promoting  and  stimulating  debate  on 
questions which are of interest to individuals in all Participating States and by stimulating 
a public debate about the increasing diversity of European society. Given their scale and 
nature, these are actions which are best – or which can only be – carried out at European 
level. The proposal therefore conforms to the principle of subsidiarity set out in Article 5 
of the Treaty. 

The  activities  foreseen  relate  to  the  provision  and  exchange  of  information  and  good 
practice.  It  also  involves  the  further  study  of  areas  where  there  is  a  currently  a  lack  of 
information.  The  proposal  for  the  Year  emphasises  how  important  it  is  to  respect  the 
different  traditions  and  national  contexts  of  the  Participating  States,  both  to  enable 
flexibility  in  implementation  and  to  avoid  interfering  with  the  good  practices  which 
already  exist  in  some  Participating  States.  In  this  way,  the  proposal  also  respects  the 
principle of proportionality. 

Strong coordinated implementation of interventions related to the objectives of the Year 
should  be  managed  at  Commission  and  MS  levels.  It  could  be  recommended  that  the 
coordinating structures for the Year should build on, or involve the bodies already active 
in those fields. To ensure mainstreaming, it is recommended to involve the institutions, 
DG's  and  actors  responsible  for  those  actions.  In  any  case,  particular  attention  will  be 
paid  to  the  implementation  of  relevant  programmes  and  the  coordination  of  the  results. 
The  European  Year  would  thus  provide  for  the  platform  to  diffuse  the  achievements 
realised by the Union in support to a more just and inclusive society and to inform about 
possibilities  of  cooperation  offered  by  the  Community  in  support  to  these  general 
objectives. 

5.3.  Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context 
of the ABM framework 

General objectives 

Building and learning on the achievements of previous Years, notably the 1997 European 
year Against Racism and most recently the European Year of People with Disabilities in 
2003, the European Year of Equal Opportunities will provide an unique opportunity and 
platform  to  raise  awareness  on  a  more  cohesive  society  that  celebrates  differences  and 
respect the substantial EU acquis in equality and non-discrimination. It will also stimulate 
debate  and  dialogue  on  questions  which  are  central  to  achieving  a  just  and  inclusive 
society.  

Specific 
Rights – Recognition – Representation and Respect 

objectives  will 

framed 

be 

against 

four 

key  messages 

–  

Rights – Raising awareness on the right to equality and non-discrimination 

EN 

24 

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There  is  a  need  for  much  more  public  awareness  about  EU  legislation  on  equality  and 
non-discrimination  which  constitute  EU  common  values  and  principles.  The  Year  will 
seek to highlight to the public at large, the message that all people, irrespective of their 
sex,  racial  or  ethnic  origin,  religion  or  belief,  disability,  age  and  sexual  orientation  are 
entitled  to  equal  treatment.  A  key  challenge  will  be  to  demonstrate  that  the  notion  of 
"equality"  does  not  mean  "sameness"  but  rather  taking  account  of  differences  and 
diversity to ensure equal treatment.  

Representation  –  Stimulating  a  debate  on  ways  to  increase  the  participation  in 
society 

Debate  and  dialogue  should  be  engaged  on  the  most  appropriate  manner  to  promote  a 
greater participation of under-represented groups in society in all sectors and at all levels, 
in  particular  in  the  business  sector  and  decision  and  policy-making  arena.  Equal 
opportunities  policy  is  not  simply  limited  to  the  elimination  of  discrimination.  It  also 
requires  equalising  the  opportunities  to  full  and  equal  participation  for  all.  The 
disadvantages  experienced  by  some  communities  e.g  the  Roma  are  so  wide-scale  and 
embedded in the structure of society that positive action may be necessary to remedy the 
nature  of  their  exclusion.  In  this  regard,  the  Year  will  seek  to  highlight  the  need  to 
promote and develop policies and initiatives to increase the participation of groups under-
represented in society. 

Recognition - Celebrating and accommodating diversity 

A  third  challenge  will  be  to  raise  awareness  on  the  positive  contribution  that  people, 
irrespective  of  their  sex,  racial  or  ethnic  origin,  religion  or  beliefs,  disability,  age  and 
sexual  orientation  make  to  society  as  a  whole.  The  Year  will  seek  to  engage  the  wider 
public in an open debate on what diversity means in today’s Europe and will contribute to 
create a positive climate in which differences are valued in society and in particular the 
right to protection against discrimination is respected. 

Respect and tolerance – Promoting a more cohesive society 

The Year will seek to raise awareness about the importance of promoting good relations 
between  all  in  society,  and  in  particular  young  people.  It  will  bring  together  different 
people  or  groups  with  a  view  to  promoting  and  disseminating  the  values  of  equal 
treatment  and  fight  against  discrimination.  Key  to  this  will  be  to  work  on  eliminating 
stereotypes and prejudices.  

Expected Impact beyond the European Year 

In line with these developments, the European Year should contribute on a longer term 
towards: 

•  Ensuring  the  correct  and  uniform  application  of  the  EU  legislative  framework 
throughout Europe by highlighting its central concepts and gaining the active support 
of the public towards non-discrimination and equality legislation. 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
•  Contributing 

to  promote  a  cross-ground  approach 

to  non-discrimination  by 
encouraging  the  development  of  initiatives  that  will  address  all  grounds  of 
discrimination,  by  setting-up  appropriate  coordination  structures  encompassing  all 
communities at the national level. At the same time, such cross-ground approach will 
not impede the development of targeted actions when particularities command it. 

5.4.  Method of Implementation (indicative) 

Show below the method(s)20 chosen for the implementation of the action. 

x Centralised Management 

x 

x 

ٱ 

Directly by the Commission 

Indirectly by delegation to: 

Executive Agencies 

Bodies  set  up  by  the  Communities  as  referred  to  in  art.  185  of  the  Financial 

ٱ 
Regulation 

x ٱ  National public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission 

ٱ Shared or decentralised management 

ٱ 

ٱ 

With Member states 

With Third countries 

ٱ Joint management with international organisations (please specify) 

Relevant comments: 

20 

If more than one method is indicated please provide additional details in the "Relevant comments" 
section of this point. 

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
                                                 
6. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

6.1.  Monitoring system 

Commission and MS should ensure the consistency of the measures financed. Monitoring 
should  facilitate  the  quality  of  the  activity  financed  and  the  consistency  with  the 
objectives of the Year. The monitoring should therefore be implemented in order to ease 
the  exchanges  of  experiences  between  Participating  States  and  capitalisation  of  results 
achieved at EU level. 

The  design  of  the  monitoring  framework  will  be  mainly  the  responsibility  of  the 
Commission  in  consultation  with  the  Participating  States.  The  implementation  of 
monitoring  systems  will  be  in  accordance  with  the  responsibilities  for  the  financing  of 
activities. Reporting on objectives and results achieved will be included in the conditions 
to receive financing. 

Examples of indicators are indicated below: 

Example of actions to 
achieve the operational 
objectives  

Example of 
 outcome indicators 

Example of 
 impact indicators 

Coverage of the event (media) 

EU level conferences 
Events 

N°  and  type  of  participants
timing
relevance 
Satisfaction 
rate
Type of learning effects 

the 

of 

in 

the  related 

the  message 

Publication  on 
subject 
Quality 
communicated 
Improvement 
awareness 
Influence  on  policy  process 
and discourse 

the 

of 

Seminar / conferences  

N°  and  type  of  participants
rate
Satisfaction 

Improvement 
knowledge base 

of 

the 

Type of learning effects 

Information and promotion 
activities 

promotion 

N°  and  type  of  information 
activities
and 
relevance  of 
and 
message provided 

timing 

Relevance  of  the  topic  to  the 
objectives of the Year 

Coverage 
the  media
of 
Quality in the communication
Influence  on  policy  process 
and public discourse 

Improvement 
the 
awareness and public support 

of 

Publication 

N° 
relevance  of 

of 

publication
and 

timing 

of 

% 
addressed 

target 

population 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
 
message provided 

Survey / Studies 

of 

covered
topics 
% 
 key  issues  and  relevance  of
recommendations 

Quality 
communicated 

in 

the  message 

Improvement 
awareness 

of 

the 

publication
of 
Coverage 
Improvement  of  knowledge 
base 
Use 
in 
decisions 

the  programming 

6.2. 

Evaluation 

6.2.1.  Ex-ante evaluation 

The ex-ante evaluation of the European Year is attached to this proposal for a European 
Parliament and Council Decision. It has been carried out by the Directorate General for 
Employment,  Social  Affairs  and  Equal  Opportunities.  The  evaluation  results  available 
show the relevance of the different actions supported to achieve the objectives described 
above, as well as the value-added of a Community level action in this area. 

It  mainly  considers  research  documents,  either  produced  or  commissioned  by  the 
types  of  organisations  (including  national 
Commission  services,  or  by  other 
administrations, research institute, European agencies etc). It additionally pays attention 
to  existing  Community  evaluations  (in  particular  the  evaluations  of  the  Community 
programmes  to  combat  discrimination  and  to  promote  equality)  including  the  most 
directly  connected  to  the  objectives  of  a  European  Year.  This  concerns  the  1997 
European Year against Racism and the 2003 European Year of people with disabilities. 
European Years have proven  to be an efficient instrument in putting European political 
issues on the top of the EU Agenda and in ensuring political commitment from all the EU 
actors.  This  type  of  intervention  has  increased  added-value  compared  to  single 
interventions  carried  out  by  Participating  States.  The  Union-wide  scale  of  such 
intervention has created a momentum throughout Europe to take action. 

6.2.2.  Measures  taken  following  an  intermediate/ex-post  evaluation  (lessons  learned 
from similar experiences in the past) 

An  external  evaluation  will  be  launched  in  n-1  of  the  Year  in  order  to  follow  the 
monitoring  of  the  year  and  provide  interim  results  if  needed.  The  evaluation  results 
should be available mid n+1. 

The impact of the Year will be measured with two Eurobarometer surveys, one before the 
start and one towards the end of the Year. 

6.2.3.  Terms and frequency of future evaluation 

EN 

28 

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7. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES  

The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under the present decision are 
implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of 
preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective 
checks and by the recovery of amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by 
effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Council Regulations 
(EC,Euratom)  N°  2988/95  and  (Euratom,  EC)  n°  2185/96 and  with  Regulation  (EC)  n° 
1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council.  

For  the  Community  actions  financed  under  this  decision,  the  notion  of  irregularity 
referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) n°2988/95 shall mean 
any  infringement  of  a  provision  of  Community  law  or  any  breach  of  a  contractual 
obligation  resulting  from  an  act  or  omission  by  an  economic  operator,  which  has,  or 
would have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the Communities or budgets 
managed by them, by an unjustifiable item of expenditure. 

EN 

29 

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8. 

DETAILS OF RESOURCES 

8.1.  Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost 

Type of output 

Av. 
cost 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

Year n+4 and 
later 

TOTAL 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

of 
(Headings 
Objectives, 
actions 
and  outputs  should 
be provided) 

OPERATIONAL 
OBJECTIVE 
Organisation 
European Year 

Action 
:Community-wide 
measures 

of 

1 

- Output 1 

Meeting and Events 

0,500 

1 

0,500 

1 

0,500 

- Output 2 

Information 
action 
campaign 

and 
support 

4,500 

1 

4,500 

- Output 3 

Eurobarometer 
surveys 

0,700 

1 

0,700 

1 

0,700 

- Output 4 

Ongoing evaluation  

0,300 

1 

0,300 

Action  2:  Nation-
wide measures 

- Output 5 

TOTAL COST 

Grants to national  
intermediary bodies 

0,220 

29 

6,400 

4 

6,000 

31 

7,600 

(Output 5: average cost of 0,255 is in reality 0,2551724) 

EN 

30 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1,000 

4,500 

1,400 

0,300 

29 

35 

6,400 

13,600 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.2 Calculation of costs of measures 

Action 1:European-wide measures 

Output 1: The opening and closing of  the Year will be marked by two high-level and high-profile 
conferences. For such conferences (to be held by the MS holding the EU Presidency) it is reasonable 
to  expect  a  cost  of  around  0,500€  for  a  two-day  event  for  around  300  persons  (incl.  travel, 
subsistence,  cost  of  hiring  venue  accessible  for  disabled  persons,  facilities,  technical  equipment, 
interpretation, conference organisation, etc.) 

Output  2:  Information  and  action  support  campaign:  A  Community-side  information  and  action 
support  campaign  associated  with  the  Year  will  include  development  of  a  logo  and  slogan(s),  the 
production of awareness-raising tools and aids, co-operation with the media  and promotion of and 
support to activities organised at national level in the MS (including candidate and EFTA countries). 
If  the  Year  is  to  achieve  its  objective,  the  information  and  promotional  campaign  will  have  to  be 
supported  from  the  2006  budget.  This  will  also  enable  to  secure  the  full  involvement  of  all  actors 
concerned  with  the  drafting  of  the  main  messages  as  well  as  the  smooth  management  of  all 
administrative steps involved. It will also enable to prepare the public for the official launch of the 
Year with broad publicity given to this event as from mid 2006 onwards. It is reasonable to estimate 
the likely value of the contract with an external communication organisation which will manage the 
principal  part  of  the  Year  at  4,500€  to  be  committed  in  2006.  Part  of  the  4.500€  will  enable  the 
coordination of the campaign at European level, while the bulk will be dedicated to provide support 
to the campaigns at national level. 

Output 3: To measure the impact of the Year two Eurobarometer surveys will take place, one before 
the start of the Year and one towards the end of the Year. As the Year encompasses a large number 
of target groups, sufficient funds have to be reserved for these surveys.  

Output 4: There will be an on-going evaluation of all activities developed in the framework of the 
Year; after the closing of the Year an evaluation report will be published. 

Action 2: Nation-wide activities 

Output 5: While the European Union can provide a framework for action to promote awareness, it 
must  be  recognised  that  much  of  the  progress  will  have  to  be  achieved  by  involving  the  Member 
States, as well as the candidate and EFTA countries themselves in a major way. 

Building on the experience of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003, such action can 
be financed up to 50% from the Community budget. It will be designed to act in synergy with the 
Community-wide  action  described  above,  creating  a  structure  whereby  larger  and  smaller-scale 
measures will share the same objectives and contribute to each other's success. The support will be 
provided  under  the  form  of  global  grants  where  the  minimum  amount  necessary  to  ensure  active 
involvement of Participating States in implementing the Year at national, regional and local level is 
estimated at 0,100€. The repartition of the funds between Participating States will be based on voting 
rights of the relevant Member State in the Council of the European Union. 

EN 

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8.3.  Administrative Expenditure 

8.3.1.  Number and type of human resources 

Types of 
post 

Staff to be assigned to management of the action using existing and/or additional 
resources (number of posts/FTEs) 

Year -n 

Year n 

Year n+1 

Year n+2 

Year n+3 

Year n+4 

2 

3 

2 

2 

A*/AD 

B*, 
C*/AST 

2 

2 

Officials 
or 
temporary 
staff21 
(XX 01 
01) 

Staff  financed22  by 
art. XX 01 02 

staff23 
Other 
financed  by  art.  XX 
01 04/05 

TOTAL 

4 

5 

4 

8.3.2.  Description of tasks deriving from the action 

A  officials:  Advisory  committee,  drafting  of  calls  for  tender,  follow-up  of  Member  State 
grants, of the information campaign, event, studies and press releases 

B  officials:  financial  follow-up  of  tenders  and  grants,  overall  assistance  to  A  officials  in  all 
tasks 

C official: assistance in all above tasks 

8.3.3.  Sources of human resources (statutory) 

Posts  currently  allocated  to  the  management  of  the  programme  to  be  replaced  or 

x 
extended (1B) 

x 

x 

Posts pre-allocated within the 2006 APS/PDB exercise for year n -1 (1A+1B)  

Posts to be requested in the 2007 APS/PDB procedure(1C)  

Posts to be redeployed using existing resources within the managing service (internal 

x 
redeployment) (1A)  

21 
22 
23 

Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount. 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount. 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount. 

EN 

32 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the year in 

ٱ 
question  

Other Administrative expenditure included in reference amount (XX 01 04/05 – Expenditure 
on administrative management) 

NON APPLICABLE 

Budget line 

(number and heading) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
n 

Year 
n+1 

Year 
n+2 

Year 
n+3 

Year 
n+4 

Year 
n+5  

and 
later 

TOTAL 

Technical 

1 
and 
assistance (including related staff costs) 

administrative 

Executive agencies24 

Other  technical  and  administrative 
assistance 

- intra muros  

- extra muros 

Total  Technical  and  administrative 
assistance 

8.2.4.  Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference

amount 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Type of human resources 

Year -n 

Year n 

Year n+1  Year n+2  Year n+3 

Year n+4  

and later 

Officials and temporary staff (XX 01 
01) 

Staff  financed  by  Art  XX  01  02 
(auxiliary, END, contract staff, etc.) 

(specify budget line) 

Total cost of Human Resources 
and associated costs (NOT in 
reference amount) 

0,4320 

0,540 

0,432 

0,4320 

0,540 

0,432 

24 

Reference should be made to the specific legislative financial statement for the Executive Agency(ies) 
concerned. 

EN 

33 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents 

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable 

Guidelines indicate a standard cost for officials (staff cost and associated cost) of 108.000€ 

. 

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02 

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable 

8.2.5. Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
n 

Year 
n+1 

Year 
n+2 

Year 
n+3 

Year 
- n 

XX 01 02 11 01 – Missions 

0,007 

0,056 

0,007 

X 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences 

XX 01 02 11 03 – Committees25  

0,019 

0,039 

0,019 

XX 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations 

XX 01 02 11 05 - Information systems 

Year 
n+4 

and 
later 

TOTAL 

0,070 

0, 077 

2  Total 

Other 
Expenditure (XX 01 02 11) 

Management 

3  Other 

expenditure 

administrative 
including reference to budget line) 

nature 

of 

an 
(specify 

Total Administrative expenditure, other 
than human resources and associated 
costs (NOT included in reference 
amount) 

0,026 

0,095 

0,026 

0,147 

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

Missions: average of 3 missions to 29 MS/candidate/EFTA x 800€ 

25 

Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs. 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Advisory committee: 4 meetings x 29 participants (25 MS + 4 candidate/EFTA) x 665€ 

The  human  resources  and  administrative  requirements  will  be  covered  within  the  global 
envelope  allocated  to  the  authorising  DG  of  reference  in  the  framework  of  the  annual 
allocation procedure.  

EN 

35 

   EN