Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up
Date: 2005-07-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, data protection, exchange of information, information network, information society, information technology

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 29.7.2005 
COM(2005) 347 final 

2005/0144 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 
for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up  

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1)  CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

The multi-annual Community programme MODINIS was adopted on 17th November 
2003  for  the  period  2003  to  2005,  by  the  decision  of  the  Council  and  the  European 
Parliament with a budget of EUR 21 million. This amount was subsequently increased 
to EUR 22.4 million by Decision No 786/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of 
the Council of 21 April 2004 in order to take into account the enlargement of the EU. 
MODINIS provides financial support for the monitoring of the information society in 
Europe and dissemination of good practice.  

The development of the EU information society policy is one of the key pillars of the 
Lisbon  Strategy  for  making  the  European  Union  the  world's  most  competitive  and 
dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010. To ensure that ICTs played their full part 
in  achieving  these  ambitious  objectives,  the  Commission  presented  the  eEurope 
initiative  at  the  Lisbon  European  Council  in  March  2000.  With  the  overall  aim  of 
creating a European Information society for all, this political initiative was supported 
by the eEurope 2002 Action Plan, adopted in the Feira European Council in June 2000. 
Using  the  Open  Method  of  Coordination,  it  established  a  process  of  target-setting, 
benchmarking  and  mutual  learning  through  the  identification  and  exchange  of  best 
practice.  A  new  Action  Plan,  eEurope  2005  was  launched  at  the  Seville  European 
Council  in  June  2002.  The  overall  objective  of  the  eEurope  2005  Action  Plan  is  to 
provide  a  favourable  environment  for  private  investment  and  for  the  creation  of  new 
jobs,  to  boost  productivity,  to  modernise  public  services,  and  to  give  everyone  the 
opportunity  to  participate  in  the  global  information  society.  eEurope  2005  therefore 
aims to stimulate secure services, applications and content based on a widely available 
broadband infrastructure. 

MODINIS provides  financial  support to benchmarking activities and the exchange of 
best practice that are the backbone of the Open Method of Coordination. In this context 
the MODINIS programme sets four generic objectives: 

to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the 

- 
best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; 

- 
to  support  efforts  made  by  Member  States  in  the  framework  of  eEurope,  at 
national,  regional  or  local  level,  by  analysis  of  eEurope  good  practices  and  by  the 
complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; 

- 
to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the Information Society 
with  a  view  to  facilitating  policy  discussions  particularly  in  terms  of  industrial 
competitiveness  and  cohesion  as  well  as  in  terms  of  social  inclusion;  to  provide  the 
eEurope Advisory Group with the necessary information for it to be able to assess the 
appropriate strategic direction of the eEurope 2005 Action plan; 

- 
to  prepare  for  the  establishment  of  the  future  structure  at  European  level  for 
network  and  information  security  issues  (ENISA),  as  envisaged  by  the  Council 
Resolution  of  28  January  2002  and  in  the  eEurope  2005  Action  plan,  with  a  view  to 
improving  network  and  information  security.  Since  the  adoption  of  Regulation  (EC) 
460/2004  of  March  2004  establishing  ENISA,  actions related to this objective are no 

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longer supported by MODINIS. 

Article  2  of  the  Decision  on  MODINIS  provides  detailed  guidance  on  how  these 
objectives should be achieved:  

- 

- 

- 

Data collection and benchmarking analysis,  

studies to identify good practices,  

targeted conferences, seminars and workshops, 

- 
support  to  strategic  analysis  and  discussion,  mainly  through  the  eEurope 
Advisory  Group  which  brings  together  experts  from  member  states  and  other 
stakeholders. 

In  implementing  these  activities,  the  Commission's  services  shall  use  the  appropriate 
and  relevant  means  in  line  with  the  implementation  of  the  financial  regulation 
applicable to the EU budget. 

Both the MODINIS programme and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan expire at the end of 
2005. However, the objective of the Lisbon European Council extends to 2010. In its 
Resolution  of  the  9th  of  December  2004  the  Council  has  invited  the  Commission  to 
start  the  preparatory  work  for  the  follow-up  of  the  eEurope  2005  Action  plan  as  an 
important part of the new Agenda for the Information Society beyond 2005.  

The  Communication  "Challenges  for  the  Information  Society  beyond  2005"  (COM 
(2004) 757 final) analyses the challenges that a European Information Society strategy 
up to 2010 needs to address and is the starting point of a reflection process towards the 
adoption  of  a  new  strategy  during  2005,  to  start  in  2006.  This  was  confirmed  by  the 
European  Council  of  March  2005  which  asked  the  Commission  to  prepare  a  new 
information society initiative. 

In  the  Communication  on  a  renewed  Lisbon  strategy,  the  Commission  proposes  to 
focus efforts on "delivering stronger and lasting growth and creating more and better 
jobs". The Commission's Lisbon review identifies several actions in the area of ICTs: i) 
to  increase  investment  in  ICTs  and  the  use  of  ICTs;  ii)  to  promote  ICT  research  and 
development,  eGovernment,  broadband  and  rural  development;  and  iii)  and  to  ensure 
that workers have the necessary ICT skills for the knowledge society. The ICT sector is 
a large employer for high-skilled workers and increases flexibility and quality in work 
practices.  

A  new  initiative  “i2010:  European  Information  Society”  is  announced  in  the 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  Spring  European  Council  entitled 
“Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”1, aiming 
at stimulating the take up of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) 

The Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for 
growth  and  employment”2  outlines  the  key  policy  priorities  of  a  five-year  strategy  to 

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COM (2005) 24 final 
COM (2005) 229 final 

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promote an open and competitive digital economy. The promotion of exchange of good 
practices  and  the  monitoring  of  the  take-up  of  ICT-enabled  services  will  continue  to 
support  the  dialogue  with  stakeholders  and  Member  States,  notably  in  the  context  of 
the open method of coordination 

The  Commission  Communication  of  10  February  2004  on  the  2007-2013  financial 
perspectives  indicates  that  EU  funding  instruments  will  as  far  as  possible  be 
consolidated, streamlined and rationalised.  

In  its  proposal  on  the  future  financial  perspectives  for  the  period  2007-2013  the 
Commission  suggested  the  creation  of  a  programme  for  Competitiveness  and 
Innovation.  

The  different  financial  instruments  which  currently  support  the  information  society 
(MODINIS, eTen, eContent) will be integrated in the ICT Policy Support Programme, 
part of the Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation adopted by the 
Commission  in  April  2005.  The  ICT  Policy  Support  Programme  should  begin  its 
activities in January 2007. In addition to pilot and deployment projects, networking and 
awareness  raising  activities,  this  programme  will  continue  to  support  activities  of 
benchmarking and exchange of best practice. Although the main financial effort for the 
deployment  and  best  use  of  ICTs  is  at  the  level  of  Member  States,  this  Community 
support  is  essential,  in  particular  for  the  development  of  common  approaches  and 
coordinated actions for the wider adoption and best use of ICTs across the Union and 
for  articulation  with  other  EU  policies,  including  those  for  the  internal  market, 
competition,  employment,  cohesion  policies,  sustainable  development,  external 
relations and security. 

In  the  12  months  between  the  expiration  of  the  eEurope  2005  action  plan  and  the 
anticipated start of the Framework programme from 2007, the take up of ICTs across 
the  economy  needs  to  be  monitored  and  supported  through  continuation  of 
benchmarking and statistical analysis based on structural indicators, and the exchange 
of  good  practices.  Since  the  adoption  of  Regulation  (EC)  460/2004  of  March  2004 
establishing ENISA, actions related to network and information security are no longer 
supported by MODINIS. 

2)  LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

305 

In  order  to  ensure  such  continuity  of  action  between  the  expiry  of  MODINIS,  the 
launch of i2010 in 2006 and the launch of the ICT Policy Support programme in 2007 
it  is  proposed  that  the  programme  be  extended  to  cover  the  year  2006.  The  actions 
taken under the programme on benchmarking, good practices and policy coordination 
in  2006  will  support  the  achievement  of  the  objectives  of  the  Communication  to  the 
Spring European Council “Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the 
Lisbon  Strategy”,  and  those  of  the  Communication  of  the  Commission  “i2010  –  A 
European Information Society for growth and employment”. 

The extension to the MODINIS programme will therefore have the following three key 
objectives:  

–  to  monitor  performance  of  and  within  Member  States  and  to  compare  it  with  the 

best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; 

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–  to  support  efforts  by  Member  States  to  stimulate  the  use  of  ICTs,  at  national, 
regional  or  local  level,  by  analysis  of  good  practices  and  by  the  complementary 
interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; 

–  to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a 
view  to  facilitating  policy  discussions  particularly  in  terms  of  competitiveness, 
growth and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion;  

These objectives shall be pursued through data collection and benchmarking analysis, 
studies to identify good practices, targeted conferences, seminars and workshops. 

The duration of the extension of the programme shall be of 12 months, beginning 1st 
January 2006 and ending 31st December 2006. The budget shall be 7.72 million euro. 
A  specific  work  programme  will  be  published  containing  the  year's  priorities  and 
actions. 

The Commission therefore proposes: 

–  to prolong the MODINIS programme until 31 December 2006, 

–  to  adjust  the  overall  budget  of  the  MODINIS  programme  as  prolonged  to  EURO 

30.16 million. 

3)  BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

€ 7.72 million for 2006. The “legislative financial statement” attached to this Decision 
sets out the budgetary implications and the human and administrative resources 

4)  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

•  European Economic Area 

The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European 
Economic Area. 

401 

560 

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2005/0144 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 
for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission3, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee4, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions5, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 251 of the Treaty, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

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4 
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7 

Decision  No  2256/2003/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  of  17 
November  20036  established  the  MODINIS  programme  for  the  monitoring  of  the 
eEurope  2005  action  plan,  dissemination  of  good  practices  and  the  improvement  of 
information and network security for the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 
2005.  

Decision  No  2256/2003/EC  was  amended  by  Decision  No  787/2004/EC  of  21  April 
2004 in order to adapt the reference amounts to take account of the enlargement of the 
European Union. 

In its Resolution of 9 December 2004, the Council invited the Commission to start the 
preparatory work for the follow-up of the eEurope 2005 Action plan as an important 
part of the new Agenda for the Information Society beyond 2005.  

The  Communication  of  the  Commission  “Challenges  for  the  Information  Society 
beyond 2005”  7 analyses the challenges that a European Information Society strategy 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 336, 23.12.2003, p. 1  
COM (2004) 757 final 

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(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

up to 2010 needs to address. The Communication argues for wider use of ICT and for 
continued  policy  attention  to  ICT  related  issues,  which  involves  the  need  for 
monitoring  and  exchange  of  good  practices.  This  Communication  was  the  starting 
point  of  a  reflection  process  that  lead  to  the  adoption  of  a  new  Information  Society 
initiative in 2005, to start in 2006. 

A  new  initiative  “i2010:  European  Information  Society”  is  announced  in  the 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  Spring  European  Council  entitled 
“Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”8, aiming 
at stimulating the take up of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). 

The Communication of the Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for 
growth and employment”9 outlines the key policy priorities of a five-year strategy to 
promote  an  open  and  competitive  digital  economy.  The  promotion  of  exchange  of 
good practices and the monitoring of the take-up of ICT-enabled services will continue 
to support the dialogue with stakeholders and Member States, notably in the context of 
the open method of coordination10.  

In  the  proposal  for  a  Decision  establishing  a  Competitiveness  and  Innovation 
Framework  Programme  (2007-2013)11,  a  Framework  Programme  for  Community 
action in the field of competitiveness and innovation, covering the period 2007-2013, 
is  proposed  which  brings  together  specific  Community  measures  contributing  to 
entrepreneurship,  SMEs,  industrial  competitiveness,  innovation,  information  and 
communication technology (ICT), environmental technologies and intelligent energy, 
including those measures provided in Decision No 2256/2003/EC12. 

Regulation  (EC)  No  808/2004  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  21 
April  2004  establishes  a  common  framework  for  the  systematic  production  of 
Community statistics on the information society13. These statistics include information 
required  for  the  eEurope  benchmarking  process,  are  relevant  to  the  structural 
indicators  supporting  the  monitoring  of  performance  of  Member  States,  and  are 
necessary to provide a uniform basis on which to analyse the information society. 

In  the  12  months  between  the  expiration  of  the  eEurope  2005  action  plan  and  the 
anticipated start of the Framework programme from 2007, the take up of ICTs across 
the  economy  needs  to  be  monitored  and  supported  through  continuation  of 
benchmarking and statistical analysis based on structural indicators, and the exchange 
of  good  practices.  The  actions  taken  under  the  programme  on  benchmarking,  good 
practices  and  policy  coordination  in  2006  will  support  the  achievement  of  the 
objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together 
for  growth  and  jobs  –  A  new  start  for  the  Lisbon  Strategy”,  and  those  of  the 
Communication  of  the  Commission  “i2010  –  A  European  Information  Society  for 
growth and employment”. 

8 
9 
10 

11 
12 
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COM (2005) 24 
COM (2005) 229 final 
Working together for growth and jobs. Next steps in implementing the revised Lisbon strategy – SEC 
(2005) 622 
COM (2005) 121 final 
OJ L 336, 23.12.2003, p. 1  
OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49 

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(10)  The  mechanisms  for  monitoring  and  for  the  exchange  of  experiences,  benchmarking 
activities,  dissemination  of  good  practices  and  analysis  of  economic  and  societal 
consequences  of  the  information  society  should  be  continued  in  2006  to  achieve  the 
objectives of the Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together 
for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the 
take  up  of  ICTs  in  continuation  to  the  eEurope  agenda  and  those  of  the 
Communication  of  the  Commission  “i2010  –  A  European  Information  Society  for 
growth and employment”. 

(11)  Therefore Decision No 2256/2003/EC should be amended. 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  

Article 1 

Decision No 2256/2003/EC is amended as follows: 

(1) 

The following Article 1a is inserted:  

“Article 1a 

1. 

The  programme  for  2006  shall  continue  the  monitoring  of  the  take  up  and  use  of 
Information  and  Communication  technologies  (ICTs)  across  the  economy  and  the 
dissemination of good practices and shall have the following objectives:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

to  monitor  performance  of  and  within  Member  States  and  to  compare  it  with 
the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; 

to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, 
regional or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary 
interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; 

to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society 
with  a  view  to  facilitating  policy  discussions  particularly  in  terms  of 
competitiveness,  growth  and  employment  as  well  as  in  terms  of  social 
inclusion;  

The  activities  of  the  programme  shall  be  actions  of  a  cross-sectorial  nature, 
complementing  Community  actions  in  other  fields.  None  of  these  actions  shall 
duplicate  the  work  being  carried  out  in  these  fields  under  other  Community 
programmes.  The  actions  taken  under  the  programme  on  benchmarking,  good 
practices  and  policy  coordination  shall  work  to  achieve  the  objectives  of  the 
Communication to the Spring European Council “Working together for growth and 
jobs – A new start for the Lisbon Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs 
in  continuation  to  the  eEurope  agenda  and  in  particular  to  promote  broadband, 
eGovernment,  eBusiness,  eHealth  and  eLearning  and  the  Communication  of  the 
Commission “i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment, 
promoting an open and competitive digital economy 

2. 

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3. 

The  programme  shall  also  provide  a  common  framework  for  complementary 
interaction at European level of the various national, regional and local levels.” 

(2) 

The following Article 2a is inserted : 

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1a, the following categories of actions 
shall be undertaken: 

“Article 2a 

(a) Action 1 

Monitoring and comparison of performance: 

—  data  collection  and  analysis  on  the  basis  of  the  benchmarking  indicators  defined  in  the 
Council  resolution  of  18  February  2003  on  the  implementation  of  the  eEurope  2005  action 
plan, including regional indicators where appropriate and the Regulation (EC) No 808/200414 
of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  21  April  2004  concerning  community 
statistics on the information society.  

(b) Action 2 

Dissemination of good practices: 

—  studies  to  identify  good  practices,  at  national,  regional  and  local  level,  contributing  to 
successful take up of ICTs across the economy  

— support for targeted conferences, seminars or workshops, dissemination, information and 
communication  activities  in  support  of  the  objectives  of  the  Communication  to  the  Spring 
European  Council  “Working  together  for  growth  and  jobs  –  A  new  start  for  the  Lisbon 
Strategy”,  aiming  at  stimulating  the  take  up  of  ICTs  in  continuation  to  the  eEurope  agenda 
and  the  Communication  of  the  Commission  “i2010  –  A  European  Information  Society  for 
growth  and  employment,  promoting  an  open  and  competitive  digital  economy,  in  order  to 
promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and good practices as defined in Article 1a 
(b) 

(c) Action 3 

Analysis and strategic discussion: 

— support the work of social and economic experts with a view to providing the Commission 
with input as regards prospective policy analysis”. 

(3) 

In Article 4,  

a) 

b) 

in  the  first  paragraph,  the  date  of  “31  December  2005”  is  replaced  by  that  of 
“31 December 2006”. 

in the second paragraph, the financial framework amount of “EUR 21million” 
is replaced by “EUR 30.16 million”. 

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OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49 

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(4) 

In the Annex,  

a) 

the subtitle “indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2005” is replaced by 
the subtitle “indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2006”.  

b) 

a column providing indicative breakdown for 2006 is added. 

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

Article 2 

Article 3 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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Multiannual programme for the monitoring of eEurope, dissemination of good practices and the 
improvement of network and information security (MODINIS) 

ANNEX  

Indicative breakdown of expenditure 2003 to 2006 

2003 

2004 

2005 

Total 2003-2005 

Indicative 
breakdown of 
expenditure 2003 to 
2006 

WP 1 

WP 2 

WP 3 

WP 4 

12% 

14% 

14% 

8% 

2% 

17% 

10% 

12% 

3% 

5% 

3% 

0% 

40% 

30% 

8% 

22% 

Percentage of Total 

39% 

32% 

29% 

100% 

Indicative breakdown of expenditure 2006 

WP 1 

WP 2 

WP 3 

WP 4 

2006 

55% 

30% 

15% 

0% 

Percentage of Total 

100% 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

Policy area(s): Information Society 

Activit(y/ies): eEurope 

TITLE  OF  ACTION:  DECISION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  ND  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ADOPTING 
AN  ANNUAL  PROGRAMME  FOR  THE  MONITORING  AND  DISSEMINATION  OF  GOOD 
PRACTICES OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (MODINIS 2006) 

1. 

BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S) 

09-030100 

2. 

OVERALL FIGURES  

2.1. 

Total allocation for action (Part B): € million for commitment 

7.72 

2.2. 

Period of application: 

1st January 2006-31st December 2006 

2.3. 

Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure: 

(a) 

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

(financial 

€ million (to three decimal places) 

[n+1]

[n+2] 

[n+3] 

[n+4] 

Year 
[n] 

[n+5 
and 
subs. 
Years] 

Total 

Commitments 

7,720 

Payments 

4,200 

3,000  0,520 

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(b) 

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

Commitments 

Payments 

0 

0 

Subtotal a+b 

Commitments 

7,720 

Payments 

4,200 

3,000 

0,520 

(c) 

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

Commitments/ 
payments 

1,036 

TOTAL a+b+c 

Commitments 

8,756 

Payments 

5,236 

3,000 

0,520 

2.4. 

Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective 

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming. 

2.5. 

Financial impact on revenue:15 

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

3. 

BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
form applicant 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
perspective 

YES 

NO 

No 3 

Type of expenditure 

New 

Non-comp 

Diff 

YES/ 
NO 

4. 

LEGAL BASIS  

Article 157 (3) 

15 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 

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5. 

DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS 

5.1. 

Need for Community intervention 16 

5.1.1.  Objectives pursued 

Both the MODINIS programme and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan expire at the end of 2005. 
The successor to the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the i2010 initiative, will enter into force in 
January 2006. In order to ensure continuity between the expiry of the MODINIS programme, 
the  successor  of  eEurope  2005,  and  the  launch  of  the  ICT  Policy  Support  Fund  2007  it  is 
proposed that an annual programme be adopted in order to continue support to benchmarking 
and best practice activities as well as analysis and policy dialogue during 2006. It is essential 
that the new information society policy initiative continues to benefit from a financial support 
programme right from the start. In particular, benchmarking, exchange and dissemination of 
best  practice  and  structured  and  strategic  dialogue  with  stakeholders  need  to  be  carried  out 
every year in order to develop a meaningful EU Information Society policy.  

The overall objectives of the programme are still valid and relevant, and will therefore remain 
unchanged.  However,  with  the  adoption  of  Regulation  (EC)  460/2004  of  March  2004 
establishing  the  European  Network  and  Information  Security  Agency  (ENISA)17,  actions 
related to the fourth objective will no longer be supported by MODINIS 2006. 

The programme for 2006 shall continue the monitoring of the take up and use of ICTs across 
the economy and the dissemination of good practices and shall have the following objectives:  

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best 
in the world by using, where possible, official statistics; 

to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, regional 
or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary interaction of 
developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences; 

to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a 
view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of competitiveness, growth 
and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion. 

5.1.2.  Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluation  

An  ex-ante  evaluation  of  the  MODINIS  programme  was  conducted  in  the  form  of  the  final 
evaluation  of  the  PROMISE  programme,  predecessor  to  MODINIS.  An  external  evaluation 
report  was  commissioned  from  EIM  Business  Policy  and  Research  under  the  guidance  of  a 
steering committee appointed by the Commission. The final report was published in February 
2004  and  presented  to  the  MODINIS  Management  Committee  in  July  2004.  Overall,  the 
evaluation  supports  the  Commission’s  re-orientation  of  the  programme  in  line  with  the 
eEurope 2002 Action Plan. 

It notes that the programme had clear strengths and in addition that the refocus gave it unique 
value-added.  Despite  some  criticisms  related  to  the  methodology  followed,  which  under 

16 
17 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 
OJ l 77 13.07.2004 

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MODINIS  are  now  being  addressed  through  a  much  greater  use  of  National  Statistical 
Institutes, the benchmarking exercise was considered particularly useful. 

The evaluation also acknowledges that the co-financing of conferences on e-government and 
e-health  was  a  success  with  significant  impact  in  terms  of  follow-up  actions  by  national 
policy-makers. However, it recommends that greater efforts be made to support exchange of 
good  practices  and  dissemination  in  a  more  integrated  way.  This  recommendation  is  now 
being  implemented  through  increased  emphasis  on  the  strategic  aims  of  the  studies  that  are 
financed,  and  specific  attention  to  the  development  of  good  practice  frameworks  in  e-
government, e-business and e-health. 

The evaluation recognises that the Information Society Forum was a “successful initiative in 
the first years” of the implementation of the programme. It made important contributions in 
the area of social aspects and the demand-side of ICT for consumers and citizens. The work of 
the  eEurope  Advisory  Group  under  MODINIS  can  be  seen  as  a  continuation  and  an 
improvement of the role played by the IS Forum.  

Finally,  the  recommendations  on  the  management  of  the  MODINIS  in  the  light  of  the 
PROMISE  experience  have  been  followed  through  with  a  clear  role  for  the  management 
committee in the implementation of the eEurope strategy. 

Overall, the external evaluation of PROMISE found that most of the formal objectives were 
met,  adding  value  at  EU  level  to  other  initiatives,  measuring  needs  and  monitoring  of 
awareness, promoting the exchange of good practices and removing obstacles to involvement 
on the side of disadvantaged groups, peripheral areas, SMEs and third countries.  

5.1.3.  Measures taken following ex post evaluation 

Recommendation 

Commission response 

Greater  efforts  should  be  made  to  support  the 
exchange of best practices at regional level 

The budget of MODINIS remains relatively small so that its impact at 
regional level can only be limited to a demonstration effect.  

The  balance 
towards 
dissemination  and  exchange  of  best  practices  in 
the MODINIS work programmes 

should  be 

shifted 

The Decision on MODINIS provides an indicative budget allocation. 
Within  this,  contributions  to  high  visibility  conferences  are  being 
continued. High level groups and workshops are supported in relation 
to specific policy targets. ‘Good practice frameworks’ in the fields of 
e-business, e-government and e-health are supported.  

In order to support the exchange of best practice 
at  the  regional  level,  co-ordination  and  co-
operation with DG Regio should be improved 

Public dissemination through websites should be 
redesigned to better meet the needs of SMEs 

interservice 
Co-ordination  with  DG  Regio 
arrangements where they are appropriate to the implementation of the 
eEurope Action Plan notably in e-government and digital divide.  

is  assured 

through 

The website is undergoing a major redesign to improve its usability 

The  ISF  needs  to  be  formally  closed;  the 
Members  should  be  thanked  for  their  work  and 
informed  about  new  arrangements  under  the 
MODINIS programme 

The Commission considers it inappropriate to close the ISF formally 
after such a long time of inactivity. Many members will be difficult to 
contact  as  they  will  have  changed  function.  Such  an  exercise 
undertaken properly would be an inefficient use of public funds. 

The eEurope Steering Group should have a clear 
mandate  to  address  certain  topics  for  a  certain 
period of time. This mandate should be regularly 

The eEurope Steering group directly engages MS administrations and 
is goal orientated. The Group provides technical support and strategic 
advice to the Commission in the implementation of the Action Plan. It 

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reviewed and renewed 

operates  through  working  groups  that  have  a  specific  mandate  and  a 
limited duration. 

The  Commission  should 
the 
Management  Committee  in  the  preparation  and 
adoption of the Modinis work programmes 

fully  engage 

The  Management  Committee  is  consulted  at  the  early  stages  of  the 
preparation  of  the  annual  work  programmes,  and  its  favourable 
opinion is needed in order to adopt the work programme. 

Budget utilisation should be further improved by 
multi-annual  planning  and  timely  initiation  of 
public procurement actions, where needed 

Budget  expenditure  remains  a  challenge.  The  MODINIS  programme 
was adopted only at the end of 2003 and became operational in April 
2004. Given the short programming period this delay will continue to 
affect the achievement of the primary goals.  

The  Commission  should  ensure  an  effective 
transfer  of  knowledge 
about  programme 
implantation  as  staff  are  replaced  and  a  clear 
allocation  of  responsibilities  between  Units  for 
programme and budget utilisation 

An  active  formal  and  informal  interservice  consultation  procedure 
takes  place  in  the  preparation  of  the  annual  work  programme.  All 
budget  allocations  are  subject  to  formal  sub-delegations  under  the 
financial 
for  by  sharing 
responsibility for the Programme between a number of staff.  

regulations.  Continuity 

is  provided 

The work programme for MODINIS should have 
a  clear  strategic  plan,  but  should  also  leave 
flexibility to adapt to political, technological and 
they  arise.  The 
economic  opportunities  as 
Commission  should  develop  clear  performance 
indicators  for  measuring  the  contribution  of  the 
programme’s  activities 
the  programme’s 
objectives. 

to 

The decision  to  link  the  eEurope Action  Plan,  the  eEurope  Advisory 
Group  and  MODINIS  guarantees  that  the  Programme  will  maintain 
political  relevance.  The  MODINIS  annual  work  programme  has 
recently been revised in the light of the mid-term review and update of 
eEurope  2005  Action  Plan  in  order  to  maintain  its  relevance. 
Benchmarking  activities,  which  form  a  large  part  of  the  MODINIS 
programme,  provide  a  quantitative  measure  of  performance,  whilst 
qualitative indicators will be requested in the final evaluation. 

5.2. 

Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements 

In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1a, the following categories of actions 
shall be undertaken: 

(a) Action 1 

Monitoring and comparison of performance: 

—  data  collection  and  analysis  on  the  basis  of  the  benchmarking  indicators  defined  in  the 
Council  resolution  of  18  February  2003  on  the  implementation  of  the  eEurope  2005  action 
plan(1),  including  regional  indicators  where  appropriate  and  the  Regulation  (EC)  No 
808/200418  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  21  April  2004  concerning 
community statistics on the information society.  

(b) Action 2 

Dissemination of good practices: 

—  studies  to  identify  good  practices,  at  national,  regional  and  local  level,  contributing  to 
successful take up of ICTs across the economy  

18 

OJ L 143, 30.04.2004, p.49 

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16 

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— support for targeted conferences, seminars or workshops, dissemination, information and 
communication  activities  in  support  of  the  objectives  of  the  Communication  to  the  Spring 
European  Council  “Working  together  for  growth  and  jobs  –  A  new  start  for  the  Lisbon 
Strategy”, aiming at stimulating the take up of ICTs in continuation to the eEurope agenda in 
order to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and good practices as defined in 
Article 1a (b); 

(c) Action 3 

Analysis and strategic discussion: 

— support the work of social and economic experts with a view to providing the Commission 
with input as regards prospective policy analysis. 

In  carrying  out  the  actions  set  out  above,  the  Commission  shall  use  the  appropriate  and 
relevant means, and in particular: 

a) 

b) 

the  award  of  contracts  for  the  execution  of  tasks  relating  to  surveys,  exploratory 
studies,  detailed  studies  on  specific  fields,  demonstration  actions  of  limited  size 
including workshops and conferences; 

the collection, publication and dissemination of the information and development of 
web based services; 

c) 

the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, seminars; 

5.3.  Methods of implementation 

The planned actions will be implemented through direct management by the Commission.  

6. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT 

6.1. 

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

6.1.1.  Financial intervention 

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places) 

Breakdown 

[Year 
n] 

[n+1] 

[n+2] 

[n+3] 

[n+4] 

Total 

[n+5 
and 
subs. 
Years] 

Action 1 

Action 2 

Action 3 

4.400 

3.020 

0.300 

TOTAL  7.720 

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6.2. 

Calculation  of  costs  by  measure  envisaged  in  Part  B  (over  the  entire 
programming period)19 

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places) 

Breakdown  

Type  
of outputs 
(projects, files ) 

Number of 
outputs 

Average unit 
cost 

(total for years 
1…n)  

Total cost 

(total for years 
1…n)  

1 

2 

3 

4=(2X3) 

Action 1 

- Measure 1 

- Measure 2  

Action 2 

- Measure 1  

- Measure 2 

. 

Action 3 

-Measure 1 

-Measure 2 

-Measure3 

Surveys 

Pilot actions 

Studies 

Conferences  and 
Workshops 

Website: 
maintenance, 
development  and 
editorial content 

Documentation 
and publications 

Communication 
services, 
audiovisual  and 
media content 

7 

1 

4 

3 

1 

3 

0.575 

0.200 

0.250 

0.433 

4.030 

0.200 

1.000 

1.300 

0.300 

0.300 

0,100 

0,300 

N.A 

N.A 

0.590 

TOTAL COST 

7.720 

19 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 

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7. 

IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE  

7.1. 

Impact on human resources 

Types of post 

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

Number of 
permanent posts 

Number of 
temporary posts 

Officials 
temporary staff 

or 

A 

B 

C 

Other human resources 

Total 

7 

7 

0.5 

0.5 

7.5 

Total 

7.5 

Description of tasks deriving from the 
action 

(studies, 

Prepare terms of reference for calls for 
conferences, 
tender 
Evaluate 
website). 
workshops, 
proposals. Monitor progress of various 
contracts.  Assess  final  studies.  Follow 
up  work 
conferences  and 
workshops. 

from 

7.2. 

Overall financial impact of human resources 

Type of human resources 

Amount (€) 

Method of calculation *  

Officials 

Temporary staff 

Other human resources 

756,000 

30,000 

7A X 108.000=756,000 

0,5B X 60.000=30,000 

(specify budget line) 

Total 

€ 786,000 

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months. 

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7.3. 

Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action 

Budget line 

(number and heading) 

Overall allocation (Title A7) 

A0701 – Missions 

A07030 – Meetings 

A07031 – Compulsory committees 1 

A07032 – Non-compulsory committees 1 

A07040 – Conferences 

A0705 – Studies and consultations 

Other expenditure (specify) 

Information systems (A-5001/A-4300) 

Other expenditure - Part A (specify) 

Amount € 

Method of calculation 

0.050 

0.090 

0.100 

0.010, frais de 
representation 

Total  0.250 

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months. 

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

I. 

II. 

Annual total (7.2 + 7.3) 

Duration of action 

III. 

Total cost of action (I x II) 

1,036,000 
€ 

1 year 

986,000€ 

8. 

FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION 

8.1. 

Follow-up arrangements 

In  order  to  ensure  that  Community  funds  are  used  efficiently,  the  Commission  shall  ensure 
that  activities  under  this  Decision  are  only  engaged  upon  following  public  procurement 
procedures, and that the activities are properly monitored and evaluated. 

8.2. 

Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation 

The programme will be evaluated at the end of its execution period, as specified in Article 7.4 
of the Decision establishing MODINIS. The evaluation of the programme will be commended 
to an external team of evaluators after an open call for tenders. 

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9. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES 

The  control  of  payments  for  any  service  or  studies  requested  is  carried  out  by  the 
Commission’s  services  prior  to  payment,  taking  into  account  any  contractual  obligations, 
economic  principles  and  good  financial  management  practice.  Anti-fraud  provisions 
(supervision,  reporting  requirements,  etc)  will  be  included  in  all  agreements  and  contracts 
made between the Commission and recipients of any payments.  

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