Common Position (EC) No 26/2006 of 25 September 2006 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme Europe for Citizens to promote active European citizenship
Date: 2006-09-25
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European citizenship, action programme, promotion of the European idea, public awareness campaign

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COMMON POSITION (EC) No 26/2006

adopted by the Council on 25 September 2006

with a view to the adoption of Decision No …/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of… establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to
promote active European citizenship

(2006/C 295 E/04)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO-
PEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Articles 151 and 308 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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

Having regard to the Opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

(5)

(6)

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

(7)

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

The Treaty establishes citizenship of the Union, which
complements national citizenship of
the respective
Member States. It is an important element in strength-
ening and safeguarding the process of European integra-
tion.

The Community should make citizens fully aware of
their European citizenship,
its benefits as well as its
rights and obligations, which are to be promoted with
due regard for subsidiarity and in the interest of cohe-
sion.

It is especially urgent to make European citizens fully
aware of their citizenship of the European Union in the
context of the broad reflection on the future of Europe
launched by the Brussels European Council of 16 and
17 June 2005. The ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme
should therefore complement, but not overlap with,
other initiatives taken in this context.

For citizens to give their full support to European inte-
gration, greater emphasis should therefore be placed on
their common values, history and culture as key
elements of their membership of a society founded on
the principles of freedom, democracy and respect for
human rights, cultural diversity, tolerance and solidarity,
in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of
the European Union (4) proclaimed on 7 December
2000.

(1) OJ C 28, 3.2.2006, p. 29.
(2) OJ C 115, 16.5.2006, p. 81.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 5 April 2006 (not yet
published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 25
September 2006 and Position of the European Parliament of … (not
yet published in the Official Journal).

(4) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000, p. 1.

Encouraging active citizenship is a key element
in
strengthening not only the fight against racism, xeno-
phobia and intolerance but also cohesion and the devel-
opment of democracy.

In the context of the EU information and communica-
tion strategy, a broad dissemination and a high impact
of
supported through the programme
the activities
should be ensured.

In order to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to
enable them to participate fully in the construction of an
ever closer Europe,
there is a need to address all
nationals and legal residents in the participating coun-
tries and to involve them in transnational exchanges and
cooperation activities, contributing to developing a sense
of belonging to common European ideals.

(8)

(9)

in a Resolution adopted in
The European Parliament,
1988, considered it desirable that a major effort be
undertaken to step up contacts between citizens of
different Member States and stated that specific support
from the European Union for the development of twin-
in different
schemes between municipalities
ning
Member States was both rational and desirable.

The European Council has recognised on several occa-
sions the need to bring the European Union and its insti-
tutions closer to the citizens of the Member States. It has
encouraged the Union's institutions to maintain and
foster open, transparent and regular dialogue with orga-
nised civil society, thus promoting citizens' participation
in public life and in decision-making, while emphasising
the essential values that are shared by the citizens of
Europe.

(10)

The Council established in its Decision 2004/100/EC of
26 January 2004 establishing a Community action
programme to promote active European citizenship
(civic participation) (5), an action programme which has
confirmed the need to promote sustained dialogue with
civil society organisations and municipalities and to
support the active involvement of citizens.

(5) OJ L 30, 4.2.2004, p. 6.

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Citizens' projects with a transnational and cross-sectoral
dimension are important
tools to reach citizens and
promote European awareness, European political integra-
tion, social inclusion and mutual understanding.

invited the Western Balkan countries to participate in
Community programmes and agencies;
the
Western Balkans countries
should be recognised as
potential participants in Community programmes.

therefore,

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

at

society organisations

Civil
European, national,
regional and local levels are important elements of citi-
zens' active participation in society and help to invigo-
rate all aspects of public life. They are also intermediaries
between Europe and its citizens. Their transnational
cooperation should therefore be promoted and encour-
aged.

European public policy research organisations
can
provide ideas and reflections to feed the debate at Euro-
pean level. It is therefore also advisable to support, as a
link between the European institutions and the citizens,
activities that reflect their commitment to creating a
European identity and citizenship, by establishing proce-
dures with transparent criteria to promote networks for
information and exchange.

It is also worthwhile pursuing the action begun by the
European Union in the
context of Decision No
792/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a Community
action programme to promote bodies active at European
level in the field of culture (1) for the preservation and
commemoration of the main sites and archives asso-
ciated with deportations. An awareness of
the full
dimensions and tragic consequences of the second world
war may thus be maintained and universal remembrance
promoted, as a means of moving beyond the past and
building the future.

(15)

The Declaration on Sport adopted by the Nice European
Council of 7-9 December 2000 noted that, ‘even though
not having any direct powers in this area, the Com-
munity must,
in its action under the various Treaty
provisions, take account of the social, educational and
cultural functions inherent in sport.’

(16)

Special attention should be paid to the balanced integra-
tion of citizens and civil society organisations from all
Member States into transnational projects and activities.

(17)

The candidate countries and the EFTA countries party to
the EEA Agreement are recognised as potential partici-
pants in Community programmes,
in accordance with
the agreements concluded with those countries.

(18)

The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June
2003 adopted the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western
Balkans: Moving towards European integration’, which

(19)

(20)

(21)

The programme should be monitored regularly and eval-
uated independently in cooperation with the Commis-
sion and the Member States in order to allow for the
readjustments which are necessary if the measures are to
be properly implemented.

The procedures
for monitoring and evaluating the
programme should make use of objectives and indicators
which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and
timed.

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25
June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities (2) (herein-
after ‘the Financial Regulation’) and Commission Regu-
lation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 19 November
2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation
of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) 1605/2002 on the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of
the European Communities (3), which safeguard the
interests, have to be applied
Community's financial
the principles of simplicity and
taking into account
consistency in the choice of budgetary instruments, a
limitation on the number of cases where the Commis-
sion retains direct responsibility for their implementation
and management, and the required proportionality
between the amount of resources and the administrative
burden related to their use.

(22) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent
irregularities and fraud and to recover funds lost or
incorrectly paid or used.

(23)

(24)

Following the principle of sound financial management,
the implementation of the programme may be simplified
by recourse to lump sum funding, in respect either of
support awarded to programme participants or of Com-
munity support for the structures established at national
level for the administration of the programme.

This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the
programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime
reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interin-
stitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission
on budgetary discipline and sound financial manage-
ment (4), for the budgetary authority during the annual
budgetary procedure.

(2) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1248/2006 (OJ L 227,
19.8.2006, p. 3).

(1) OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 40.

(4) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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(25)

Since the objectives of this Decision cannot be suffi-
ciently achieved by the Member States and can therefore,
by reason of the transnational and multilateral nature of
actions and measures, be better
the programme's
achieved at Community level,
the Community may
adopt measures in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty.
In
accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set
out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond
what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(26)

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 (1).

(27)

Transitional measures to monitor actions started before
31 December 2006 should be adopted, pursuant
to
Decision 2004/100/EC,

(a) bringing together people from local communities across
Europe to share and exchange experiences, opinions and
values, to learn from history and to build for the future;

(b) fostering action, debate and reflection related to European
citizenship and democracy, shared values, common history
and culture through cooperation within civil society organi-
sations at European level;

(c) bringing Europe closer

to its citizens by promoting
Europe's values and achievements, while preserving the
memory of its past;

(d) encouraging interaction between citizens and civil society
organisations from all participating countries, contributing
to intercultural dialogue and bringing to the fore both
Europe's diversity and unity, with particular attention to
activities aimed at developing closer ties between citizens
from Member States of the European Union as constituted
on 30 April 2004 and those from Member States which
have acceded since that date.

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Subject matter and scope of the programme

Article 3

Actions

1.
This Decision establishes the programme ‘Europe for Citi-
zens’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’) for the period
from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

The objectives of

1.
the programme shall be pursued
through support for the following actions, details of which
may be found in Part I of the Annex:

The programme shall contribute to the following general

2.
objectives:

(a) Active citizens for Europe, consisting of:

(a) giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate
in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic
and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its
cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the Euro-
pean Union;

(b) developing a sense of European identity, based on common

values, history and culture;

(c) fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union

among its citizens;

(d) enhancing mutual understanding between European citi-
zens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diver-
sity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

Article 2

Specific objectives of the programme

The programme shall have the following specific objectives in
line with the fundamental goals of the Treaty, which shall be
implemented on a transnational basis:

— town twinning,

— citizens' projects and support measures;

(b) Active civil society in Europe, consisting of:

— structural support for European public policy research

organisations (think-tanks),

— structural support
European level,

for civil society organisations at

— support for projects initiated by civil society organisa-

tions;

(c) Together for Europe, consisting of:

— high visibility events, such as commemorations, awards,

artistic events, European-wide conferences,

— studies, surveys and opinion polls,

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision

2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

— information and dissemination tools;

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(d) Active European Remembrance, consisting of:

— preservation of the main sites and archives associated
with the deportations and the commemoration of the
victims.

2.
In each action, priority may be given to the balanced inte-
gration of citizens and civil society organisations from all
Member States, as provided for in the specific objective set out
in Article 2(d).

Article 4

Forms of Community measures

Community measures may take the form of grants or

1.
public procurement contracts.

2.
Community grants may be provided through specific
forms such as operating grants, action grants, scholarships,
prizes.

3.
Public procurement contracts will cover the purchase of
services, such as for organising events, studies and research,
information and dissemination tools, monitoring and evalua-
tion.

To be eligible for a Community grant, the beneficiaries

4.
must satisfy the requirements set out in Part II of the Annex.

(think-tanks), citizens' groups and other civil society organisa-
tions.

Article 7

Cooperation with international organisations

The programme may cover joint and innovative activities in
the field of active European citizenship, with relevant interna-
tional organisations
the Council of Europe and
UNESCO, on the basis of joint contributions and in accordance
with the Financial Regulation and various rules of each institu-
tion or organisation.

such as

Article 8

Implementing measures

1.
The Commission shall adopt the measures necessary for
the implementation of the programme in accordance with the
provisions of the Annex.

The following measures shall be adopted in accordance

2.
with the procedure referred to in Article 9(2):

(a) the

arrangements

the
the
programme, including the annual work plan, the selection
criteria and the selection procedures;

implementation

for

of

Article 5

Participation in the programme

programme;

(c) the procedures
programme;

for monitoring

and

evaluating

the

(b) the general balance between the various actions of the

The programme shall be open to the participation of
the
following countries, hereinafter referred to as the ‘participating
countries’:

(a) the Member States;

(b) the EFTA countries party to the EEA Agreement, in accord-

ance with the provisions of that Agreement;

(c) the candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession
strategy, in accordance with the general principles and the
general terms and conditions laid down in the framework
agreements concluded with these countries for their partici-
pation in Community programmes;

(d) the countries of the 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.

(d) the financial support (amount, duration, distribution and
beneficiaries) provided by the Community in relation to all
operating grants, multi-annual twinning agreements under
Action 1 and high visibility events under Action 3.

3.
All other measures necessary for the implementation of
the programme shall be adopted in accordance with the proce-
dure referred to in Article 9(3).

4.
As part of the procedure mentioned in paragraph 2, the
Commission may draw up guidelines for each of the actions in
the Annex in order to adapt the programme to any changes of
priority in the field of active European citizenship.

Article 9

Committee

Article 6

Access to the programme

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

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

The programme shall be open to all stakeholders promoting
active European citizenship, in particular local authorities and
organisations, European public policy research organisations

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

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

4.

The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 10

4.

Co-financing in kind may be permitted.

the beneficiaries and the nature of

The Commission may decide, in view of the characteris-
the actions,
to
the professional
required to complete the

5.
tics of
exempt beneficiaries
competencies and qualifications
proposed action or work programme.

from verification of

Coherence with other Community and European Union
instruments

The amount of information to be provided by the benefi-

6.
ciary may be limited in the case of small grants.

1.
The Commission shall ensure coherence and complemen-
tarity between the programme and instruments in other areas
of Community action, especially education, vocational training,
culture, youth, sport, the environment, the audiovisual sector
and the media, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclu-
sion, gender equality, combating all forms of discrimination,
racism and xenophobia, scientific research, information society
in particular at the level of
and Community external action,
European Neighbourhood policy.

2.
The programme may share resources with other Com-
munity and European Union instruments in order to imple-
ment actions meeting the objectives of both the programme
and these other instruments.

Article 11

The financial envelope

1.
The financial envelope for the implementation of the
programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set
at EUR 190 million (1).

2.
The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial frame-
work.

Article 12

Financial provisions

Financial aid shall

1.
take the form of grants to legal
persons. Depending on the nature of the action and the objec-
tive pursued, grants may also be awarded to natural persons.

7.
In specific cases such as the award of a small grant, the
beneficiary need not be required to demonstrate its financial
the work
capacity to perform the planned project or
programme.

Operating grants awarded under

the programme to
8.
bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest, as defined
in Article 162 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002,
shall not be automatically decreased in the event of renewal.

Article 13

Protection of the Community's financial interests

1.
The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed
under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of
the Community are protected by the application of preventive
measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activ-
ities, by effective checks and by the recovery of amounts
irregularities are detected, by effective,
unduly paid and,
if
proportional and dissuasive penalties,
in accordance with
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December
1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial
interests (2), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of
11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspec-
tions carried out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities' financial
interests against fraud and
other irregularities (3) and with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May
1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European
Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (4).

The Commission may award prizes to natural or legal
the

for actions or projects

implemented under

2.
persons
programme.

3.
In accordance with Article 181 of Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 2342/2002, and depending on the nature of the
action, flat-rate financing and/or the application of unit-cost
rates may be authorised.

For

under

actions

financed

the Community

2.
the
programme, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1(2)
of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any infrin-
gement 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 unjustified item of expenditure.

(1) This amount is based on 2004 figures and shall be subject to tech-

nical adjustment to take account of inflation.

(2) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(4) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

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3.
The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the
amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds
irregularities, including non-compliance with the provisions of
this Decision or the individual decision or the contract or
agreement granting the financial support in question, or if it
transpires that, without Commission approval having being
sought,
the action has been subjected to a change which
conflicts with the nature or implementing conditions of the
project.

4.
If the time limits have not been observed or if only part
of the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress
made with implementing an action,
the Commission shall
request the beneficiary to submit observations within a speci-
fied period.
the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory
answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial
assistance and demand repayment of sums already paid.

If

Any undue payment shall be repaid to the Commission.
5.
Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid in good time
under the conditions laid down by the Financial Regulation.

Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation

The Commission shall ensure regular monitoring of the
1.
the monitoring and evaluation
programme. The results of
process shall be utilised in implementing the programme.
Monitoring shall include in particular the drawing up of the
reports referred to in paragraph 3 points (a) and (c).

The specific objectives may be revised in accordance with
Article 251 of the Treaty.

2.
The Commission shall ensure regular, external and inde-
pendent evaluation of the programme and shall report to the
European Parliament on a regular basis.

3.
The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament,
the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and
the Committee of the Regions:

(a) an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and on
the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementa-
tion of the programme no later than 31 December 2010;

(b) a communication on the continuation of the programme

no later than 31 December 2011;

(c) an

ex-post
31 December 2015.

evaluation

report

no

later

than

Article 15

Transitional provision

Actions started before 31 December 2006 pursuant to Decision
2004/100/EC shall continue to be governed, until their comple-
tion, by that Decision.

As provided for by Article 18 of the Financial Regulation, the
appropriations corresponding to assigned revenue arising from
to
the
Decision 2004/100/EC may be made
to the
Programme.

amounts wrongly paid pursuant

repayment of

available

Article 16

Entry into force

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Done at …, on …

For the European Parliament

The President

…

For the Council

The President

…

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ANNEX

I. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS

Complementary information on access to the programme

Civil society organisations as mentioned in Article 6 include, inter alia, trade unions, educational institutions and
organisations active in the field of voluntary work and amateur sport.

ACTION 1: Active citizens for Europe

This action forms that part of the programme directed specifically at activities involving citizens. These activities fall
under two types of measures as follows:

Town-twinning

This measure is aimed at activities that involve or promote direct exchanges between European citizens through
their participation in town-twinning activities. These may be one-off or pilot activities, or take the form of struc-
tured, multi-annual, multi-partner agreements following a more programmed approach and comprising a set of
activities ranging from citizens' meetings to specific conferences or seminars on subjects of common interest, along
with related publications, organised in the context of town-twinning activities. This measure will actively contribute
to strengthening mutual knowledge and understanding between citizens and between cultures.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly to the Council of European Munici-
palities and Regions (CEMR), a body pursuing an aim of general European interest, active in the field of town twin-
ning.

Citizens' projects and support measures

Under this measure, a variety of projects of a transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens,
will be supported. Priority is given to projects aimed at encouraging local level participation. The scale and scope of
such projects will depend on the developments within the society and will explore, through innovative approaches,
the possible responses to the identified needs. The use of new technologies, in particular information society technol-
ogies (IST), will be encouraged. Those projects will gather citizens from different horizons, who will act together or
debate on common European issues, thereby developing mutual understanding as well as raising awareness of the
process of European integration.

In order to improve town-twinning and citizens' projects,
it is also necessary to develop support measures to
exchange best practices, to pool experiences between stakeholders at local and regional levels including public autho-
rities, and to develop new skills, for example through training.

As an indication, at least 47 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 2: Active civil society in Europe

Structural support for European public policy research organisations (think-tanks)

Bodies providing new ideas and reflections on European issues are important institutional interlocutors able to
provide independent strategic, cross-sectoral recommendations to the EU institutions. They can undertake activities
that feed the debate notably on citizenship of the European Union and on European values and cultures. This
measure is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of those organisations, which are representative, provide
real European added value, can bring about important multiplier effects and, finally, are able to cooperate with other
beneficiaries of the programme. The strengthening of transeuropean networks is an important element in this area.
Grants may be awarded on the basis of a multi-annual work programme bringing together a range of themes or
activities.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the association ‘Groupement
d'études et de recherches Notre Europe’ and for the ‘Institut für Europäische Politik’, as bodies pursuing an aim of general
European interest.

Structural support for civil society organisations at European level

Civil society organisations are an important part of the civic, educational, cultural and political activities for partici-
pating in society. They need to exist and to be able to operate and cooperate at European level. They should also be
able to participate in policy-making through consultation. This measure will provide them with the capacity and
stability to act in a cross-sectoral and horizontal dimension as transnational catalysts for their members and for civil
society at European level, thus contributing to the objectives of the programme. The strengthening of transeuropean
networks and European associations is an important element of this area of work. Grants may be awarded on the
basis of a multi-annual work programme bringing together a range of themes or activities.

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For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for three bodies pursuing an aim
of general European interest: the Platform of European Social NGOs, the European Movement and the European
Council on Refugees and Exiles.

Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations

Civil society organisations at local, regional, national or European level involve citizens or represent their interests
through debate, publications, advocacy, and other concrete transnational projects. Introducing or building on a Euro-
pean dimension in the activities of civil society organisations, will enable them to enhance their capacities and reach
wider audiences. Direct cooperation among civil society organisations from different Member States will contribute
to mutual understanding for the different cultures and points of view and to the identification of shared concerns
and values. While this may be in the form of single projects, a longer-term approach will also ensure a more sustain-
able impact and the development of networks and synergies.

As an indication, approximately 29 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 3: Together for Europe

High-visibility events

This measure will support events organised by the Commission, where appropriate in cooperation with the Member
States or other relevant partners, which are substantial in scale and scope, strike a chord with the peoples of Europe,
help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the history, achievements
and values of the European Union, involve them in intercultural dialogue and contribute to the development of their
European identity.

These events may include the commemoration of historical events, the celebration of European achievements, artistic
events, awareness-raising around specific issues, European-wide conferences and the awarding of prizes to highlight
major accomplishments. The use of new technologies, in particular IST, shall be encouraged.

Studies

In order to get a better understanding of active citizenship at European level, the Commission will carry out studies,
surveys and opinion polls.

Information and dissemination tools

Given the focus on citizens and the variety of initiatives in the field of active citizenship, comprehensive information
on the various activities of the programme, on other European actions related to citizenship and on other relevant
initiatives needs to be provided through an Internet portal and other tools.

For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the ‘Association Jean Monnet’,
the ‘Centre européen Robert Schuman’ and the ‘Maisons de l'Europe’ federated at national and European level, as bodies
pursuing an aim of general European interest.

As an indication, approximately 10 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 4: Active European Remembrance

Under this action projects of the following types may be supported:

— for the preservation of the main sites and memorials associated with the mass deportations, the former concen-
tration camps and other large-scale martyrdom and extermination sites of Nazism, as well as the archives docu-
menting these events and for keeping alive the memory of the victims, as well as the memory of those who,
under extreme conditions, rescued people from the Holocaust;

— for the commemoration of the victims of mass exterminations and mass deportations associated with Stalinism,

as well as the preservation of the memorials and archives documenting these events.

Approximately 4 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

II. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

The implementation of the programme will be guided by the principles of transparency as well as openness, to a
large variety of organisations and projects. As a consequence, projects and activities will be selected, as a general
rule, by means of open calls for proposals. Derogations will be possible only in very specific circumstances and in
full compliance with Article 168(1) points (c) and (d) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

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The programme will develop the principle of multi-annual partnerships based on agreed objectives, building on the
analysis of the results, in order to ensure mutual benefits for both civil society and the European Union. The
maximum duration of funding allocated through a single grant agreement under the programme shall be limited to
3 years.

For some actions, it might be necessary to adopt indirect centralised management by an executive agency or, espe-
cially for action 1, by national agencies.

All actions will be implemented on a transnational basis. They will encourage mobility of citizens and ideas within
the European Union.

The elements of networking and focussing on the multiplier effects, including the use of information and communi-
cation technologies (ICT), will be important and will be reflected both in the types of activities and the range of orga-
nisations involved. The development of interaction and synergy among the various types of stakeholders involved in
the programme will be encouraged.

The programme budget may also cover expenditure associated with the preparation, follow-up, monitoring, auditing
and evaluation activities directly necessary for the management of the programme and the realisation of its objec-
tives,
information and publication activities, expenditure associated with the IT
networks for the exchange of information and any other administrative and technical support expenditure on which
the Commission may decide for the management of the programme.

in particular studies, meetings,

The overall administrative expenditure of the programme should be proportional to the tasks provided for in the
programme concerned and, as an indication, should represent approximately 10 % of the total budget allocated to
the programme.

The Commission may undertake information, publication and dissemination activities as appropriate,
ensuring broad knowledge and a high impact of the activities supported by the programme.

thereby

III. CONTROLS AND AUDITS

For projects selected in accordance with this Decision, a sampling audit system will be established.

The beneficiary of a grant must make available to the Commission all supporting documents relating to expenditure
for a period of five years from the date of the final payment. The beneficiary of a grant must ensure that, where
applicable, supporting documents in the possession of partners or members are made available to the Commission.

The Commission may have an audit of the use made of the grant carried out either directly by its own staff or by
any other qualified outside body of its choice. Such audits may be carried out throughout the lifetime of the contract
and for a period of five years from the date of payment of the balance. Where appropriate, the audit findings may
lead to recovery decisions by the Commission.

Commission staff and outside personnel authorised by the Commission must have appropriate access to the offices
of the beneficiary and to all the information, including information in electronic format, necessary for such audits.

The Court of Auditors and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will have the same rights, especially of access, as
the Commission.

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STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S REASONS

I. INTRODUCTION

1. On 6 April 2005 the Commission adopted and thereafter submitted to the European Parliament
and to the Council a proposal for a decision, based on Articles 151 and 308 of the EC Treaty, estab-
lishing a programme to promote active European citizenship.

2. The European Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 26 October 2005.

3. The Committee of the Regions delivered its opinion on 17 November 2005.

4. The European Parliament delivered its opinion at first reading on 5 April 2006.

5. On 25 September 2006,

the Council adopted its common position in accordance with

Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty.

II. OBJECTIVE

1. The broad objectives of the programme as proposed by the Commission are to contribute to:

— giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe,

united in and enriched through its cultural diversity;

— forging a European identity, based on recognised common values, history and culture;

— enhancing mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and celebrating cultural

diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

2. The specific objectives proposed, to be implemented on a transnational basis, are to:

— bring together people from local communities across Europe to share and exchange experiences,

opinions and values, to learn from history and to build for the future;

— foster action, debate and reflection related to European citizenship through cooperation

between civil society organisations at European level;

— make the idea of Europe more tangible for its citizens by promoting and celebrating Europe's

values and achievements, while preserving the memory of its past;

— encourage the balanced integration of citizens and civil society organisations from all Member
States, contributing to intercultural dialogue and bringing to the fore both Europe's diversity
and unity, with particular attention to the activities with Member States that have recently
joined the European Union.

III. ANALYSIS OF THE COMMON POSITION

1. General comments

The Council's common position retains the main elements of the Commission's original proposal.
In general the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have similar views regarding
this Decision.

The budget of EUR 190 million (at 2004 prices, and subject to adjustment to take account of infla-
tion) was agreed by the three institutions in the context of the inter-institutional agreement on the
Financial framework for 2007-2013.

The Council has taken up in its common position the idea of the European Parliament to add a
new fourth action line relating to active European remembrance. The Council has also responded
positively to the Parliament's suggestion to add three additional ‘designated bodies’ (making nine in
all) to receive grants under the programme. However, to ensure an appropriate balance, the special
status of these nine bodies is phased-out after three years.

Regarding the indicative budget breakdown, the Council has sought to emphasise further the rela-
tive importance of Action 1 (town-twinning and citizens' projects) and, like the Parliament, has
sought to reduce spending on the management of the programme.

Regarding programme implementation and comitology, the Council has extended the use of the
management procedure to also cover certain cases of financial support.

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2. European Parliament amendments

The Council has sought in its common position to take account of the European Parliament's
concerns and priorities and was able to accept most of Parliament's amendments.

Amendments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,
34, 37, 39, 42, 43, 44, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 60 and 61 have been accepted in full, in part or in
principle.

Regarding amendments 8, 9, 11, 13, 23, 26, 33, 35, 38, 40, 47 and 53 the Council has chosen to
follow the line taken by the Commission and not accept the amendments.

Amendment 21's addition relating to the legitimacy of the institutions was considered unnecessary.
Regarding Amendment 27 the Council did not wish to envisage the granting of structural support
to the legally vague notion of ‘associations or networks’. Amendment 36 concerned the programme
budget which was addressed and agreed by the three institutions in the context of the agreement on
the Financial Perspectives. Regarding Amendment 41, the Council did not consider it appropriate to
single out events organised by twinning sports clubs, given that other sectors were not specifically
mentioned in this part of the text, however a reference to sports organisations has been added in
the Annex. Amendment 45 concerns the budget breakdown, where the Council preferred to favour
Action 1, leaving the percentage allocated to Action 2 similar to that originally proposed by the
Commission.

IV. CONCLUSION

The Council considers that its common position represents a balanced text which has taken full
account of the objectives pursued by the European Parliament in its amendments to the Commission's
proposal. The Council looks forward to an agreement with the European Parliament in the near future
with a view to the adoption of this Decision.