Decision No 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an action programme in the field of lifelong learning
Date: 2006-11-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, continuing education, continuing vocational training, economic and social cohesion

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DECISION No 1720/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 15 November 2006

establishing an action programme in the field of lifelong learning

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu-
nity, and in particular Articles 149(4) and 150(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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

(7)

enhancement of quality in higher education and the
promotion of intercultural understanding through cooper-
ation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus)
(2004 to
2008).

The Bologna Declaration, signed by the Ministers for
Education of 29 European countries on 19 June 1999,
established an intergovernmental process aimed at creating
a ‘European Area of Higher Education’ by 2010, which
requires support at Community level.

Having regard to the opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

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

Whereas:

(1) Council Decision 1999/382/EC (4) established the second
training action
the Community vocational

phase of
programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci’.

(2) Decision No 253/2000/EC of the European Parliament and
the Council (5) established the second phase of
of
the
Community action programme in the field of education
‘Socrates’.

(3) Decision No 2318/2003/EC of the European Parliament
the Council (6) established a multi-annual pro-
and of
gramme for the effective integration of information and
communication technologies
in education and
training systems in Europe (eLearning programme).

(ICT)

the Council (7)

(4) Decision No 791/2004/EC of the European Parliament and
of
established a Community action
programme to promote bodies active at European level in
the field of education and training and to support specific
activities in this field.

(5) Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council (8) established a single framework for
the transparency of qualifications and competences (Euro-
pass).

(6) Decision No 2317/2003/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council (9) established a programme for the

(1) OJ C 221, 8.9.2005, p. 134.
(2) OJ C 164, 5.7.2005, p. 59.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament delivered on 25 October 2005
(not yet published in the OJ, Council Common Position delivered on
24 July 2006 (OJ C 251 E, 17.10.2006, p. 37), Position of the
European Parliament delivered on 25 October 2006 (not yet
published in the OJ).

(4) OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33. Decision as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 885/2004 (OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1).

(5) OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC)

No 885/2004.

(6) OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 9.
(7) OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 31.
(8) OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 6.
(9) OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 1.

(8)

The Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000 set
a strategic goal for the European Union to become the most
competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the
world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more
and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and invited the
Education Council to undertake a general reflection on the
concrete future objectives of education systems, focusing on
common concerns and priorities while respecting national
diversity.

(9) An advanced knowledge society is the key to higher growth
and employment rates. Education and training are essential
priorities for the European Union in order to achieve the
Lisbon goals.

(10) On 12 February 2001 the Council adopted a report on the
concrete future objectives of education and training
systems. On 14 June 2002 it subsequently adopted a
detailed work programme on the follow-up of
these
objectives, requiring support at Community level.

(11) The Göteborg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001
agreed a strategy for sustainable development and added an
environmental dimension to the Lisbon process
for
employment, economic reform and social cohesion.

(12) The Barcelona European Council of 15 and 16 March 2002
set the objective of making European Union education and
training systems a world quality reference by 2010, and
called for action to improve the mastery of basic skills, in
particular by teaching at least two foreign languages from a
very early age.

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(13) The Commission Communication and the Council Resolu-
tion of 27 June 2002 (1) on lifelong learning affirm that
lifelong learning should be enhanced by actions and
policies developed within the framework of Community
programmes in this field.

the different fields of action and offer more capacity to
support developments
in lifelong learning and more
coherent, streamlined and efficient modes of administra-
tion. A single programme would also encourage better
cooperation between the various levels of education and
training.

(14) The Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 (2) estab-
lished a process of enhanced European cooperation in
vocational education and training, requiring support at
Community level. The Copenhagen Declaration, agreed by
the Ministers for Education of 31 European countries on
30 November 2002, associated the social partners and the
candidate countries with this process.

(15) The Commission Communication on the Action Plan for
skills and mobility noted the continuing need for action at
European level to improve the recognition of education and
training qualifications.

(16) The Commission Communication on the Action Plan
promoting language learning and linguistic diversity set out
actions to be taken at European level during the period
from 2004 to 2006 and requires follow-up action.

(17) Promoting the teaching and learning of

languages and
linguistic diversity should be a priority of Community
action in the field of education and training. The teaching
and learning of languages is of special relevance among
neighbouring Member States.

(18) The interim evaluation reports of the existing Socrates and
Leonardo da Vinci programmes and the public consultation
on the future of Community activity in education and
training revealed a strong and in some respects growing
need for continuing cooperation and mobility in these
fields at European level. The reports emphasised the
importance of creating closer links between Community
programmes and policy developments in education and
training, expressed the wish that Community action should
be structured so as to respond better to the lifelong learning
paradigm, and pressed for a simpler, more user-friendly and
more flexible approach to implementing such action.

(19) 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 Community
support for the structures established at national level for
the administration of the programme.

(20) Significant advantages would accrue from integrating
Community support
for transnational cooperation and
mobility in the fields of education and training into a single
programme, which would permit greater synergies between

(1) OJ C 163, 9.7.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2.

(21) A Lifelong Learning Programme should therefore be
established to contribute through lifelong learning to the
development of
the European Union as an advanced
knowledge society, with sustainable economic develop-
ment, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

(22) Given the specificities of the schools, higher education,
vocational training and adult education sectors, and the
consequent need for Community action to be based on
objectives, forms of action and organisational structures
tailored to them,
is appropriate to retain individual
programmes within the framework of the Lifelong Learning
Programme targeted at each of these four sectors, while
maximising the coherence and common ground between
them.

it

(23)

In its Communication ‘Building our common Future: Policy
challenges and Budgetary means of the Enlarged Union
2007-2013’,
the Commission set out a sequence of
quantified targets to be achieved by the new generation
of Community education and training programmes, which
require a significant increase in mobility and partnership
actions.

(24) Given the demonstrated beneficial impacts of transnational
mobility on individuals and on education and training
the high volume of unfulfilled demand for
systems,
mobility in all sectors, and its importance in the context
of the Lisbon target, it is necessary to increase substantially
the volume of support for transnational mobility in the
four sectoral sub-programmes.

(25)

In order to cover more adequately the real additional costs
borne by students studying abroad, the standard student
mobility grant should be maintained at an average of EUR
200 per month in real terms for the duration of the
programme.

(26) More provision should be made for the mobility needs of
individual school pupils at secondary level and of individual
learners, hitherto not covered by Community
adult
programmes, by introducing a new type of mobility action
into the Comenius and Grundtvig programmes. The
opportunities offered by individual teacher mobility for
the development of
long-term cooperation between
schools in neighbouring regions should also be exploited
more fully.

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(27) Small and medium-sized enterprises play an important role
in the European economy. Hitherto, however, participation
by such enterprises in the Leonardo da Vinci programme
has been limited. Steps should be taken to improve the
attractiveness of Community action to such enterprises, in
particular by ensuring that more mobility opportunities are
available for apprentices. Suitable arrangements, similar to
those that exist under the Erasmus programme, should be
made for the recognition of the outcomes of such mobility.

(28) Given the particular educational challenges facing the
children of occupational travellers and mobile workers in
the opportunities
Europe,
available under
the Comenius programme to support
transnational activities targeted at their needs.

full use should be made of

(29)

Increased mobility throughout Europe should be accom-
panied by constantly higher standards.

(30)

(31)

(32)

In order to respond to the increased need to support
activities at European level designed to achieve these policy
objectives, to provide a means of supporting trans-sectoral
activity in the fields of languages and ICT, and to strengthen
the
the dissemination and exploitation of
programme,
the four
sectoral sub-programmes with a transversal programme.

is appropriate to complement

results of

it

In order to respond to the increasing need for knowledge
and dialogue on the European integration process and its
development,
it is important to stimulate excellence in
teaching, research and reflection in this field by supporting
higher education institutions specialising in the study of the
European integration process, European associations in the
fields of education and training and the Jean Monnet
Action.

in the actions of

is necessary to provide sufficient

It
flexibility in the
formulation of
this Decision to allow for appropriate
the Lifelong Learning
adjustments
Programme to respond to changing needs during the
period from 2007 to 2013, and to avoid the inappropri-
ately detailed provisions of previous phases of Socrates and
Leonardo da Vinci programmes.

(33)

In all its activities, the Community is to aim to eliminate
inequalities and promote equality between men and
women, as provided for in Article 3(2) of the Treaty.

(35) There is a need to promote active citizenship and respect
for human rights and democracy, and to step up the fight
against exclusion in all
including racism and
its forms,
xenophobia.

(36) There

for

those

is a need to widen access

from
disadvantaged groups and to address actively the special
learning needs of those with disabilities, in the implemen-
tation of all parts of the programme, including through the
use of higher grants to reflect the additional costs of
disabled participants, and the provision of support for the
learning and use of sign languages and Braille.

(37) Note should be taken of the achievements of the European
Year of Education through Sport
the
potential educational benefits of cooperation between
educational institutions and sports organisations that the
Year highlighted.

(2004) and of

(38) The candidate countries for accession to the European
Union and the EFTA countries which are members of the
EEA may participate in Community programmes
in
accordance with agreements to be signed between the
Community and these countries.

(39) The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June
2003 approved the Council conclusions of 16 June 2003
on the Western Balkans,
including the Annex thereto
entitled ‘The Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans:
moving towards European integration’, which provides that
should be opened to the
Community programmes
Stabilisation and Association Process countries on the basis
of
to be signed between the
framework agreements
Community and those countries.

(40) The Community and the Swiss Confederation have declared
their intention of undertaking negotiations to conclude
agreements in areas of common interest such as Commu-
nity education, training and youth programmes.

(41) The Lifelong Learning Programme should be regularly
monitored and evaluated in cooperation between the
Commission and the Member States in order to allow for
readjustments, particularly with respect to the priorities for
implementing the measures. The evaluation should include
an external evaluation to be conducted by independent,
impartial bodies.

(34) Further to Article 151 of the Treaty, the Community is to
take cultural aspects into account in its action under other
provisions of the Treaty, in particular in order to respect
and to promote the diversity of
its cultures. Particular
attention should be paid to the synergy between culture,
education and training. Intercultural dialogue should also
be encouraged.

(42)

In its Resolution of 28 February 2002 on the implementa-
tion of the Socrates programme (1) the European Parlia-
ment drew attention to the disproportionately onerous
administrative procedures for grant applicants under the
second phase of the programme.

(1) OJ C 293 E, 28.11.2002, p. 103.

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(43) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of
25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to
the European Communities (1)
the general budget of
and 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 (2), which safeguard the Community's
financial interests, have to be applied taking into account
the principles of simplicity and consistency in the choice of
budgetary instruments, a limitation on the number of cases
where the Commission retains direct responsibility for their
implementation and management,
required
proportionality between the amount of resources and the
administrative burden related to their use.

and the

(44) Radical administrative simplification of application proce-
dures is essential
the
for successful
programme. Administrative and accounting requirements
should be proportional to the size of the grant.

implementation of

(45) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent
irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be
taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly
used.

(46)

It is appropriate to ensure a correct closure of the Lifelong
Learning Programme, in particular regarding the continua-
tion of multi-annual arrangements for its management,
such as the financing of
technical and administrative
assistance. As from 1 January 2014, the technical and
administrative assistance should ensure,
if necessary, the
management of actions not finalised by the end of 2013,
including monitoring and audit actions.

(47) Since the objective of this Decision, namely the contribu-
tion of European cooperation to quality education and
training, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member
States because of the need for multilateral partnerships,
transnational mobility and Community-wide exchanges of
information, and can therefore, by reason of the nature of
the actions and measures necessary, be better achieved at
Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in
Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of
proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does
not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that
objective.

(48) This Decision lays down for the entire duration of the
programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime
the
reference within the meaning of point 37 of
Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on
budgetary discipline and sound financial management (3),

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

(3) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/

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

for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary
procedure.

(49) 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
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (4),

for

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER I

The Lifelong Learning Programme

Article 1

Establishment of the Lifelong Learning Programme

1. This Decision establishes a programme for Community
action in the field of lifelong learning, hereinafter referred to as
‘the Lifelong Learning Programme’.

2. The general objective of the Lifelong Learning Programme is
to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the
Community as an advanced knowledge-based society, with
sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and
greater social cohesion, while ensuring good protection of the
environment for future generations. In particular, it aims to foster
interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and
training systems within the Community so that they become a
world quality reference.

3. The Lifelong Learning Programme shall have the following
specific objectives:

(a)

to contribute to the development of quality lifelong
learning, and to promote high performance,
innovation
and a European dimension in systems and practices in the
field;

(b)

to support the realisation of a European area for lifelong
learning;

(c)

(d)

to help improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility
of the opportunities for lifelong learning available within
Member States;

to reinforce the contribution of lifelong learning to social
cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender
equality and personal fulfilment;

(e)

to help promote creativity, competitiveness, employability
and the growth of an entrepreneurial spirit;

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(f)

to contribute to increased participation in lifelong learning
by people of all ages, including those with special needs and
disadvantaged groups, regardless of their socio-economic
background;

(g)

to promote language learning and linguistic diversity;

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

to support
the development of
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning;

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

to reinforce the role of lifelong learning in creating a sense
of European citizenship based on understanding and
respect for human rights and democracy, and encouraging
tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures;

to promote cooperation in quality assurance in all sectors
of education and training in Europe;

to encourage the best use of results, innovative products
and processes and to exchange good practice in the fields
covered by the Lifelong Learning Programme, in order to
improve the quality of education and training.

4.
In accordance with the administrative provisions set out in
the Annex, the Lifelong Learning Programme shall support and
supplement action taken by the Member States, while fully
respecting their responsibility for the content of education and
training systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.

in Article 3, the objectives of

5. As set out
the Lifelong
Learning Programme shall be pursued through the implementa-
tion of four sectoral programmes, one transversal programme,
and the Jean Monnet programme, hereinafter collectively referred
to as ‘the sub-programmes’.

6. This Decision shall be implemented over the period from
1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. However, preparatory
measures, including decisions by the Commission in accordance
with Article 9, may be implemented as from the entry into force
of this Decision.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Decision, the following definitions shall
apply:

‘pre-school’ means organised educational activity under-
taken before the start of obligatory primary schooling;

‘pupil’ means a person enrolled in a learning capacity at a
school;

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

‘teachers/educational staff’ means persons who, through
their duties, are involved directly in the education process in
the Member States;

through their duties, are
‘trainers’ mean persons who,
involved directly in the vocational education and training
process in the Member States;

‘student’ means a person registered in a higher education
institution, whatever their field of study, in order to follow
higher education studies leading to a recognised degree or
other recognised tertiary level qualification, up to and
including the level of doctorate;

‘trainee’ means a person undergoing vocational training,
either within a training institution or training organisation
or at the workplace;

learner’ means a learner participating in adult

‘adult
education;

‘people in the labour market’ means workers, the self-
employed or people available for employment;

10.

‘higher education institution’ means:

(a)

any type of higher education institution, in accordance
with national
legislation or practice, which offers
recognised degrees or other recognised tertiary level
qualifications, whatever such establishments may be
called in the Member States;

(b)

any institution, in accordance with national legislation
or practice, which offers vocational education or
training at tertiary level;

11.

‘Joint Masters’ means Masters courses in higher education
that:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

involve a minimum of
institutions from three different Member States;

three higher

education

implement a study programme which involves a
period of study in at
those three
institutions;

two of

least

have built-in mechanisms for
the recognition of
periods of study undertaken in partner institutions
based on, or compatible with, the European credit
transfer system;

result in the awarding of joint, double or multiple
degrees, recognised or accredited by the Member
States, from the participating institutions;

‘school’ means all types of institutions providing general
(pre-school, primary or secondary), vocational and tech-
nical education and, exceptionally, in the case of measures
institutions
to promote language learning, non-school
providing apprenticeship training;

12.

‘vocational training’ means any form of initial vocational
education or training, including technical and vocational
teaching and apprenticeships, which contributes to the
achievement of a vocational qualification recognised by the

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13.

14.

15.

16.

competent authorities in the Member State in which it is
obtained, as well as any continuing vocational education or
training undertaken by a person during his or her working
life;

‘adult education’ means all forms of non-vocational adult
learning, whether of a formal, non-formal or informal
nature;

‘study visit’ means a short-term visit, made to study a
particular aspect of lifelong learning in another Member
State;

in order

‘mobility’ means spending a period of time in another
Member State,
study, work
experience, other learning or teaching activity or related
administrative activity, supported as appropriate by pre-
paratory or refresher courses in the host
language or
working language;

to undertake

‘placement’ means spending a period of
time in an
enterprise or organisation in another Member State,
refresher
supported as appropriate by preparatory or
courses in the host language or working language, with a
view to helping individuals to adapt to the requirements of
the Community-wide labour market, to acquiring a specific
skill and to improving understanding of the economic and
social culture of the country concerned in the context of
acquiring work experience;

26.

27.

28.

29.

legal status or the economic sector in which they operate,
including the social economy;

‘social partners’ means, at national level, employers' and
laws
workers' organisations in conformity with national
and/or practices and, at Community level, employers' and
workers' organisations taking part in the social dialogue at
Community level;

‘guidance and counselling’ means a range of activities such
as information, assessment, orientation and advice to assist
learners, trainers and other staff to make choices relating to
education and training programmes or
employment
opportunities;

‘dissemination and exploitation of results’ means activities
designed to ensure that the results of the Lifelong Learning
Programme and its predecessors are appropriately recog-
nised, demonstrated and implemented on a wide scale;

‘lifelong learning’ means all general education, vocational
education and training, non-formal education and informal
learning undertaken throughout
resulting in an
improvement in knowledge, skills and competences within
a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related per-
spective.
includes the provision of counselling and
guidance services.

life,

It

17.

‘unilateral’ means involving a single institution;

18.

‘bilateral’ means involving partners from two Member
States;

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

‘multilateral’ means involving partners from at least three
Member States. The Commission may regard associations
or other bodies with membership from three Member States
or more as multilateral;

‘partnership’ means a bilateral or multilateral agreement
between a group of institutions or organisations in different
Member States to carry out joint European activities in
lifelong learning;

‘network’means a formal or informal grouping of bodies
active in a particular field, discipline or sector of lifelong
learning;

‘project’ means a cooperation activity with a defined
outcome developed jointly by a formal or
informal
grouping of organisations or institutions;

‘project coordinator’ means the organisation or institution
in charge of the implementation of the project by the
multilateral grouping;

‘project partners’ means the organisations or institutions
other than the coordinator, which form the multilateral
grouping;

Article 3

Sub-programmes

1. The sectoral sub-programmes shall be the following:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

the Comenius programme, which shall address the teaching
and learning needs of all those in pre-school and school
education up to the level of the end of upper secondary
education, and the institutions and organisations providing
such education;

the Erasmus programme, which shall address the teaching
and learning needs of all those in formal higher education
and vocational education and training at tertiary level,
whatever the length of their course or qualification may be
and including doctoral studies, and the institutions and
organisations providing or facilitating such education and
training;

the Leonardo da Vinci programme, which shall address the
teaching and learning needs of all those in vocational
education and training, other than at tertiary level, as well
as the institutions and organisations providing or facilitat-
ing such education and training;

the Grundtvig programme, which shall address the teaching
and learning needs of those in all forms of adult education,
as well as the institutions and organisations providing or
facilitating such education.

25.

‘enterprise’ means all undertakings engaged in economic
activity in the public or private sector whatever their size,

2. The transversal programme shall comprise the following
four key activities:

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(a)

policy cooperation and innovation in lifelong learning;

(j)

non-profit organisations, voluntary bodies, non-govern-
mental organisations (NGOs).

(b)

promotion of language learning;

(c)

(d)

development of
pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning;

innovative ICT-based content, services,

dissemination and exploitation of
results of actions
supported under the programme and previous related
programmes, and exchange of good practice.

3. The Jean Monnet programme shall support institutions and
activities in the field of European integration. It shall comprise
the following three key activities:

(a)

the Jean Monnet Action;

Article 5

Community actions

1. The Lifelong Learning Programme shall comprise support
for the following actions:

(a)

the mobility of individuals in lifelong learning;

(b)

bilateral and multilateral partnerships;

(c) multilateral projects especially designed to promote quality
in education and training systems through the transnational
transfer of innovation;

(b)

(c)

operating grants to support specified institutions dealing
with issues relating to European integration;

(d)

unilateral and national projects;

operating grants to support other European institutions and
associations in the fields of education and training.

(e) multilateral projects and networks;

Article 4

(f)

Access to the Lifelong Learning Programme

The Lifelong Learning Programme shall be aimed at:

(a)

pupils, students, trainees and adult learners;

the

establishment

lifelong learning,

observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field
and regular
of
improvement of
including surveys,
reference material,
statistics, analyses and indicators, action to support
transparency and recognition of qualifications and prior
learning, and action to support cooperation in quality
assurance;

(b)

teachers, trainers and other staff involved in any aspect of
lifelong learning;

(g)

operating grants
to support certain operational and
administrative costs of institutions and associations active
in the field covered by the Lifelong Learning Programme;

(c)

people in the labour market;

(h)

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the
Lifelong Learning Programme (accompanying measures).

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

institutions or organisations providing learning opportu-
nities within the
the Lifelong Learning
Programme, or within the limits of its sub-programmes;

context of

2. Community support may be awarded for preparatory visits
in respect of any of the actions set out in this Article.

the persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies
concerning any aspect of lifelong learning at local, regional
and national level;

enterprises, social partners and their organisations at all
levels,
including trade organisations and chambers of
commerce and industry;

bodies providing guidance, counselling and information
services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning;

lifelong learning,
associations working in the field of
including students', trainees', pupils', teachers', parents' and
adult learners' associations;

3. The Commission may organise such seminars, colloquia or
meetings as are likely to facilitate the implementation of the
Lifelong Learning Programme, and undertake appropriate
information, publication and dissemination actions and actions
to increase awareness of the Programme, as well as programme
monitoring and evaluation.

4. The actions referred to in this Article may be implemented
by means of calls for proposals, calls for tenders, or directly by
the Commission.

Article 6

Tasks of the Commission and the Member States

(i)

research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong
learning issues;

1. The Commission shall ensure the effective and efficient
implementation of the Community actions provided for by the
Lifelong Learning Programme.

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2. Member States shall

(a)

(b)

take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of
the Lifelong Learning Programme
level,
involving all the parties concerned with aspects of lifelong
learning in accordance with national practice or legislation;

at national

establish or designate and monitor an appropriate structure
for the coordinated management of the implementation of
the Lifelong Learning Programme's actions at national level
(national agencies),
in
conformity with the provisions of Article 54(2)(c) of
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 and of Article 38
of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, in accordance
with the following criteria:

including budgetary management,

an organisation established or designated as a national
agency shall have legal personality or be part of an
entity having legal personality, and be governed by the
law of the Member State concerned. A ministry may
not be designated as a national agency;

each national agency must have adequate staff to fulfil
its tasks, with professional and linguistic capacities
appropriate for work in an environment of inter-
national cooperation in the field of education and
training;

in
it must have
particular as regards informatics and communications;

an appropriate

infrastructure,

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(i)

before the national agency starts work, provide the
Commission with the necessary assurances as to the
existence, relevance and proper operation within it, in
accordance with the rules of sound financial manage-
ment, of the procedures to be applied, the control
systems, the accounting systems and the procurement
and grant award procedures;

(ii)

provide the Commission with a declaration of
assurance each year as to the reliability of the financial
systems and procedures of the national agencies, and
the probity of their accounts;

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

in the event of irregularity, negligence or fraud imputable to
a national agency established or designated under point (b),
and where this gives rise to claims by the Commission on
the national agency which are not completely recovered, be
responsible for the funds not recovered;

designate upon request from the Commission the institu-
tions or organisations providing learning opportunities, or
to be
the types of such institutions or organisations,
considered eligible to participate in the Lifelong Learning
Programme in their respective territories;

endeavour to adopt all appropriate measures to remove
legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning
of the Lifelong Learning Programme;

take steps to ensure that potential synergies with other
Community programmes and financial
instruments and
with other relevant programmes operating in the Member
State in question are achieved at national level.

it must operate in an administrative context which
enables it to carry out its tasks satisfactorily and to
avoid conflicts of interest;

3. The Commission, in cooperation with Member States, shall
ensure

(v)

it must be in a position to apply the financial
management rules and contractual conditions laid
down at Community level;

(vi)

it must offer adequate financial guarantees,
issued
preferably by a public authority, and its management
capacity must be appropriate to the level of Commu-
nity funds it will be called upon to manage;

(c)

referred to in point

take responsibility for the proper management by the
national agencies
(b) of credits
transferred to national agencies to support projects, and
in particular for the respect by national agencies of the
principles of transparency, equality of treatment and of the
avoidance of double-funding with other
sources of
Community funds, and of
the obligation to monitor
projects and to recover any funds due for reimbursement
by beneficiaries;

(d)

take the necessary steps to ensure the appropriate audit and
financial overseeing of the national agencies referred to in
point (b), and in particular:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

the transition between the actions carried out within the
context of
the preceding programmes in the fields of
education, training and lifelong learning and those to be
implemented under the Lifelong Learning Programme;

financial
the adequate protection of
interests,
in particular by introducing effective, propor-
tionate and dissuasive measures, administrative checks and
penalties;

the Communities'

the wide dissemination of
information, publicity and
follow-up with regard to actions supported under the
Lifelong Learning Programme;

the collection, analysis and processing of available data
required to measure the results and effects of
the
programme, and to monitor and evaluate activities as
referred to in Article 15;

the dissemination of the results of the previous generation
of education and training programmes and of the Lifelong
Learning Programme.

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Article 7

Participation of third countries

1. The Lifelong Learning Programme shall be open to the
participation of:

(a)

(b)

(c)

EFTA countries which are members of
in
accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA
Agreement;

the EEA,

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

for

the countries of the Western Balkans, in accordance with
the provisions to be determined with these countries
following the establishment of
framework agreements
providing for
their participation in Community pro-
grammes;

(d)

the Swiss Confederation, on the basis of a bilateral
agreement to be concluded with that country.

2. Key activity 1 of the Jean Monnet programme referred to in
Article 3(3)(a) shall also be open to higher education institutions
in any other third country.

3. Third countries participating in the Lifelong Learning
Programme shall be subject to all the obligations and shall fulfil
all the tasks set out in this Decision in relation to Member States.

Article 8

International cooperation

Under the Lifelong Learning Programme, and in accordance with
Article 9, the Commission may cooperate with third countries
and with the competent international organisations, in particular
the Council of Europe,
the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

implementing the sub-pro-
the general guidelines for
grammes (including decisions concerning the nature of
the actions, their duration and funding level), the selection
criteria and procedures;

the Commission's proposals for the selection of applica-
tions for multilateral projects and networks as referred to in
Article 33(1)(b) and (c);

the Commission's proposals for the selection of applica-
tions for actions set out in Article 5(1)(e), not covered by
point (d) of this paragraph, and in Article 5(1)(f), (g) and (h),
for which the Community support proposed exceeds EUR 1
million;

the definition of the respective roles and responsibilities of
the Commission,
the Member States and the national
agencies regarding the National agency procedure as set out
in the Annex;

the distribution of funds among the Member States for the
actions to be managed through the National agency
procedure as set out in the Annex;

(h)

the arrangements for ensuring internal consistency within
the Lifelong Learning Programme;

(i)

the arrangements
for monitoring and evaluating the
Lifelong Learning Programme and the sub-programmes
and for the dissemination and transfer of results.

2. The measures necessary for
the implementation of all
matters other than those specified in paragraph 1 shall be
adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 10(3).

Article 10

Committee procedure

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee, herein-
after referred to as ‘the Committee’.

CHAPTER II

Implementation of the Lifelong Learning Programme

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

Article 9

Implementing measures

1. The measures necessary for the implementation of
the
Lifelong Learning Programme relating to the following matters
shall be adopted by the Commission, in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Article 10(2):

(a)

the annual plan of work including priorities;

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

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.

(b)

the annual allocations and the distribution of
between and within the sub-programmes;

funds

5. Member States may not be represented by persons employed
in, or having operational responsibility for, national agencies
referred to in Article 6(2)(b).

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Article 11

Social partners

2. The Commission shall keep the Committee regularly
informed about other relevant Community initiatives taken in
the field of lifelong learning, including cooperation with third
countries and international organisations.

the Committee is consulted on any matter
1. Whenever
concerning the application of
this Decision in relation to
vocational education and training, representatives of the social
partners, appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals
from the European social partners, may participate in the work
of the Committee as observers.

In implementing actions under

3.
the Lifelong Learning
Programme, the Commission and the Member States shall have
regard to the priorities set out in the integrated guidelines for
employment adopted by the Council as part of the Lisbon
partnership for growth and jobs.

The number of such observers shall be equal to the number of
representatives of the Member States.

2.
Such observers shall have the right to request that their
position be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the
Committee.

Article 12

Horizontal policies

In implementing the Lifelong Learning Programme, due regard
shall be paid to ensuring that it contributes fully to furthering the
horizontal policies of the Community, in particular by:

In partnership with the European social partners,

the
4.
Commission shall
to develop an appropriate
coordination between the Lifelong Learning Programme and
the social dialogue at Community level, including in the different
sectors of the economy.

endeavour

the
In implementing the Lifelong Learning Programme,
5.
Commission shall secure the assistance as appropriate of the
European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
(Cedefop) in areas related to its competence and in accordance
with the arrangements set out in Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of
the Council (1). Where appropriate, the Commission may also
secure the support of
the European Training Foundation
within the scope of its mandate and in accordance with the
arrangements set out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1360/
90 (2).

(a)

promoting an awareness of the importance of cultural and
linguistic diversity within Europe, as well as of the need to
combat racism, prejudice and xenophobia;

6. The Commission shall keep the Advisory Committee on
Vocational Training regularly informed of relevant progress in
the area of vocational education and training.

(b) making provision for learners with special needs, and in
particular by helping to promote their integration into
mainstream education and training;

CHAPTER III

Financial provisions — Evaluation

(c)

promoting equality between men and women and
contributing to combating all
forms of discrimination
based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief,
disability, age or sexual orientation.

Article 13

Consistency and complementarity with other policies

1. The Commission shall,
in cooperation with the Member
States, ensure overall consistency and complementarity with the
Education and Training 2010 Work Programme and other
relevant Community policies,
in
particular those in the field of culture, the media, youth, research
and development, employment, recognition of qualifications,
enterprise, environment, ICT and the Community's statistical
programme.

instruments and actions,

Article 14

Funding

1. The indicative financial envelope for the implementation of
this Decision for the period of seven years as from 1 January
2007 is set at EUR 6 970 000 000. Within this envelope, the
amounts to be allocated to the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da
Vinci and Grundtvig programmes shall not be less than as set out
in point B.11 of the Annex. Those allocations may be amended
by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to
in Article 10(2).

the Lifelong Learning
2. Up to 1 % of
the allocations of
Programme may be used to support
the participation in
partnership, project and network actions organised under the
Lifelong Learning Programme of partners from third countries
which do not participate in the Lifelong Learning Programme
under the provisions of Article 7.

The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States,
ensure an efficient
link-up between the Lifelong Learning
Programme and the programmes and actions in the area of
education and training undertaken within the framework of the
Community's pre-accession instruments and other cooperation
with third countries and the competent international organisa-
tions.

3. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework.

(1) OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 2051/2004 (OJ L 355, 1.12.2004, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 1648/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 22).

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Article 15

Monitoring and evaluation

(f)

research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong
learning issues;

1. The Commission shall,
in cooperation with the Member
States, regularly monitor and evaluate the Lifelong Learning
Programme against its objectives.

2. The Commission shall arrange for regular independent
external evaluations of the Lifelong Learning Programme and
shall regularly publish statistics for monitoring progress.

the monitoring and evaluation of

3. The findings of
the
Lifelong Learning Programme and the previous generation of
education and training programmes shall be taken into account
when implementing the Programme.

4. Member States shall submit to the Commission, by 30 June
2010 and 30 June 2015 respectively, reports on the implementa-
tion and the impact of the Lifelong Learning Programme.

5. 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 qualitative and
quantitative aspects of the implementation of the Lifelong
Learning Programme, including an analysis of the results
achieved, by 31 March 2011;

(b)

a communication on the continuation of
Learning Programme by 31 December 2011;

the Lifelong

(c)

an ex post evaluation report by 31 March 2016.

TITLE II

THE SUB-PROGRAMMES

CHAPTER I

The Comenius programme

Article 16

Access to the Comenius programme

Within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the
Comenius programme shall be aimed at:

(a)

pupils in school education up to the end of upper
secondary education;

(g)

higher education institutions;

(h)

bodies providing guidance, counselling and information
services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning.

Article 17

Objectives of the Comenius programme

In addition to the objectives of

the Lifelong Learning
1.
Programme as set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
Comenius programme shall be:

(a)

(b)

to develop knowledge and understanding among young
people and educational staff of the diversity of European
cultures and languages and its value;

to help young people acquire the basic life-skills and
competences necessary for their personal development, for
future employment and for active European citizenship.

2. The operational objectives of the Comenius programme
shall be:

(a)

(b)

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
mobility involving pupils and educational staff in different
Member States;

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
partnerships between schools in different Member States, so
as to involve at least 3 million pupils in joint educational
activities during the period of the programme;

(c)

to encourage the learning of modern foreign languages;

(d)

(e)

(f)

to support
the development of
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning;

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

to enhance the quality and European dimension of teacher
training;

to support improvements in pedagogical approaches and
school management.

(b)

schools, as specified by Member States;

Article 18

(c)

teachers and other staff within those schools;

Actions of the Comenius programme

(d)

(e)

associations, non-profit organisations, NGOs and represen-
tatives of those involved in school education;

1. The following actions may be supported by the Comenius
programme:

persons and bodies responsible for the organisation and
delivery of education at local, regional and national levels;

(a) mobility of individuals as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In
arranging for or supporting the organisation of such

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the necessary preparatory measures shall be
mobility,
adopted and care shall be taken to ensure that adequate
supervision, advice and support is available for individuals
in mobility.

Such mobility may include:

(i)

exchanges of pupils and staff;

(ii) mobility to schools for pupils and placements in

schools or enterprises for educational staff;

(iii) participation in training courses for teachers and other

educational staff;

(iii) providing content support to projects and partner-

ships set up by others;

(iv) promoting the development of needs analysis and its
practical applications within school education;

(e)

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the
Comenius programme as referred to in Article 5(1)(h)
(‘accompanying measures’).

2. The operational details of
referred to in
paragraph 1 shall be decided in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 10(2).

the actions

(iv)

study and preparatory visits for mobility, partnership,
project or network activities;

Amount allocated to the Comenius programme

Article 19

(v)

assistantships for teachers and potential teachers.

(b)

development of partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)
(b), between:

Not less than 80 % of the amount allocated to the Comenius
programme shall be devoted to support for mobility as referred
to in Article 18(1)(a) and for Comenius partnerships as set out in
Article 18(1)(b).

(i)

(ii)

schools, with a view to developing joint learning
projects for pupils and their teachers (‘Comenius
school partnerships’);

organisations responsible for any aspect of school
education, with a view to fostering inter-regional
cooperation,
region cooperation
including border
(‘Comenius-Regio partnerships’);

(c) multilateral projects as referred to in Article 5(1)(e). They

may include projects aimed at:

(i)

(ii)

developing, promoting and disseminating educational
best practices,
including new teaching methods or
materials;

developing or exchanging experience on systems of
guidance particularly
providing
adapted to the learners,
teachers and other staff
concerned by the Comenius programme;

information or

(iii) developing, promoting and disseminating new teacher

training courses or course content;

(d) multilateral networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e). They

may include networks aimed at:

(i)

developing education in the discipline or subject area
in which they operate, for their own benefit and for
that of education more widely;

CHAPTER II

The Erasmus programme

Article 20

Access to the Erasmus programme

Within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the
Erasmus programme shall be aimed at:

(a)

students and trainees learning in all forms of tertiary level
education and training;

(b)

higher education institutions, as specified by Member
States;

(c)

teachers, trainers and other staff within those institutions;

(d)

(e)

(f)

associations and representatives of those involved in higher
education,
student, university, and
teacher/trainer associations;

including relevant

enterprises, social partners and other representatives of
working life;

public and private bodies, including non-profit organisa-
tions and NGOs, responsible for the organisation and
delivery of education and training at local, regional and
national levels;

(ii)

acquiring and disseminating relevant good practice
and innovation;

(g)

research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong
learning issues;

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(h)

bodies providing guidance, counselling and information
services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning.

training centres, research centres or other organisa-
tions;

Article 21

Objectives of the Erasmus programme

In addition to the objectives of

1.
the Lifelong Learning
Programme as set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
Erasmus programme shall be:

(a)

(b)

to support the achievement of a European Area of Higher
Education;

to reinforce the contribution of higher education and
advanced vocational education to the process of innova-
tion.

2. The operational objectives of the Erasmus programme shall
be:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
student and teaching staff mobility throughout Europe, so
as to contribute to the achievement by 2012 of at least 3
million individual participants in student mobility under
the Erasmus programme and its predecessor programmes;

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
multilateral cooperation between higher education institu-
tions in Europe;

to increase the degree of transparency and compatibility
between higher education and advanced vocational educa-
tion qualifications gained in Europe;

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
cooperation between higher education institutions and
enterprises;

to facilitate the development of
innovative practices in
education and training at tertiary level, and their transfer,
including from one participating country to others;

to support
the development of
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning.

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

Article 22

Actions of the Erasmus programme

(ii) mobility of

teaching staff

education
institutions in order to teach or receive training in a
partner institution abroad;

in higher

(iii) mobility of other staff in higher education institutions
and staff of enterprises for purposes of training or
teaching;

(iv) Erasmus intensive programmes organised on a multi-

lateral basis.

Support may also be awarded to the home and host higher
education institutions or enterprises for action to ensure
quality at all stages of the mobility arrangements, including
preparatory and refresher language courses.

(b) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e),
focusing inter alia on innovation, experimentation and
the exchange of good practice in the areas mentioned in the
specific and operational objectives;

(c) multilateral networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), run
by consortia of higher education institutions and represent-
ing a discipline or a cross-disciplinary field,
(‘Erasmus
thematic networks’) which aim to develop new learning
concepts and competences. Such networks may also
include representatives from other public bodies or from
enterprises or associations;

(d)

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the
Erasmus programme as referred to in Article 5(1)(h)
(‘accompanying measures’).

Individuals participating in mobility under paragraph 1(a)(i)

2.
(‘Erasmus students’) shall be:

(a)

students in higher education institutions who, enrolled at
least in the second year, spend a study period in another
Member State within the framework of the mobility action
of the Erasmus programme, regardless whether they have
been awarded financial support under that programme.
Such periods shall be fully recognised under the inter-
institutional agreements between the sending and host
institutions. The host institutions shall not charge tuition
fees to such students;

1. The following actions may be supported by the Erasmus
programme:

(b)

students enrolled on Joint Masters programmes and
engaged in mobility;

(a) mobility of individuals as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). Such

mobility may include:

(c)

students in higher education institutions taking part in
placements.

(i) mobility of students for the purposes of studying or
in higher education
training in Member States
institutions, as well as placements in enterprises,

3. The operational details of the actions set out in paragraph 1
shall be decided in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 10(2).

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Article 23

Amount allocated to the Erasmus programme

Not less than 80 % of the amount allocated to the Erasmus
programme shall be devoted to support for mobility as referred
to in Article 22(1)(a).

CHAPTER III

The Leonardo da Vinci programme

Article 24

Access to the Leonardo da Vinci programme

(a)

(b)

(c)

to support participants in training and further training
activities in the acquisition and the use of knowledge, skills
and qualifications
to facilitate personal development,
employability and participation in the European labour
market;

to support improvements in quality and innovation in
vocational education and training systems, institutions and
practices;

to enhance the attractiveness of vocational education and
training and mobility for employers and individuals and to
facilitate the mobility of working trainees.

Within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the
Leonardo da Vinci programme shall be aimed at:

2. The operational objectives of
programme shall be:

the Leonardo da Vinci

(a)

people learning in all forms of vocational education and
training except at tertiary level;

(b)

people in the labour market;

institutions or organisations providing learning opportu-
nities in the fields covered by the Leonardo da Vinci
programme;

teachers, trainers and other staff within those institutions or
organisations;

associations and representatives of
vocational education and training,
parents' and teachers' associations;

those involved in
including trainees',

(a)

(b)

(c)

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
mobility throughout Europe of people involved in initial
vocational education and training and in continuing
training, so as to increase placements in enterprises to at
least 80 000 per year by the end of the Lifelong Learning
Programme;

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
cooperation between institutions or organisations provid-
ing learning opportunities, enterprises, social partners and
other relevant bodies throughout Europe;

to facilitate the development of innovative practices in the
field of vocational education and training other than at
tertiary level, and their
including from one
participating country to others;

transfer,

enterprises, social partners and other representatives of
working life, including chambers of commerce and other
trade organisations;

(d)

to improve the transparency and recognition of qualifica-
tions and competences, including those acquired through
non-formal and informal learning;

bodies providing guidance, counselling and information
services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning;

(e)

to encourage the learning of modern foreign languages;

persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies
concerning any aspect of vocational education and training
at local, regional and national level;

(f)

to support
the development of
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning.

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong
learning issues;

Article 26

(j)

higher education institutions;

Actions of the Leonardo da Vinci programme

(k)

non-profit organisations, voluntary bodies, NGOs.

1. The following actions may be supported by the Leonardo da
Vinci programme:

Article 25

Objectives of the Leonardo da Vinci programme

In addition to the objectives of

1.
the Lifelong Learning
Programme as set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
Leonardo da Vinci programme shall be:

(a) mobility of individuals, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In
arranging for or supporting the organisation of such
mobility, the necessary preparatory measures,
including
language preparation, shall be adopted and care shall be
taken to ensure that adequate supervision and support is
available for individuals in mobility. Such mobility may
include:

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(i)

(ii)

transnational placements in enterprises or in training
institutions;

placements and exchanges aimed at
the further
professional development of trainers and guidance
counsellors, and at
those responsible for training
establishments and for training planning and career
guidance within enterprises;

(b)

partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b), focusing on
themes of mutual interest to the participating organisations;

(c) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(c),

in
particular those aimed at improving training systems by
focusing on the transfer of
innovation involving the
linguistic, cultural and legal adaptation to national needs
of innovative products and processes developed in different
contexts;

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

teachers and other
organisations;

staff within those institutions or

establishments involved in the initial or further training of
adult education staff;

associations and representatives of those involved in adult
education, including learners' and teachers' associations;

bodies providing guidance, counselling and information
services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning;

persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies
concerning any aspect of adult education at local, regional
and national level;

(h)

research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong
learning issues;

(d) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed
improving training systems by focusing on the

at
development of innovation and good practice;

(i)

enterprises;

(e)

(f)

thematic networks of experts and organisations, as referred
to in Article 5(1)(e), working on specific issues related to
vocational education and training;

(k)

higher education institutions.

(j)

non-profit organisations, voluntary bodies, NGOs;

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the
Leonardo da Vinci programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)
(h) (‘accompanying measures’).

Article 29

Objectives of the Grundtvig programme

2. The operational details of such actions shall be decided in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

In addition to the objectives of

1.
the Lifelong Learning
Programme set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
Grundtvig programme shall be:

Article 27

Amounts allocated to the Leonardo da Vinci programme

Not less than 60 % of the amounts allocated to the Leonardo da
Vinci programme shall be devoted to support for mobility and
partnerships as referred to in Article 26(1)(a) and (b).

CHAPTER IV

The Grundtvig programme

Article 28

Access to the Grundtvig programme

Within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the
Grundtvig programme shall be aimed at:

(a)

learners in adult education;

(b)

institutions or organisations providing learning opportu-
nities in adult education;

(a)

(b)

to respond to the educational challenge of an ageing
population in Europe;

to help provide adults with pathways to improving their
knowledge and competences.

2. The operational objectives of the Grundtvig programme
shall be:

(a)

(b)

(c)

to improve the quality and accessibility of mobility
throughout Europe of
involved in adult
education and to increase its volume so as to support the
mobility of at least 7 000 such individuals per year by
2013;

individuals

to improve the quality and to increase the volume of
cooperation between organisations
involved in adult
education throughout Europe;

to assist people from vulnerable social groups and in
marginal social contexts,
in particular older people and
those who have left education without basic qualifications,
in order to give them alternative opportunities to access
adult education;

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(d)

(e)

to facilitate the development of innovative practices in adult
education and their transfer, including from a participating
country to others;

2. The operational details of such actions shall be decided in
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

the development of
to support
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning;

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

Article 31

Amounts allocated to the Grundtvig programme

(f)

to improve pedagogical approaches and the management of
adult education organisations.

Not less than 55 % of the amounts allocated to the Grundtvig
for mobility and
programme shall be devoted to support
partnerships as referred to in Article 30(1)(a) and (b).

Article 30

Actions of the Grundtvig programme

1. The following actions may be supported by the Grundtvig
programme:

(a) mobility of individuals, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a). In
arranging for or supporting the organisation of such
the necessary preparatory measures shall be
mobility,
adopted and care shall be taken to ensure that adequate
supervision and support
is available for individuals in
mobility. Such mobility may include visits, assistantships
and exchanges for participants in formal and non-formal
adult education,
including the training and professional
development of adult education staff, especially in synergy
with partnerships and projects;

(b)

partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b), known as
‘Grundtvig learning partnerships’, focusing on themes of
mutual interest to the participating organisations;

(c) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed
at improving adult education systems through the devel-
opment and transfer of innovation and good practice;

(d)

thematic networks of experts and organisations, as referred
to in Article 5(1)(e), known as ‘Grundtvig networks’,
working in particular on:

CHAPTER V

The transversal programme

Article 32

Objectives of the transversal programme

In addition to the objectives of

the Lifelong Learning
1.
Programme as set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
transversal programme shall be:

(a)

to promote European cooperation in fields covering two or
more sectoral sub-programmes;

(b)

to promote the quality and transparency of Member States'
education and training systems.

2. The operational objectives of the transversal programme
shall be:

(a)

to support policy development
and cooperation at
European level in lifelong learning, notably in the context
of the Lisbon process and Education and Training 2010
Work Programme, as well as the Bologna and Copenhagen
processes and their successors;

(i)

developing adult education in the discipline, subject
area or management aspect to which they relate;

(b)

(ii)

identifying,
good practice and innovation;

improving and disseminating relevant

(iii) providing content support to projects and partner-
ships set up by others and facilitating interactivity
between such projects and partnerships;

(iv) promoting the development of needs analysis and

quality assurance within adult education;

(e)

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the
Grundtvig programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h)
(‘accompanying measures’).

to ensure an adequate supply of comparable data, statistics
and analyses to underpin lifelong learning policy develop-
ment, as well as to monitor progress towards objectives and
targets in lifelong learning, and to identify areas for
particular attention;

(c)

to promote language learning and to support linguistic
diversity in the Member States;

(d)

(e)

to support
the development of
content, services, pedagogies and practice for
learning;

innovative ICT-based
lifelong

to ensure that
the Lifelong Learning
Programme are appropriately recognised, demonstrated
and implemented on a wide scale.

the results of

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Article 33

(ii)

support for transnational web-based services such as
Ploteus;

Actions of the transversal programme

1. The following actions may be supported under the key
activity of policy cooperation and innovation in lifelong learning,
as referred to in Article 3(2)(a):

(a)

referred to in Article 5(1)(a),
individual mobility, as
including study visits for experts and officials designated
by national, regional and local authorities, for directors of
education and training establishments and guidance and
experience accreditation services, and for social partners;

(b) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed
at preparing and testing policy proposals developed at
Community level and innovation in lifelong learning;

(c) multilateral networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), of
experts and/or institutions working together on policy
issues. Such networks may include:

(i)

thematic networks working on issues related to the
lifelong learning or to lifelong learning
content of
methodologies and policies. Such networks may
observe, exchange, identify and analyse good practice
and innovation, and make proposals for a better and
wider use of such practices across the Member States;

(ii)

forums on strategic issues in lifelong learning;

(d)

observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field
of lifelong learning, as referred to in Article 5(1)(f), which
may include:

(i)

studies and comparative research;

(ii)

indicators and statistical surveys,
development of
including support for work undertaken in the field
of lifelong learning in cooperation with Eurostat;

(iii)

support for the operation of the Eurydice network and
funding of the Eurydice European Unit set up by the
Commission;

(e)

transparency and recognition of
action to support
qualifications and competences including those acquired
through non-formal and informal
information
and guidance on mobility for learning purposes, and
cooperation in quality assurance, as referred to in Article 5
(1)(f), which may include:

learning,

(iii) activities under the Europass initiative in accordance

with Decision No 2241/2004/EC;

(f)

other initiatives, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h) (accom-
panying measures), including peer-learning activities aimed
at promoting the objectives of the key activity referred to in
Article 3(2)(a).

2. The following actions, designed to address teaching and
learning needs concerning more than one sub-programme area,
may be supported under the key activity of language learning, as
referred to in Article 3(2)(b):

(a) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed,

inter alia, at:

(i)

developing new language learning materials, including
online courses, and instruments for language testing;

(ii)

developing tools and courses for training language
teachers, trainers and other staff;

(b) multilateral networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), in the

field of language learning and linguistic diversity;

(c)

other initiatives in line with the objectives of the Lifelong
Learning Programme, as referred to in Article 5(1)(h),
including activities
to make language learning more
attractive to learners through the mass media and/or
marketing, publicity and information campaigns, as well as
conferences, studies and the development of statistical
indicators in the field of language learning and linguistic
diversity.

3. The following actions, designed to address teaching and
learning needs concerning more than one sub-programme area,
may be supported under the key activity of ICT, as referred to in
Article 3(2)(c):

(a) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed
at the development and distribution, as appropriate, of
innovative methods, contents, services and environments;

(b) multilateral networks as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed
at sharing and exchanging knowledge, experience and good
practice;

(i)

networks of organisations which facilitate mobility
and recognition, such as Euroguidance and National
Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARICs);

(c)

other action aimed at improving lifelong learning policy
and practice, as described in Article 5(1)(f), which may
include mechanisms for evaluation, observation, bench-

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marking, quality improvement and the analysis of trends
with respect to technology and pedagogy.

Article 35

4. The following actions may be supported under the key
activity of dissemination, as referred to in Article 3(2)(d):

(a)

unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)
(d);

(b) multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e), aimed

inter alia at:

(i)

supporting the exploitation and implementation of
innovative products and processes;

Objectives of the Jean Monnet programme

In addition to the objectives of

1.
the Lifelong Learning
Programme as set out in Article 1, the specific objectives of the
Jean Monnet programme shall be:

(a)

(b)

to stimulate teaching, research and reflection activities in
the field of European integration studies;

to support
the existence of an appropriate range of
institutions and associations focusing on issues relating to
European integration and on education and training in a
European perspective.

(ii)

stimulating cooperation between projects operating in
the same field;

2. The operational objectives of the Jean Monnet programme
shall be:

(iii) developing good practice with regard to dissemination

methods;

(c)

the establishment of reference material as referred to in
Article 5(1)(f), which may include the collection of relevant
statistical data and studies in the field of dissemination, the
exploitation of results and the exchange of good practice.

CHAPTER VI

The Jean Monnet programme

Article 34

Access to the Jean Monnet programme

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

to stimulate excellence in teaching, research and reflection
in higher education
in European integration studies
institutions within and outside the Community;

to enhance knowledge and awareness among specialist
academics and among European citizens generally of issues
relating to European integration;

to support key European institutions dealing with issues
relating to European integration;

to support the existence of high-quality European institu-
tions and associations active in the fields of education and
training.

Within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the
Jean Monnet programme shall be aimed at:

Actions of the Jean Monnet programme

Article 36

(a)

students and researchers in the field of European integra-
tion in all forms of higher education within and outside the
Community;

(b)

higher education institutions within and outside the
Community as recognised within their own countries;

(c)

teachers and other staff within those institutions;

those involved in
associations and representatives of
education and training within and outside the Community;

1. The following actions may be supported under the key
activity referred to in Article 3(3)(a):

(a)

unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)
(d), which may include:

(i)

(ii)

Jean Monnet Chairs, centres of excellence and teaching
modules;

associations of professors, other teachers in higher
education, and researchers specialising in European
integration;

public and private bodies responsible for the organisation
and delivery of education and training at local, regional and
national levels;

(iii)

support for young researchers specialising in Eur-
opean integration studies;

research centres and bodies concerned with issues relating
to European integration within and outside the Commu-
nity.

(iv)

information and research activities relating to the
Community with the aim of promoting discussion,
the process of
reflection and knowledge about
European integration;

(d)

(e)

(f)

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(b) multilateral projects and networks, as referred to in Article 5
(1)(e), which may include support for the establishment of
multilateral
research groups in the field of European
integration.

2. Operating grants as referred to in Article 5(1)(g) to support
certain operational and administrative costs of the following
institutions pursuing an aim of European interest may be
awarded under the key activity referred to in Article 3(3)(b):

(a)

the College of Europe (Bruges and Natolin campuses);

(b)

the European University Institute, Florence;

(c)

the European Institute of Public Administration, Maastricht;

(d)

the Academy of European Law, Trier;

(e)

the European Agency for Development in Special Needs
Education, Middelfart;

(f)

the International Centre for European Training (CIFE), Nice.

3. Under
the key activity referred to in Article 3(3)(c),
operating grants as referred to in Article 5(1)(g) may be awarded
to support certain operational and administrative costs of
European institutions or associations active in the fields of
education and training.

4. Grants may be awarded on an annual basis or on a
renewable basis within a framework partnership agreement with
the Commission.

activity referred to in Article 3(3)(b), and not less than 19 % to
the key activity referred to in Article 3(3)(c).

TITLE III

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 38

Transitional provision

1. Actions which are initiated on or before 31 December 2006
on the basis of Decision 1999/382/EC, Decision No 253/2000/
EC, Decision No 2318/2003/EC, Decision No 791/2004/EC or
Decision No 2241/2004/EC, shall be administered in conformity
with the provisions of those Decisions, with the exception that
the committees established by those Decisions shall be replaced
by the committee established by Article 10 of this Decision.

2. As provided for by Article 18 of Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No 1605/2002, the appropriations corresponding to assigned
revenue arising from the repayment of amounts wrongly paid
pursuant to Decision 1999/382/EC, Decision No 253/2000/EC,
Decision No 2318/2003/EC, Decision No 791/2004/EC or
Decision No 2241/2004/EC, may be made available to the
Lifelong Learning Programme.

Article 39

Entry into force

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

Article 37

Done at Strasbourg, 15 November 2006.

Amounts allocated to the Jean Monnet programme

Not less than 16 % of the amounts allocated to the Jean Monnet
programme shall be devoted to support for the key activity
referred to in Article 3(3)(a), not less than 65 % to the key

For the European Parliament
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES

For the Council
The President
P. LEHTOMÄKI

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ANNEX

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

A.

Administrative provisions

Procedures for the proposal and selection of the actions contained in the Lifelong Learning Programme are as follows:

1.

National agency procedure

1.1.

Procedure 1

The following actions, under which the selection decisions are taken by the appropriate national agencies, shall
be managed through the ‘National agency procedure 1’:

(a)

the mobility of individuals in lifelong learning, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a);

(b)

bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as referred to in Article 5(1)(b);

(c)

unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d), where these are funded under Article 33
(4)(a).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under these actions shall be directed to the appropriate national
agencies designated by the Member States in accordance with Article 6(2)(b). The national agencies shall carry
out the selection and allocate financial assistance to the applicants selected in accordance with the general
guidelines to be established under Article 9(1)(c). The national agencies shall distribute grants to beneficiaries
located in their respective Member States. Each partner in a bilateral or multilateral partnership shall receive
funding direct from its respective national agency.

1.2. Procedure 2

The following action, under which the selection decisions are taken by the Commission, but evaluation and
contracting procedures are undertaken by the appropriate national agencies, shall be managed through the
‘National agency procedure 2’:

— multilateral projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(c).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under this action shall be directed to the national agency designated
by the Member State of the coordinator of the project in accordance with Article 6(2)(b).The national agency of
the Member State of the coordinator of the project shall carry out the evaluation of applications and submit to
the Commission a shortlist of applications which it proposes to accept. The Commission shall decide upon the
shortlist proposed, following which the national agency shall allocate the appropriate financial assistance to the
applicants selected in accordance with the general guidelines to be established under Article 9(1)(c).

Before submitting the shortlist to the Commission, the national agency of the country in which the project is
coordinated shall liaise with those in the countries of all the other project partners. The national agencies shall
distribute grants to selected project coordinators located in their respective Member States, which shall be
responsible for distributing the funds to the partners involved in the projects.

2.

Commission procedure

The following actions, under which project proposals are submitted to the Commission and the selection
decisions are taken by the Commission, shall be managed through the ‘Commission procedure’:

(a)

unilateral and national projects, as referred to in Article 5(1)(d), except those funded under Article 33(4)
(a);

(b) multilateral projects and networks, as referred to in Article 5(1)(e);

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(c)

observation and analysis of policies and systems in the field of lifelong learning, the establishment of
including surveys, statistics, analyses and indicators, and action to support
reference material,
transparency and recognition of qualifications and prior learning, as referred to in Article 5(1)(f);

(d)

operating grants, as referred to in Article 5(1)(g);

(e)

other initiatives aimed at promoting the objectives of the Lifelong Learning Programme, as referred to in
Article 5(1)(h) (‘accompanying measures’).

Requests for financial assistance submitted under these actions shall be directed to the Commission, which shall
carry out the selection and allocate financial assistance to the applicants selected in accordance with the general
guidelines to be established under Article 9(1)(c).

B.

Financial provisions

The Commission shall ensure that the financial and administrative requirements placed on beneficiaries of grants
awarded under the Lifelong Learning Programme are proportionate to the level of the grant. In particular, the
Commission shall ensure that the financial rules and the application and reporting requirements for individual
mobility and for partnerships remain user-friendly and sufficiently simple not to restrict access for less advantaged
individuals and the institutions or organisations that work with them.

In particular, the Commission shall provide the national agencies with criteria which they shall follow in regard to
selection and award procedures, as well as contract and payment/audit arrangements, for the funds they manage.
These criteria shall take into account the size of the grants made and, where grants are of less than EUR 25 000, they
shall provide for simplified systems at all stages involving applicants or beneficiaries. They shall enable the national
agencies to determine and limit the details required from applicants for grants and to issue contracts following the
award of grants on a simplified basis which includes only the following elements:

— the contracting parties,

— the duration of the contract, which shall be the period of eligibility of the expenditure,

— the maximum amount of funding awarded,

— a summary description of the action involved,

— reporting and audit access requirements.

Also such criteria shall enable the national agencies to provide that co-financing provided by beneficiaries may take
the form of contributions in kind. These shall be verifiable as to fact, but need not be the subject of financial
evaluation.

1.

Actions managed through the National agency procedure

1.1. The Community funds intended to provide financial support under the actions to be managed through the
National agency procedure in accordance with section A point 1.1 of this Annex, are to be allocated among the
Member States in accordance with formulae determined by the Commission in accordance with Article 10(2),
which may include the following elements:

(a)

a minimum amount allocated to each Member State, to be determined in accordance with budgetary
availability for the action concerned;

(b)

the remainder will be allocated to the various Member States on the basis of:

(i)

each Member State's total number of:

— pupils and teachers in school education for the school partnerships and mobility actions of

the Comenius programme set out in Article 18(1)(a) and (b),

— students and/or graduates in higher education for the mobility of students and intensive
programmes actions of the Erasmus programme set out in Article 22(1)(a)(i) and (iv),

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— teachers in higher education institutions for the mobility of teachers and the mobility of other

staff actions of the Erasmus programme set out in Article 22(1)(a)(ii) and (iii),

— overall population and number of 15 to 35 year olds in relation to it, for the mobility,
partnership and multilateral project actions of the Leonardo da Vinci programme set out in
Article 26(1)(a), (b) and (c),

— adults for the mobility and partnership actions of the Grundtvig programme set out in

Article 30(1)(a) and (b);

(ii)

the difference in the cost of living between the Member States;

(iii)

the distance between the capital cities of each of the Member States;

(iv)

the level of demand and/or take-up for the action concerned within each Member State.

1.2. These formulae should, as far as possible, be neutral with respect to the different education and training systems

of the Member States.

1.3. The Community funds thus distributed shall be administered by the national agencies provided for in Article 6

(2)(b).

1.4. The Commission, acting in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary measures to encourage
balanced participation at Community, national and, where appropriate, regional level and, where appropriate,
across the various fields of study. The proportion allocated to these measures shall not exceed 5 % of the annual
allocations for financing each of the actions in question.

2.

Designation of beneficiaries

The institutions listed in Article 36(2) of this Decision are hereby designated beneficiaries of grants under the
Lifelong Learning Programme, in accordance with Article 168 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

The constituent national units of the NARIC network, the Eurydice network, the Euroguidance network, the
National Support Services for the eTwinning Action and the Europass National Centres act as instruments to
implement
in conformity with the provisions of Article 54(2)(c) of
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 and of Article 38 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

the programme at national

level,

3.

Types of beneficiary

In accordance with Article 114(1) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, grants may be awarded to legal
persons or to natural persons. In the case of natural persons, these may take the form of scholarships.

4.

Flat-rate grants, scales of unit costs and prizes

Flat-rate grants and/or scales of unit costs, as provided for in Article 181(1) of Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No 2342/2002 may be used in the case of the actions referred to in Article 5.

Flat-rate grants may be used up to a maximum of EUR 25 000 per grant. They may be combined up to a
maximum of EUR 100 000 and/or used in conjunction with scales of unit costs.

The Commission may provide for the award of prizes in relation to activities undertaken in the framework of
the Lifelong Learning Programme.

5.

Procurement

Where the implementation of actions supported under the Lifelong Learning Programme requires the
beneficiary to have recourse to procurement procedures, the procedures for low-value contracts set out in
Article 129 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 shall apply.

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6.

Partnership agreements

Where actions under the Lifelong Learning Programme are supported by means of framework partnership
grants, pursuant to Article 163 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, such partnerships may be selected
and funded for a four-year period, subject to a lightweight renewal procedure.

7.

Public institutions or organisations providing learning opportunities

All schools and higher education institutions specified by Member States, and all institutions or organisations
providing learning opportunities which have received over 50 % of their annual revenues from public sources
over the last two years, or which are controlled by public bodies or their representatives, shall be treated by the
Commission as having the necessary financial, professional and administrative capacity, together with the
necessary financial stability, to carry out projects under the Lifelong Learning Programme; they shall not be
required to present further documentation to demonstrate this. Such institutions or organisations may be
exempted from auditing requirements pursuant to Article 173(4) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

8.

Bodies pursuing an objective of general European interest

Where operating grants are awarded under the Lifelong Learning Programme to bodies pursuing an objective of
general European interest as defined in Article 162 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, these shall, in
accordance with Article 113(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, not be subject on renewal to the
principle of gradual decrease.

9.

Applicants' professional competencies and qualifications

The Commission may decide in accordance with Article 176(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 that
specified categories of beneficiaries have the professional competences and qualifications required to complete
the proposed action or work programme.

10.

Participation of partners from third countries

Partners from third countries may participate in multilateral projects, networks or partnerships under the terms
of Article 14(2) at the discretion of the Commission or the national agency concerned. The decision whether to
support such partners shall be based on the degree of added value at European level likely to result from their
participation in the project, network or partnership in question.

11. Minimum allocations

Subject to Article 14 of this Decision, the minimum amounts to be allocated to sectoral sub-programmes shall
be, in relation to the financial envelope set out in that Article:

Comenius 13 %

Erasmus 40 %

Leonardo da Vinci 25 %

Grundtvig 4 %

12. National agencies

Community financial assistance shall be provided to support the activities of the national agencies established or
designated by the Member States in accordance with Article 6(2)(b).

In accordance with Article 38(1) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, the function of national agency
may, in third countries participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme by virtue of Article 7(1) of this
Decision, be discharged of public-sector bodies or private-law bodies with a public-service mission governed by
the law of the country concerned.

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In accordance with the principle of proportionality, certification and reporting requirements will be kept to an
appropriate minimum necessary level.

13.

Technical assistance

The financial envelope of the Lifelong Learning Programme may also cover expenditure related to preparatory
actions, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation directly necessary for the implementation of the Programme
and for the achievement of its objectives. These may in particular include studies, meetings, information
activities, publications, expenditure on informatics networks for the exchange of information and any other
expenditure on technical and administrative assistance to which the Commission may need to have recourse for
the implementation of the Programme.

14. Anti-fraud provisions

Commission decisions taken under Article 9, the contracts and agreements resulting from them, as well as
agreements with participating third countries, shall provide in particular for supervision and financial control by
the Commission (or any representative authorised by it), including by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF),
and for audits by the Court of Auditors, if necessary on-the-spot. Such controls may be carried out with the
national agencies as well, where necessary, as with recipients of grants.

The beneficiary of an operating grant shall keep available for the Commission all the supporting documents,
including the audited financial statement, regarding expenditure incurred during the grant year, for a period of
five years following the last payment. The beneficiary of a grant shall ensure that, where applicable, supporting
documents in the possession of partners or members be 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
agreement 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 shall have appropriate right of access, in
particular to the beneficiary's offices and to all the information, including information in electronic format,
needed in order to conduct such audits.

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

In addition,
the Lifelong
the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections under
Learning Programme in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996
concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European
Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (1).

For the Community actions financed under this decision, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1,
paragraph 2 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European
Communities financial interests (2) 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 European Communities or allocations managed by
them, by an unjustified item of expenditure.

(1) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.