Decision No 1904/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme Europe for Citizens to promote active European citizenship
Date: 2006-12-12
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: European Union membership, European citizenship, European identity, action programme

L 378/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.12.2006

DECISION No 1904/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 12 December 2006

establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to promote active
European citizenship

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

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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

Having regard to the Opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

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

laid down in

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

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

citizenship of

the

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

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

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

(1) OJ C 28, 3.2.2006, p. 29.
(2) OJ C 115, 16.5.2006, p. 81.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 5 April 2006 (not yet published
in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 25 September
2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the
European Parliament of 25 October 2006 (not yet published in the
Official Journal). Council Decision of 11 December 2006.

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

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

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

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

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

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

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

(10)

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

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

27.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 378/33

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

programmes and agencies; therefore, the Western Balkans
countries should be recognised as potential participants
in Community programmes.

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Civil society organisations at European, national, regional
and local levels are important elements of citizens' active
participation in society and help to invigorate all aspects
of public life. They are also intermediaries between
Europe and its citizens. Their transnational cooperation
should therefore be promoted and encouraged.

research organisations

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

their commitment

the European Parliament and of

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

be maintained

universal

(15)

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

(16)

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

(17)

(18)

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

The European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 adopted
the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for
the Western Balkans:
Moving towards European integration’, which invited the
Western Balkan countries to participate in Community

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

(19)

(20)

(21)

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

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

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25
June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities (2) (herein-
after ‘the Financial Regulation’) and Commission Regu-
lation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 19 November
2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation
of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) 1605/2002 on the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of
the European Communities (3), which safeguard the
interests, have to be applied
Community's
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, and the required proportionality between
the amount of resources and the administrative burden
related to their use.

financial

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

(23)

(24)

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

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

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

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

L 378/34

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.12.2006

(25)

actions

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

(26)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the
procedures for
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (1).

(27)

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

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 2

Specific objectives of the programme

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

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

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

(c) bringing Europe closer to its citizens by promoting Europe's
values and achievements, while preserving the memory of
its past;

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

Article 1

Subject matter and scope of the programme

Article 3

Actions

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

The objectives of the programme shall be pursued through
for the following actions, details of which may be

1.
support
found in Part I of the Annex:

(a) Active citizens for Europe, consisting of:

The programme shall contribute to the following general

2.
objectives:

— town twinning,

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

thus developing citizenship of

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

values, history and culture;

— citizens' projects and support measures;

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

— structural support for European public policy research

organisations (think-tanks),

— structural support for civil society organisations at Euro-

pean level,

— support for projects initiated by civil society organisa-

(c) fostering a sense of ownership of

the European Union

tions;

among its citizens;

(d) enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between
European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and
linguistic diversity, while
contributing to intercultural
dialogue.

(c) Together for Europe, consisting of:

— high visibility events, such as commemorations, awards,

artistic events, European-wide conferences,

— studies, surveys and opinion polls,

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

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

— information and dissemination tools;

27.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 378/35

(d) Active European Remembrance, consisting of:

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

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

Article 4

Forms of Community measures

Community measures may take the form of grants or

1.
public procurement contracts.

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

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

To be eligible for a Community grant, the beneficiaries

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

Article 5

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

Article 7

Cooperation with international organisations

The programme may cover joint and innovative activities in the
field of active European citizenship, with relevant international
organisations such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO, on
the basis of
joint contributions and in accordance with the
Financial Regulation and various rules of each institution or
organisation.

Article 8

Implementing measures

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

The following measures shall be adopted in accordance

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

(a) the arrangements for the implementation of the programme,
including the annual work plan, the selection criteria and
the selection procedures;

(b) the general balance between the various actions of

the

programme;

(c) the

procedures

for monitoring

and

evaluating

the

Participation in the programme

programme;

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

(a) the Member States;

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

ance with the provisions of that Agreement;

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

(d) the countries of the western Balkans, in accordance with the
arrangements to be established with these countries under
the framework agreements on the general principles for
their participation in Community programmes.

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

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

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

Article 9

Committee

Article 6

Access to the programme

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

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

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

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

L 378/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.12.2006

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.

Co-financing in kind may be permitted.

4.

The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 10

Coherence with other Community and European Union
instruments

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

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

Article 11

The financial envelope

1.
the
The financial envelope for the implementation of
programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set
at EUR 215 million.

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

Article 12

Financial provisions

Financial aid shall take the form of grants to legal persons.
the action and the objective

1.
Depending on the nature of
pursued, grants may also be awarded to natural persons.

The Commission may award prizes to natural or legal
the

actions or projects

implemented under

2.
persons
for
programme.

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

5.
The Commission may decide, in view of the characteristics
of the beneficiaries and the nature of the actions, to exempt
beneficiaries from verification of the professional competencies
and qualifications required to complete the proposed action or
work programme.

The amount of information to be provided by the benefi-

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

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

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

Article 13

Protection of the Community's financial interests

penalties,

dissuasive

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

interests against

financial

For

under

actions

financed

the Community

2.
the
programme, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1(2)
of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any infrin-
gement of a provision of Community law or any breach of a
contractual obligation resulting from an act or omission by an
economic operator, which has, or would have, the effect of
the Union or budgets
prejudicing the general budget of
managed by the Communities, by an unjustified item of expen-
diture.

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

27.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 378/37

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

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

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

Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation

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

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

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

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

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

(b) a communication on the continuation of the programme no

later than 31 December 2011;

(c) an

ex-post
31 December 2015.

evaluation

report

no

later

than

Article 15

Transitional provision

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

As provided for by Article 18 of the Financial Regulation, the
appropriations corresponding to assigned revenue arising from
the repayment of amounts wrongly paid pursuant
to Deci-
sion 2004/100/EC may be made available to the Programme.

Article 16

Entry into force

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Done at Strasbourg, on 12 December 2006

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President

Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

Mauri PEKKARINEN

L 378/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.12.2006

ANNEX

I. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS

Complementary information on access to the programme

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

ACTION 1: Active citizens for Europe

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

Town-twinning

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

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

Citizens' projects and support measures

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

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

As an indication, at least 45 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 2: Active civil society in Europe

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

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

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

Structural support for civil society organisations at European level

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

27.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 378/39

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

Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations

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

As an indication, approximately 31 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

ACTION 3: Together for Europe

High-visibility events

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

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

Studies

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

Information and dissemination tools

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

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

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

ACTION 4: Active European Remembrance

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

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

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

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

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

II. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

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

L 378/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.12.2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

III. CONTROLS AND AUDITS

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

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

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

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

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