Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion (2010) {SEC(2007) 1661 SEC(2007) 1662}
Date: 2007-12-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, EU financing, budget, cooperation policy, marginalisation, poverty, public awareness campaign

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 12.12.2007 
COM(2007) 797 final 

2007/0278 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2007) 1661 
SEC(2007) 1662} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The fight against poverty and social exclusion is one of the central objectives of the European 
Union (EU) and its Member States. At the launch of the Lisbon strategy in March 2000, the 
European  Council  invited  Member  States  and  the  Commission  to  take  steps  to  make  “a 
decisive impact on the eradication of poverty” by 2010. Subsequent European Councils have 
reaffirmed  this  objective.  The  Social  Reality  Stocktaking  Consultation,  which  the  European 
Commission  started  in  2006,  points  to  the  importance  of  addressing  old  and  new  forms  of 
poverty and social exclusion in Europe. 

In  the  European  Union,  78  million  people  are  currently  living  at  risk  of  poverty.  In  all 
Member  States,  part  of  the  population  is  subject  to  exclusion  and  deprivation,  often  facing 
limited  access  to  basic  services.  In  addition,  there  are  indications  that  deep  poverty  has 
become more of an issue and that the number of people suffering from absolute poverty has 
increased. 

This state of affairs is in clear contradiction to key shared values of the European Union and 
needs to be tackled through resolute and credible action. The Open Method of Coordination 
(OMC) for Social Protection and Social Inclusion — initiated by the Lisbon Council — has 
been an important tool for providing EU guidance and support to Member States in their drive 
for greater social cohesion in Europe. However, its effectiveness crucially depends on public 
ownership and the commitment of all relevant actors. 

In its 2005-2010 Social Agenda, the Commission therefore announced a proposal to designate 
2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. The European Year 
will complement the action under the Open Method of Coordination and will help consolidate 
the  political  commitment  of  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  to  making  a  decisive  impact  on 
eradicating poverty and fighting social exclusion.  

2. 

A EUROPEAN YEAR FOR COMBATING POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION  

2.1. 

General objectives 

The  proposal  to  designate  2010  as  the  European  Year  for  combating  poverty  and  social 
exclusion is intended to reaffirm and strengthen the initial political commitment of the EU at 
the start of the Lisbon strategy to making “a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty”. 

The European Year should raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion in Europe 
and  convey  the  message  that  poverty  and  exclusion  are  disruptive  to  social  and  economic 
development.  It  should  help  challenge  the  vision  that  the  fight  against  poverty  is  a  cost  for 
society and reaffirm the importance of collective responsibility, involving not only decision-
makers but also public and private actors. 

The European Year should also contribute by giving voice to people experiencing poverty and 
social exclusion, for example by strengthening the organisations in which they participate and 
involving them in activities designed to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty. 

The EU must also restate its global responsibility to fight poverty worldwide. Increasing the 
awareness of global interdependence and the need for sustainable development and solidarity 
between  and  within  generations  should  be  part  of  the  general  awareness  raising.  Raising 

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awareness  on  global  poverty  will  be  closely  linked  with  awareness  raising  on  development 
cooperation issues and its primary objective, i.e. the fight against poverty. 

The European Year will thus reaffirm the Union’s commitment to solidarity, social justice and 
greater  cohesion,  and  will  promote  consistency  and  boost  support  for  the  overarching 
objectives  of  the  Union,  particularly  with  regard  to  the  Lisbon  strategy  for  growth  and  jobs 
and to the sustainable development strategy. 

2.2. 

Specific objectives — Recognition — Ownership — Cohesion — Commitment 

Apart  from  the  general  objectives,  four  specific  objectives  underpin  the  proposal  for  a 
European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion: 

Recognition — Recognising the right of people in a situation of poverty and social exclusion 

to live in dignity and to play a full part in society. 

Ownership  —  Increasing  public  ownership  of  social  inclusion  policies  and  actions, 

emphasising everyone’s responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation.  

Cohesion — Promoting a more cohesive society, by raising public awareness of the benefits 
for all of a society where poverty is eradicated and no-one is condemned to live in 
the margins.  

Commitment — Reiterating the strong political commitment of the EU to the  fight against 
poverty  and  social  exclusion,  and  promoting  this  commitment  at  all  levels  of 
governance.  

2.3. 

Implementation of actions 

The  European  Year  activities  will  underpin  the  Open  Method  of  Coordination  on  Social 
Protection  and  Social  Inclusion  and  aim  to  produce  a  clear  added  value  in  terms  of  policy 
impact and effectiveness.  

In line with the priorities identified in the Social Protection and Social Inclusion process, it is 
proposed to focus the European Year around the following themes: 

•  child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of poverty; 

•  an inclusive labour market;  

•  lack of access to education and training;  

•  gender dimension of poverty;  

•  access to basic services;  

•  overcoming discrimination and promoting the integration of immigrants and the social and 

labour market inclusion of ethnic minorities;  

•  addressing the needs of disabled people and other vulnerable groups. 

In  planning  the  European  Year  activities,  the  Member  States  will  adapt  these  themes  to  the 
national,  regional  and  local  situation  and  challenges,  including  considerations  of  territorial 

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cohesion. Stakeholder involvement and participation will be mainstreamed throughout all the 
priorities. 

In  implementing  the  European  Year  activities,  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States  will 
take into account the different ways in which women and men experience poverty and social 
exclusion.  They  will  also  ensure  that  the  gender  dimension  is  mainstreamed  throughout  the 
European Year priorities with a view to promoting gender equality.  

2.4.  Working in partnership with the participating countries  

While the Union can provide a framework for coordination at various levels, tangible progress 
will  be  achieved  only  through  the  significant  involvement  of  participating  countries  at 
national  level.  Activities  defined  at  European  level  to  ensure  consistency  in  the  approach 
towards an inclusive society will thus be adapted to the specificities of each country. 

The  involvement  of  participating  countries  calls  for  the  establishment  of  coordination 
mechanisms  at  both  national  and  EU  levels  in  order  to  create  the  necessary  synergies  and 
leverage effects. A Committee made up of Member State representatives will be appointed in 
order to assist the Commission in the implementation of the European Year activities. 

The  Committee  will  monitor  the  implementation  of  the  activities  on  the  basis  of  common 
guidelines  developed  by  the  Commission,  the  Strategic  Framework  Document  (SFD),  to 
ensure consistency with the Joint Report on Social Inclusion. The SFD will act as a point of 
reference  for  Member  States,  and  will  establish  the  key  priorities  for  the  European  Year 
alongside the objectives defined for the Year.  

To be effective, the EU will seek to engage with a very wide range of stakeholders, inviting 
them  to  join  in  an  ongoing  dialogue  on  the  Year’s  priorities  and  delivery  mechanisms.  The 
Commission  will  also  establish the necessary links with the Social Protection Committee in 
order to ensure that it is regularly and appropriately informed about the implementation of the 
European Year activities. 

For  the  European  Year,  the  Commission  may  also  cooperate  with  relevant  international 
organisations, in particular the Council of Europe, the International Labour Organisation and 
the  United  Nations.  At  national  level,  each  Member  State  will  be  responsible  for  the 
coordination and implementation of national, regional and local measures.  

National  implementation  will  have  to  be  consistent  with  the  policy  objectives  set  for  the 
European  Year,  in  response  to  the  Strategic  Framework  Document  mentioned  above.  Each 
Member State will submit to the Commission a National Programme for implementing the 
European  Year.  These  Programmes  will  incorporate  the  overall  objectives  and  essential 
principles  as  defined  in  the  Decision  establishing  the  European  Year  and  developed  in  the 
Strategic Framework Document. They will be drawn up in close coordination and consistency 
with the National Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion. 

Each programme should be devised, adopted and implemented in strict cooperation with and 
under  the  supervision  of  the  National  Implementing  Bodies  (NIBs)  designated  by  the 
countries  participating  in  the  European  Year.  The  NIBs  are  administrative  authorities  or 
equivalents  with  competence  and  proven  experience  in  the  fight  against  poverty  and  social 
exclusion and a strong role in the drafting, monitoring and evaluation of the NAPs/inclusion. 
The NIBs will be responsible for selecting national, regional and local initiatives in line with 
the strategic policy objectives defined by the Commission. 

When  establishing  and  carrying  out  their  national  strategies,  each  NIB  will  consult  and 
cooperate closely with a National Advisory Group — NAG — composed of a broad range 

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of  stakeholders,  including  civil  society  organisations  representing  the  interests  of  people  in 
poverty,  national  parliament  representatives,  social  partners,  and  regional  and  local 
authorities.  

3. 

COMPLEMENTARITY 

The  Commission  will  ensure  that  the  activities  financed  during  the  European  Year 
complement  other  relevant  Community  initiatives  and  activities  closely  linked  to  social 
inclusion, such as for example the Structural Funds, in particular the ESF, the Roadmap for 
Gender Equality, the PROGRESS Programme, the Education and Training Programmes, the 
European  Youth  Pact,  the  Youth  in  Action  programme,  the  Health  Programme,  the 
immigration  and  asylum  policies,  the  European  Agricultural  Fund  for  Rural  Development 
(EAFRD) and the 7th Research Framework Programme.  

Coordinating  mechanisms  will  therefore  be  put  in  place  to  avoid  overlap  and  to  channel 
support towards promoting the key messages of the European Year. 

The Commission will also ensure complementarity with any other initiatives for cooperation 
with international organisations and third countries, including developing countries, in areas 
relevant to the objectives of the European Year. 

4. 

EU ADDED VALUE (SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY) 

The  experience  of  previous  European  Years  in  the  social  field  has  demonstrated  their 
relevance  in  raising  awareness  among  the  general  public,  fostering  participation,  enhancing 
political commitment at all levels and contributing to policy change.  

The measures proposed for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 
are designed to add value at European level by: 

•  Raising  awareness  among  the  general  public  as  to  the  causes,  prevalence  and  multiple 
facets of poverty in today’s European Union, as well as the achievements of the European 
Social  Model.  It  provides  a  unique  opportunity  for  “participatory”  assessment  of  the 
impact  of  policies  to  promote  social  inclusion,  including  through  support  for  innovative 
actions at national and sub-national levels; 

•  Stimulating  a  debate  on  ways  to  ensure  participation  in  society  by  people  who  currently 
find  themselves  excluded,  and  enabling  a  broader  range  of  stakeholders  to  become 
involved  by  expressing  their  views  on  how  to  tackle  poverty  and  exclusion,  publicising 
their  actions,  reinforcing  their  complementarities  and  exchanging  concrete  proposals  on 
this issue; 

•  Promoting  a  more  cohesive  society  and  better  integration  of  the  social  dimension  within 
European and national policies for economic growth and employment and the Sustainable 
Development  Strategy,  and  as  well  fostering  stronger  links  and  synergies  with  EU 
initiatives and programmes, including the Structural Funds; 

•  Ensuring  strong  political  commitment  on  the  part  of  the  various  EU  actors  to  eradicate 
poverty  and  social  exclusion,  in  continuity  with  the  commitments  made  under  the  Open 
Method of Coordination on Social Protection and Social Inclusion.  

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To achieve these results, the EU has a decisive and irreplaceable role to play in coordinating, 
supporting and complementing the actions to be  undertaken at national and local level. The 
proposal therefore conforms to the principle of subsidiarity set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. 

At the same time, the proposal for the European Year emphasises how important it is to respect 
the  different  traditions  and  national  contexts  of  the  Member  States,  both  to  ensure  flexible 
implementation  and  to  avoid  interfering  with  the  good  practices  that  already  exist  in  some 
Member  States.  In  this  respect,  the  proposal  also  complies  with  the  principle  of 
proportionality. 

5. 

EXTERNAL CONSULTATION  

In order to draft this proposal, the Commission services sought the views of key stakeholders 
regarding the objectives and implementation of the European Year.  

An external consultation of relevant stakeholders was held between April and June 2007. It 
was  centred  on  a  questionnaire  inviting  comments  on  the  following  issues,  among  others: 
objectives; involvement of stakeholders; overall design, framework and types of actions; and 
the follow-up needed to ensure a lasting impact for the European Year. 

The results of the consultation indicate that the proposal for a European Year dedicated to the 
fight  against  poverty  and  social  exclusion  is  welcomed  by  all  relevant  stakeholders.  The 
answers  highlight  the  potential  of  such  a  European  Year  in  terms  of  communication  and 
mobilisation and provide useful suggestions for the purpose and design of the initiative. They 
also  point  to  its  added  value  in  relation  to  the  Open  Method  of  Coordination  on  Social 
Inclusion. The results of the consultation have been used to define the objectives and actions 
for the European Year. 

A consultative process can never be a “one-off” exercise, and effective preparation calls for 
consultation  over  several  stages.  The  run-up  to  the  European  Year  will  bring  further 
opportunities  (e.g.  the  annual  Round  Table  on  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion)  for  a  broad 
range of stakeholders to contribute to its design and preparation. 

6. 

IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

An  impact  assessment  of  the  European  Year  is  attached  to  this  proposal  for  a  European 
Parliament and Council Decision. It has been carried out by the Commission. In accordance 
with  the  rules  for  ex-ante  evaluations,  it  contains  a  detailed  presentation  of  the  needs  to  be 
met, the objectives to be achieved, the results expected and the indicators that are needed to 
measure them. It also examines the added value of Community involvement, the risks linked 
with the proposals and the alternative options available, and the lessons learned from similar 
experiences in the past. Finally, it assesses the volume of appropriations, human resources and 
other  administrative  expenditure  to  be  allocated,  with  due  regard  to  the  cost-effectiveness 
principle, and the monitoring system to be set up. 

7. 

DETAILED EXPLANATION PER ARTICLE  

Article 1 designates 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. 

Article 2 defines the objectives of the European Year. 

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

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Article 4 stipulates that gender considerations are to be mainstreamed in all activities relating 
to the European Year.  

Article 5 defines the terms of cooperation and implementation at Community level and sets 
out how the actions at European level for the European Year will be implemented.  

Article  6  defines  the  terms  of  cooperation  and  implementation  with  and  within  the 
participating  countries  and  sets  out  how  the  actions  under  the  European  Year  will  be 
implemented.  

Article  7  establishes  a  Committee  to  assist  the  Commission  in  decisions  on  the 
implementation of the European Year. 

Article  8  lays  down  the  financial  arrangements  for  the  actions  to  be  implemented  at 
Community and national levels. 

Article 9 sets out the procedure for the selection of actions at Community and national levels. 

Article  10  requires  the  Commission,  in  cooperation  with  the  Member  States,  to  ensure 
consistency and complementarity with other Community actions and initiatives. 

Article 11 defines the terms of participation for non-Member States. 

Article 12 establishes the budget for the action. 

Article 13 provides that the Commission may cooperate with international organisations. 

Article 14 provides for the protection of the financial interests of the Community. 

Article 15 defines the monitoring and evaluation framework for the European Year. 

Article 16 defines the terms of the entry into force of the Decision. 

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2007/0278 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) 
(text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
137(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee2, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions3, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty4, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The  adoption  of  the  Amsterdam  Treaty  in  1997  introduced  the  fight  against  social 
exclusion among the fields of activity covered by the social policy provisions into the 
EC Treaty – in particular Articles 136 and 137 - and provided a new legal framework 
and basis for new policy commitment in this area.  

The European Council of Lisbon in March 2000 recognised that the extent of poverty 
and  social  exclusion  was  unacceptable.  Building  a  more  inclusive  European  Union 
was  thus  considered  to  be  an  essential  element  in  achieving  the  Union’s  ten  year 
strategic goal of economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.  

The  Lisbon  European  Council  invited  Member  States  and  the  Commission  to  take 
steps to make “a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty” by 2010. The Lisbon 
Council thus agreed to adopt an Open Method of Coordination (OMC) in this area. 

From the outset, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) for Social Protection and 
Social Inclusion has been an important tool for supporting this political commitment 
and  strengthening  EU  capacity  to  support  Member  States  in  their  drive  for  greater 
social cohesion in Europe.  

1 
2 
3 
4 

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

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(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

The  OMC  is  helping  to  deepen  mutual  learning  and  has  increased  awareness  of  the 
multi-dimensional  nature  of  exclusion  and  poverty.  The  OMC  is  thus  creating  the 
conditions  to  produce  more  impact  on  the  ground  and  make  the  EU’s  attachment  to 
social values more visible to European citizens. 

Despite  these  achievements,  significant  parts  of  the  population  in  all  Member  States 
are  still  suffering  from  deprivation  and  limited  access  to  basic  services  or  feel 
excluded from their societies, and 78 million people live at risk of poverty. 

In addition, there are signs that the issue of deep poverty is becoming more important 
and  the  number  of  people  suffering  from  absolute  poverty  is  increasing,  not  least 
because of growing wealth inequalities across the Union. 

The  fight  against  poverty and social exclusion is one of the central objectives of the 
EU and its Member States.  

Poverty and social exclusion take complex and multi-dimensional forms. They relate 
to  income  and  living  standards,  access  to  good  quality  health  services  and  other 
services, and educational and work opportunities. 

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

(11) 

(12) 

In their National Action Plans for Social Inclusion, several countries highlight the high 
poverty and/or exclusion risk faced by some particular groups, including children, lone 
parents,  the  elderly,  migrants  and  ethnic  minorities,  disabled  people,  the  homeless, 
prisoners,  women  and  children  who  are  victims  of  violence,  and  severe  substance 
abusers. 

If employment significantly reduces the poverty risk for the individual, it is not always 
a  sufficient  condition  to  lift  people  out  of  poverty,  and  the  at-risk-of-poverty  rate  is 
still relatively high even for those in work. In-work poverty is linked to low pay, low 
skills, and precarious and often part-time employment, but also to the characteristics of 
the household in which the individual lives, in terms of the number of dependants and 
the  work  intensity  of  the  household.  Quality  employment  is  thus  essential  to  lift 
individuals out of poverty.  

(13)  The lack of basic competences and qualifications is also a major barrier to inclusion in 
society.  There  is  a  growing  danger  of  new  cleavages  in  society  emerging,  between 
those  who  have  access  to  lifelong  learning  to  enhance  their  employability  and 
adaptability,  and  to  facilitate  their  personal  development  and  active  citizenship,  and 
those who remain excluded. Those without adequate skills will find it more difficult to 
enter the labour market and find a quality job, are more likely to spend long periods 
out of work and, if they do work, are more likely to find themselves in low-paid jobs. 

(14)  The  availability  and  the  ability  to  use  information  and  communication  technology 
(ICT) is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for inclusion. A ministerial declaration 
approved in June 2006 in Riga calls for an information society for all.  

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(15)  Key  to  the  successful  impact  of  Community  action  to  fight  poverty  and  social 
exclusion is the extent to which it enjoys broad popular support. The European Year 
should act as a catalyst in raising awareness and in building momentum. It should help 
to focus political attention and mobilise everyone concerned in order to drive forward 
the Open Method of Coordination on Social Protection and Social Inclusion. 

(16)  The varying levels of progress made at national level and the differing national socio-
economic  and  cultural  contexts  and  sensitivities  call  for  a  considerable  part  of  the 
activities of the European Year to be decentralised at national level, through a system 
of  indirect  centralised  management  in  accordance  with  the  procedures  laid  down  in 
Article 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation and its implementing rules5. 

(17)  However,  the  definition  of  policy  priorities  at  national  level  should  be  monitored  by 
the Commission with a view to guaranteeing consistency with the strategic objectives 
agreed for the European Year and ultimately with the Common Objectives established 
for the Open Method of Coordination.  

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

(19)  Consistency  and  complementarity  with  other  Community  action  is  needed,  in 
particular  with  the  PROGRESS  programme,  the  Structural  Funds  and  the  European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), action to combat discrimination 
and  to  promote  gender  equality  and  fundamental  rights,  and  action  in  the  areas  of 
education  and  training,  culture  and  intercultural  dialogue,  youth,  citizenship, 
immigration and asylum, and research.  

(20)  This  Decision  establishes  a  financial  framework  for  the  entire  duration  of  the 
programme, which is to be the principal point of reference for the budgetary authority 
within the meaning of point 37 of the Inter-Institutional Agreement of 17 May  2006 
between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on  budgetary 
discipline and sound financial management6.  

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

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Council  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No  1605/2002  of  25  June  2002  on  the  Financial  Regulation 
applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002), as last amended 
by  Council  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No  1995/2006  of  13  December  2006  (OJ  L  390,  31/12/2006); 
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down the detailed 
rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on 
the  Financial  Regulation  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Communities  (OJ  L  357, 
31.12.2002), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 of 23 April 2007 
(OJ L 111, 28.4.2007). 
JO C 139 14.06.06, p.1. 

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(22)  The  objectives  of  the  proposed  European  Year  cannot  be  fully  achieved  at  Member 
States  level  due  to  the  need,  among  other  things,  for  multilateral  partnerships,  the 
transnational  exchange  of  information  and  the  Community-wide  dissemination  of 
good  practice,  and  can  therefore,  by  reason  of  the  scale  of  the  proposed  action,  be 
better  achieved  at  Community  level.  Accordingly,  the  Community  may  adopt 
measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the 
EC Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in the same 
Article,  this  Decision  does  not  go  beyond  what  is  necessary  to  achieve  those 
objectives; 

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The European Year 

With a view to supporting Community action to combat social exclusion, the year 2010 shall 
be  designated  as  the  “European  Year  for  Combating  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion” 
(hereinafter: the European Year). 

Article 2 

Objectives 

The objectives of the European Year shall be as follows: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Recognition — Recognising the right of people in a situation of poverty and social 
exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society. The European Year shall 
help  in  acknowledging  the  situation  of  people  experiencing  poverty  and  promoting 
their effective access to social, economic and cultural rights as well as to resources 
and services and shall help in combating stereotypes and stigmatisation; 

Ownership — Increasing public ownership of social inclusion policies and actions, 
emphasising  everyone’s  responsibility  in  tackling  poverty  and  marginalisation.  The 
European Year shall foster awareness, participation and engagement, and create new 
opportunities for ordinary citizens to contribute.  

Cohesion — Promoting a more cohesive society by raising public awareness of the 
benefits for all of a society where poverty is eradicated and no-one is condemned to 
live  in  the  margins.  The  European  Year  shall  foster  a  society  that  sustains  and 
develops quality of life, social well-being and equal opportunities for all regardless 
of  their  background,  ensuring  sustainable  development  and  solidarity  between  and 
within generations and policy coherence with EU action worldwide. 

Commitment — Reiterating the strong political commitment of the EU to the fight 
against poverty and social exclusion and promoting this commitment at all levels of 
governance. Building upon the achievements and possible shortcomings of the Open 
Method  of  Coordination  on  Social  Protection  and  Social  Inclusion,  the  European 

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Year shall strengthen the political commitment to the prevention of and fight against 
poverty  and  social  exclusion  and  give  impetus  to  further  development  of  the 
European Union’s action in this field. 

Article 3 

Content of actions 

1. 

The  actions  designed  to  meet  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  2  may  include  the 
following in particular: 

a)  meetings and events; 

b) 

c) 

information, promotional and educational campaigns; 

surveys and studies on a Community or nationwide scale.  

2. 

Details  of  the  actions  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  are  set  out  in  the  Annex  to  this 
Decision (hereafter referred to as "the Annex"). 

Article 4 

Gender mainstreaming 

The  European  Year  shall  take  into  account  the  different  ways  in  which  women  and  men 
experience poverty and social exclusion. 

Article 5 

Cooperation and implementation at Community level 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 7. 

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

In  particular,  the  Commission  shall  make the  necessary  arrangements  to  ensure  the 
consistency and complementarity of the Community action and initiatives referred to 
in Article 10 so as to help meet the objectives set out in Article 2. 

It  shall  conduct  a  regular  exchange  of  views  with  stakeholders,  particularly  at 
European  level,  on  the  design,  implementation,  follow-up  and  assessment  of  the 
European Year. 

The  Commission  shall  establish  the  necessary  links  with  the  Social  Protection 
Committee  in  order  to  ensure  regular  and  appropriate  information  on  the 
implementation of activities referred to in this Decision. 

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Article 6 

Cooperation and implementation at national level 

Each  Member  State  shall  appoint  a  “National  Implementing  Body”  to  organise  its 
participation  in  the  European  Year  and  ensure  coordination  at  national  level.  That 
National  Implementing  Body  shall  be  responsible  for  defining  the  national 
programme and the priorities for the European Year and for selecting the individual 
actions to be proposed for Community funding. The national strategy and priorities 
for  the  European  Year  shall  be  set  out  in  accordance  with  the  objectives  listed  in 
Article 2. 

The  procedure  for  awarding  Community  funding  for  actions  at  national  level  is  set 
out in part II of the Annex. 

For  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  its  tasks,  the  National  Implementing  Body  shall 
consult  on  a  regular  basis  and  cooperate  closely  with  a  National  Advisory  Group, 
composed  of  a  broad  range  of  relevant  stakeholders,  including  civil  society 
organisations and organisations defending or representing the interests of those who 
experience  poverty  and  social  exclusion,  national  parliament  representatives,  social 
partners, and regional and local authorities.  

Article 7 

Committee 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  a  Committee  composed  of  one  representative 
per State and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative per 
State shall be designated from the National Implementing Body referred to in Article 
6. 

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. 

The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure. 

Article 8 

Financial provisions 

Actions on a Community scale, as set out in part I of the Annex, may be subsidised 
up to 80 % or give rise to procurement contract financed from the general budget of 
the European Union. 

Actions  at  local,  regional  or  national  level  may  be  co-financed  from  the  general 
budget of the European Union up to a maximum of 50 % of the total eligible costs of 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

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the  actions  implemented  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  set  out  in  part  II  of  the 
Annex. 

Article 9 

Application and selection procedure 

Decisions on the financing of actions pursuant to Article 8(1) and Article 8(2) shall 
be  adopted  by  the  Commission  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  referred  to  in 
Article 7(2). 

Requests  for  financial  assistance  for  actions  pursuant  to  Article  8(3)  shall  be 
submitted  to  the  Commission  by  the  National  Implementing  Bodies  in  accordance 
with the procedure set out in part II of the Annex. 

Article 10 

Consistency and complementarity 

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

They  shall  ensure  that  the  European  Year  fully  complements  other  existing 
Community, national and regional initiatives and resources, where they can help to 
attain the objectives of the European Year. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

Article 11 

Participating countries 

Participation in the European Year shall be open to: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Member States; 

candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with the 
general principles and the general terms and conditions for the participation of those 
countries  in  Community  Programmes  laid  down,  respectively,  by  the  Framework 
Agreement and by decisions of the Association Councils; 

the  countries  of  the  western  Balkans,  in  accordance  with  the  arrangements  to  be 
established  with  those  countries  under  the  framework  agreements  on  the  general 
principles for their participation in Community programmes; 

EFTA  States  that  are  parties  to  the  EEA  Agreement,  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of that Agreement; 

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e) 

1. 

2. 

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

Article 12 

Budget 

The  financial  framework  for  the  implementation  of  the  actions  referred  to  in  this 
Decision  for  the  period  1  January  2009  to  31  December  2010  shall  be 
EUR 17 000 000, of which EUR 6 500 000 shall be for the period until 31 December 
2009.  

Annual  appropriations  shall  be  authorised  by  the  budgetary  authority  within  the 
limits of the Financial Framework 2007-2013. 

Article 13 

International cooperation 

For  the  purpose  of  the  European  Year,  the  Commission  may  cooperate  with  relevant 
international  organisations,  in  particular  the  Council  of  Europe,  the  International  Labour 
Organisation and the United Nations. 

Article 14 

Protection of Community financial interests 

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under the present Decision 
are  implemented,  the  financial  interests  of  the  Community  are  protected  by  the 
application  of  preventive  measures  against  fraud,  corruption  and  any  other  illegal 
activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, if 
irregularities  are  detected,  by  effective,  proportional  and  dissuasive  penalties,  in 
accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 and (Euratom, EC) 
No  2185/96,  and  with  Regulation  (EC)  No  1073/1999  of  the  European  Parliament 
and of the Council. 

With  regard  to  the  Community  actions  financed  under  this  Decision,  the  notion  of 
irregularity referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall 
mean  any  infringement  of  a  provision  of  Community  law  or  any  infringement  of  a 
contractual  obligation  resulting  from  an  act  or  omission  by  an  economic  operator 

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3. 

4. 

5. 

which  has,  or  would  have,  the  effect  of  prejudicing  the  general  budget  of  the 
Communities, or budgets managed by them, by an unjustified item of expenditure.  

The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the amount of financial assistance 
granted  for  an  action  if  it  finds  irregularities,  particularly  non-compliance  with  the 
provisions  of  this  Decision  or  of  the  individual  decision  or  contract  granting  the 
financial  support  in  question,  or  if  it  transpires  that,  without  Commission  approval 
having being sought, the action has undergone significant change that conflicts with 
its nature or with its implementing conditions. 

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. 

Any amount unduly paid shall be repaid to the Commission. Interest shall be added 
to any sums not repaid in due time under the conditions laid down in the Financial 
Regulation. 

Article 15 

Monitoring and evaluation 

By 31 December 2011, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on 
the  implementation,  results  and  overall  assessment  of  the  actions  provided  for  in  this 
Decision. 

Article 16 

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

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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Details of the actions referred to in Article 3 

ANNEX  

I. 

1. 

ACTIONS ON A COMMUNITY SCALE 

Meetings and events 

Organisation  of  meetings  and  events  at  Community  level,  intended  to  raise  the  awareness 
about  issues  related  to  the  European  Year  and  about  poverty  and  social  exclusion  and  to 
provide for a forum of exchange of ideas. They will gather relevant stakeholders and will be 
together  with  people  experiencing  poverty  and  civil  society  organisations 
planned 
representing  them,  to  provide  a  good  opportunity  to  address  policy  gaps  and  every  day 
problems. 

2. 

Information and promotional campaigns involving  

•  The  organisation  of  various  solidarity  initiatives  for  poverty  alleviation  and  social 
inclusion  to  give  ordinary  citizens  the  opportunity  to  contribute  directly  or  through  their 
organisations,  even  modestly  and  in  whatever  form.  Media  campaigns  may  support 
fundraising operations within the framework of the European Year; 

•  The development of a logo, available in a variety of formats, and slogans for the European 

Year, for use in connection with any action linked to the European Year; 

•  An information campaign at Community level with positioning at national level, based on 

both traditional and new communication channels and new technologies; 

•  The production of communication and media tools available throughout the Community to 

stimulate public interest; 

•  Appropriate  measures  and  initiatives  for  publicising  the  results  and  raising  the  profile  of 
Community  programmes,  actions  and  initiatives  contributing  to  the  objectives  of  the 
European Year; 

•  Appropriate  initiatives  by  educational  institutions  to  disseminate  information  on  the 

European Year; 

•  The organisation of European competitions highlighting achievements and experiences in 

connection with the themes of the European Year; 

•  A strong link with organisations and sectors not usually engaged with issues of poverty and 

social exclusion (e.g. sport, art), including the use of testimonials and “ambassadors”; 

•  The establishment of an information website on Europa. 

3. 

Other actions 

•  Community-wide  surveys  and  studies 

the  preparation, 
effectiveness, impact and long-term monitoring of the European Year. To facilitate a new 

to  assess  and  report  on 

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consensus around political solutions, one such survey will also include a series of questions 
to  gauge  public  opinion  on  policy  to  prevent  and  combat  poverty  and  social  exclusion, 
including  social  protection  systems,  and  on  the  potential  role  of  the  Union  in  the  fight 
against  poverty  and  exclusion.  This  will  be  conducted  in  2009  so  that  its  results  can  be 
presented at the Opening Conference of the European Year; 

•  Cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other media as partners in spreading 
information about the European Year as well as in actions aiming for long-term dialogue 
on social issues;  

•  Technical assistance to facilitate the transfer of learning; 

•  An evaluation report on the effectiveness and impact of the European Year. 

Specific  links  could  be  established  with  the  organisation  of  events  at  European  and 
international level. 

The Commission may make use of technical and/or administrative assistance for the mutual 
benefit of the Commission and the participating countries, for example by financing outside 
expertise on a specific subject. 

4. 

Funding 

Funding may be in the form of:  

•  the purchase of goods and services, in particular in the field of communications, 

via calls for tender; 

•  the purchase of consultancy services, via calls for tender; 

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

II. 

CO-FINANCING OF ACTIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL 

These  actions  should  take  account  of  the  need  to  provide  funding  opportunities  that  ensure 
access for organisations “on the ground” and projects involving the most marginalised groups. 

1. 

2. 

Actions  at  local,  regional  or  national  level  may  qualify  for  financing  from  the 
Community  budget  up  to  a  maximum  of  50%  of  the  total  eligible  costs  per 
participating country. National co-funding should match the EU funding with at least 
50% from public or private sources. When selecting actions, National Implementing 
Bodies will be free to decide whether or not, and at what level, to request co-funding 
from the organisation responsible for implementing individual actions. 

Following  the  adoption  of  this  Decision,  the  Commission  will  prepare  a  Strategic 
Framework  Document,  which,  alongside  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  2,  will 
establish  the  key  priorities  for  the  implementation  of  the  European  Year  activities, 
including minimum standards in terms of participation in national bodies and actions. 

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3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

In  response  to  the  Strategic  Framework  Document,  each  National  Implementation 
Body  will  produce  a  National  Programme  for  implementing  the  European  Year,  in 
close coordination and consistency with the National Strategies for Social Protection 
and Social Inclusion.  

Each  National  Implementing  Body  will  submit  a  single  application  for  Community 
funding.  That  grant  application  will  describe  the  national  programme  and  priorities 
for the European Year, the actions proposed for funding in the relevant participating 
country  and  the  organisations  responsible  for  implementing  each  of  the  individual 
actions. The grant application will be accompanied by a detailed budget setting out 
the  total  costs  of  the  actions  proposed  and  the  amount  and  sources  of  co-funding. 
Eligible  costs  may  include  personnel  and  administrative  costs  incurred  by  the 
national implementing body. 

The  release  of  global  grants  to  participating  countries  will  depend  on  the  extent  to 
which  the  objectives  set  in  Article  2  and  developed  in  the  Strategic  Framework 
Document  are  adequately  met  in  the  National  Programme  for  implementing  the 
European Year. 

The  Commission  will  evaluate  and,  if  necessary,  request  modifications  to  the 
applications  for  Community  funding  submitted  by  the  National  Implementing 
Bodies. 

7. 

Actions under point 1 above may include: 

a)  Meetings  and  events  connected  with  the  objectives  of  the  European  Year, 
including national events to launch and promote the European Year, create a catalyst 
effect and provide open spaces for debate around concrete action to combat poverty 
and social exclusion; 

b)  Mutual learning seminars at national, regional and local level; 

c)  Other  events  connected  with  the  preparation  of  EU-level  initiatives  (e.g.  the 
yearly  European  Round  Table  on  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion  and  European 
Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty); 

d) 
Information,  educational  and  promotional  campaigns  and  other  actions  in 
schools and measures with a strong multiplier effect to disseminate the principles and 
underlying  values  celebrated  by  the  European  Year  at  national,  regional  and  local 
levels, including the organisation of awards and competitions; 

Surveys and studies other than those mentioned in point 3 of Part I, to examine 

e) 
in greater depth the key issues of the European Year; 

f) 
Training  opportunities  for  civil  servants,  social  partners,  the  media,  NGO 
representatives  and  other  actors  to  increase  their  knowledge  of  poverty  and  social 
exclusion phenomena, of European and national social inclusion policies and of the 
different policy tools available, to increase their capacity to deal with poverty-related 
issues, and to encourage them to play an active role in the fight against poverty and 
social exclusion; 

g) 

Cooperation with the media; 

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h)  Development of pilot regional and local action plans for social inclusion. 

III. 

ACTION  FOR  WHICH  NO  FINANCIAL  AID  FROM  THE  GENERAL  BUDGET  OF  THE 
EUROPEAN UNION IS AVAILABLE 

The  Community  will  grant  non-financial  support,  including  written  authorisation  to  use  the 
specific logo created for the European Year and other material associated with the European 
Year, for initiatives undertaken by public or private organisations, in so far as the latter can 
provide  assurances  to  the  Commission  —  on  the  basis  of  specific  criteria  set  out  in  the 
Strategic  Framework  Document  —  that  the  initiatives  in  question  are  or  will  be  carried  out 
during  the  period  of  the  European  Year  and  are  likely  to  make  a  significant  contribution  to 
achieving one or more of its objectives.  

Initiatives organised in third countries in association or cooperation with the European Year 
may  also  receive  non-financial  support  from  the  Community  and  use  the  logo  and  other 
materials associated with the European Year. 

IV. 

PRIORITIES FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR ACTIVITIES 

Taking into account the multidimensional nature of poverty and social exclusion and with a 
view to mainstreaming the prevention of and fight against poverty and exclusion within other 
policies, the European Year activities should aim to produce a clear added value and provide 
an effective complement to the Open Method of Coordination on Social Protection and Social 
Inclusion. These activities should therefore focus on a limited number of priority areas.  

In line with the analysis carried out and the priorities identified in the Joint Social Protection 
and Social Inclusion Report, the European Year should focus around the following themes: 

•  child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of poverty; 

•  an inclusive labour market;  

•  disadvantages in education and training, including digital literacy training;  

•  poverty and the gender dimension;  

•  access to basic services, including decent accommodation;  

•  overcoming discrimination and promoting the integration of immigrants and the social and 

labour market inclusion of ethnic minorities;  

•  addressing the needs of disabled people and other vulnerable groups. 

In  planning  the  European  Year  activities  in  line  with  the  above  priorities,  the  participating 
countries  will  adapt  them  to  the  national,  regional  and  local  situations  and  challenges, 
including considerations of territorial cohesion.  

In  the  light  of  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  2  of  the  Decision,  the  issue  of  participation 
should be mainstreamed throughout all the priorities. 

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Under  Article  4  of  the  Decision,  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States  are  to  take  into 
account,  in  implementing  the  European  Year  activities,  the  different  ways  in  which  women 
and  men  experience  poverty  and  social  exclusion.  They  will  also  ensure  that  gender  is 
mainstreamed  throughout  the  European  Year  priorities  with  a  view  to  promoting  gender 
equality.

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL:  

European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 

2. 

ABM/ABB FRAMEWORK 

Policy area(s) concerned and associated activity/activities: 

Policy area: Employment and Social Affairs 

Activity: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 

3. 

BUDGET LINES  

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

New  budget  line  04  04  12  for  supporting  activities  carried  out  in  connection  with  the 
European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 

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

01.01.2009 – 31.12.2010 

3.3 Budgetary characteristics (add rows if necessary): 

Budget 
line 

Type of expenditure 

New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
from candidate 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
framework 

04 04 
12 

NCE  Differentiated 
appropriations  

YES 

YES 

YES 

1a 

4. 

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES  

4.1. Financial resources 

4.1.1. Summary of commitment appropriations and payment appropriations at current prices 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Expenditure 
type 

Section 
No 

Operational expenditure 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Section 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

n+3 and later 

Total 

6.500 

10.500 

17.000 

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(CA) 

No 

a 

Payment 
appropriations 
(PA) 

Section 
No 

b 

3.000 

10.000 

4.000 

17.000 

TOTAL REFERENCE AMOUNT 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

a 

b 

6.500 

10.500 

3.000 

10.000 

4.000 

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

Human resources 
and associated 
expenditure 
(NDA) 

Other 
administrative 
costs, not included 
in reference 
amount NDA 

c 

0.477 

0.477 

0.297 

d 

0.036 

0.107 

0.019 

Total indicative financial cost of action 

TOTAL CA 
including cost of 
human resources 

TOTAL PA 
including cost of 
human resources 

a + c + d 

7.013 

11.084 

0.316 

b + c +d 

3.513 

10.584 

4.316 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

4.1.2. Compatibility with financial programming 

17.000 

17.000 

1.251 

0.162 

18.413 

18.413 

Proposal is compatible with the Commission Communication of 14 July 2004 on the Financial 
Framework  2007-2013,  COM(2004)  487  final.  Proposal  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the 
relevant heading in the Financial Framework. 

4.1.3. Financial impact on revenue 

Proposal has no financial implications for revenue.(cid:31)

4.2.  Human 
– see details under point 8.2.1. 

resources  FTE 

(including  officials, 

temporary  and  external 

staff)  

Annual 
requirements 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

n + 3 and later 

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Total  number  of 
human resources 

5 

5 

3 

5. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES 

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

The  Commission  intends  to  bring  the  issue  of  combating  poverty  and  social  exclusion  and 
ensuring a more inclusive society to the attention of a wide range of stakeholders within the 
Member  States  and  to  coordinate  efforts  to  raise  awareness  and  reaffirm  and  strengthen  the 
initial political commitment of the EU at the start of the Lisbon strategy to make “a decisive 
impact on the eradication of poverty”. 

5.2. Added value of Community involvement and coherence of the proposal with other 
financial instruments and possible synergies 

The  objectives  of  the  European  Year,  while  aimed  at  the  individual  citizen,  will  be  better 
achieved and have more effect at Community level than at Member State level. The actions 
envisaged will not go beyond what is necessary to achieve these objectives. The Commission 
will  ensure  that  activities  financed  by  the  European  Year  complement  other  Community 
interventions. 

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

The  European  Year  should  stimulate  debate  and  create  solutions  to  ensure  the  meaningful 
participation in society of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion, the strengthening 
of the organisations in which they participate, and the development of stronger frameworks to 
ensure their involvement in activities designed to make a decisive impact on the eradication of 
poverty. It will help the Open Method of Coordination have more impact on the ground.  

5.4. Method of implementation  

Centralised management, directly by the Commission and indirectly by delegation to national 
public-sector bodies/bodies with a public-service mission. 

6. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION  

6.1. Monitoring system 

The table below provides some examples of indicators. 

OBJECTIVES 

INDICATORS (INDICATIVE) 

Specific objectives 

Indicators 

Recognition  —  Recognising  the  right  of 
people  in  a  situation  of  poverty  and  social 
exclusion  to  live  in  dignity  and  play  a  full 

–  Citizens’  and  policy-makers’  knowledge/understanding  of 

the 

different facets of poverty and its root causes 

–  Opportunities for developing regular dialogue on social issues with 

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part in society 

media organisations 

–  Change  in  perceptions  towards  people  experiencing  poverty  as 
regards stereotypes and stigmatisation as well as the self-perception 
of people experiencing poverty 

Ownership  —  Stimulating  debate  on  ways 
to increase participation in society 

–  Specific  opportunities  to  debate  the  most  appropriate  mechanisms 
and  models  for  the  participation  of  disadvantaged  groups  in  the 
policy-making process 

–  Broad  and  effective  participation,  on  the  basis  of  common 

guidelines, in the preparations for the European Year 

–  Effective learning and training opportunities 

Cohesion  —  Promoting  a  more  inclusive 
and cohesive society 

–  Events,  studies  and  campaigns  to  promote  a  large  participatory 
debate  around  the  role  of  the  EU  in  achieving  a  more  cohesive 
society 

Commitment  —  Reiterating  the  strong 
political commitment 

Information and promotional campaigns  

–  Opportunities for widening the debate to organisations and sectors 

not usually engaged with poverty and social exclusion issues 

–  Visibility of EC programmes and actions to promote social cohesion 
and  sustainable  development  and  EU  action  to  combat  poverty 
worldwide 

–  Development  of  innovative  initiatives,  in  particular  to  promote 

trans-sectoral approaches to social inclusion 

–  Assessment  of 
Coordination 

the  achievements  of 

the  Open  Method  of 

–  Analysis at both EU and national level to provide stronger support 

for evidence-based policies and further policy development 

–  Opportunities  for  a  new  long-term  EU  commitment  to  eliminate 

poverty 

Operational Indicators 

–  Number and type of information and promotion activities  

–  Increased public awareness and support  

–  Influence on policy process and public discourse  

–  Extent and tone of press and media coverage of the events supported 

by the European Year (qualitative and quantitative) 

–  Relevance of timing and message communicated 

–  Number  and  types  of  tools  to  stimulate  the  interest  of  the  general 

public 

–  Percentage of population reached 

–  Access to and use of information tools established and disseminated 

by the European Year about relevant EC programmes 

–  Awareness  among  participants  in  the  programmes  and  actions  of 

the European Year of these activities 

–  Use of logo & slogans in the European Year activities 

Surveys and studies 

Events and initiatives at Community level 

–  Use of the European Year’s website 

–  Coverage of publications  

–  Improvement of knowledge base 

–  Relevance of recommendations 

–  Use in the programming decisions 

–  Number and type of participants 

–  Satisfaction rate 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
 
–  Type of learning effects 

–  Media coverage  

–  Increased public awareness 

–  Quality of the message communicated 

–  Influence on policy process and discourse 

Events and initiatives at national level 

–  Number  and  types  of  initiatives  (launch  and  promotion  of  the 
European  Year;  open  spaces  for  debate;  peer  review  seminars; 
educational  campaigns  and  actions  in  schools;  organisation  of 
training 
awards  and 
opportunities; etc.) 

surveys  and 

competitions; 

studies; 

–  Number and type of participants 

–  Relevance of the timing 

–  Relevance of the topic(s) to the objectives of the European Year 

–  Satisfaction rate 

–  Type of learning effects 

–  Media coverage  

–  Quality of the message communicated 

–  Increased awareness 

–  Influence on policy process and discourse 

–  Improvement of the knowledge base 

–  Projects involving promoters or networks from different sectors 

–  Proportion  of  the  total  budget  used  to  support  this  operational 

objective  

–  Multiplier  effect  (number  of  actions  and  initiatives  at  national, 
regional and local level sponsored but not financed by the European 
Year) 

Technical  assistance  to  facilitate  the  transfer 
of learning 

–  Number and types of initiatives 

–  Number and type of participants 

–  Relevance of the timing 

–  Satisfaction rate 

–  Type of learning effects 

6.2. Evaluation 

6.2.1. Impact assessment  

An  impact  assessment  of  the  European  Year  is  attached  to  this  proposal  for  a  European 
Parliament and Council Decision.  

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

An external evaluation exercise will be launched in 2009 in order to gather baseline data to 
monitor the implementation of the European Year and provide interim results if needed. The 
evaluation results should be available by mid-2011.  

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
7. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES  

The  Commission  must  ensure  that,  when  actions  financed  under  the  present  Decision  are 
implemented,  the  financial  interests  of  the  Community  are  protected  by  the  application  of 
preventive  measures  against  fraud,  corruption  and  any  other  illegal  activities,  by  effective 
checks  and  by  the  recovery  of  amounts  unduly  paid  and,  if  irregularities  are  detected,  by 
effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Council Regulations (EC, 
Euratom)  No  2988/95  and  (Euratom,  EC)  No  2185/96  and  with  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council.  

For  the  Community  actions  financed  under  this  Decision,  an  irregularity  as  referred  to  in 
Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 means any infringement of a provision 
of Community law or any breach of a contractual obligation resulting from an act or omission 
by  an  economic  operator  which  has,  or  would  have,  the  effect  of  prejudicing  the  general 
budget  of  the  Communities,  or  budgets  managed  by  them,  by  an  unjustifiable  item  of 
expenditure. 

8. 

DETAILS OF RESOURCES  

Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Headings 
of 
Objectives 

Type 
Outputs 

of 

Averag
e costs 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

Year  n+4  and 
later 

TOTAL 

No 

Total  
Costs  

No 

Total  
Costs  

No 

Total 
Costs  

No 

Total  
Costs  

No 

Total  
Costs  

No 

Total  
Costs  

Meetings  and 
events 

0.400 

1 

0.400 

Information 
and 
promotional 
campaigns 

Technical 
assistance 

Evaluation 
activities 

3.075 

1 

5.000 

1 

1.150 

0.600 

1 

0.600 

0.150 

1 

0.150 

Opening 

0.350 

1 

0.350 

1 

0.350 

1 

2 

1 

1 

2 

0.400 

6.150 

0.600 

0.150 

0.700 

and closing 

events 

to 

Grants 
National 
Implementing 
Bodies 

0.300 

30 

9.000 

30 

9.000 

5  

6.500 

32 

10.500 

37 

17.000 

Actions  on 
EC 
an 
scale 

 Co-
financing 
of  actions 
on  an  EC 
scale 

Co-
financing 
of  actions 
at  national 
level 

TOTAL 
COSTS 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of the costs of measures 

Action I. 

Actions on an EC scale 

Meetings and events:  

400 000 euros 

Information, promotional and educational campaigns 

A  6.150  million  euro  budget  is  the  total  amount  necessary  for  the  European  Year’s 
information  and  communication  actions.  While  part  of  this  amount  will  go  towards 
coordinating the campaign at EU level, the bulk will be devoted to localising the campaign at 
national level. 

Evaluation activities 

All  activities  carried  out  for  the  European  Year  will  be  subject  to  an  evaluation  of  the 
effectiveness and impact of the European Year, to be the subject of a report published after 
the close of the Year. 

Action II. Co-financing of actions on an EC scale  

The opening and closing of the European Year will be marked by two high-level, high-profile 
conferences.  For  such  conferences,  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  a  cost  of  437  500  euros.  The 
average  Community  contribution  to  these  actions  (maximum  of  80%  of  the  total  eligible 
costs) is estimated at 350 000 euros. 

Action III. Activities on a national scale 

While the European Union may provide a framework for awareness-raising actions, it has to 
be  recognised  that  most  of  the  progress  will  be  made  through  the  active  intervention  of  the 
participating members themselves.  

Building on the experience of previous European Years, such actions can be financed up to 
50% from the Community budget.  

Administrative expenditure 

Number and type of human resources 

Types of 
post 

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

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Officials  or 
Temporary 
staff  
(XX 01 01) 

A*/AD 

B*, 
C*/AST 

Staff financed 
by Article XX 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

28 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
01 02 
(auxiliary, 
END, contract 
staff, etc.) 

Other  staff 
financed by 
Article  XX 
01 04/05 

TOTAL 

0 

5 

0 

5 

0 

3 

Description of tasks deriving from the action 

Description of tasks deriving from the action 

A  officials:  animation  of  the  European  Year  at  the  European  level  and  in  relation  with 
National implementing bodies, committee, drawing up invitations to tender, monitoring grants 
to Member States, information campaign, events, studies and communication  

B officials: financial monitoring of bids and grants, general assistance to A officials with all 
tasks 

C officials: assistance with all tasks referred to above 

Sources of human resources (statutory) 

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

0 Post pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for 2008 

0 Post to be requested in the 2009 APS/PDB procedure (but 1 contract agent FG IV or SNE 
from 2009 to 2011 + 1 CA FG II or III in 2009-2010) 

3 posts in 2009 and 2010 and 2 posts in 2011 to be redeployed using existing resources within 
the managing service (internal redeployment) 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

TOTAL 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Budget line (number 
and heading) 

1. Technical and 
administrative 
assistance (including 
related staff costs) 

Executive agencies 

Other technical and 
administrative 
assistance 

- intra muros 

- extra muros 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total technical and 
administrative 

0 

0 

0 

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

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Type of human resources 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Officials and temporary 
staff (XX 01 01) 

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

(specify budget line) 

Total cost of human 
resources and associated 
costs (NOT in reference 
amount) 

0.351 

0.351 

0.234 

0.126 

0.126 

0.063 

0.477 

0.477 

0.297 

Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

2011 

2012 

2013 

TOTAL 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

XX 01 02 11 01 — Missions 

XX 01 02 11 02 — Meetings and conferences 

2009 

0.017 

2010 

0.069 

XX 01 02 11 03 — Committees 

0.019 

0.038 

0.019 

XX 01 02 11 04 — Studies and consultations 

XX 01 02 11 05 — Information systems 

2. Total other management expenditure (XX 
01 02 11) 

0.036 

0.107 

0.019 

3. Other expenditure of an administrative 
nature (specify including reference to budget 
line) 

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

0.036 

0.107 

0.019 

0.086 

0.076 

0.162 

0.162 

Calculation — Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

Missions: average of 3 missions in 32 countries (27 MSs + other participating countries) x 900 € 

Committee: 4 meetings x 32 participants (27 MSs + other participating countries) x 700 € 

Human  resources  and  administrative  requirements  will  be  covered  by  the  overall  budget 
allocated to the authorising DG under the annual allocation procedure. 

EN 

30 

   EN