Decision No 742/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on the Community’s participation in a research and development programme undertaken by several Member States aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older people through the use of new information and communication technologies (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-07-09
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, elderly person, information technology, quality of life, research and development, terms for aid

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Official Journal of the European Union

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DECISIONS ADOPTED JOINTLY BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE
COUNCIL

DECISION No 742/2008/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 9 July 2008
on the Community’s participation in a research and development programme undertaken by several
Member States aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older people through the use of new
information and communication technologies

(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 Articles 169 and 172, second
paragraph, thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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

Acting in accordance with the procedure
Article 251 of the Treaty (1),

laid down in

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

research,

Programme of

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the
European
the
Seventh Framework
technological development
Community for
and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (2)
(here­
inafter
Framework
as
Programme) provides for Community participation in
research and development programmes undertaken by
including participation in the
several Member States,
structures
those
for
programmes, within the meaning of Article 169 of the
Treaty.

execution

Seventh

referred

created

the

the

to

of

The Seventh Framework Programme has defined a series
such
of criteria for

the identification of areas

for

(1) Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 March 2008 (not yet
published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 23 June
2008.

(2) OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

the clear definition of

relevance to the objectives of

the relevance to Community
Article 169 initiatives:
the objective to be
objectives,
the
pursued and its
Seventh Framework Programme, the presence of a pre-
existing basis (existing or envisaged national research
programmes), European added value, a critical mass
with regard to the size and number of programmes
involved and the similarity of activities they cover, and
the efficiency of Article 169 as the most appropriate
means for achieving the objectives.

(3)

(4)

(5)

research,

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006
concerning the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’
im­
plementing the Seventh Framework programme of the
technological de­
European Community for
(2007 to
velopment
and
2013) (3)
Specific
Programme
an Article 169
initiative in the field of ambient assisted living as one
of
the fields suitable for Community participation in
national research programmes jointly implemented on
the basis of Article 169 of the Treaty.

demonstration activities

‘Cooperation’)

(hereinafter

identifies

referred

to as

the

In its Communication of 1 June 2005 entitled ‘i2010 —
A European information society
growth and
employment’,
the Commission proposed to launch a
flagship initiative on caring for people in an ageing
society.

for

In its Communication of 12 October 2006 entitled ‘The
demographic future of Europe — from challenge to
opportunity’, the Commission underlined the fact that
the main challenges
demographic ageing is one of
facing all countries in the European Union and that
increased use of new technologies
could help to
control costs,
improve well-being and promote the
active participation in society of elderly people, as well
as
the European
economy, in support of the revised Lisbon Strategy for
growth and jobs.

improving the competitiveness of

(3) OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

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information and communication tech­
In the field of
nologies (ICT) in particular, the fact of an ageing popu­
lation can be seen as an opportunity for an emerging
market for new goods and services which respond to the
needs of the elderly. However, the rapid development and
use of new ICT should not lead to social exclusion or a
widening of the digital divide; however, digital literacy is
a precondition for inclusion and participation in the
information society.

The present initiative in the field of ambient assisted
living should take into account the reality of the ageing
population in Europe, where the percentage of women is
higher than that of men due to the longer average life
expectancy of women.

and

States)

Israel, Norway

Ireland, Greece, Spain, France,

Italy, Cyprus,
Germany,
Luxembourg, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden and the
United Kingdom (hereinafter referred to as the partici­
and
pating Member
Switzerland have agreed to coordinate and implement
jointly activities aimed at contributing to the AAL Joint
Programme. The overall value of their participation is
estimated at a minimum of EUR 150 million for the
the Seventh Framework Programme. The
duration of
these countries in the AAL
participation of each of
Joint Programme should be subject
to a minimum
financial contribution commensurate with the potential
demand from its national
research communities and
the
should normally be at
country is to participate in the annual work programme.

least EUR 0,2 million if

a

core

in the

element

ageing is

renewed
Active
employment guidelines. The EU approach to ageing
aims at mobilising the full potential of people of all
ages — the lifecycle approach — and stresses the need
from fragmented to comprehensive ageing
to shift
strategies.

research and development
At present, a number of
programmes or activities undertaken by Member States
individually at national level in the field of ICT for ageing
well are not sufficiently coordinated at European level
and do not allow a coherent approach at European
level for research and development of innovative ICT-
based products and services for ageing well.

(10) Wishing to have a coherent approach at European level
in the field of ICT for ageing well and to act effectively,
several Member States have taken the initiative in setting
up a joint research and development programme entitled
‘Ambient Assisted Living’ (hereinafter referred to as the
AAL Joint Programme) in the field of ICT for ageing well
in the information society, in order to obtain synergies in
terms of management
resources by
ensuring a single common evaluation mechanism with
the assistance of independent experts, on the basis of
in Regulation (EC) No
established practice as set out
1906/2006 of
the
Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules
for the participation of undertakings, research centres
Seventh
actions
and
Framework Programme and for the dissemination of
research results (2007-2013) (1), and the combination
of
in
various countries across Europe.

the European Parliament and of

and resources

and financial

universities

additional

expertise

available

under

the

in

(11)

The AAL Joint Programme aims at addressing the
challenge of demographic ageing by providing the
necessary legal and organisational framework for large-
scale European cooperation between Member States in
applied research and innovation in the area of ICT for
in an ageing society. Belgium, Denmark,
ageing well

(1) OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

The AAL Joint Programme should also promote the
involvement of
small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) in its activities in accordance with the objectives
of the Seventh Framework Programme.

the

scientific objectives of

to increase the impact of

the participating Member States,

the AAL Joint
In order
Programme,
Israel,
Norway and Switzerland have agreed to the Community’s
participation in it. The Community should participate in
the Programme by making a financial contribution of up
the AAL Joint
to EUR 150 million. Given that
the
Programme meets
Seventh Framework Programme and that the research
field of the AAL Joint Programme falls within the ICT
the
theme of
Community financial
taken
from the budget appropriation allocated to that theme.
Further financing options may be available,
inter alia,
from the European Investment Bank (EIB), in particular
through the Risk-Sharing Finance Facility developed
jointly by the EIB and the Commission pursuant
to
Annex III to Decision 2006/971/EC.

the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’,

contribution should be

The Community financial support should be provided
subject to the definition of a financing plan based on
formal commitments from the competent national auth­
orities to implement jointly the research and develop­
ment programmes and activities undertaken at national
the joint
level and to contribute to the financing of
execution of the AAL Joint Programme.

joint

implementation of

research
The
programmes requires the establishment or existence of
a dedicated implementation structure, as provided for
in the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’.

the national

(16)

The participating Member States have agreed on such a
dedicated implementation structure to implement
the
AAL Joint Programme.

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(17)

(18)

(19)

(20)

The dedicated implementation structure should be the
recipient of
contribution from the
Community and should ensure the efficient execution
of the AAL Joint Programme.

financial

the

In order to implement the AAL Joint Programme ef­
ficiently, the dedicated implementation structure should
grant financial support to third parties participating in
the AAL Joint Programme which are selected following
calls for proposals.

The Community contribution should be subject to the
commitment of resources by the participating Member
States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland and the effective
payment of their financial contributions.

The Community should have the right
to reduce,
withhold or terminate its financial contribution if the
implemented inadequately,
AAL Joint Programme is
partially or late, on the terms set out in an agreement
to be concluded between the Community and the
dedicated implementation structure laying down the
detailed arrangements for the Community contribution.

(24)

to the general budget of

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation
applicable
the European
Communities (4) (hereinafter referred to as the Financial
Regulation) and Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down
detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regu­
lation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial
Regulation applicable to the general budget of
the
European Communities (5) (hereinafter referred to as the
contribution
Implementing Rules),
indirect
should be managed in the
centralised management
the
in
provisions of Articles 54(2)(c) and 56 of the Financial
Regulation, and Articles 35, 38(2) and 41 of the Im­
plementing Rules.

framework of
accordance with

the Community

(25)

It is essential that the research activities carried out under
the AAL Joint Programme conform to basic ethical prin­
ciples, including those reflected in Article 6 of the Treaty
on European Union and in the Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the European Union, and follow the principles
of gender mainstreaming and gender equality.
In the
the Programme account should also be
execution of
taken of
the role of women in
science and research.

the promotion of

(21) Any Member State should be able to join the AAL Joint

Programme.

(26)

The AAL Joint Programme should also aim at promoting
equitable and simplified access to relevant
ICT-based
products and services across all Member States.

(22)

In accordance with the Seventh Framework Programme,
the Community should have the right to agree conditions
relating to its financial contribution to the AAL Joint
Programme concerning the participation therein of any
country
Framework
the
Seventh
for implementing the
Programme or, where essential
joining
AAL Joint Programme, of any other country,
the Programme in the course of its implementation, in
accordance with this Decision.

associated with

(27)

The Commission should conduct an interim evaluation
the
by 2010, assessing the quality and efficiency of
the AAL Joint Programme and
implementation of
set. That evaluation
progress
should also assess
interim
evaluations to be conducted before the final evaluation
at the end of 2013,

the need for

the objectives

towards

further

European Communities’

(23) Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent irregu­
larities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken
to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in
accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of
interests (1),
the
Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of
11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and
inspections carried out by the Commission in order to
protect
interests
against fraud and other irregularities (2), and 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).

the European Communities’

financial

financial

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Joint

1.
In implementing the Seventh Framework Programme, the
Community shall make a financial contribution to the ambient
assisted living joint research and development programme (the
Programme) undertaken jointly by Belgium,
AAL
Italy,
Denmark, Germany,
Cyprus, Luxembourg, Hungary,
the Netherlands, Austria,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden and the
United Kingdom (the participating Member States) as well as
Israel, Norway and Switzerland.

Ireland, Greece, Spain, France,

(1) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 1233/2007 (OJ L 279, 23.10.2007, p. 10).

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

(4) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Council
Regulation (EC) No 1525/2007 (OJ L 343, 27.12.2007, p. 9).
(5) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 (OJ L 111,
28.4.2007, p. 13).

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financial

The Community shall pay a

contribution
2.
amounting to a maximum of EUR 150 million for
the
duration of the Seventh Framework Programme for the im­
plementation of
in accordance
the AAL Joint Programme,
in Annex I, which forms an
with the principles set out
integral part of this Decision.

3.
The Community financial contribution shall be paid from
the appropriation in the general budget of the European Union
allocated to the information and communication technologies
(ICT) theme of the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’.

Article 2

The Community financial contribution shall be conditional
upon:

(a) demonstration by the participating Member States, Israel,
Norway and Switzerland that the AAL Joint Programme
as described in Annex I has been efficiently set up;

(b) the formal establishment or designation by the participating
Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland, or organ­
isations designated by the participating Member States,
Israel, Norway and Switzerland, of a dedicated implemen­
tation structure with legal personality which shall be
responsible for implementing the AAL Joint Programme
and
the
allocating
Community financial contribution in the framework of
indirect
in accordance with
Articles 54(2)(c) and 56 of the Financial Regulation and
Articles 35, 38(2) and 41 of the Implementing Rules;

centralised management

and monitoring

receiving,

for

the Seventh Framework Programme, of gender
ciples of
mainstreaming and gender equality and of sustainable deve­
lopment; and

(h) the formulation of provisions governing the intellectual
property rights arising from the activities carried out
under the AAL Joint Programme and the implementation
research and development
and coordination of
programmes and activities undertaken at national level by
the participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Swit­
zerland in such a way that they aim at promoting the
creation of such knowledge and at supporting wide use
and dissemination of the knowledge created.

the

Article 3

the AAL Joint Programme,

In the implementation of
the
granting of financial support by the dedicated implementation
structure to third parties, and in particular financial support
provided to participants in projects selected following calls for
proposals for the award of grants, shall be subject to the prin­
ciples of equal treatment and transparency, predictability for
applicants and independent evaluation. The financial support
to third parties shall be granted on the basis of scientific
and
excellence,
impact
socioeconomic
in
relevance to the overall objectives of
the programme,
accordance with the principles and procedures set out
in
Annex I.

at European level

(c)

the establishment of an appropriate and efficient governance
model for the AAL Joint Programme in conformity with the
guidelines set out in Annex II, which forms an integral part
of this Decision;

(d) efficient carrying out of the activities under the AAL Joint
Programme described in Annex I by the dedicated im­
plementation structure, which entails the launch of calls
for proposals for the award of grants;

Article 4

The arrangements for the Community financial contribution
and the rules relating to financial
liability and intellectual
property rights, as well as the detailed rules for the provision
of financial support by the dedicated implementation structure
to third parties, shall be established by means of a general
agreement
to be concluded between the Commission, on
behalf of the Community, and the dedicated implementation
structure, and annual financing agreements.

(e) commitments by the participating Member States,

Israel,
Norway and Switzerland to contribute to the financing of
the AAL Joint Programme and the effective payment of their
in particular the funding of parti­
financial contribution,
cipants in the projects selected following the calls for
proposals launched under the AAL Joint Programme;

Article 5

If the AAL Joint Programme is not implemented or is im­
plemented inadequately, partially or late, the Community may
reduce, withhold or terminate its financial contribution in line
with the actual implementation of the AAL Joint Programme.

(f) compliance with the State aid rules of the Community, and
in particular the rules set out in the Community Framework
for
and
State Aid for Research and Development
Innovation (1);

(g) ensuring a high level of scientific excellence and observance
of ethical principles in accordance with the general prin­

(1) OJ C 323, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

If the participating Member States,
Israel, Norway and Swit­
zerland do not contribute or contribute only partially or late
to the financing of the AAL Joint Programme, the Community
may reduce its financial contribution in line with the actual
amount of public funding allocated by the participating
Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland on the terms
laid down in the agreement
to be concluded between the
Commission and the dedicated implementation structure.

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Article 6

In implementing the AAL Joint Programme, the participating
Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland shall take all
the legislative,
regulatory, administrative or other measures
necessary for protecting the Communities’ financial
interests.
In particular, the participating Member States, Israel, Norway
and Switzerland shall take the necessary measures to ensure
full
in
recovery of any amounts due to the Community,
accordance with Article 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation
and Article 38(2) of the Implementing Rules.

Article 7

The Commission and the Court of Auditors may, through their
officials or agents, carry out all the checks and inspections
needed to ensure proper management of
the Community
funds and protect
interests of the Community
against any fraud or irregularity. To this end, the participating
Israel, Norway and Switzerland and the
Member States,
dedicated implementation structure shall, in due course, make
all relevant documents available to the Commission and the
Court of Auditors.

the financial

Article 8

The Commission shall communicate all relevant information to
the European Parliament,
the Council and the Court of
Auditors. The participating Member States, Israel, Norway and
Switzerland are invited to submit to the Commission, through
the dedicated implementation structure, any additional
infor­
mation required by the European Parliament, the Council or
the Court of Auditors concerning the financial management
is consistent
of
with the overall reporting requirements set out in Article 12(1).

the dedicated implementation structure that

Article 9

Any Member State may join the AAL Joint Programme,
accordance with the criteria set out in Article 2(e) to (h).

in

Article 10

in
Any third country may join the AAL Joint Programme,
accordance with the criteria set out in Article 2(e) to (h) and,
provided that such participation is covered by the relevant inter­
national agreement and provided that both the Commission and
the participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland
agree to it.

basis of the rules set out in this Decision and of any implemen­
ting rules and arrangements.

Article 12

The annual report on the Seventh Framework Programme
1.
presented to the European Parliament and the Council pursuant
to Article 173 of the Treaty shall
include a report on the
activities of the AAL Joint Programme.

2.
An interim evaluation of the AAL Joint Programme shall
be carried out by the Commission two years after the start of
the Programme, but in any case no later than 2010. If deemed
necessary after
interim
evaluations may be carried out.

interim evaluation,

the first

further

The interim evaluation shall cover the progress towards the
objectives of the AAL Joint Programme set out in Annex I,
including recommendations on the most appropriate ways to
further enhance integration, the quality and efficiency of the
implementation, including scientific, management and financial
integration, of the AAL Joint Programme and whether the level
of
the participating Member
Israel, Norway and Switzerland is appropriate, given
States,
the potential demand from their various national
research
communities. Experience from other joint programmes carried
out under Article 169 of the Treaty shall also be taken into
account.

the financial contributions of

The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of
the
interim evaluation, accompanied by its observations and,
where
this
Decision, to the European Parliament and the Council.

appropriate, proposals

adaptation of

the

for

3.
At the end of 2013, the Commission shall conduct a final
evaluation of the AAL Joint Programme. The results of the final
evaluation shall be presented to the European Parliament and
the Council.

Article 13

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

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 14

Article 11

Done at Strasbourg, 9 July 2008.

Conditions relating to the Community financial contribution
concerning the participation in the AAL Joint Programme of
any country associated with the Seventh Framework Programme
or, where essential for implementing the AAL Joint Programme,
of any other country, may be agreed by the Community on the

For the European Parliament
The President

H.-G. PÖTTERING

For the Council
The President

J.-P. JOUYET

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ANNEX I

DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECTIVES, THE ACTIVITIES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AAL JOINT
PROGRAMME

I.

Specific aims

The AAL Joint Programme has the following specific aims:

— foster the emergence of innovative ICT-based products, services and systems for ageing well at home, in the
community, and at work, thus improving the quality of life, autonomy, participation in social life, skills and
employability of older people and reducing the costs of health and social care. This may be based, for example, on
innovative utilisation of ICT, new methods of customer interaction or new types of value chains for independent
living services. The results of the AAL Joint Programme could also be used by other groups of people, namely
people with disabilities,

— create a critical mass of research, development and innovation at EU level in the areas of technologies and services
including the establishment of a favourable environment for the

for ageing well
participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Programme,

in the information society,

— improve conditions for the industrial exploitation of research results by providing a coherent European framework
for developing common approaches, including common minimum standards and facilitating the localisation and
adaptation of common solutions which are compatible with varying social preferences and regulatory aspects at
national or regional level across Europe.

By focusing on applied research, the AAL Joint Programme will complement related longer-term research activities
envisaged under the Seventh Framework Programme, as well as the demonstration activities forming part of the
Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (2007 to 2013) established by Decision No 1639/2006/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), which focuses on large-scale uptake of existing solutions.

Through its activities, the AAL Joint Programme shall contribute to the achievement of the renewed Lisbon Strategy
objectives and the knowledge-based society, while endeavouring to ensure that the use of new technologies does not
lead to social exclusion. The Programme shall also promote the development of cost-effective solutions that can help
to ensure equitable, simplified access to ICT products and services, including access to services through a choice of
different channels that respect the privacy and dignity of the elderly in all regions of Europe, including rural and
peripheral areas.

Moreover, the AAL Joint Programme should promote innovation in and co-financing from the private sector, in
particular SMEs, for market-related projects and the adaptation of technology and solutions developed under projects
to the needs of the elderly, with a view to their increased social participation.

Wherever possible, complementarity and synergies between the AAL Joint Programme and other Community,
national and regional programmes shall be ensured.

Due account shall be taken of possible ethical and privacy issues, in line with international guidelines.

II. Activities

The main activity in the AAL Joint Programme consists of research, development and innovation activities. These are
to be implemented via shared-cost transnational projects involving partners from at least three different countries
from among the participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland and other participating countries
addressing research,
technological development, demonstration and dissemination activities. These should be
targeted at market-oriented research, should be of short to medium-term duration and should demonstrate the
capability to exploit the project results within a realistic time frame.

(1) OJ L 310, 9.11.2006, p. 15.

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In addition, brokerage, programme promotion and networking activities may be implemented through dedicated
events or in combination with existing events. These shall include the organisation of workshops and the estab­
lishment of contacts with other stakeholders in the value chain.

The AAL Joint Programme shall entail consultation with relevant European stakeholders (such as decision-makers
from ministries and public sector authorities, private-sector service and insurance providers as well as industry, SMEs
and user representatives) concerning the research priorities to be addressed and the implementation of
the
programme.

The AAL Joint Programme should also take into account demographic trends and demographic research in the
various countries of Europe in order to provide solutions that reflect the social and economic situation across the
Union.

III. Programme implementation

Annual work programme and calls for proposals

The AAL Joint Programme shall be implemented on the basis of annual work programmes identifying topics for calls
for proposals to be agreed with the Commission as a basis for the financial contribution from the Community.

The AAL Joint Programme shall issue regular calls for proposals in line with the agreed annual work programme.
Proposals are submitted centrally to the dedicated implementation structure by the applicants (single entry point).

After the closure of a call for proposals, a central eligibility check shall be carried out by the dedicated implemen­
tation structure in cooperation with the national programme management agencies. The check shall be performed on
the basis of the common eligibility criteria for the AAL Joint Programme which shall be published with the annual
work programme and shall include at least the following:

— timely, complete and electronic submission of the proposal, and

— the fulfilment of obligations concerning the composition of consortia.

In addition, the dedicated implementation structure shall, with the assistance of the national programme management
agencies, check the fulfilment of national eligibility criteria published with the annual work programme and set out in
the calls for proposals. The national eligibility criteria shall relate only to the legal and financial status of the
individual applicants and not to the content of the proposal and shall cover:

— applicant type, including legal status and purpose,

— liability and viability, including financial soundness, fulfilment of fiscal and social obligations.

Eligible project proposals shall be evaluated and selected centrally with the assistance of independent experts, on the
basis of transparent and common evaluation criteria, as set out in the work programme. This selection, once adopted
by the General Assembly, shall be binding on the participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland.

The dedicated implementation structure shall be responsible for monitoring projects, and common operational
procedures to manage the full project cycle shall be put in place.

As administrative matters concerning national project partners within the selected projects shall be handled by their
national Programme Management Agency, national eligibility criteria strictly relating to the legal and financial status
of individual participants, as specified above, as well as the national administrative principles shall be applied.

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Where, at the contracting stage, a participant fails to meet one of the national eligibility criteria, the AAL Joint
Programme shall safeguard scientific excellence. For this purpose, the Executive Board may decide that an additional
central independent evaluation of the proposal concerned should be carried out with the assistance of independent
experts, in order to evaluate the proposal without the participation of the participant in question or, if suggested by
the project consortium, with a replacement participant.

Each country shall finance its national participants whose proposals are successful through national agencies that shall
additionally channel the central funding from the dedicated implementation structure, on the basis of an agreement to
be concluded between the respective national agencies and their national participants for each project.

Ensuring scientific, management and financial integration

The AAL Joint Programme shall ensure scientific integration of the participating national programmes by drawing up
common work programmes and call topics across all the national programmes.

Management integration of the national programmes shall be ensured by the legal entity set up by the participating
Member States and Israel, Norway and Switzerland. Management of the AAL Joint Programme shall include:

— central organisation of the calls for proposals,

— central, independent and transparent evaluation by experts at European level based on common rules and criteria

for the evaluation and selection of the proposals on the basis of scientific excellence,

— single submission address (electronic submission is envisaged).

The AAL Joint Programme shall strengthen financial integration by:

— ensuring overall national funding commitments for the duration of the initiative as well as annual commitments

for each proposed work programme,

— ensuring that the final ranking of proposals agreed on the basis of the evaluation will be binding on the
participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland as described above, including at the contracting stage,

— promoting flexibility in national budget allocation as far as possible to handle exceptions, e.g. by increasing

national contributions or cross-financing.

Every effort shall be made by the participating Member States to strengthen integration and remove existing national
legal and administrative barriers for international cooperation as part of the initiative.

IV. Funding principles

The Community contribution shall represent a fixed percentage of the overall public funding from the participating
national programmes, but shall in any case not exceed 50 % of the total public funding of a participant in a project
selected following calls for proposals under the AAL Joint Programme. This fixed percentage shall be defined in the
agreement between the dedicated implementation structure and the Commission and shall be based on the multi­
annual commitment of the participating Member States and Israel, Norway and Switzerland and the Community
contribution.

A maximum of 6 % of the Community financial contribution shall be used to contribute to the overall operational
costs of the AAL Joint Programme.

The participating Member States, Israel, Norway and Switzerland shall also contribute to ensure the effective operation
of the AAL Joint Programme.

Projects shall be co-financed by the project participants.

30.7.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 201/57

V. Deliverables expected from the implementation of the AAL Joint Programme

An annual report shall be provided by the dedicated implementation structure, which shall give a detailed overview of
the implementation of the AAL Joint Programme (number of projects submitted and selected for funding, use of the
Community funding, distribution of national funds, types of participant, country statistics, brokerage events and
dissemination activities, etc.) and progress towards further integration.

The deliverables expected shall be set out in greater detail in the agreement to be concluded between the Commission,
on behalf of the Community, and the dedicated implementation structure.

ANNEX II

GUIDELINES FOR THE GOVERNANCE OF THE AAL JOINT PROGRAMME

The organisational structure for the AAL Joint Programme is as follows:

The AAL Association, an international not-for-profit association established under Belgian law, constitutes the dedicated
implementation structure created by the participating Member States and Israel, Norway and Switzerland.

The AAL Association is responsible for all the activities of the AAL Joint Programme. The AAL Association’s tasks include
contract and budget management, the development of the annual work programmes, organisation of the calls for
proposals, handling of
it supervises project monitoring and
transfers the associated payments of the Community contributions to nominated national programme agencies. It also
organises dissemination activities.

the evaluation and ranking of projects.

In addition,

The AAL Association is governed by the General Assembly. The General Assembly, which is the decision-making body of
the AAL Joint Programme, appoints the members of the Executive Board and supervises the implementation of the AAL
Joint Programme,
funding to projects and
applications for new membership. It will work on the basis of a one-country one-vote principle. Decisions are taken
by simple majority, except for decisions on the succession, admission or exclusion of members or the dissolution of the
Association, for which specific voting requirements may be set out in the statutes of the Association. The Commission
has observer status in the meetings of the General Assembly.

including approval of annual work programmes, allocation of national

The AAL Executive Board — consisting of at least a president, a vice-president and a treasurer — is elected by the General
Assembly to undertake the specific management responsibilities such as budget planning, staffing and contracting. It
legally represents the Association and reports to the General Assembly.

National programme management agencies are authorised by the participating Member States and Israel, Norway and
Switzerland to undertake work associated with project management and administrative and legal aspects for the national
project partners as well as to provide support for the evaluation and negotiation of project proposals. They work under
the supervision of the AAL Association.

An Advisory Board with representatives from industry and other stakeholders, including representatives of people of
different generations, will provide recommendations for priorities and topics to be addressed in the calls for proposals of
the AAL Joint Programme.