Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 27.11.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 411/618 |

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P8\_TA(2019)0040

Establishing the Rights and Values programme \*\*\*I

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 17 January 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Rights and Values programme (COM(2018)0383 — C8-0234/2018 — 2018/0207(COD)) [(1)](#ntr1-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0001)

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2020/C 411/51)

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Title

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Proposal for a | Proposal for a |
| REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL | REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL |
| establishing the Rights and Values programme | establishing the  Citizens, Equality,  Rights and Values programme |

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (1) | In accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union, ‘the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, including the rights of the persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society where pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail’. Article 3 further specifies that the ‘Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its people’ and, among others, ‘it shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’. Those values are further reaffirmed and articulated in the rights, freedoms and principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (1) | In accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union, ‘the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.  Of those rights and values, human dignity, as recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is the primary foundation of all fundamental human rights . These values are common to the Member States in a society where pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail’. Article 3 further specifies that the ‘Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its people’ and, among others, ‘it shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced’. Those values are further reaffirmed and articulated in the rights, freedoms and principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. | |

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (1a) | In its resolution of 30 May 2018 on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework and own resources, the European Parliament stressed the importance of the horizontal principles that should underpin the multiannual financial framework (MFF) and all related Union policies, including the mainstreaming of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all Union policies and initiatives of the next MFF, emphasised that the elimination of discrimination is vital to fulfil the Union’s commitments towards an inclusive Europe and deplored the lack of gender mainstreaming and gender equality commitments in Union policies, as presented in the MFF proposals. | |

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 b (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (1b) | In its resolution of 14 March 2018 on the next MFF: Preparing the Parliament’s position on the MFF post-2020, the European Parliament expressed its support for programmes in the areas of culture, education, media, youth, sport, democracy, citizenship and civil society that have clearly demonstrated their European added value and enjoy lasting popularity among beneficiaries, underlined that a stronger and a more ambitious Union can only be achieved if it is provided with the financial means to do so, and recommended setting up an internal European Democracy Fund for the strengthened support of civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the fields of democracy and human rights, to be managed by the Commission. Continued support should be provided to existing policies, resources to the Union’ flagship programmes should be increased, and additional responsibilities should be matched with additional financial means. | |

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (2) | Those rights and values must continue to be promoted  and  enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project. Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisions, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The Rights and Values Programme will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(8)](#ntr8-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0002) and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU)  No 390/2014 [(9)](#ntr9-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0003), (hereafter ‘the predecessor Programmes’). | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (2) | Those rights and values must continue to be  actively cultivated, protected and  promoted  by the Union and each Member State in all their policies in a consistent way and must be  enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project , given that any deterioration in the protection of those rights and values in any Member State can have detrimental effects on the Union as a whole . Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisions  and a continually shrinking space for independent civil society , it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality,  non-discrimination, and  the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The  Citizens, Equality,  Rights, and Values Programme  (the ‘Programme’)  will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(8)](#ntr8-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0004) and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU)  No 390/2014 [(9)](#ntr9-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0005), (hereafter ‘the predecessor Programmes’)  and it will be adjusted to address new challenges to European values' . | |

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (3) | The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus  primarily  on people and entities, which contribute to make our common values, rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights-based, equal, inclusive and democratic society . That includes  a vibrant civil society,  encouraging  people's democratic, civic and social participation and  fostering  the rich diversity of European society, based on our common history and memory. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union  further specifies  that the institutions  shall , by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (3) | The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus on people and entities, which contribute to make our common values , equality , rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain rights-based, equal,  open,  inclusive and democratic society  by funding activities that promote  a vibrant , well-developed, resilient and empowered  civil society,  including advocacy for the promotion and protection of our common values, and that encourage  people's democratic, civic and social participation and  fosters peace and cultivates  the rich diversity of European society, based on our common  values,  history and memory  and heritage . Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union  requires  that the institutions  maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society and , by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. | |

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (3 a) | The Commission should ensure a regular, open and transparent dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders by setting up a Civil Dialogue Group. The Civil Dialogue Group should contribute to the exchange of experiences and good practices and to the discussion of policy developments within the fields and objectives covered by the Programme and related fields. The Civil Dialogue Group should consist of organisations which have been selected to receive an operating or action grant under the Programme and other organisations and stakeholders who have expressed an interest in the Programme or work in this policy area, but are not necessarily supported by the Programme. | |

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (4) | The  Rights and Values  programme  (the ‘Programme’)  should allow developing synergies to tackle the challenges that are common to the promotion and protection of values and to reach a critical dimension to have concrete results in the field. That should be achieved by building on the positive experience of the predecessor Programmes. This will enable to fully exploit the potential of synergies, to more effectively support the policy areas covered and to increase their potential to reach people. To be effective, the Programme should take into account the specific nature of the different policies, their different target groups and their particular needs through tailor-made approaches. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (4) | The Programme should allow developing synergies to tackle the challenges that are common to the promotion and protection of  the  values  enshrined in the Treaties  and to reach a critical dimension to have concrete results in the field. That should be achieved by building on  and further developing  the positive experience of the predecessor Programmes. This will enable to fully exploit the potential of synergies, to more effectively support the policy areas covered and to increase their potential to reach people. To be effective, the Programme should take into account the specific nature of the different policies, their different target groups and their particular needs  and opportunities for participation  through tailor-made  and targeted  approaches , including the promotion of all type of equality and gender-equality within . | |

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (4a) | Full respect and promotion of the rule of law and democracy is fundamental to building citizens' trust in the Union. Respect for the rule of law within the Union is a prerequisite for the protection of fundamental rights, as well as for upholding all rights and obligations enshrined in the Treaties. The way in which the rule of law is implemented in the Member States plays a vital role in ensuring mutual trust among Member States and their legal systems. The Programme should therefore promote and safeguard fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law at local, regional, national and transnational levels. | |

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4 b (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (4b) | The rule of law, enshrined in Article 2 TEU as one of the Union values, include the principles of legality, implying a transparent, accountable, democratic and pluralistic process for enacting laws; legal certainty; prohibition of arbitrariness of executive powers; effective judicial protection by independent courts, including of fundamental rights; and separation of powers and equality before the law. | |

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (5) | In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts are necessary. Bringing together citizens in town-twinning projects or networks of towns and supporting civil society organisations in the areas covered by the programme will contribute to increase citizens' engagement in society and ultimately their involvement in the democratic life of the Union. At the same time supporting activities promoting mutual understanding, diversity,  dialogue  and respect for others fosters a sense of belonging  and  a European identity, based on a shared understanding of European values, culture, history and heritage. The promotion of a greater sense of belonging to the Union and of Union values is particularly important amongst citizens of the EU outermost regions due to their remoteness and distance from continental Europe. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (5) | In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens,  to foster democratic participation and to empower citizens to make use of their rights linked to European citizenship,  a variety of actions and coordinated efforts , aiming at a balanced geographical distribution,  are necessary. Bringing together citizens in town-twinning projects or networks of towns and supporting civil society organisations  at the local, regional, national and transnational level  in the areas covered by the programme will contribute to increase citizens' engagement in society and ultimately their  active  involvement in the democratic life of the Union  as well as in shaping the Union’s political agenda . At the same time supporting activities promoting mutual understanding,  intercultural dialogue, cultural, and linguistic  diversity,  reconciliation, social inclusion  and respect for others, fosters a sense of belonging  to the Union and a common citizenship under  a European identity, based on a shared understanding of European values, culture, history and heritage. The promotion of a greater sense of belonging to the Union and of Union values is particularly important amongst citizens of the EU outermost regions due to their remoteness and distance from continental Europe. | |

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (5a) | Increasing plurality and global migration trends raise the importance of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue in our societies. Full support should be given through the Programme to intercultural and inter-religious dialogue as a part of social harmony in Europe and a key element to boost social inclusion and cohesion. While interreligious dialogue could help to highlight the positive contribution of religion to social cohesion, religious illiteracy risks setting the stage for the misuse of religious feeling among the population. The Programme should therefore support projects and initiatives developing religious literacy, fostering interreligious dialogue and mutual comprehension. | |

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (6) | Remembrance activities and critical  reflection  on Europe’s historical memory are necessary to make citizens aware of  the  common history, as the foundation for a common future , moral purpose and shared values . The relevance of historical, cultural and intercultural aspects should also be taken into account, as well as the links between remembrance and the creation of a European identity and sense of belonging together. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (6) | Remembrance activities and critical  and creative thinking  on Europe’s historical memory are necessary to make citizens , in particular young people,  aware of  their  common history, as the foundation for a common future. The relevance of historical , social , cultural and intercultural aspects , tolerance and dialogue  should also be taken into account  in order to promote a common ground based on shared values, solidarity, diversity and peace , as well as the links between remembrance and the creation of a European identity and sense of belonging together. | |

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (7) | Citizens  should also be more  aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union, and should feel at ease about living, travelling, studying, working and volunteering in another Member State, and should feel able to enjoy and exercise all their citizenship rights, place their trust in equal access, full enforceability and protection of their rights without any discrimination, no matter where in the Union they happen to be. Civil society needs to be  supported  for the promotion, safeguarding and raising awareness of EU common values under Article 2 TEU and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (7) | Union  citizens  are not sufficiently  aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union,  such as the right to vote in European and local elections or the right to receive consular protection from other Member States’ embassies. Citizens should be made more aware of these rights  and should feel at ease about living, travelling, studying, working and volunteering in another Member State, and should feel able to enjoy and exercise all their citizenship rights, place their trust in equal access, full enforceability and protection of their rights without any discrimination, no matter where in the Union they happen to be. Civil society needs to be  strengthened at all levels  for the promotion, safeguarding and raising awareness of EU common values under Article 2 TEU and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law. | |

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (7a) | The European Parliament resolution of 2 April 2009 on European conscience and totalitarianism and the Council Conclusions of 9-10 June 2011 on the memory of the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes in Europe underline the importance of keeping the memories of the past alive as a means of building a common future and highlight the value of the Union's role in facilitating, sharing and promoting the collective memory of those crimes in a bid to breathe fresh life into a pluralist and democratic joint European identity. | |

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 8

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (8) | Equality  between women and men  is a fundamental value and an objective of the European Union. Discrimination against and unequal treatment of women violates their fundamental rights and prevents their full political, social and economic participation in society. In addition, the existence of structural and cultural barriers hinders the achievement of real gender equality. Promoting gender equality in all activities of the Union is therefore a core activity for the Union and a driver for economic growth and should be supported by the programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (8) | Gender  equality is a fundamental value and an objective of the European Union.  Article 8 of this Regulation gives the Union the task of eliminating inequalities and promoting equality between men and women through all its activities. Yet overall progress on gender equality is very slow, cf. the Gender Equality Index 2017, published by the European Institute for Gender Equality. Often silent and hidden intersectional  discrimination against and unequal treatment of women  and girls as well as various forms of violence against women  violates their fundamental rights and prevents their full political, social and economic participation in society. In addition, the existence of  political,  structural and cultural barriers hinders the achievement of real gender equality. Promoting gender equality in all activities of the Union  by supporting gender mainstreaming and non-discrimination objectives and by actively tackling stereotypes and addressing also silent discrimination  is therefore a core activity for the Union and a driver for economic growth and should be supported by the programme. | |

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (9) | Gender-based violence and violence against children  and  young people constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights. Violence persists throughout the Union, in all social and economic contexts, and has serious repercussions on victims’ physical and psychological health and on society as a whole.  Children, young people and women are particularly vulnerable to  violence , in particular in close relationships . Action should be taken to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to the protection of children from harm and violence, which pose a danger to their physical and mental health and constitute a breach of their rights to development, protection and dignity. Combating all forms of violence, promoting prevention and protecting and supporting victims are priorities of the Union which help fulfil individuals’ fundamental rights and contribute to equality between women and men. Those priorities should be supported by the Programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (9) | Gender-based violence and violence against children, young  and older  people , persons with disabilities, refugees and migrants, and against members of different minority groups, such as members of ethnic minority groups and LGBTQI people,  constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights. Violence persists throughout the Union, in all social and economic contexts, and has serious repercussions on victims’ physical and psychological health and on society as a whole.  Combating gender-based  violence  requires a multi-dimensional approach covering legal, educational, health, including sexual and reproductive rights, economic and other societal aspects such as supporting women’s rights organisations, providing advice and assistance and projects seeking to achieve the goal of a more gender equal society. There is a need to actively tackle harmful stereotypes and norms from an early age, as well as all forms of hate speech and online violence . Action should be taken to promote the rights of the child and to contribute to the protection of children from harm and violence, which pose a danger to their physical and mental health and constitute a breach of their rights to development, protection and dignity.  The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) defines violence against women as ‘all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life’.  Combating all forms of violence, promoting  and  prevention and protecting and supporting victims are priorities of the Union which help fulfil individuals’ fundamental rights and contribute to equality between women and men. Those priorities should be supported by the Programme.  Prevention and victims’ rights support should be designed in cooperation with the target group and ensure that they meet the specific needs of those with multiple vulnerabilities. | |

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (9a) | Undocumented women are particularly vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse and lack access to support. It is crucial to implement a victim-centred approach and offer adequate support services to all women throughout the Union, regardless of their residence status. The need for a gender-sensitive perspective in asylum processes is very important for intersectional work and can contribute to increased gender equality. | |

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 10

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (10) | Strong political will and coordinated action based on the methods and results of the previous Daphne Programmes, the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme and the Justice Programme are necessary in order to prevent and combat all forms of violence and to protect victims. In particular, since its launch in 1997, the Daphne funding to support victims of violence and combat the violence against women, children and young people has been a genuine success, both in terms of its popularity with stakeholders (public authorities, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations) and in terms of the effectiveness of the funded projects. It has funded projects to raise awareness, to provide support services to victims, to support the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on the ground. It has addressed all forms of violence, such as for instance domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking in human beings, as well as new emerging forms of violence such as cyber-bullying. It is therefore important to continue all these actions and that those results and lessons learned are taken into due consideration in the implementation of the Programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (10) | Strong political will and coordinated action based on the methods and results of the previous Daphne Programmes, the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme and the Justice Programme are necessary in order to prevent and combat all forms of violence and to protect victims. In particular, since its launch in 1997, the Daphne funding to support victims of violence and combat the violence against women, children and young people has been a genuine success, both in terms of its popularity with stakeholders (public authorities, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations) and in terms of the effectiveness of the funded projects. It has funded projects to raise awareness, to provide support services to victims, to support the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on the ground. It has addressed all forms of violence, such as for instance domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking in human beings,  stalking and traditional harmful practices such as FGM,  as well as new emerging forms of violence such as cyber-bullying  and cyber harassment . It is therefore important to continue all these actions  with an independent budget allocation for Daphne  and that those results and lessons learned are taken into due consideration in the implementation of the Programme. | |

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 11

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (11) | Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of the Union. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Non-discrimination is also enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter. The specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be taken into account and appropriate action should be developed in parallel to prevent and combat discrimination on one or more grounds. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, anti-muslim hatred and other forms of intolerance. In that context, particular attention should also be devoted to preventing and combating all forms of violence, hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, as well as combating bullying, harassment and intolerant treatment. The Programme should be implemented in a mutually reinforcing manner with other Union activities that have the same objectives, in particular with those referred to in the Commission Communication of 5 April 2011 entitled ‘An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020[(10)](#ntr10-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0006)’ and in the Council Recommendation of 09 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States[(11)](#ntr11-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0007) . | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (11) | Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of the Union. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Non-discrimination is also enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter. The specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination , including direct, indirect and structural discrimination,  should be taken into account and appropriate action should be developed in parallel to prevent and combat discrimination on one or more grounds. The Programme should support actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia,  afrophobia,  anti-semitism , anti-ziganism , anti-muslim hatred , homophobia  and other forms of intolerance,  both on-line and off-line, against persons belonging to minorities, taking into account the multiple levels of discrimination faced by women . In that context, particular attention should also be devoted to preventing and combating all forms of violence, hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, as well as combating bullying, harassment and intolerant treatment. The Programme should be implemented in a mutually reinforcing manner with other Union activities that have the same objectives, in particular with those referred to in the Commission Communication of 5 April 2011 entitled ‘An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020[(10)](#ntr10-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0008)’ and in the Council Recommendation of 09 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States[(11)](#ntr11-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0009). | |

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (12) | Attitudinal and environmental barriers as well as lack of accessibility hinder the full and effective participation of  people  with disabilities in society, on an equal basis with others.  People  with disabilities are faced with barriers to, among other things, access the labour market, benefit from an inclusive and quality education, avoid poverty and social exclusion, enjoy access to cultural initiatives and media, or use their political rights. As a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD), the Union and all its Member States have committed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The provisions of the UNCRPD have become an integral part of the Union legal order. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (12) | Attitudinal and environmental barriers as well as lack of accessibility hinder the full and effective participation of  persons  with disabilities in society, on an equal basis with others.  People  with disabilities , including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments,  are faced with barriers to, among other things, access the labour market, benefit from an inclusive and quality education, avoid poverty and social exclusion, enjoy access to cultural initiatives and media, or use their political rights. As a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD), the Union and all its Member States have committed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The provisions of the UNCRPD , the implementation of which is mandatory,  have become an integral part of the Union legal order.  In this regard the Programme should pay special attention to and fund awareness raising activities for the challenges people with disabilities face in participating fully in society and enjoying their rights as equal citizens. | |

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (13) | The right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications (right to privacy) is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The protection of personal data is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Compliance with the rules for the protection of personal data is subject to the control by independent supervisory authorities. The Unions’ legal framework, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(12)](#ntr12-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0010) and Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(13)](#ntr13-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0011) lay down provisions to ensure that the right to protection of personal data is effectively protected. These legal instruments entrust the national data protection supervisory authorities with the task of promoting public awareness and understanding of the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the processing of personal data. The Union should be able to conduct awareness-raising activities, carry out studies and other relevant activities given the importance of the right to the protection of personal data in times of rapid technological developments. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (13) | The right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications (right to privacy) is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The protection of personal data is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Compliance with the rules for the protection of personal data is subject to the control by independent supervisory authorities. The Unions’ legal framework, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(12)](#ntr12-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0012) and Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(13)](#ntr13-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0013) lay down provisions to ensure that the right to protection of personal data is effectively protected. These legal instruments entrust the national data protection supervisory authorities with the task of promoting public awareness and understanding of the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the processing of personal data. The Union should be able to conduct awareness-raising activities,  support civil society organisations in advocating for data protection in line with Union standards, and  carry out studies and other relevant activities given the importance of the right to the protection of personal data in times of rapid technological developments. | |

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13 a (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (13a) | Freedom of expression and information is enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Free access to information, evaluation of media framework conditions, and the responsible and safe use of information and communication networks are directly linked to the free development of public opinion and are essential for guaranteeing a functional democracy. It is necessary for the public to acquire the media literacy skills necessary for critical thinking and discernment and the ability to analyse complex realities, recognise differences between opinions and facts and resist any form of incitement to hatred. To this end, the Union should promote the development of media literacy for all citizens, regardless of their age, through training, awareness raising, studies and other relevant activities. | |

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 14

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (14) | Article 24 TFEU obliges the European Parliament and the Council to adopt provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizen's initiative within the meaning of Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union. This has been done by adopting Regulation [(EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(14)](#ntr14-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0014). The Programme should support the financing of technical and organisational support to implement Regulation [(EU) No 211/2011], thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (14) | The European citizens’ initiative is the first supranational instrument of participative democracy, creating a direct link between European citizens and the Union institutions.  Article 24 TFEU obliges the European Parliament and the Council to adopt provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizen's initiative within the meaning of Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union. This has been done by adopting Regulation [(EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(14)](#ntr14-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0015). The Programme should support the financing of technical and organisational support to implement Regulation [(EU) No 211/2011], thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the right to launch, support  and encourage others to support  European citizens’ initiatives. | |

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 15

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (15) | Pursuant to Articles 8 and 10 TFEU, the Programme in all its activities should support gender mainstreaming and the mainstreaming of non-discrimination objectives. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (15) | Pursuant to Articles 8 and 10 TFEU, the Programme in all its activities should support gender mainstreaming and the mainstreaming of non-discrimination objectives  and should also promote the use of gender budgeting and gender impact assessment where necessary throughout the Union budgetary process .  The proper implementation of gender mainstreaming requires gender budgeting in all relevant budget lines and the allocation of adequate resources and transparency in the budget lines dedicated to promoting gender equality and to combating gender-based discrimination. The individual projects and the Programme as such should be reviewed at the end of the funding period to determine the extent to which they have served the principles noted above. | |

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 17

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (17) | In accordance with Union acts on equal treatment, Member States set up independent bodies for the promotion of equal treatment, commonly known as ‘equality bodies’, in order to combat discrimination based on race and ethnic origin as well as gender. However, many Member States have gone beyond these requirements and ensured that equality bodies can also deal with discrimination based on the other grounds such as age, sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability or other grounds. Equality bodies play a key role in promoting equality and ensuring effective application of equal treatment legislation by providing in particular an independent assistance to victims of discrimination, conducting independent surveys concerning discrimination, publishing independent reports and making recommendations on any issue relating to discrimination in their country. It is essential that the work of equality bodies is coordinated at Union level in this respect. EQUINET was created in 2007. Its members are the national bodies for the promotion of equal treatment as established by Council Directives 2000/43/EC[(15)](#ntr15-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0016) and 2004/113/EC[(16)](#ntr16-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0017), and by Directives 2006/54/EC[(17)](#ntr17-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0018) and 2010/41/EU[(18)](#ntr18-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0019) of the European Parliament and of the Council. EQUINET is in an exceptional situation, being the only entity which ensures coordination of activities between equality bodies. This coordination activity by EQUINET is key for the good implementation of Union anti-discrimination law in Member States and should be supported by the Programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (17) | In accordance with Union acts on equal treatment, Member States set up independent bodies for the promotion of equal treatment, commonly known as ‘equality bodies’, in order to combat discrimination based on race and ethnic origin as well as gender. However, many Member States have gone beyond these requirements and ensured that equality bodies can also deal with discrimination based on the other grounds such as  language,  age, sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability or other grounds. Equality bodies play a key role in promoting equality and ensuring effective application of equal treatment legislation by providing in particular an independent assistance to victims of discrimination, conducting independent surveys concerning discrimination, publishing independent reports and making recommendations on any issue relating to discrimination in their country. It is essential that the work of  all those relevant  equality bodies is coordinated at Union level in this respect. EQUINET was created in 2007. Its members are the national bodies for the promotion of equal treatment as established by Council Directives 2000/43/EC[(15)](#ntr15-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0020) and 2004/113/EC[(16)](#ntr16-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0021), and by Directives 2006/54/EC[(17)](#ntr17-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0022) and 2010/41/EU[(18)](#ntr18-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0023) of the European Parliament and of the Council.  On 22 June 2018 the Commission adopted its recommendation on standards for equality bodies, covering the mandate, independence, effectiveness and coordination and cooperation of equality bodies.  EQUINET is in an exceptional situation, being the only entity which ensures coordination of activities between equality bodies. This coordination activity by EQUINET is key for the good implementation of Union anti-discrimination law in Member States and should be supported by the Programme. | |
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Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 17 a (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (17a) | In order to increase accessibility and provide impartial guidance and practical information in relation to all aspects of the Programme, contact points should be set up in Member States to provide assistance to both beneficiaries and applicants. Programme contact points should be able to carry out their functions independently, without direct subordination or interference in their decision making from public authorities. It is possible for programme contact points to be managed by Member States or civil society organisations or consortia thereof. Programme contact points are not to have any responsibility regarding project selection; | |

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 18

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (18) | Independent human rights bodies  and  civil society organisations play an essential role in promoting, safeguarding and raising awareness of the Union’s common values under Article 2 TEU, and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. As reflected in the European Parliament Resolution of  18  April 2018, adequate financial support is key to the development of a conducive and sustainable environment for civil society organisations to strengthen their role and perform their functions independently and effectively. Complementing efforts at national level, EU funding should therefore contribute to support, empower and build the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of  human  rights whose activities help the strategic enforcement of rights under EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including through advocacy and watchdog activities, as well as to promote, safeguard and raise awareness of the Union’s common values at national level. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (18) | Independent human rights bodies, civil society organisations  and human rights defenders  play an essential role in promoting, safeguarding and raising awareness of the Union’s common values under Article 2 TEU, and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. As reflected in the European Parliament Resolution of  19  April 2018,  an increase in funding and  adequate financial support is key to the development of a conducive and sustainable environment for civil society organisations to strengthen their role and perform their functions independently and effectively. Complementing efforts at national level, EU funding should therefore contribute to support, empower and build  , including through adequate core funding and simplified cost options, financial rules and procedures,  the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of  Union values such as democracy, rule of law and fundamental  rights whose activities help the strategic enforcement of rights under EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including through advocacy and watchdog activities, as well as to promote, safeguard and raise awareness of the Union’s common values at  local, regional,  national  and transnational  level. | |

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (19) | The Commission should ensure overall consistency, complementarity and synergies with the work of Union bodies, offices and agencies, in particular the European Institute for Gender Equality and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, and should take stock of the work of other national and international actors in the areas covered by the Programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (19) | The Commission should ensure overall consistency, complementarity and synergies with the work of Union bodies, offices and agencies, in particular the European Institute for Gender Equality and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, and should take stock of the work of other national and international actors in the areas covered by the Programme.  The Commission should actively guide participants of this Programme to use the reports and resources generated by these Union bodies, offices and agencies, such as the gender budgeting and gender assessment tools developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality. | |

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19 a (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (19 a) | A comprehensive Union mechanism on democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights should guarantee the regular and equal review of all Member States, providing the necessary information for the activation of measures related to general deficiencies of Union values in Member States. | |

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 20

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (20) | The Programme should be open, subject to certain conditions, to the participation of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and EFTA members which are not members of the EEA and other European countries. Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy should also be able to participate in the Programme. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (20) | As regards the implementation of the specific objectives of promoting gender equality and rights, promoting citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union at local, regional, national and transnational level as well as combating violence,  the Programme should be open, subject to certain conditions, to the participation of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and EFTA members which are not members of the EEA and other European countries. Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy should also be able to participate in the Programme. | |

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 21

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (21) | In order to ensure efficient allocation of funds from the general budget of the Union, it is necessary to ensure the European added value of all actions carried out,  their  complementarity  to  Member States’ actions , while consistency, complementarity and synergies shall be sought  with funding programmes supporting policy areas with close links to  each other, in particular within the  Justice, Rights and Values Fund  — and thus with the Justice Programme — as well as  with Creative Europe programme, and Erasmus+  to realise the potential of cultural crossovers in the fields of culture, media, arts, education and creativity. It is necessary to create synergies with other European funding programmes, in particular in the fields of employment, internal market, enterprise, youth, health, citizenship, justice, migration, security, research, innovation, technology, industry, cohesion, tourism, external relations, trade and development . | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (21) | In order to ensure efficient allocation of funds from the general budget of the Union, it is necessary to ensure the European added value of all actions carried out,  including on local, national and international levels, directed at promoting and safeguarding the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU. The Commission should seek consistency, synergies and  complementarity  with  Member States’ actions  and  with  other  funding programmes supporting policy areas with close links to Justice, Rights and Values Fund , including  with Creative Europe programme, and Erasmus+ , as well as with relevant policies of the Union . | |

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 21 a (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (21a) | Pursuant to Article 9 TFEU a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection and the fight against social exclusion should be promoted. Actions under the Programme therefore should promote synergies between the fight against poverty, social exclusion and exclusion from the labour market and the promotion of equality and fight against all forms of discrimination. Therefore, the implementation of the Programme should be carried out in a way to ensure a maximum of synergies and complementarities both between its different strands and with the European Social Fund Plus. Furthermore, synergies should be ensured with both Erasmus and the European Social Fund Plus in order to ensure that these funds jointly contribute to delivering high quality education and ensuring equal opportunities for all. | |

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 22 a (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (22 a) | It is important to ensure sound financial management of the programme and its implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also ensuring legal certainty and the accessibility of the programme to all participants. | |

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 22 b (new)

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (22 b) | Improving implementation and quality of spending should constitute guiding principles for achieving the objectives of the programme while ensuring optimal use of the financial resources. | |

Amendment 36

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (23) | Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [the new FR] (the ‘Financial Regulation’) applies to this Programme. It lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including the rules on grants, prizes, procurement, indirect implementation, financial assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (23) | Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [the new FR] (the ‘Financial Regulation’) applies to this Programme. It lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including the rules on grants, prizes, procurement, indirect implementation, financial assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees  and demands full transparency with respect to the use of resources, sound financial management and prudent use of resources .  In particular, rules concerning the possibility for local, regional, national and transnational civil society organisations, including for local grassroot civil society organisations, to be funded through multiannual operating grants, cascading grants (financial support for third parties) and provisions ensuring fast and flexible grant-making procedures, such as a two-step-application procedure, user-friendly applications and reporting procedures, should be operationalised and further strengthened as part of the implementation of this Programme. | |

Amendment 37

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 24

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (24) | The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates  and  unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation. In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(20)](#ntr20-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0024) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95[(21)](#ntr21-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0025) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96[(22)](#ntr22-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0026) and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939[(23)](#ntr23-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0027) the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(24)](#ntr24-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0028). In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (24) | The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden,  the size and capacity of relevant stakeholders and targeted beneficiaries,  and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates, unit costs  and cascading grants , as well as  co-funding criteria which take into account volunteer work and  financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation . Co-funding requirements should be accepted in kind and may be waived in cases of limited complementary funding . In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(20)](#ntr20-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0029) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95[(21)](#ntr21-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0030) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96[(22)](#ntr22-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0031) and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939[(23)](#ntr23-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0032) the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council[(24)](#ntr24-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0033). In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights. | |
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Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 25

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (25) | Third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (25) | In relation to the implementation of the specific objectives of promoting gender equality, rights, citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union at local, regional, national and transnational level and combating violence,  third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. | |

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 26 a (new)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (26 a) | The proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States aims to equip the Union to better protect its budget when weaknesses in the rule of law impair or threaten to impair sound financial management or the financial interests of the Union. It should complement the Rights and Values programme whose role is different, namely to fund policies in line with fundamental rights and European values that have at its core people's lives and participation. | |

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 27

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (27) | Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU[(25)](#ntr25-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0034)], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories (OCTs) are eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (27) | Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU[(25)](#ntr25-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0035)], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories (OCTs) are eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked.  The constraints arising from the remoteness of OCTs must be taken into account when implementing the Programme, and their effective participation therein must be monitored and regularly evaluated. | |

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 28

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (28) | Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme’s preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of its mid-term evaluation. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (28) | Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives  over the MFF 2021-2027 period, and an annual target of 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027 . Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme’s preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of its mid-term evaluation. | |

Amendment 42

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 29

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (29) | Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (29) | Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States.  In this context, examples of applicants and beneficiaries who may not have the adequate resources and staff to meet the monitoring and reporting requirements, could be understood as civil society organisations, local public authorities, social partners, etc.  These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground. | |

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 30

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (30) | In order to  ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of  this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of indicators as indicated in  Article  14 and 16 and Annex II. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (30) | In order to  supplement  this Regulation  with a view to carrying out the Programme and ensuring effective assessment of its progress towards the achievement of its objectives , the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of  work programmes pursuant to Article 13 and  indicators as indicated in  Articles  14 and 16 and Annex II. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. | |

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 31

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (31) | In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council [(26)](#ntr26-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0036)  . | | deleted |

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1

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| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| This Regulation establishes the Rights and Values programme (‘Programme’). | This Regulation establishes the  Citizens, Equality,  Rights and Values programme (‘Programme’). |

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| It lays down the objectives of the Programme, the budget for the period 2021 — 2027, the forms of Union funding and the  rules  for providing such funding. | It lays down the objectives  and scope  of the Programme, the budget for the period 2021 — 2027, the forms of Union funding and the  conditions  for providing such funding. |

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the  EU  Treaties, including by supporting civil society organisations, in order to sustain  open , democratic and inclusive societies. | 1.   The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the Treaties, including  democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, in particular  by supporting  and building the capacity of  civil society organisations  at local, regional, national and transnational level, especially at grassroot level, and by encouraging civic and democratic participation , in order to sustain  and further develop open, rights-based , democratic , equal  and inclusive societies. |

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 2 — point -a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (-a) | to protect and promote democracy and the rule of law at local, regional, national and transnational level (Union values strand), | |

Amendment 49

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 2 — point a

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | to promote equality  and  rights (Equality  and  rights strand), | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | to promote equality , including gender equality,  rights , non-discrimination and advance gender mainstreaming  (Equality , Rights and Gender Equality  strand), | |

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 2 — point b

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | to promote  citizens  engagement  and  participation in the democratic life of the Union ( Citizens' engagement and participation  strand), | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | to raise citizens’, in particular young people’s, awareness of the importance of the Union through activities aimed at keeping alive remembrance of the historic events that led to its creation, and  to promote  democracy, freedom of expression, pluralism, civic  engagement  as well as meetings of citizens and their active  participation in the democratic life of the Union ( Active Citizenship  strand); | |

Amendment 51

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 — paragraph 2 — point c

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (c) | to fight violence (Daphne strand). | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (c) | to fight  violence, including gender-based  violence (Daphne strand). | |

Amendment 52

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Article 2 a |
|  | Union values strand |
|  | Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (-a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | protecting and promoting democracy and the rule of law, including by supporting activities by civil society which promote the independence of the judiciary and an effective judicial protection by independent courts, including of fundamental rights; providing support for independent human rights defenders and civil society organisations undertaking monitoring compliance with the rule of law, for whistleblower defence and for initiatives that promote the shared culture of transparency, good governance and fight against corruption; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | promoting the construction of a more democratic Union as well as protecting and raising awareness of the rights and values enshrined in the Treaties by providing financial support to independent civil society organisations which promote and cultivate these rights and values at local, regional, national and transnational level, thereby creating an environment that enables democratic dialogue and strengthening freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or association, media freedom and pluralism of the media, and academic freedom. | |

Amendment 53

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 — title

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Equality and rights strand | Equality,  Rights and Gender Equality  strand |

Amendment 54

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 — paragraph 1 — introductory part

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Within the specific objective set out in point (a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: | Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and  within the specific objective set out in point (a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: |

Amendment 55

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point a

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and supporting comprehensive policies to promote  gender  equality and anti-discrimination and their mainstreaming as well policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | promoting equality and  preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial , social  or ethnic origin , colour, genetic features, language , religion or belief,  political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth,  disability, age, or sexual orientation  or any other grounds  and supporting comprehensive policies to promote equality and anti-discrimination and their mainstreaming as well  as  policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance , both online and offline ; | |

Amendment 56

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 — paragraph 1 — point a a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a a) | supporting comprehensive policies and programmes to promote women’s rights, gender equality, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming; | |

Amendment 57

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — title

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Citizens engagement and participation  strand | Active Citizenship  strand |

Amendment 58

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 1 — introductory part

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Within the specific objective set out in point (b) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall  focus on : | Within the specific objective set out in point (a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall  pursue the following objectives : |

Amendment 59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point a

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | increasing  citizens’ understanding of the Union, its  history, cultural heritage and diversity ; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | supporting projects put forward by citizens, with a particular focus on young people, aimed at encouraging people to not only remember the events that preceded the establishment of the Union, which build the core of its historical memory, but also to learn more about their shared history, culture and values, and to get a sense of the wealth of their common cultural heritage and of the cultural and linguistic diversity, which constitute the foundation for a common future; fostering  citizens’ understanding of the Union, its  origins, raison d’être and achievements, and increasing their awareness of its present and future challenges, and of the importance of mutual understanding and tolerance, which are at the very heart of the European project ; | |

Amendment 60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point a a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (aa) | promoting and supporting exchanges of good practice regarding formal and informal education for European citizenship; | |

Amendment 61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point b

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | promoting  exchange and  cooperation between  citizens  of different countries ; to promote  citizens’  civic and democratic participation allowing citizens and representative associations to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | promoting  public dialogue through town twinning, meetings of citizens, in particular young people, and through  cooperation between  municipalities, local communities and civil society organisations  of different countries , so as to afford them direct practical experience of the wealth of cultural diversity and heritage in the Union, and to increase  citizens’  engagement in society | |

Amendment 62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point b a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (ba) | encouraging and enhancing civic participation in the democratic life of the Union on local, national and transnational levels; allowing citizens and associations to promote intercultural dialogue and conduct proper public debates about all areas of Union action, thereby contributing to shaping the political agenda of the Union; supporting organised joint initiatives in the form of both citizens’ associations and networks of legal entities to implement more effectively the objectives set out in the previous paragraphs; | |

Amendment 63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 1 — introductory part

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Within the specific objective set out in point (c) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: | Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and  within the specific objective set out in point (c) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: |

Amendment 64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 1 — point -a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (-a) | preventing and combating all forms of gender-based violence against women and promoting the full implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) at all levels; and | |

Amendment 65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 1 — point a

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | preventing and combating all forms of violence against children, young people  and women , as well as violence against other groups at risk; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | preventing and combating all forms of violence against children, young people, as well as violence against other groups at risk , such as LGBTQI persons, persons with disabilities, minorities, elderly people, and migrants and refugees ; | |

Amendment 66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 — paragraph 1 — point b

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | supporting and protecting victims of such violence. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | supporting and protecting victims of such violence , including by supporting the activities of civil society organisations that facilitate and ensure access to justice, to victim support services and to safe police reporting for all victims of violence, and supporting and ensuring the same level of protection throughout the Union for victims of gender-based violence . | |

Amendment 67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021 — 2027 shall be EUR [ 641 705 000  ] in current prices. | 1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021 — 2027 shall be EUR [ 1 627 000 000  ]  in 2018 prices [EUR 1 834 000 000   in current prices]. |

Amendment 68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point -a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (-a) | EUR [754 062 000 in 2018 prices] [EUR 850 000 000 in current prices] (i.e. 46,34  % of the total financial envelope) for the specific objectives referred to in point (-a) of Article 2(2); | |

Amendment 69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point a

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | EUR [ 408 705 000  ] for the specific objectives referred to in article  2(2)(a) and 2(2)(c) ; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | EUR [ 429 372 000 in 2018 prices ]  [EUR 484 000 000 ] (i.e. 26,39  % of the total financial envelope)  for the specific objectives referred to in  points (a) and (c) of  Article  2(2) ; | |

Amendment 70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point b

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | EUR [ 233 000 000  ] for the specific  objective  referred to in Article  2(2)(b); | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | EUR [ 443 566 000 in 2018 prices ]  [EUR 500 000 000 ] (i.e. 27,26  % of the total financial envelope)  for the specific  objectives  referred to in  point (b) of  Article  2(2). | |

Amendment 71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | The Commission shall allocate at least 50 % of the amounts referred to in points (-a) and (a) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph to support activities carried out by civil society organisations, of which at least 65 % shall be allocated to local and regional civil society organisations. |
|  | The Commission shall not depart from the allocated percentages of the financial envelope, as set out in Annex I(-a) by more than five percentage points. Should it prove necessary to exceed that limit, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to amend Annex 1(-a) by modifying by between five and ten percentage points the allocated percentages of Programme funds. |

Amendment 72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 — paragraph 5

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 5.   Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with Article 62(1)(a) of the Financial Regulation  or indirectly in accordance with Article 62(1)(c) . Where possible those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State  concerned . | 5.   Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their  request or at the Commission's  request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with Article 62(1)(a) of the Financial Regulation. Where possible, those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State. |

Amendment 73

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Article 6 a |
|  | Values Support Mechanism |
|  | 1.     In exceptional cases, where there is a serious and rapid deterioration in a Member State as regards compliance with Union values enshrined in Article 2 TEU, and those values are at risk of not being sufficiently protected and promoted, the Commission may open a call for proposals in the form of a fast-track procedure for grant applications for civil society organisations, with a view to facilitate, support and enhance the democratic dialogue in the Member State in question and to address the problem of insufficient compliance with the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU. |
|  | 2.     The Commission shall earmark up to 5 % of the amounts referred to in Article 6(2)(-a) to the values support mechanism referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. At the end of every budgetary year, the Commission shall transfer any non-committed funds under this mechanism to support other actions which fall under the objectives of the Programme. |
|  | 3.     The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to trigger the values support mechanism referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. The activation of the mechanism shall be based on a comprehensive, regular and evidence-based monitoring and evaluation of the situation in all Member States as regards democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights. |

Amendment 74

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   The Programme shall be implemented in direct management in accordance with the Financial Regulation or in indirect management with bodies referred to in Article  61(1)(c)  of the Financial Regulation. | 1.   The Programme shall be implemented in direct management in accordance with the Financial Regulation or in indirect management with bodies referred to in  point (c) of  Article  62(1)  of the Financial Regulation. |

Amendment 75

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation. | 2.   The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation , primarily through action grants as well as annual and multiannual operating grants .  That funding shall be implemented in such a way as to ensure sound financial management, prudent use of public funds, lower levels of administrative burden for the Programme operator and for beneficiaries, as well as accessibility of the Programme funds to potential beneficiaries. Lump sums, unit costs, flat rates and cascading grants (financial support to third parties) may be used. Co-funding shall be accepted in kind and may be waived in cases of limited complementary funding. |

Amendment 76

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Actions contributing to the achievement of a specific objective specified in Article 2 may receive funding under this Regulation. In particular, activities listed in  Annex I  shall be eligible for funding. | |  |  | | --- | --- | | 1. | Actions contributing to the achievement of a  general or  specific objective specified in Article 2 may receive funding under this Regulation. In particular, activities listed in  Article 9 a ( shall be eligible for funding). | |

Amendment 77

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 — paragraph 2 (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | 2. | In line with Article 11(2) TEU, the Commission shall set up a ‘Civil Dialogue Group’ aimed at ensuring a regular, open and transparent dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders in order to exchange experiences and good practices and to discuss policy developments within the fields and objectives covered by the Programme and related fields. | |

Amendment 78

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Article 9 a |
|  | Activities eligible for funding |
|  | The general and specific objectives of the Programme set out in Article 2 will be carried out in particular, but not exclusively, by supporting the following activities: |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | awareness raising, public education, promotion and dissemination of information to improve the knowledge of the policies, principles and rights within the areas and objectives covered by the Programme; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | mutual learning through the exchange of good practices among stakeholders to improve knowledge and mutual understanding and civic and democratic engagement; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (c) | analytical monitoring, reporting and advocacy activities to improve the understanding of the situation in Member States and at Union level in the areas covered by the Programme as well as to improve the proper transposition and implementation of Union law, policies and common Union values within Member States, such activities to include for instance the collection of data and statistics; the development of common methodologies and, where appropriate, indicators or benchmarks; studies, research, analyses and surveys; evaluations; impact assessment; the elaboration and publication of guides, reports and educational material; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (d) | training relevant stakeholders to improve their knowledge of the policies and rights in the fields covered by the Programme and strengthening relevant stakeholders’ independence and their capacity to advocate for the policies and rights in the fields covered by the Programme, including through strategic litigation; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (e) | promoting public awareness and understanding of the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the protection of personal data, privacy, and digital security; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (f) | strengthening citizen's awareness of European core values and their commitment to justice, equality, rule of law and democracy as well as of their rights and obligations derived from Union citizenship, such as the right to travel, work, study and live in another Member State, through information campaigns and the promotion of mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity within the Union; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (g) | strengthening awareness among citizens, especially young people, of European culture, cultural heritage, identity, history and remembrance, and reinforcing their sense of belonging in the Union, particularly through initiatives to reflect on the causes of totalitarian regimes in Europe’s modern history and to commemorate the victims of those crimes, perpetrated injustices, and activities concerning other defining moments in recent European history; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (h) | bringing together citizens of different nationalities and cultures by giving them the opportunity to participate in town-twinning activities and small scale and civil society projects, thus creating the conditions for a stronger bottom-up approach; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (i) | encouraging and facilitating active and inclusive participation, with particular attention to marginalised groups of society, in the construction of a more democratic Union, as well as raising awareness and promoting and defending fundamental rights, rights and values through support to civil society organisations active in the areas covered by the Programme at all levels, as well as developing the capacity of European networks and civil society organisations to contribute to the development, awareness raising and monitoring of the implementation of Union law, policy goals, values and strategies; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (j) | financing the technical and organisational support to implement Regulation [(EU) No 211/2011], thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (k) | enhancing knowledge of the Programme and dissemination and transferability of its results and fostering citizen and civil society outreach, including by setting up and supporting independent programme contact points; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (l) | strengthening the capacity and independence of human rights defenders and civil society organisations monitoring the situation of the rule of law and supporting actions at local, regional, national and transnational levels; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (m) | supporting whistleblower defence, including initiatives and measures to establish safe channels for reporting within organisations and to public authorities or other relevant bodies, as well as measures to protect whistleblowers against dismissal, demotion or other forms of retaliation, including through information and training for relevant public authorities and stakeholders; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (n) | supporting initiatives and measures to promote and protect freedom and pluralism of the media and to build capacity for new challenges such as new media and countering hate speech as well as targeted misinformation through awareness raising, training, studies and monitoring activities; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (o) | supporting civil society organisations active in promoting and monitoring integrity, transparency and accountability of public administration and public authorities, and in fighting corruption; | |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (p) | supporting organisations helping, housing and protecting victims of violence and people under threat, including to women's’ shelters. | |

Amendment 79

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation. | 1.   Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation  and shall include action grants, multiannual operating grants and cascading grants . |

Amendment 80

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The evaluation committee may be composed of external experts. | 2.   The evaluation committee may be composed of external experts.  The composition of the evaluation committee shall ensure gender balance. |

Amendment 81

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   An action that has received a contribution under the Programme may also receive a contribution from any other Union programme, including Funds under shared management, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. [The cumulative financing shall not exceed the total eligible costs of the action and the support from different Union programmes may be calculated on a pro-rata basis]. | 1.   An action that has received a contribution under the Programme may also receive a contribution from any other Union programme, including Funds under shared management, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs , and double sourcing of funds is avoided by clearly indicating the sources of funding for each category of expenditure, in line with the principle of sound financial management . [The cumulative financing shall not exceed the total eligible costs of the action and the support from different Union programmes may be calculated on a pro-rata basis]. |

Amendment 82

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 2 — point a — indent 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | a Member State or an overseas country or territory linked to  it ; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | a Member State or an overseas country or territory linked to  a Member State ; | |

Amendment 83

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 2 — point a — indent 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | a third country associated to the Programme; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | for the specific objectives referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 2(2),  a third country associated to the Programme  in accordance with Article 7 of this Regulation ; | |

Amendment 84

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 2 — point b

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | any legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | any  non-profit  legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation; | |

Amendment 85

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 — paragraph 3

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3.   An operating grant may be awarded without a call for proposals to  The  European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET) to cover expenditure associated  to  its permanent work programme. | 3.   An operating grant may be awarded without a call for proposals to  the  European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET) , under Article 6(2)(a),  to cover expenditure associated  with  its permanent work programme,  provided that a gender impact assessment of their work programme has been completed . |

Amendment 86

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 — title

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Work programme | Work programme  and multiannual priorities |

Amendment 87

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   The Programme shall be  implemented  by work programmes referred to in Article 110 of Financial Regulation. | 1.   The Programme shall be  carried out  by work programmes referred to in Article 110 of Financial Regulation. |

Amendment 88

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 — paragraph 1 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | 1a.     The Commission shall apply the partnership principle when deciding its priorities under the Programme and provide for a comprehensive involvement of stakeholders into planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this Programme and its work programmes in accordance with Article 15a. |

Amendment 89

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The  work programme shall be adopted by the  Commission  by means of an implementing act. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 19. | 2.   The Commission  is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to supplement this Regulation by establishing the appropriate work programme . |

Amendment 90

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   Indicators to report on progress of the Programme towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 are set out in Annex II. | 1.   Indicators to report on progress of the Programme towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 2  shall, where applicable, be collected disaggregated by gender. The list of indicators  are set out in Annex II. |

Amendment 91

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 — paragraph 3

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3.   The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and Member States. | 3.   The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate  and least burdensome  reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and Member States.  In order to facilitate reporting requirements being met, the Commission shall make available user-friendly formats and provide orientation and support programmes particularly targeted to civil society organisations, who may not always have the know-how and adequate resources and staff to meet reporting requirements. |

Amendment 92

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   Evaluations shall be carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision-making process. | 1.   Evaluations shall be  gender sensitive, providing gender-disaggregated figures, include a specific chapter for each strand and take into account the number of people reached, their feedback and their geographical coverage and be  carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision-making process. |

Amendment 93

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed once there is sufficient information available about the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. The  mid-term  evaluation shall take into account the results of the evaluations of the long-term impact of the predecessor programmes (Rights Equality and Citizenship and Europe for Citizens). | 2.   The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed once there is sufficient information available about the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. The  interim  evaluation shall take into account the results of the evaluations of the long-term impact of the predecessor programmes (Rights Equality and Citizenship and Europe for Citizens).  The interim evaluation shall include a gender impact assessment to assess the extent to which gender equality goals of the Programme are being achieved, to ensure no component of the Programme is having unintended negative impacts on gender equality and to identify recommendations for how future calls for proposals and operating grant decisions can be developed to actively promote gender equality considerations. |

Amendment 94

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 — paragraph 4

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 4.   The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. | 4.   The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.  The Commission shall make the evaluation public and easily accessible by publishing it on its website. |

Amendment 95

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in  Article  14 shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2027. | 2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in  Articles 13 and  14 shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2027. |

Amendment 96

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16 — paragraph 3

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3.   The delegation of power referred to in  Article  14 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. | 3.   The delegation of power referred to in  Articles 13 and  14 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. |

Amendment 97

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16 — paragraph 4

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making  of 13 April 2016 . | 4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement  of 13 April 2016  on Better Law-Making.  The composition of the group of experts consulted shall ensure gender balance. When preparing and drawing up delegated acts, the Commission shall ensure a timely and simultaneous transmission of all documents, including the draft acts, to the European Parliament and the Council at the same time as to Member States' experts. Where they consider this necessary, the European Parliament and the Council may each send experts to meetings of the Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts to which Member States' experts are invited. To that end, the European Parliament and the Council shall receive the planning for the following months and invitations for all experts meetings. |

Amendment 98

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16 — paragraph 5

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. | 5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.  Based on the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making, citizens and other stakeholders may express their opinion on the draft text of a delegated act during a four-week period. The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions shall be consulted on the draft text, based on the experience of NGOs and local and regional authorities with respect to the implementation of the Programme. |

Amendment 99

Proposal for a regulation

Article 16 — paragraph 6

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to  Article  14 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. | 6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to  Articles 13 or  14 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. |

Amendment 100

Proposal for a regulation

Article 18 — paragraph 1

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1.   The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results) by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public. | 1.   The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results), by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information , and in a form which is also accessible for people with disabilities,  to multiple audiences, including the media and the public  and, where appropriate, beneficiaries of actions funded in this way and participants therein, thereby showing the Union added value and aiding the data gathering efforts of the Commission in order to enhance budgetary transparency |

Amendment 101

Proposal for a regulation

Article 18 — paragraph 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2.   The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Programme, and its actions and results.  Financial resources allocated to the Programme shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article 2. | 2.   The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Programme, and its actions and results. |

Amendment 102

Proposal for a regulation

Article 18 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Article 18 a  Programme Contact Points  In each Member State there shall be an independent programme contact point with qualified staff tasked, in particular, with providing the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Programme with impartial guidance, practical information and assistance regarding all aspects of the Programme, including in relation to the application procedure. |

Amendment 103

Proposal for a regulation

Article 19

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Article 19 | deleted |
| Committee procedure |  |
| 1.     The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. This committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. |  |
| 2.     Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. |  |
| 3.     The committee may meet in specific configurations to deal with the individual strands of the Programme. |  |

Amendment 104

Proposal for a regulation

Annex -I (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Annex -I |
|  | The available Programme funds referred to in Article 6(1) shall be allocated as follows: |
|  | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | (a) | Within the amount referred to in point (a) of Article 6(2):   |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | at least 15 % to activities implementing the specific objective under point (aa) of Article 3; |  |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | at least 40 % to activities implementing the specific objectives under point (-a) of Article 5; and |  |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | at least 45 % to activities implementing the specific objectives under points (a) and (b) of Article 3 and points (a) and (b) of Article 5; | | |
|  | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | (b) | Within the amount referred to in point (b) of Article 6(2):   |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | 15 % to remembrance activities; |  |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | 65 % to democratic participation; |  |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | 10 % to promotional activities; and |  |  |  | | --- | --- | | — | 10 % to administration. | | |

Amendment 105

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Annex I | deleted |
| Activities of the Programme |  |
| The specific objectives of the Programme referred to in Article 2(2) will be pursued in particular through support to the following activities: |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (a) | awareness raising, dissemination of information to improve the knowledge of the policies and rights in the areas covered by the Programme; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (b) | mutual learning through exchange of good practices among stakeholders to improve knowledge and mutual understanding and civic and democratic engagement; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (c) | analytical and monitoring activities [(1)](#ntr1-C_2020411EN.01061801-E0037)  to improve the understanding of the situation in the Member States and at EU level in the areas covered by the Programme as well as to improve the implementation of EU law and policies; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (d) | training relevant stakeholders to improve their knowledge of the policies and rights in the fields covered; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (e) | information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools development and maintenance; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (f) | strengthening citizen's awareness of European culture, history and remembrance as well as their sense of belonging to the Union; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (g) | bringing together Europeans of different nationalities and cultures by giving them the opportunity to participate in town-twinning activities; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (h) | encouraging and facilitating active participation in the construction of a more democratic Union as well as awareness of rights and values through support to civil society organisations; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (i) | financing the technical and organisational support to implement Regulation [(EU)No 211/2011], thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (j) | developing the capacity of European networks to promote and further develop Union law, policy goals and strategies as well as supporting civil society organisations active in the areas covered by the Programme; | |  |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (k) | enhancing knowledge of the programme and dissemination and transferability of its results and fostering citizen outreach, including by setting up and supporting programme desks/national contact network. | |  |

Amendment 106

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — paragraph 1 — introductory part

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| The Programme will be monitored on the basis of a set of indicators intended to measure the extent to which the general and specific objectives of the Programme have been achieved and with a view to minimising administrative burdens and costs. To that end, data will be collected as regards the following set of key indicators: | The Programme will be monitored on the basis of a set of  result  indicators intended to measure the extent to which the general and specific objectives of the Programme have been achieved and with a view to minimising administrative burdens and costs.  Where possible, indicators are to be broken down by age, sex and any other collectable data, such as for instance ethnicity, disability and gender identity.  To that end, data will be collected as regards the following set of key indicators: |

Amendment 107

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — paragraph 1 — table

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Number of people reached by: | Number of people,  disaggregated by sex and age , reached by: |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (i) | training activities; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (i) | training activities; | |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (ii) | mutual learning and exchange of good practices activities; | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (ii) | mutual learning and exchange of good practices activities; | |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (iii) | awareness raising, information and dissemination activities. | | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (iii) | awareness raising, information and dissemination activities. | |

Amendment 108

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — paragraph 1 — row 1 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | The Commission shall also publish the following output indicators annually: |

Amendment 109

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — paragraph 1 — row 1 b (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Number of applications and activities funded per list in Article 9(1) and per strand |

Amendment 110

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — paragraph 1 — row 1 c (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | The level of funding requested by applicants and granted by listing of Article 9(1) and per strand |

Amendment 111

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — table — row 6

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Number of transnational networks and initiatives focusing on European  memory and  heritage as a result of programme intervention | Number of transnational networks and initiatives focusing on European  remembrance,  heritage  and civil dialogue  as a result of programme intervention. |

Amendment 112

Proposal for a regulation

Annex II — table — row 6 a (new)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | Geographical distribution of projects |

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