Article 1 
Establishment of the programme This Decision establishes a Community action programme, hereinafter referred to as "the programme", to promote measures to combat direct or indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, for the period from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006. Article 2 Objectives Within the limits of the Community's powers, the programme shall support and supplement the efforts at Community level and in the Member States to promote measures to prevent and combat discrimination whether based on one or on multiple factors, taking account, where appropriate, of future legislative developments. It shall have the following objectives: (a) to improve the understanding of issues related to discrimination through improved knowledge of this phenomenon and through evaluation of the effectiveness of policies and practice; (b) to develop the capacity to prevent and address discrimination effectively, in particular by strengthening organisations' means of action and through support for the exchange of information and good practice and networking at European level, while taking into account the specific characteristics of the different forms of discrimination; (c) to promote and disseminate the values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination, including through the use of awareness-raising campaigns. Article 3 Community actions 1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2, the following actions may be implemented within a transnational framework: (a) analysis of factors related to discrimination, including through studies and the development of qualitative and quantitative indicators and benchmarks, in accordance with national law and practices, and the evaluation of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to assessing its effectiveness and impact, with effective dissemination of the results; (b) transnational cooperation and the promotion of networking at European level between partners active in the prevention of, and the fight against, discrimination, including non-governmental organisations; (c) awareness-raising, in particular to emphasise the European dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of the programme, in particular through communications, publications, campaigns and events. 2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex. Article 4 Implementation of the programme and cooperation with the Member States 1. The Commission shall: (a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex; (b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. To that end the Commission shall make the relevant information available to the non-governmental organisations and the social partners. The Commission shall inform the committee established under Article 6 of their exchange of views. 2. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to: (a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned, including non-governmental organisations of all sizes; (b) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination; (c) ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of the programme; (d) provide accessible information and appropriate publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by the programme. Article 5 Implementing measures 1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2): (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes; (c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community; (d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme; (e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support; (f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results. 2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3). Article 6 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 2 
Objectives Within the limits of the Community's powers, the programme shall support and supplement the efforts at Community level and in the Member States to promote measures to prevent and combat discrimination whether based on one or on multiple factors, taking account, where appropriate, of future legislative developments. It shall have the following objectives: (a) to improve the understanding of issues related to discrimination through improved knowledge of this phenomenon and through evaluation of the effectiveness of policies and practice; (b) to develop the capacity to prevent and address discrimination effectively, in particular by strengthening organisations' means of action and through support for the exchange of information and good practice and networking at European level, while taking into account the specific characteristics of the different forms of discrimination; (c) to promote and disseminate the values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination, including through the use of awareness-raising campaigns. Article 3 Community actions 1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2, the following actions may be implemented within a transnational framework: (a) analysis of factors related to discrimination, including through studies and the development of qualitative and quantitative indicators and benchmarks, in accordance with national law and practices, and the evaluation of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to assessing its effectiveness and impact, with effective dissemination of the results; (b) transnational cooperation and the promotion of networking at European level between partners active in the prevention of, and the fight against, discrimination, including non-governmental organisations; (c) awareness-raising, in particular to emphasise the European dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of the programme, in particular through communications, publications, campaigns and events. 2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex. Article 4 Implementation of the programme and cooperation with the Member States 1. The Commission shall: (a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex; (b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. To that end the Commission shall make the relevant information available to the non-governmental organisations and the social partners. The Commission shall inform the committee established under Article 6 of their exchange of views. 2. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to: (a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned, including non-governmental organisations of all sizes; (b) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination; (c) ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of the programme; (d) provide accessible information and appropriate publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by the programme. Article 5 Implementing measures 1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2): (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes; (c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community; (d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme; (e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support; (f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results. 2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3). Article 6 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 3 
Community actions 1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2, the following actions may be implemented within a transnational framework: (a) analysis of factors related to discrimination, including through studies and the development of qualitative and quantitative indicators and benchmarks, in accordance with national law and practices, and the evaluation of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to assessing its effectiveness and impact, with effective dissemination of the results; (b) transnational cooperation and the promotion of networking at European level between partners active in the prevention of, and the fight against, discrimination, including non-governmental organisations; (c) awareness-raising, in particular to emphasise the European dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of the programme, in particular through communications, publications, campaigns and events. 2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex. Article 4 Implementation of the programme and cooperation with the Member States 1. The Commission shall: (a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex; (b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. To that end the Commission shall make the relevant information available to the non-governmental organisations and the social partners. The Commission shall inform the committee established under Article 6 of their exchange of views. 2. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to: (a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned, including non-governmental organisations of all sizes; (b) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination; (c) ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of the programme; (d) provide accessible information and appropriate publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by the programme. Article 5 Implementing measures 1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2): (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes; (c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community; (d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme; (e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support; (f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results. 2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3). Article 6 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 4 
Implementation of the programme and cooperation with the Member States 1. The Commission shall: (a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex; (b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. To that end the Commission shall make the relevant information available to the non-governmental organisations and the social partners. The Commission shall inform the committee established under Article 6 of their exchange of views. 2. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to: (a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned, including non-governmental organisations of all sizes; (b) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination; (c) ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of the programme; (d) provide accessible information and appropriate publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by the programme. Article 5 Implementing measures 1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2): (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes; (c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community; (d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme; (e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support; (f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results. 2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3). Article 6 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 5 
Implementing measures 1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2): (a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme; (b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes; (c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community; (d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme; (e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support; (f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results. 2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3). Article 6 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 6 
Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 7 Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 7 
Cooperation with other committees To ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions. Article 8 Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 8 
Consistency and complementarity 1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations. 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal. 3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels. Article 9 Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 9 
Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey The programme shall be open to the participation of: (a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement; (b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries; Article 10 Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 10 
Funding 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million. 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 11 Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 11 
Monitoring and evaluation 1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3). 2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005. Article 12 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President É. Guigou (1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal). (2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
Article 12 
Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000