Article 1 
A multiannual programme "European digital content for the global networks" (hereinafter referred to as "eContent") is hereby adopted. The programme has the following objectives: (a) helping to stimulate the use of and access for all to the Internet by increasing the availability of European digital content on the global networks to support the professional, social and cultural development of the citizens of the European Union and facilitating the economic and social integration of nationals of the applicant countries into the information society; (b) stimulating access to and use of European digital content potential and especially promoting more effective use of information held by the public sector; (c) promoting cultural diversity and multilingualism, especially in the languages of the European Union, in digital content on the global networks and increasing the export opportunities of European content firms, and in particular SMEs, through cultural and linguistic customisation; (d) creating favourable conditions for the reduction of market fragmentation and for the marketing, distribution and use of European digital content on the global networks to stimulate economic activity and enhance employment prospects. Article 2 In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1, the following actions shall be undertaken under the guidance of the Commission, in accordance with the action lines set out in Annex I and the means for implementing the programme set out in Annex III: (a) improving access to and expanding use of public sector information; (b) enhancing content production in a multilingual and multicultural environment; (c) increasing dynamism of the digital content market. Article 3 1. The programme shall cover a period of four years from the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be EUR 100 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in Annex II. Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall draw up a work programme every two years on the basis of this Decision. 2. In the implementation of the programme, the Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure general consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge upon the development and use of European digital content and the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society. 3. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2) for the purposes of the following: (a) adoption of the work programme; (b) determination of the criteria and content of calls for the proposals, in line with the objectives outlined in Article 1; (c) assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding of an estimated amount of Community contribution equal to, or more than EUR 700000; (d) any departure from the rules set out in Annex III; (e) acceptance of participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations other than those mentioned in Article 7(1) and (2). 4. Where the amount of the projects referred to in point 3(c) is less than EUR 700000, the Commission shall merely inform the committee established by Article 5(1) of the projects and the outcome of their assessment. This threshold can be reviewed in the light of experience at the end of two years from the date of publication of this Decision. The Commission shall inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole on at least a half yearly basis. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this point, 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 three months. Article 6 1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 2 
In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1, the following actions shall be undertaken under the guidance of the Commission, in accordance with the action lines set out in Annex I and the means for implementing the programme set out in Annex III: (a) improving access to and expanding use of public sector information; (b) enhancing content production in a multilingual and multicultural environment; (c) increasing dynamism of the digital content market. Article 3 1. The programme shall cover a period of four years from the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be EUR 100 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in Annex II. Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall draw up a work programme every two years on the basis of this Decision. 2. In the implementation of the programme, the Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure general consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge upon the development and use of European digital content and the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society. 3. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2) for the purposes of the following: (a) adoption of the work programme; (b) determination of the criteria and content of calls for the proposals, in line with the objectives outlined in Article 1; (c) assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding of an estimated amount of Community contribution equal to, or more than EUR 700000; (d) any departure from the rules set out in Annex III; (e) acceptance of participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations other than those mentioned in Article 7(1) and (2). 4. Where the amount of the projects referred to in point 3(c) is less than EUR 700000, the Commission shall merely inform the committee established by Article 5(1) of the projects and the outcome of their assessment. This threshold can be reviewed in the light of experience at the end of two years from the date of publication of this Decision. The Commission shall inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole on at least a half yearly basis. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this point, 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 three months. Article 6 1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 3 
1. The programme shall cover a period of four years from the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be EUR 100 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in Annex II. Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall draw up a work programme every two years on the basis of this Decision. 2. In the implementation of the programme, the Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure general consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge upon the development and use of European digital content and the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society. 3. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2) for the purposes of the following: (a) adoption of the work programme; (b) determination of the criteria and content of calls for the proposals, in line with the objectives outlined in Article 1; (c) assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding of an estimated amount of Community contribution equal to, or more than EUR 700000; (d) any departure from the rules set out in Annex III; (e) acceptance of participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations other than those mentioned in Article 7(1) and (2). 4. Where the amount of the projects referred to in point 3(c) is less than EUR 700000, the Commission shall merely inform the committee established by Article 5(1) of the projects and the outcome of their assessment. This threshold can be reviewed in the light of experience at the end of two years from the date of publication of this Decision. The Commission shall inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole on at least a half yearly basis. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this point, 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 three months. Article 6 1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 4 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall draw up a work programme every two years on the basis of this Decision. 2. In the implementation of the programme, the Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure general consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge upon the development and use of European digital content and the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society. 3. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2) for the purposes of the following: (a) adoption of the work programme; (b) determination of the criteria and content of calls for the proposals, in line with the objectives outlined in Article 1; (c) assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding of an estimated amount of Community contribution equal to, or more than EUR 700000; (d) any departure from the rules set out in Annex III; (e) acceptance of participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations other than those mentioned in Article 7(1) and (2). 4. Where the amount of the projects referred to in point 3(c) is less than EUR 700000, the Commission shall merely inform the committee established by Article 5(1) of the projects and the outcome of their assessment. This threshold can be reviewed in the light of experience at the end of two years from the date of publication of this Decision. The Commission shall inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole on at least a half yearly basis. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this point, 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 three months. Article 6 1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this point, 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 three months. Article 6 1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 6 
1. In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to effective prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of projects and after their completion the Commission shall evaluate the manner in which they have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved. 3. The selected beneficiaries shall submit an annual report to the Commission. 4. After two years from the date of publication of this Decision and at the end of the programme, 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 results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may submit, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 7 
1. Participation in the programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the EEA. 2. The programme shall be open to participation of applicant countries on the following basis: (a) those from central and eastern Europe (CEECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; (b) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, in accordance with bilateral agreements to be concluded. 3. Participation may be opened, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 5(2), without financial support by the Community from the programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme and taking into account the principle of mutual benefit. Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000. For the Council The President C. Pierret (1) OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 31. (2) Opinion delivered on 14.12.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 29.11.2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 10. (6) OJ L 129, 30.5.1996, p. 24. (7) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40. (8) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. (9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. (10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
Article 8 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 2000