Article 1 
A programme (Information Society) is hereby adopted with the following objectives: - increasing public awareness and understanding of the potential impact of the Information Society and its new applications throughout Europe, stimulating people's motivation and ability to participate in the change to the Information Society; - optimising the socio-economic benefits of the Information Society in Europe, by analysing its technical, economic, social and regulatory aspects, by appraising the challenges raised by the transition to the Information Society, inter alia as regards employment, and by promoting synergy and cooperation between European and national levels; - enhancing Europe's role and visibility within the global dimension of the Information Society. The activities set out in this programme are actions of a cross-sectoral nature, complementing Community actions in other fields. None of these shall duplicate the work being carried out in these fields under other Community programmes. In order to avoid overlap, to complement other initiatives, and to bring complementary expertise into this programme, the relevant Community programmes shall be associated with the development of activities. The programme should also provide a common framework for complementary and synergetic interaction at European level of the various national/regional/local initiatives for the establishment of the Information Society, in particular, through assistance of the committee provided for in Article 5(1), so as to make use of available facilities and enhance transparency and cooperation at European level, while fully applying subsidiarity. Article 2 In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1, the following categories of actions shall be undertaken: (a) measures to raise awareness in Europe: - adding value where necessary to local, national and crossborder initiatives promoting a better understanding, for instance through the dissemination of information, of the opportunities, benefits and possible risks of the Information Society, whether aimed at the general public or at specific target groups, - gathering and dissemination of information on citizens' and users' needs with respect to Information Society services and applications, - enhancement of the visibility to the general public and other interested parties of real projects being implemented to service their needs, - the monitoring of peoples' awareness of and familiarisation with the Information Society services and applications, in particular through the fostering of regular surveys and the integration of national surveys into a European picture, - stimulation of the interest of industry, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in providing services and applications that meet the needs expressed by citizens and users, for instance, through presentations of Information Society activities, networks, applications and concrete opportunities to be exploited, - demonstration of the potential impact of the Information Society at regional level, including within its crossborder dimension, the promotion of exchange of relevant information between cities and regions, - support for the Information Society Forum consisting of experts representing a broad range of interests from industry, academia, media, trade unions, consumer and user groups, advising the Commission on the challenges to overcome for the development of the Information Society; (b) measures to optimize the socio-economic benefits of the Information Society in Europe: - the assessment of the opportunities and barriers which disadvantaged social groups and peripheral and less-favoured regions may face in accessing and using Information Society products and services; the identification of appropriate measures to overcome these obstacles and to grasp the related benefits, - the analysis of current initiatives at European and national level regarding the provision of applications, based in particular on a permanent inventory of projects which facilitate the deployment of the Information Society, - the provision of transparency, based in particular on a permanent inventory, concerning ongoing policies and programmes at European and national level, - the contribution, on the basis of identified best programmes and practices, to the European wide take-up of successful examples in Information Society policies, projects and services, - the promotion of exchange of expertise and experiences between ongoing studies and activities at European and national level, - the identification and evaluation of the financing mechanisms needed to develop the Information Society, in particular those able to help stimulate public/private partnerships for the deployment of applications of public interest, - the identification of obstacles to the functioning of the internal market in the area of the Information Society and the consideration of measures to guarantee the full benefit of the area without frontiers for its development, taking into account the linguistic diversity, - the launching of actions to ascertain the priorities of SMEs and regarding the obstacles hampering the use by SMEs of information and communications technologies (ICT), in close coordination with Commission efforts to mobilise different groups of ICT users, - the promotion of electronic literacy in the educational sector through the dissemination of relevant experience gained at national and European level; (c) measures to enhance Europe's role and visibility within the global dimension of the Information Society: - the establishment of an inventory of initiatives taken worldwide, - the exchange of information with third countries, in particular with a view to encouraging their access to the potential of the Information Society, - the collaboration in the preparation of demonstration actions, either bilaterally or in collaboration with international organisations. For the various categories of actions above, the work programmes to be defined each year should define the priority work areas and concrete actions, seeking to maximise added value at European level. Article 3 In carrying out the objectives outlined in Article 1 and the actions defined in Article 2, the Commission may use the appropriate and relevant means, and in particular: - the award of contracts for the execution of tasks relating to analyses, exploratory studies, detailed studies of specific fields, demonstration actions of limited size, as well as the coordination, evaluation and co-financing of actions, - the organisation of, the participation in and the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, seminars, consultations of persons or of groups having common interests, in particular with a view to encouraging the access of third countries to the potential of the Information Society, - the publication and the dissemination of information. Article 4 1. The programme shall cover a period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the abovementioned programme will be ECU 25 million. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in the Annex. 3. The Budgetary Authority shall authorise the appropriations within the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and in compliance with the financial perspective. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme including the extent of funding, - the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure, - the criteria and content of calls for proposals, - the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each project where this is equal to or more than ECU 100 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 100 000, the Commission shall inform the committee of the projects and of the outcome of their assessment. 4. The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole. Article 6 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 2 
In order to attain the objectives referred to in Article 1, the following categories of actions shall be undertaken: (a) measures to raise awareness in Europe: - adding value where necessary to local, national and crossborder initiatives promoting a better understanding, for instance through the dissemination of information, of the opportunities, benefits and possible risks of the Information Society, whether aimed at the general public or at specific target groups, - gathering and dissemination of information on citizens' and users' needs with respect to Information Society services and applications, - enhancement of the visibility to the general public and other interested parties of real projects being implemented to service their needs, - the monitoring of peoples' awareness of and familiarisation with the Information Society services and applications, in particular through the fostering of regular surveys and the integration of national surveys into a European picture, - stimulation of the interest of industry, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in providing services and applications that meet the needs expressed by citizens and users, for instance, through presentations of Information Society activities, networks, applications and concrete opportunities to be exploited, - demonstration of the potential impact of the Information Society at regional level, including within its crossborder dimension, the promotion of exchange of relevant information between cities and regions, - support for the Information Society Forum consisting of experts representing a broad range of interests from industry, academia, media, trade unions, consumer and user groups, advising the Commission on the challenges to overcome for the development of the Information Society; (b) measures to optimize the socio-economic benefits of the Information Society in Europe: - the assessment of the opportunities and barriers which disadvantaged social groups and peripheral and less-favoured regions may face in accessing and using Information Society products and services; the identification of appropriate measures to overcome these obstacles and to grasp the related benefits, - the analysis of current initiatives at European and national level regarding the provision of applications, based in particular on a permanent inventory of projects which facilitate the deployment of the Information Society, - the provision of transparency, based in particular on a permanent inventory, concerning ongoing policies and programmes at European and national level, - the contribution, on the basis of identified best programmes and practices, to the European wide take-up of successful examples in Information Society policies, projects and services, - the promotion of exchange of expertise and experiences between ongoing studies and activities at European and national level, - the identification and evaluation of the financing mechanisms needed to develop the Information Society, in particular those able to help stimulate public/private partnerships for the deployment of applications of public interest, - the identification of obstacles to the functioning of the internal market in the area of the Information Society and the consideration of measures to guarantee the full benefit of the area without frontiers for its development, taking into account the linguistic diversity, - the launching of actions to ascertain the priorities of SMEs and regarding the obstacles hampering the use by SMEs of information and communications technologies (ICT), in close coordination with Commission efforts to mobilise different groups of ICT users, - the promotion of electronic literacy in the educational sector through the dissemination of relevant experience gained at national and European level; (c) measures to enhance Europe's role and visibility within the global dimension of the Information Society: - the establishment of an inventory of initiatives taken worldwide, - the exchange of information with third countries, in particular with a view to encouraging their access to the potential of the Information Society, - the collaboration in the preparation of demonstration actions, either bilaterally or in collaboration with international organisations. For the various categories of actions above, the work programmes to be defined each year should define the priority work areas and concrete actions, seeking to maximise added value at European level. Article 3 In carrying out the objectives outlined in Article 1 and the actions defined in Article 2, the Commission may use the appropriate and relevant means, and in particular: - the award of contracts for the execution of tasks relating to analyses, exploratory studies, detailed studies of specific fields, demonstration actions of limited size, as well as the coordination, evaluation and co-financing of actions, - the organisation of, the participation in and the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, seminars, consultations of persons or of groups having common interests, in particular with a view to encouraging the access of third countries to the potential of the Information Society, - the publication and the dissemination of information. Article 4 1. The programme shall cover a period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the abovementioned programme will be ECU 25 million. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in the Annex. 3. The Budgetary Authority shall authorise the appropriations within the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and in compliance with the financial perspective. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme including the extent of funding, - the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure, - the criteria and content of calls for proposals, - the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each project where this is equal to or more than ECU 100 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 100 000, the Commission shall inform the committee of the projects and of the outcome of their assessment. 4. The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole. Article 6 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 3 
In carrying out the objectives outlined in Article 1 and the actions defined in Article 2, the Commission may use the appropriate and relevant means, and in particular: - the award of contracts for the execution of tasks relating to analyses, exploratory studies, detailed studies of specific fields, demonstration actions of limited size, as well as the coordination, evaluation and co-financing of actions, - the organisation of, the participation in and the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, seminars, consultations of persons or of groups having common interests, in particular with a view to encouraging the access of third countries to the potential of the Information Society, - the publication and the dissemination of information. Article 4 1. The programme shall cover a period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the abovementioned programme will be ECU 25 million. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in the Annex. 3. The Budgetary Authority shall authorise the appropriations within the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and in compliance with the financial perspective. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme including the extent of funding, - the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure, - the criteria and content of calls for proposals, - the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each project where this is equal to or more than ECU 100 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 100 000, the Commission shall inform the committee of the projects and of the outcome of their assessment. 4. The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole. Article 6 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 4 
1. The programme shall cover a period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the abovementioned programme will be ECU 25 million. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in the Annex. 3. The Budgetary Authority shall authorise the appropriations within the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and in compliance with the financial perspective. Article 5 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme including the extent of funding, - the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure, - the criteria and content of calls for proposals, - the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each project where this is equal to or more than ECU 100 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 100 000, the Commission shall inform the committee of the projects and of the outcome of their assessment. 4. The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole. Article 6 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme including the extent of funding, - the breakdown of the budgetary expenditure, - the criteria and content of calls for proposals, - the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each project where this is equal to or more than ECU 100 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organisations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 100 000, the Commission shall inform the committee of the projects and of the outcome of their assessment. 4. The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole. Article 6 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 6 
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on expiry of a period of three months from the date of referral to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. Article 7 The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 7 
The Information Society Forum referred to in Article 2(a), final indent, may be called upon by the committee to offer advice or guidance. Article 8 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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 8 
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, monitoring and subsequent evaluation. 2. During implementation of actions 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 or a final report for projects of short duration. 4. At the end of two years and at the end of the programme, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, once the committee referred to in Article 5(1) has examined it, an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 9 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 9 
Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 without financial support by the Community from this 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 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.
Article 10 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 30 March 1998. For the Council The President LORD SIMON of HIGHBURY (1) OJ C 51, 21. 2. 1997, p. 12. (2) OJ C 222, 21. 7. 1997, p. 39.