Article 1 
A programme (INFO 2 000) is hereby adopted with the following objectives: - creating favourable conditions for the development of the European multimedia content industry, - stimulating demand for, and use of, multimedia content, - contributing to the professional, social and cultural development of the citizens of Europe, - promoting the exchange of knowledge between users and suppliers of multimedia products and knowledge infrastructure. For the purposes of this Decision, multimedia content is defined as combinations of data, text, sound, graphics, animation, still and moving images, stored in digital form and interactively accessible. The programme objectives will focus on the print and electronic publishing segments of the content industry and its contribution of information services to the promotion of growth, competitiveness and employment in Europe, while recognizing also the contribution of the audiovisual segments of the content industry towards the development of the European multimedia content industry. 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: - stimulating demand and raising awareness, - exploiting Europe's public sector information, - triggering European multimedia potential, - support actions. Article 3 The programme shall cover a period of four years from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the current programme for the period from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999 amounts to ECU 65 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorized 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. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme, - 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 200 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - any departure from the normally applied rules set out in Annex III, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organizations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 200 000, 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 5 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 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 the 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 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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
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: - stimulating demand and raising awareness, - exploiting Europe's public sector information, - triggering European multimedia potential, - support actions. Article 3 The programme shall cover a period of four years from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the current programme for the period from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999 amounts to ECU 65 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorized 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. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme, - 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 200 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - any departure from the normally applied rules set out in Annex III, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organizations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 200 000, 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 5 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 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 the 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 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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
Article 3 
The programme shall cover a period of four years from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the current programme for the period from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999 amounts to ECU 65 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorized 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. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme, - 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 200 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - any departure from the normally applied rules set out in Annex III, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organizations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 200 000, 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 5 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 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 the 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 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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
Article 4 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 5 shall apply to: - the adoption of the work programme, - 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 200 000, - the measures for programme evaluation, - any departure from the normally applied rules set out in Annex III, - participation in any project by legal entities from third countries and international organizations. 3. Where, pursuant to the fourth indent of paragraph 2, the amount of the Community contribution is less than ECU 200 000, 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 5 The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 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 the 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 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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
Article 5 
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 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 the 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 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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
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, monitoring 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. At the end of three years 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, once the committee referred to in Article 5 has examined it, an evaluation report on the results obtained in implementing the action lines referred to in Article 2. The Commission may present, on the basis of those results, proposals for adjusting the orientation of the programme. Article 7 Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
Article 7 
Participation in this programme may be open, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5 without financial support by the Community from this programme, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organizations, 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, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).
Article 8 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 20 May 1996. For the Council The President P. BERSANI (1) OJ No C 250, 26. 9. 1995, p. 4. (2) OJ No C 117, 22. 4. 1996. (3) OJ No C 82, 19. 3. 1996, p. 36. (4) OJ No C 129, 2. 5. 1996, p. 39. (5) OJ No C 247, 23. 9. 1995, p. 1. (6) Council Decision 93/424/EEC of 22 July 1993 on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe (OJ No L 196, 5. 8. 1993, p. 48); Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23). (7) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8).