DT - European Parliament
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| |EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT |2009 - 2014 |
{BUDG}Committee on Budgets
{12/03/2010}12.3.2010
WORKING DOCUMENT
on pilot projects and preparatory actions in budget 2011
{BUDG}Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Sidonia Jędrzejewska, László Surján
I. Legal framework for Pilot projects and Preparatory actions
1. Pilot projects (PP) and Preparatory Actions (PA) have been firstly introduced by the European parliament in 1975, and have evolved, throughout various inter institutional negotiations, into important tools for the formulation of political priorities and the introduction of new initiatives that might turn into EU activities and programmes.
2. Article 49 (6) of the Financial Regulation provides for their legal basis, namely by mentioning the derogations to the principle under which appropriations can only be entered in the EU budget if a legal act has been adopted previously; in the case of PP/PA, a budgetary decision is therefore taken prior any legislative decision.
3. Financial Regulation defines explicitly the nature and the purpose of these two instruments:
PP are defined as schemes of an experimental nature designed to test the feasibility of an action and its usefulness. The relevant commitment appropriations may be entered in the budget for not more than two successive financial years;
PA are defined as actions in the fields of application of the EC Treaty and the Euratom Treaty and of Title VI of the TEU, designed to prepare proposals with a view to the adoption of future actions. The preparatory actions are to follow a coherent approach and may take various forms. The relevant commitment appropriations may be entered in the budget for not more than three successive financial years. The legislative procedure must be concluded before the end of the third financial year.
4. The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 defines further the framework and the rules for implementation of PP and PA. Point D of Annex II of the IIA provides that in order for the Commission to be able to assess in due time the implementability of amendments envisaged by the budgetary authority which create new preparatory actions/pilot projects or prolong existing ones, both arms of the budgetary authority will inform the Commission by mid-June of their intentions in this regards, so that a first discussion may already take place at the conciliation meeting of the Council's first reading.
5. As regards the ceilings, the IIA stipulates that the institutions agree to limit the total amount of appropriations for pilot schemes to 40 million in any budget year. They also agree to limit to 50 million the total amount of appropriations for new preparatory actions in any budgetary year, and to 100 million the total amount of appropriations actually committed for preparatory actions.
II. Changes following the Lisbon Treaty
6. The Lisbon Treaty does not introduce any provisions that have a direct effect on PP & PA; nevertheless, new rules for the Financial regulation stemming from the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty and for a new IIA have to be introduced.
7. In its recently proposed "package" on the amending of the IIA and the Financial regulation, the Commission modifies the frame for PP & PA:
- Annex D of the IIA does not make any more reference on the ceilings for PP & PA
- the two branches of the budgetary authority commit themselves to inform the Commission, by mid-June, on their intentions as regards PP & PA so that a first discussion could already take place at the June trilogue;
- Art 32 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation provides for the ceilings, which are unchanged.
Your rapporteurs stress that these elements do not prejudge the outcome of the interinstitutional negotiations on the amended IIA and Financial regulation.
8. Beside these rather technical changes proposed, it has to be clearly reminded that the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty could have clear implications on the adoption of PP & PA: up to budget procedure 2010, PP & PA were classified as "non compulsory expenditure" and were therefore in the remit of the EP who had the last word on these expenditures. The abrogation of categories of expenditure implies that the Council is now in a position to put forward proposals for PP & PA and to request to include the traditional "compromise package" on PP & PA in the overall negotiation on Budget 2011 during conciliation.
III. Pilot projects and preparatory actions in Budget 2010 : facts and figures
9. In Budget 2010, 56 PP and 47 PA have been adopted. PP have been allocated an amount of commitment appropriations contained between 2.5 million (PP on enhanced health care for victims of sexual violence in Democratic republic of Congo) and 1 million (18 PP are concerned; the others just have a p.m.).
10. As regards PA, the financial envelope varies from 7.5 million (PA on EU rapid response capability) to 0.5 million (PA on Erasmus for journalists).
11. The total amount adopted for PP in 2010 is 40 million in commitment appropriations (maximum foreseen in the IIA) and 61.9 million in payment appropriations (no limitation foreseen by the IIA); PA have been financed up to 63.25 million (under the ceiling of 100 million), split between new PA (13.75 million, under a ceiling of 50 million) and ongoing ones (49.5 million, under a ceiling of 50 million).
IV. Pilot projects and preparatory actions in Budget 2010 : implementation
12. On 03 March, the Commission forwarded its First Interim Report on the implementation of PP & PA 2010, pointing out the way it intends to implement them (this document is attached). A more detailed an extensive report will be transmitted together with the Draft Budget for 2011, to be presented on 28 April. Your rapporteurs expect that this next report will clearly highlight the feasibility of implementation and the best delivery mechanism.
V. Conclusions for the preparation of EP first reading
13. As regards the timetable for the adoption of PP & PA, the rapporteurs would like to propose the following tentative one:
- week 6 (10 February): First meeting of specialised committees Budget rapporteurs
- week 9 (3 March): First interim report by COM on implementation of PP/PAs in Budget
- week 11 (16-17 March): Presentation of a Working Document on PP/PA in COBU
- week 17 (28 April): Adoption of a Draft Budget by COM
- week 20 (19 May): Second meeting of specialised committees Budget rapporteurs
- week 22 (31 May - 4 June): Transmission by specialised committees Budget rapporteurs of proposals for PP/PA to COBU and preparation of a consolidated document
- week 23 (7-11 June): Transmission of proposals for PP/PA to COM
- week 25 (21-25 June): Trilogue
- week 27 (5-8 July) : Assessment report by COM on proposals for PP/PA
- week 36 (6-10 September): Deadline for budgetary amendments from committees
- week 38 (20-24 September): Third meeting of specialised committees Budget rapporteurs
- week 39 (27-30 September): Vote on budgetary amendments in COBU
- week 42 (18-22 October): EP first reading on Budget 2011
First Commission interim report on the implementation of Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions 2010
IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT PROJECTS
Implementation of Pilot Projects 9
Heading 1a 9
Working and Living Conditions of Posted Workers (04 03 09) 9
Measures for employment maintenance (04 03 10) 9
Enhancing mobility and integration of workers within the EU (04 03 11) 11
All-inclusive cooperation between public authorities, commercial firms and not-for- profit enterprises on integrating people into society and employment (04 03 12) 12
Encourage conversion of precarious work into work with rights (04 04 08) 13
Preventing elder abuse (04 04 11) 14
Employment of people on the autistic spectrum (04 04 13) 15
Portplus – Sustainable energy plan for ports (06 04 08) 16
Waste recovery and waste recycling for clean energy (06 04 15) 16
Cost of studies for students coming from ENP countries and for related academic activities (15 02 31) 17
European neighbourhood policy – Enhancing education through scholarships and exchanges (15 02 32) 18
Transparency and stability in the financial markets (17 02 04) 19
Heading 1b 20
Enhancing regional and local cooperation through the promotion of EU regional policy at a global scale (13 03 23) 20
Actions in connection with the textile and footwear sector (13 03 25) 22
Heading 2 24
Support for farmers' cooperatives (05 02 17 01) 24
European farm prices and margins observatory (05 02 17 02) 24
Support for farmers' and consumers' initiatives for low carbon emission, low energy consumption and locally marketed food production (05 02 17 03) 24
Development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe ('07 03 16) 24
Recovery of obsolete vessels not used in the fishing trade (07 03 18) 25
Economic loss due to high non-revenue-water amounts in cities (07 03 19) 26
Certification of low-carbon farming practices (07 03 21) 27
Complex research on methods of controlling the spread of ragweed and pollen allergies (07 03 22) 28
To promote the replacement of vessels in the European commercial fleet with low environmental impact vessels (11 09 03) 29
A European refund system for aluminium beverage cans (17 03 18) 29
Heading 3a 30
Impact assessment of legislative measures in contract law (18 06 09) 30
Heading 3b 32
Cultural heritage alert networks (15 04 46) 32
Heading 4 33
Support for surveillance and protection measures for Community vessels sailing through areas where piracy is a threat (19 06 07) 33
Programme for NGO-led peace building activities (19 06 09) 34
Finance for agricultural production (21 02 04) 35
Enhanced health care for victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (21 05 01 08) 35
Heading 5 36
European research grants for cross-border investigative journalism (16 02 05) 36
Inter-institutional system identifying long-term trends facing the EU (25 01 09) 37
Implementation of Preparatory Actions 37
Heading 1a 37
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (02 02 03 05) 37
European Destinations of Excellence (02 02 08 01) 39
Sustainable tourism (02 02 08 02) 41
Social tourism in Europe (02 02 08 03) 42
Heading 1b 44
Promoting a more favourable environment for micro-credit in Europe (13 03 24) 44
Heading 2 46
Climate of the Carpathian Basin (07 03 17) 46
EU Rapid Response Capability (07 04 05) 47
Control posts (resting posts) in relation to the transport of animals (17 04 03 03) 48
Heading 3b 49
Erasmus for Journalists (09 06 05) 49
Preparatory Action in the Field of Sport (15 05 11) 50
European Year of Volunteering 2011 (15 06 11) 51
Monitoring Measures in the Field of Consumer Policy (17 02 03) 52
Heading 4 53
Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea Basin and a common European framework programme for development of the Black sea region (07 02 04) 53
Implementation of the MEDIA 2007 programmes in third countries (09 06 01 02) 54
Emergency response to the financial and economic crisis in developing countries (19 06 08) 55
Minorities in Russia – Developing culture, media and civil society (19 08 01 05) 55
EU-Asia – Integration of policy and practice (19 10 01 06) 56
Water management in developing countries (21 04 06) 56
Pharmaceutical-related transfer of technology in favour of developing countries (21 05 01 06) 58
Research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases (21 05 01 07) 59
Preserving and restoring cultural heritage in conflict areas (22 02 09) 59
Heading 5 60
Erasmus public administration programme (26 03 03) 60
Annex :DG responsible and contact persons 61
This is the first Commission interim report on the implementation of pilot projects and preparatory actions in 2010.
It covers the projects/actions adopted by the Budgetary Authority for the Budget 2010, focusing on the new 32 projects/22 actions, and existing projects/actions for which additional commitment appropriations were approved. It identifies the authorising officers responsible for the implementation of these actions and outlines the plans for implementation. A second report will be transmitted with the Draft Budget (DB) 2011, as required by Article 49, point 6a and b of the revised Financial Regulation. This will be more detailed, and will also provide information on pilot projects and preparatory actions which are in the completion stage, i.e. for which there are no new commitments in 2010, but which still have payment appropriation.
Implementation of Pilot Projects
Heading 1a
Working and Living Conditions of Posted Workers (04 03 09)
1. Objective
Building on last year' actions, the overall objective is to obtain better data on how posting of workers takes place in practice.
2. Implementation
The objective is pursued through 3 separate actions:
1. The provision of grants for initiatives which help exploring the real working and living conditions of posted workers and how the Member States, social partners and labour inspectorates work in practice. The specific objectives of this measure are:
- to promote the exchange of relevant information, establish best practices and publish an overview of the state of play in the Member States and
- to examine any questions and difficulties which might arise in practical application of the posting of workers legislation, as well as in its enforcement in practice.
2. A study on the legal aspects of the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services in the European Union, which will examine any difficulties which might arise in practical application of the posting of workers legislation, as well as in its enforcement in practice.
3. A study on the economic and social impact of the posting of workers in the European Union, which will aim to assessing the economic and social effects associated with the phenomenon of posting of workers in the context of cross-border service provision focussing on those sectors where the use of posting of workers is most widespread and on those member States with a relatively larger presence of posted workers either as receiving or sending countries.
Calls were made in the course of 2009 for all 3 actions and the contracts were signed by the end of 2009.
3. Forecast for 2010
First results of these actions are expected in the 3rd trimester of 2010. A second Call for Proposals for initiatives to explore the real working and living conditions of posted workers and how the situation is handled in practice is planned for the 2nd trimester of 2010. A second study on the legal aspects of the posting of workers covering those Member States that could not be included in the first study will be launched in 2010.
Measures for employment maintenance (04 03 10)
1. Objective
According to the budgetary remark included in the 2010 Budget, in order to help alleviate the employment and social consequences of the current crisis, a Pilot Project should be launched to test further ways of strengthening the collective efforts to mitigate the negative impact of the crisis at the European level. Through the Pilot Project, it should be analysed to what extent jobs that at risk due to the financial and economic crisis can be effectively maintained by introducing measures such as short-time working arrangements and training. Best practices should be established and the exchange of relevant information promoted.
2. Implementation
In order to meet such objectives, three calls for tender will be published during the first quarter 2010 regarding the following issues.
Study on "short-time working arrangement during the crisis, and lessons to learn"
In many Member States labour markets have in the first instance reacted on the crisis by adjusting production and aggregate working time to counter the slump in demand rather than reducing employment levels. Short-time compensation programmes whereby employers can apply for temporary state assistance to top up the wages of workers working reduced hours, have protected European jobs from the initial impact of the recession. The study should analyse in how far these schemes have indeed affected the relative resilience of the European Union (EU) labour market to date owing to these internal adjustment measures (e.g. short-time working schemes and shorter working hours, temporary closures etc.) and how this compares to earlier experiences with similar measures in earlier crisis situations. The study should also assess measures taken by governments to ensure that these arrangements have been most effective for example by analysing provisions with regard to eligibility criteria. The study should also analyse the effectiveness of measures that couple short term work arrangement with work-related training in terms of the impact thereof on the employability of workers concerned (e.g. if this facilitates possible transition to new jobs). The study should also analyse how and if the risks of deadweight losses connected to these measures has been limited. Furthermore the study should analyse the role of different stakeholders in this context including national authorities, public employment services, social partners, municipalities and other labour market stakeholders.
Study on "the apprenticeship supply in Member States"
The objective of the study is to make an assessment of the impact of the crisis on the situation of (young) people now finishing their education and what the subsequent risk is that they are facing in terms of unemployment and inactivity spells and if this risks to have further consequences in terms of their employability even after recovery. The study should make recommendations as how to best support young people now seeking to enter the labour market for example in the form of job placements, practical job-linked training, or access to further studies to gain the key competences needed for future labour market success. The study should also assess current practices of apprenticeships in companies and the public sector and assess the potential of setting national targets and more opportunities for learning mobility, including for apprentices and for vocational education and training and graduate trainees. The study should also indentify the EU role in dissemination of best practices and mutual learning projects as well as in increasing the quality of apprenticeships as well as provide recommendations on potential measures that should be envisaged to incite companies to offer more traineeship places and to invest themselves in increasing the employability of new staff including apprentices.
Study on "a comprehensive overview on traineeships arrangements in Member States"
Over the last years, two main structural weaknesses in the labour market integration of young people have persisted: high levels of youth unemployment in many Member States and low quality and insecurity of many jobs occupied by young people. Weaknesses in linking education and employment at an early stage and the persistently high number of young people with too low levels of skills and competences (particularly the ‘early school leavers’) impede a successful and smooth transition from education to employment. In many countries problems are more concentrated among specific groups of young people, migrants and some ethnic minorities. This is particularly worrying since these young people form an increasing proportion of the youth population especially in urban areas. At the same time, the demand for highly skilled workers is increasingly difficult to match, as the provision of high quality and attractive vocational education and training is insufficient in many Member States. The study should look at how traineeships arrangements in Member States deal with these problems. To do so the study will present an overview per Member State of the availability of in-company and public traineeship places for young people and the conditions in which these traineeships take place. The study will identify eventual changes in this context over the last 5 years and in particular address the consequences of the crisis. The study will assess the potential of traineeship programmes in terms of providing security for young people and the relationship between these programmes and individual choices of education and training pathways. The study will also look into options to including school-based vocational education and temporary work arrangements in providing stepping stones for young labour market entrants. The study will also analyse the effectiveness of traineeship programmes in terms of providing employment opportunities for the young and avoiding longer spells of unemployment among young people.
On another hand, in order to promote the exchange of relevant information and establish and publicise best practises following the results of the studies that will be launched, dissemination events will be organised.
The Commission will publish three calls for tenders which contains the above mentioned action. The Commission will use the allocated EUR 1.000.000 for this action.
3. Forecast for 2010
The calls for tenders will be published during the first quarter 2010. This action will be implemented starting on the 3rd Quarter 2010 and end during 2011.
Enhancing mobility and integration of workers within the EU (04 03 11)
1. Objective
Whereas free movement of workers in the European Union (EU) is largely positive, there are potentially negative side effects, in particular for vulnerable workers. The aim of this pilot project is thus to help overcoming some of the difficulties, including various social difficulties, faced by the vulnerable workers in the host country. The project recognizes that the gaps in the support to vulnerable workers are often filled by the civil society. Its role should therefore be supported so that networks and partnerships could be created, and that advice services could be linked together into advice structures.
2. Implementation
In December 2009 the Commission has put forward the Guidelines for the operations of EURES in the years 2010-2013. While discussing these guidelines, the Commission took into account the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs on "The European Job Mobility Action Plan (2007-2010) which invites, inter alia, the Commission to facilitate the mobility of vulnerable groups of the population and help remove the obstacles they encounter by creating more quality jobs, combating discrimination, tackling new forms of social exclusion, supporting gender equality, supporting the family and effectively ensuring access to the workplace, accommodation services and transport.
The Commission, in its proposal for the EURES guidelines has put forward an action which calls on EURES members to: "Establish cooperation mechanisms with organizations active in the provision of information and assistance for the integration of workers and their families, in particular vulnerable groups. Host countries should carry out this action."
The Commission proposes to allocate EUR 1.000.000 for this action, to be implemented through the annual grants for EURES starting in June 2010. As a first step, a select group of countries will be asked to implements these activities.
The Commission published a call for proposals (VP/2009/008) in December 2009 which contains the above mentioned action. The Commission has allocated EUR 1.000.000 for this action, to be implemented through the annual grants for EURES.
3. Forecast for 2010
This action will start in June 2010 and end in May 2011. As a first step, it can be expected that the hosting countries will implements these activities.
All-inclusive cooperation between public authorities, commercial firms and not-for- profit enterprises on integrating people into society and employment (04 03 12)
1. Objective
The development of social economy enterprises increases stable and quality employment, and not only in services related to social assistance policies. In line with the European Parliament Resolution on the social economy, the Lisbon strategy and the social agenda, it is important to promote the development of companies in this sector through collaborative projects between governments and businesses, be it profit oriented or not, promoting transferable models and practices, especially in times of crisis, when the number of people at risk of marginalization increases.
Therefore the project should increase the awareness of the business community in its social responsibility, through support to companies concerned with integration to labour; and thus expand the areas of labour for social inclusion and employment of disadvantaged groups (agriculture, industry, trade etc.).
2. Implementation
The projects will be implemented through grants following a call for proposals to be organised in 2010.
Applications should propose effective and efficient solutions to socio-economic issues specific to the territory of reference populations; essentially through collaboration between administrations, for-profit and social enterprises. Therefore the projects should foresee the creation of networks among public institutions and businesses that are capable to innovate in governance or to formulate indicators of social well-being, with quantitative impact on the reference populations. The budget available for 2010 amounts to EUR 1.500.000. The rate of the Community contribution should not exceed 80% of total eligible costs.
3. Forecast for 2010
Indicative timetable:
Publication of the call for proposals May/June 2010
Deadline for submissions September 2010
Award decision December 2010
Implementation of the project(s) during 2011
Encourage conversion of precarious work into work with rights (04 04 08)
1. Objective
The overall objective of the Pilot Project is to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of "precarious work" in its widest sense across the European Union (EU) and to promote the conversion of precarious employment relationships into work contracts carrying more social rights, notably through an in-depth examination of concrete steps taken at Member State level to encourage such a transformation.
2. Implementation
The objective is pursued through 2 separate actions:
The provision of grants for transnational projects in the field of conversion of precarious work into work associated with rights. The specific objectives of this measure are:
- to promote the analysis and/or monitoring of concrete measures taken to improve the rights of precarious workers;
- to exchange and disseminate relevant information on national practices or cooperation initiatives designed to address the issue of converting precarious work into work with rights;
- to analyse the role of precarious work in the general framework of social, economic and demographic developments, with a focus on social exclusion and in-work poverty, as well as its specific impact on working and living conditions of young workers, women and migrants;
- to analyse the economic significance, causes and effects of precarious work against the background of today's working patterns, and to what extent it contributes to the flexibility of the labour market.
A study which will describe and analyse policy measures and good practices recently implemented in Member States with a view to encourage the transformation of precarious employment relationships into contracts carrying more social rights. The study should help to develop a clear concept of precariousness in employment relationships and an identification of what could constitute basic social rights.
3. Forecast for 2010
The call for proposals and the call for tender are planned for the second quarter of 2010.
Preventing elder abuse (04 04 11)
1. Objective
In line with the budgetary remarks, the pilot project is intended to fund initiatives which help uncover the extent of abuse of older people in the European Union. In particular, the pilot project will focus on:
• assessing the scale of elder abuse according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition (physical, psychological and financial abuse),
• gaining a better understanding of the causes of elder abuse,
• identifying existing policy approaches and good practice in the Member States for preventing elder abuse and making recommendations on how to improve quality in elder care. As far as this point is concerned, it should be noted that it will be tried, as far as possible, to respond to what has been requested in the budgetary comments.
It should be noted that the last point is less ambitious than what has been requested in the budgetary comments ("measuring of the effectiveness of policy responses in the Member States").
2. Implementation
The Commission will implement this pilot project through a call for proposal, a conference organised under the Belgium Presidency and a cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The aim of this call for proposals is to support an initiative that should examine how best to prevent elder abuse by ensuring high quality and dignity in long-term care services. The purpose of the grant will be to organise in various Member States a reflection exercise, bringing together representatives of public authorities responsible for the supervision of long-term care services, of providers, of carers and of users of long-term care services. Based on existing recommendations and charters at national and European level, the project should examine how these standards can be put into practice. The conference to be organised by the Belgian Presidency (2nd semester 2010) will examine how to ensure the dignity of frail older persons and take stock of finished or on-going research projects on elder abuse which have been funded by the European Union.
The Commission has the intention to pursue with the OECD a policy-oriented project for examining available initiatives and offering recommendations to develop policies on quality and user satisfaction in long-term care systems in the European Union, thus promoting reforms that will reduce the risks of elder abuse.The project will focus upon three main elements: i) Quality monitoring and control systems; ii) Regulation of quality in long-term care (LTC) systems; iii) Policies to address quality shortcomings, including training of carers and LTC workers.
3. Forecast for 2010
1.Call for proposal:
May 2010: publication of the call for proposal
August 2010: deadline for submitting proposals
October 2010: award decision of the evaluation committee
November 2010: signature of contract (24 month)
November 2012: presentation and dissemination of final results
2. Belgium Presidency Conference
The conference should take place in the second half of 2010. Following a number of contacts with the Belgium government the Commission is still awaiting the final confirmation from the Belgium side on this initiative. If the planned conference were not be organised under the Belgium Presidency, it could be organised by the Commission at the beginning of 2011.
3. Cooperation with OECD
The project should build upon an ongoing project by the OECD which reviews long-term care coverage and workforce policies and their impact on informal carers’ welfare, access and sustainable LTC financing.
November 2010: signature of contract
November 2012: presentation and dissemination of final results
Employment of people on the autistic spectrum (04 04 13)
1. Objective
Objective is to fund projects which help develop policies for employment and social integration of people with autism. It should support innovative and integrated projects, addressing multiple disadvantages faced by people on the autistic spectrum, while taking account of the strengths they offer. The projects should help to identify effective policy responses and to establish and promote an exchange of good practices.
2. Implementation
The pilot projects will be implemented through a call for proposals. Proposed projects shall develop or test approaches to improve access to and retention in employment for persons on the autistic spectrum in a practical manner including all relevant stakeholders. The projects should be constructed around real cases that will allow a sufficient number of persons with autism to perform paid work in inclusive settings. The proposed projects must include a detailed evaluation which can be used for dissemination of the project results. Projects' have to be designed in a way to achieve a sufficient sustainability after EC funding has ended.
3. Forecast for 2010
Indicative timetable: Call for proposals to be published during the 2nd quarter 2010
Signature of grant agreements 4th quarter 2010 (between 3 and 6 projects)
Indicative amount: EUR 1 000 000
Maximum co financing rate: 80 % of the total eligible costs of the action. Co-financing of the Commission for each financed project shall be between EUR 150.000,- and 400.000,-. Projects shall have a runtime up to 24 months.
Portplus – Sustainable energy plan for ports (06 04 08)
1. Objective
The objective as set out by the European Parliament would be to promote the use of renewable energy sources, to increase the energy efficiency with actions directed to port structures and installations and to provide private operators with an investment tool in technologies allowing energy savings. This proposal is interesting, in that it integrates industrial economic activities and energy measures.
2. Implementation
As known, a large share of the Research Framework programme (FP7) is dedicated to energy efficiency. Therefore, the proposed action fit well in the FP7 framework. The Commission will propose the inclusion of this project in its next Work Programme which will be published in July 2010. The proposed project once included in the Work Programme will follow the usual steps of the FP7 project cycle and will be subject to the applicable comitology rules.
3. Forecast for 2010
No expenditure is foreseen as financing would come from FP7.
Waste recovery and waste recycling for clean energy (06 04 15)
1. Objective
The objective as set out by the European Parliament would involve recycling household waste dumped/stored on waste sites.
2. Implementation
After considerations, it appears that excavating landfilled Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from old landfill sites is an unproven technology with minimal chances for successful commercialisation and deployment. The landfilled MSW is partially (or heavily) decomposed and has already lost significant quantities of its energy density by either aerobic and/or anaerobic processes. The moisture content is also relative high and thus in addition to the costs of excavation, significant costs (both in terms of economy as well as energy consumption) related to size homogenisation and drying will have to be supported. Given the fact that the MSW has remained over long periods landfilled it implies that all components will be contaminated by various pollutants.
Excavating old landfill sites can result in serious environmental and health hazards. During the excavation process significant quantities of methane, which is 24 times more potent Green House Gas than carbon dioxide, will also be released making the final Green House Gas benefit from such a process negative or minimal at best.
With regards to this Pilot Project, the Commission believes that it is much more effective to avoid landfilling all together by enabling policies based on the Framework Waste Directive. In cases where landfilling is still practised, one should apply extensive landfill gas collection and utilisation for energy purposes. The Commission considers that this Pilot Project as proposed will not offer an effective contribution to clean and cheap energy management, therefore suggests not to implement it.
3. Forecast for 2010
No expenditure is foreseen.
Cost of studies for students coming from ENP countries and for related academic activities (15 02 31)
1. Objective
The purpose of this pilot project is to allow students from European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries to acquaint themselves with European Union (EU) policies and institutions by attending specialised courses offered through a scheme of scholarships, in line with the new Enhanced European Neighbourhood policy.
2. Implementation
The European Parliament has designated the College of Europe (the two campuses of Bruges and Natolin/Warsow) as the academic institution where participants will follow tailor-made programmes for the purposes of this pilot project, taking into account the specific characteristics and high degree of specialisation of the College. Therefore the College of Europe is de facto in a monopoly position to carry out the tasks of this pilot project, as provided for in Article 168.1(c) of the Implementing rules to the Financial Regulation.
The European Commission is expected to adopt an annual work programme on this project by March 2010. The work programme will define: the type of training programmes (courses; duration etc. etc.); the indicative number of participant/selected students from ENP countries; the evaluation (selection and award) criteria; the conditions and timing for the application forms of students; and the amount and coverage of the scholarship (flat-rates).
3. Forecast for 2010
The selection of students will take place between April / June 2010. The Community's financial support will be awarded through a grant agreement.
European neighbourhood policy – Enhancing education through scholarships and exchanges (15 02 32)
1. Objective
This pilot project will cover scholarships for students from European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries[1] who are studying for a Master’s degree in European Studies in 2010-11. The aim will be to expand the students’ professional capabilities and enable them to deal with Community policies. The initiative could encourage the emergence in the European Neighbourhood Policy countries of a new generation of pro-European civil servants.
2. Implementation
The project will be implemented through an open call for proposals addressed to the EU higher education institutions offering a Master's degree in European Studies. The institutions will be asked to submit their application and pre-select graduate students who are national and resident in an ENP country (3 ranked candidates maximum plus 2 for the reserve list).
The European Commission will be responsible for the award of scholarships to the selected graduate candidates proposed by the participating institutions, to follow a Master's Degree in European Studies.
3. Forecast for 2010
Grants will be covered by a contract with each institution of which ENP students have been awarded a scholarship. It will be expected to grant 30 to 40 full scholarships (depending on the duration of the Master's Degree). The scholarships will cover the tuition fees, the subsistence costs (flat rates per country), and the travel and location costs.
The timetable and the indicative amount of the call(s) for proposals are as follows:
- March 2010: Publication of the call for proposals;
- 30 April 2010: Application deadline;
- May – June 2010: Award procedure and award decision;
- 30 June 2010: Higher education institutions are informed by the European Commission.
The indicative amounts will be: for grants EUR 960.000; and for procurement (experts to assess the application forms received following the call for proposals) EUR 40.000.
Transparency and stability in the financial markets (17 02 04)
1. Objective
With regard to the budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget, the Commission has carefully assessed the justification and the context description of this pilot project.
Indeed, more stable and transparent financial markets are a key objective of the action of EU institutions and of the EU national governments. In its recent Communication "Ensuring efficient, safe and sound derivatives markets" (COM (2009) 332), the Commission has already announced future policy actions to increase the transparency of the derivatives markets.
As part of its response to the financial crisis, the European Commission's Communication "Driving European recovery" (COM (2009)114) proposed to further promote financial education throughout the EU, strengthen the voice of European investors and provide direct funding to facilitate the capacity-building of investor stakeholders to represent their interests in financial services policies at EU level, through training, research and information. Bearing in mind such an objective, contacts with the European Parliament were established by the Commission services to exchange ideas on the best approach to implement this pilot project and a course of action was agreed upon, focused on training and information provision in specific areas of financial services.
It is a matter of fact that more complex financial products, which were originally intended for professional operators, are no longer limited to professional use by financial institutions. Before the emerging of the financial crisis, such products have been largely distributed to consumers who were induced to purchase them without sufficient awareness of their risks and consequences.
The lack of transparency of such financial products is due to their technical complexity, preventing consumers from obtaining sufficient information on the underlying risks. In addition, there is often a lack of suitable advice tailored to the personal profiles of consumers and other end users, which makes the latter purchase financial products which are not suitable to their needs.
In the field of consumer protection, training and information actions addressed to organisations and entities active in the field of awareness raising and advice can be an effective way of improving the quality of financial decision-making as well as the advice provided to consumers. Where organisations provide advice to consumers, this kind of financial education develops consumer capacity and empowers consumers to make informed choices, equipping them with the necessary information to purchase products suitable to their needs, avoiding unnecessary risks.
2. Implementation
The Commission will run a course aimed at training advisers to consumers on various financial services issues. The aim of the course would be to train advisers on a wide variety of financial issues, such as money management and family budget advice, credit products and investment activities, including risk assessment.
The target population would include voluntary government-funded or independent non-government organisations, community entities, consumer associations and any other relevant bodies active in advising consumers. When possible and appropriate, the participation to these courses could be extended to associations of local administrations. The contractor engaged by the Commission will be requested to identify the training needs of the relevant organisations in relation to financial issues and conduct tailored training sessions. These activities would be conceived in view of attaining a multiplier effect through the dissemination of knowledge and information to the relevant target audience.
For efficient and effective use of resources, courses cannot be organised in each of the 27 Member States, therefore it is envisaged that courses will be conducted in selected Member States or clusters of Member States.
The Commission will select the provider of the courses through a call for tender.
3. Forecast for 2010
The contract notice will be published in June 2010 and the deadline for submission of offers by potential bidders will be in September 2010. The evaluation procedure will take place in October 2010, and the internal procurement control will take place in November 2010.
Heading 1b
Enhancing regional and local cooperation through the promotion of EU regional policy at a global scale (13 03 23)
1. Objective
The objectives of the Pilot Project would be to:
• contribute more effectively to the strategic partnership between the Commission and third countries in line with the major demands from the latter for more cooperation in this field;
• share the benefit of the EU's long experience in how regional and cohesion policies underpin the process of economic and political integration, while promoting growth, sustainable development, equality of opportunity and co-operation across borders.
• contribute to the promotion of the international image of the Union;
• contribute to improved understanding of European values, basic principles, delivery structures and policies. An important part of the pilot project is to seize opportunities to co-operate with and assist international organisations in building regional partnerships.
As such the objectives, defined by the Commission, for the pilot project are in line with the priorities identified in the budgetary remarks voted by the Parliament, and as confirmed in two meetings that took place in 2009 with Mr van Nistelrooij, MEP, and member of the EP Regional Policy Committee.
The additional resources for 2010 will help to develop the dialogue with third countries which is only at a preliminary phase. These resources will help the Commission to deepen and widen its activities and to bring real help to third countries in their efforts to improve public policy in regional development, and regional and local governance issues.
2. Implementation
In 2010 the pilot project will be implemented, as in 2009, through the use of Framework Contracts or grants. The actions supported will include the organisation of international conferences and other events, information activities, study visits, networking and studies.
For certain studies, use will also be made of calls for tender.
3. Forecast for 2010
Studies (with OECD and others) - indicative budget EUR 700 000
A territorial review in Ukraine is being prepared in joint management with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In addition, the development potential of regional innovation systems in China is being explored involving a joint study with the OECD and Chinese National Development and Reform Commission. A number of studies are envisaged on:
* The development potential of regional innovation systems in China (with OECD);
* Territorial Review of Ukraine (with OECD);
* Cross-border cooperation in Africa;
* Follow up regional innovation systems in Latin America;
* Peer review studies in selected Ukrainian regions.
Information seminars (study visits and seminars) - indicative budget EUR 750 000
Seminars are an important means of exchanging information and promoting mutual understanding with third countries. There is an increasing demand from third countries for direct experience of the implementation of EU regional policy on the ground in different contexts. The pilot project makes this possible, by assuming travel and accommodation costs incurred by nominated experts and third country participants.
A number of seminars are envisaged to be held in main partner countries on topics such as: strategic and governance issues, information systems, evaluation, regional innovation systems, cross-border cooperation, etc.
• Brazil: Seminar on EU-Brazil regional policy cooperation;
• Brazil: Workshop on Information, Evaluation, Financial Control and Audit;
• China: High-level seminar on EU-China regional policy cooperation and participation in the World Expo in Shanghai (seminar, stand, networking);
• China: Two training programmes with the Academy of European Law of Trier (through an existing framework contract or call for tenders);
• Argentina: Seminar on regional innovation systems in Latin America (with OECD) and possibly a seminar on cross-border cooperation;
• Ukraine: Series of introductory seminars on European regional policy in selected regions (Odessa, Chernovtsy, Kharkhiv and Donetsk), involving Commission officials and EU regional experts;
• South Africa: Seminar on Regional Policy organised by the government involving EU officials and EU regional experts;
• Australia: first regional policy conference.
A number of programme exchanges are envisaged, namely for Brazilian regional representatives and Chinese national and regional officials. Ukraine, West Africa (Union économique et monétaire Ouest-Africaine (UEMOA), Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)) and South Africa could participate as well in these exchange visits depending on them expressing an interest.
• Brazil: Second programme exchange for 40 regional representatives, visits to European regions and Open Days European week of Cities and Regions;
• Ukraine: Visits by Ukrainian officials to Brussels, European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON), to EU regions and the Open Days European week of Cities and Regions;
• Other possibilities: West and/or South Africa: visits by officials to Brussels, ESPON, EU regions and the Open Days European week of Cities and Regions. Follow-up contacts/visits for Central American countries in the context of the Association Agreement negotiations with the EU.
Support to information and communication tools - indicative budget EUR 50 000
In order to increase the visibility of the activities and priorities of regional policy it is important to prepare, and translate into other languages, information and communications products.
The Commissioner and/or DG REGIO are frequently called upon to make presentations, together with the provision of stands at conferences all over the world. Since it cannot satisfy all these requests it makes sense to prepare readymade material or stands which could be shipped to these destinations. This action will be implemented via a service contract.
Actions in connection with the textile and footwear sector (13 03 25)
1. Objective
In line with the allocated appropriations, adopted in the 2010 budget, this pilot project aims at developing the Community strategy for the textile/clothing and footwear sectors, in particular for the less-favoured regions.
In this context, the appropriations are intended to be used to carry out an in depth assessment of the situation of the textile/clothing and footwear sectors in the European Union including prospects for their future development. The assessment will focus in the areas underlined in the budgetary comment, in particular research and innovation, restructuring, vocational training and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and will have a regional angle. It will highlight the strategic developments required in order to enhance the competitiveness of the EU textile/clothing and footwear sectors.
2. Implementation
The project will be implemented through a call for tender aiming at financing an in-depth assessment of the sectors’ situation and the prospects for their future development.
The call for tender, to be launched in the first semester of 2010, will comprise two lots, the first one focussing on the in-depth assessment of the European Textile and Clothing sector and the second one on the in-depth assessment of the European Footwear sector.
For each lot, the project will be composed of 6 independent reports/assessments as follows:
a. Survey on the situation of the European textile/clothing and footwear sectors and prospects for future development
b. Assessment of the way specialised research and innovation centres liaise/transfer technology to textile/clothing and footwear enterprises in different regions of the European Union. Identification of best practices, success factors and difficulties. Identification of potential future developments.
c. Assessment of main difficulties faced by textile/clothing and footwear SMEs in different regions of the European Union and prospects to overcome these difficulties.
d. Assessment of past or ongoing restructuring and modernisation processes in textile/clothing and footwear enterprises in different regions of the European Union. Anticipation of future modernisation and restructuring processes.
e. Identification of the optimal training approaches (best practices) applied to textile/clothing and footwear enterprises in different regions of the European Union. Identification of future training needs.
f. Assessment of the evolution of Research and Innovation practices in different textile/clothing and footwear regions of the European Union. Future prospects for research and innovation in the sector.
The project will have a particular focus on specific regions of the European Union.
A final synthesis report, drawing on the key findings of the 6 independent assessments, will highlight the way forward for both sectors.
Total budget: EUR 1.000.000 (EUR 630.000 for lot 1 and EUR 370.000 for lot 2)
3. Forecast for 2010
– The call for tender with 2 lots will be launched during the first semester of 2010.
– Main challenge will be to attract multidisciplinary teams to apply to the call for tender, which have an in-depth knowledge of the textile and/or of the footwear sectors and an in-depth knowledge of the different areas to be tackled.
Heading 2
Support for farmers' cooperatives (05 02 17 01)
The Commission is still reflecting on the feasibility and the most appropriate delivery mechanism.
European farm prices and margins observatory (05 02 17 02)
The Commission is still reflecting on the feasibility and the most appropriate delivery mechanism.
Support for farmers' and consumers' initiatives for low carbon emission, low energy consumption and locally marketed food production (05 02 17 03)
The Commission is still reflecting on the feasibility and the most appropriate delivery mechanism.
Development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe ('07 03 16)
1. Objective
As regards the budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget, this project is intended to identify and develop prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe.
Given the extremely wide scope of initiatives to be covered by the budget remark, several meetings with the European Parliament were organised in order to define a possible focus not already covered by other policy areas (i.e. research and agriculture).
Following the discussions with the EP, the pilot project will focus on supporting the development of concrete pilot initiatives in order to contribute to the exchanges of good practice and innovation at the local level on four priority issues (conservation of rainwater and surface water, alternative forms of irrigation, water saving/water efficiency measures and crops consuming less water) for halting the desertification in Europe. In particular, the project will focus on testing specially designed low-cost technologies, techniques or practices addressing water scarcity and drought with the aim to improve human and environmental conditions in different regions (possibly in the identified priority regions) of Europe. The project would cover the identification, financial support, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of 3-5 concrete pilot initiatives.
2. Implementation
The commitment for this project was EUR 1 000 000 already under the 2009 budget.
Additional commitment appropriations of EUR 1 500 000 were allocated under the 2010 budget.
The additional appropriations will be incorporated into the same call for proposals and make possible the implementation of 3-5 pilot projects, more than originally planned.
3. Forecast for 2010
The project is implemented in two phases.
The first phase was the launch of a service contract assisting the Commission in selecting, monitoring and evaluating the pilot projects. The contract was signed in 2009 and is ongoing.
The second phase starts in 2010 and envisages the launch of a call for proposals for an indicative amount of EUR 2.400.000 in the first quarter of the year.
The pilot proposals will be selected and the grant agreements signed in the second half of the year (indicative time is October 2010).
Recovery of obsolete vessels not used in the fishing trade (07 03 18)
1. Objective
The types of ships covered by the pilot project, as defined by the Budget Authority, are vast in scope. It is proposed to focus the scope on ships that are related to Europe only: small ships operating in the European Union (EU), navy vessels and other governmental vessels and large seagoing vessels linked with the EU (calling at EU ports, flying the flag of one EU country or whose beneficial owner is European). Large seagoing vessels operating outside the EU will not be considered.
Moreover taking into account the budget remark and justification it is not clear whether the aim is a desk study or an actual operational project regarding recycling and reuse of materials and proper management of the remaining hazardous wastes.
The proposed approach for 2010 would be to conduct a scoping study establishing an inventory of the number and composition of ships and identifying the recycling processes already in place or under development. The results of this study could eventually lead to a second phase (in 2011) where the analysis could be refined and best practices shared through awareness raising events organised in relevant Member States (stage 2).
The project will consist on the following stages:
Stage 1 (2010): establish an inventory of the ships, of their composition, of their dismantling location and methods (including the impact on the human health and the environment). Identify the best practices.
Stage 2 (2011): organise awareness raising events in Member States provide information about best practices, to foster public debate and identify new solutions and ideas with relevant stakeholders (local authorities, shipowners, ship recycling facilities, NGOs...
The results of these stages could contribute to identify further possible developments, for example in terms of new waste management technologies, to recycle and reuse materials contained in ships such a glass fiber and resins and to better manage hazardous wastes produced by ship recycling. Such developments might be promoted by proposing a specific priority for projects to be funded through a future call for proposal under the Seventh Framework Programme.
2. Implementation
Stage 1:
Relevant information about large commercial seagoing vessels will be brought through negotiated procedure (commercial data base exists).
This information will then be exploited through a study (call for tender).
Stage 2: Awareness raising events will be organised through one or more specific tender(s).
3. Forecast for 2010
The project should be carried out in 2 phases. Only Phase 1 (EUR 300.000) should be financed from the 2010 budget through a procurement procedure. Phase 2 should be decided and developed in detail only after phase 1 has established the basic information. It should also be implemented through a procurement procedure (2011 budget).
A financing decision on Phase 1 will be proposed for adoption by April 2010.
The call for tenders will be launched as soon as possible in the first half of 2010. Due to the procurement procedure the contract cannot be expected to be signed before the second half of 2010.
Potential difficulties might be inherent to dismantling of large seagoing vessels taking place mainly in third countries and access to information about the impacts of the recycling methods.
Economic loss due to high non-revenue-water amounts in cities (07 03 19)
1. Objective
The aim of the project is to assess non-revenue-water and related economic loss in large cities throughout European Union (EU). The proposed goals can be summarised as follows:
1) Evaluation and estimation of non-revenue water in various representative cities.
2) Analysis of the consequences, the related economic loss and environmental impact.
The loss of water resources is important both from a resource and from an economic point of view. The project will therefore aim at establishing the link between water losses and the value of water in the given basins.
2. Implementation
The pilot project will be implemented through an open call for tender.
The contract will aim at establishing a baseline describing water losses in a selection of large cities in the EU.
As indicated in the budgetary remarks, the project should be linked to the EU's commitment against water scarcity and drought, and the selected countries will be those where there are significant problems with water scarcity and/or droughts, where losses are known to be high, and the potential for reduction of the losses thereby high, as well as cities which have minimised water losses, in order to study best practices.
The loss of water resources is important both from a resource and from an economic point of view. The project will therefore aim at establishing the link between water losses and the value of water in the given basins.
3. Forecast for 2010
The Commission will launch an open call for tender in the first part of 2010, to implement the above objectives.
The signature of the contract is intended to take place before the end of the year.
Certification of low-carbon farming practices (07 03 21)
1. Objective
Taking into account the objectives set out in the budget remark, the Commission would approach the implementation of the Pilot project along three main tasks :
- first, to compare existing farm-level carbon calculators and to find the most suitable or a hybrid suitable for testing in the third stage of the project. It is envisaged to go somewhat beyond the description as set out in the budget remark, so as include other environmental impacts of the farming systems and mitigation measures, so that a carbon calculator for climate change did not lead, for example, to damage to biodiversity;
- secondly, to examine what sort of administration would be needed to establish a certification system;
- and thirdly, to test the carbon calculator (from task1) and the practicality administrative proposals (from task 2) at regional level to assess feasibility in the European Union (EU) as a whole.
2. Implementation
As indicated in the Commission letter of November 2009 on the executability of amendments voted in 1st reading of the 2010 budget; the Commission is already conducting studies on the issues covered by the Pilot project. The output of these studies will be available by end 2010, and should be the foundation for the development of the actions under the pilot project.
As regards implementation, it is envisaged that DG ENV will work in association with the JRC for the implementation of the three tasks.
3. Forecast for 2010
A financing decision for the launch of a preliminary study will be proposed for adoption by April 2010.
The contracts and / or administrative arrangements with the JRC for tasks 1 and 2 are expected to be signed in the second half of 2010, with deliverables in 2011 and 2012. As regards task 3, it is yet to be determined whether the task can be financed from 2010 credits.
Complex research on methods of controlling the spread of ragweed and pollen allergies (07 03 22)
1. Objective
As per the budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget, the project is intended:
- to analyse the various types of ragweed control and to define the most effective;
- to develop prevention mechanism for controlling the spread of ragweed.
Invasive alien species, as ragweed is, are considered to be the second greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide. The problem is expected to worsen in the coming century through climate change and through increasing trade and tourism.
This objective encompasses the objectives 1, 2 and 6 as voted by Parliament. It does not include objectives 3, 4 and 5 relating to allergenic effects of ragweed pollen. This was agreed in a meeting between the Commission (DG ENV and DG SANCO) and MEP Áder on 8 December 2009. Studies on allergenic effects and how to treat them were seen as not being suitable for a pilot project.
Taking into account the substantial amount made available by the European Parliament in the budget, the Commission will focus the pilot project on:
- the spread of common ragweed throughout the European Union (EU), by designing and establishing an early warning system to monitor the spread of ragweed. The definition of such a system will be done in close cooperation with other ongoing work (for instance at the European Environment Agency) and within the developing framework of the EU strategy on invasive alien species. The possibility of designing the system so as to expand it to other invasive species will be explored;
- the negative effects of common ragweed on public health, biodiversity and production systems;
- the implementation of a wide range of experiments in order to assess the results of eradication practices and their impact on non-target species and to analyse the agronomical and organisational patterns related to ragweed eradication.
These activities are expected to contribute to the design and implementation of future actions to counter ragweed infestation.
2. Implementation
The project, for which a total amount of EUR 1.500.000 is foreseen in the 2010 budget, will be implemented along the following strands:
– a call for proposals, for an indicative amount of EUR 500.000, to support the implementation of a wide range of experiments necessary to assess the methods of eradication of common ragweed and to produce and disseminate a set of recommendations on the results of the control measures, their agronomical and organisational patterns, their success factors and their impact on non-target species. The call will be published in March/April 2010 (after the adoption of the necessary financing decision) and we expect the projects to start by end 2010, for a duration of maximum 3 years.
– a service contract will be concluded following an open call for tenders, to be published in March 2010, for a maximum amount of EUR 500.000. The contract will provide the analysis of possible options for structuring the early warning system. The signature of the contract and the start of the work are expected in November 2010.
– a service contract will be concluded following an open call for tenders, to be published in March 2010, for a maximum amount of EUR 500.000. The contract will provide an assessment, in monetary terms, of the effects of common ragweed on public health, biodiversity and production systems. It will include both direct and indirect costs.
3. Forecast for 2010
In March 2010 an open call for tenders will be published for a service contract on the design and setting up of an early warning system. Also in March 2010 an open call for tender will be published for a service contract on the effects of common ragweed in the EU.
The work for both contracts is expected to start in November 2010
A call for proposals on experiments to control and eradicate ragweed will be published after the adoption of the financing decision. The closing date will be set to May and the grant agreement is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of 2010.
Potential difficulties, especially relating to the call for tender, result from the fact that an EU strategy on invasive species will be prepared simultaneously, whose provisions should be included when designing and analysing options for an early warning system, but may not be finalised in time to do so. Currently moreover the EU plant health strategy is being revised. Outcomes of this process should also be taken into consideration. Also, difficulties may result from focusing the early warning system on one particular species when at the same time provisions for a more general early warning system for invasive species are being explored.
To promote the replacement of vessels in the European commercial fleet with low environmental impact vessels (11 09 03)
Discussions are still going on within the Commission as to the attribution among the DGs, and the most appropriate delivery mechanism.
A European refund system for aluminium beverage cans (17 03 18)
1. Objective
The objective of the project is to assess the impacts of introducing a pan-European harmonised refund scheme for aluminium cans and – should the impacts prove positive – introduce a pilot phase of such a scheme in a selected group of Member States. To this end, a thorough Impact Assessment should be carried out covering environmental, economic, social and administrative burden-related issues and taking into account the smooth functioning of the internal market, accompanied by a detailed plan outlining the modalities of the pilot project.
In completing the task, the Commission envisages to launch an Impact Assessment study to scope the problem and assess the feasibility of possible solutions (EUR 300 000)
As a first stage, the contractor shall assess the environmental economic, social and administrative burden-related impacts of introducing common rules for the refund of cans. The impacts shall be analysed in qualitative and quantitative terms.
Secondly, the contractor shall identify solutions likely to deliver the most benefits and least cost to society as a whole. The assessment will include a cost benefit analysis of each option. Models should be made forecasting the potential benefits (environmental, economic and social) of such a scheme within a 10 years perspective, and the related costs, for the European Union (EU) society as a whole and for each Member State.
The assessment will also identify the appropriate level of governance where actions should be taken, in line with the Treaty and the protocols on subsidiarity and proportionality.
Should the EU level be indicated as the most appropriate level for action, the assessment should include the necessary legal framework (including draft proposals of appropriate measures) and a precise time table depicting steps and the necessary investments on the EU level and in each Member State.
Should the national and regional levels be the most appropriate levels for action, measures should be proposed to strengthen cooperation between Member States in enhancing compatibility of the deposit schemes for aluminium cans. Such measures could include targeted awareness raising campaigns, multi-stakeholder transnational workshops, harmonisation of national legislations, etc. The costs and benefits of introducing such measures, time tables and steps for each action should be described.
The results of the Impact Assessment could eventually lead to a second phase, which may involve testing in practice the feasibility and added value of the best option(s) indicated by the study.
2. Implementation
The Commission intends to launch an Impact Assessment to be financed from the 2010 budget through a procurement procedure. Indicative budget EUR 300,000, including: identification and assessment of possible options to address the problem, development of scenarios and assessment of their environmental, economic and social impacts.
A financing decision on Phase 1 will be proposed for adoption by April 2010.
The call for tenders will be launched as soon as possible in the first half of 2010. Due to the procurement procedure the contract cannot be expected to be signed before the second half of 2010.
Depending on the outcome of the impact assessment, a second phase involving practical implementation could be envisaged. The necessity and added value of a second phase should be decided only after the Impact Assessment has established the basic information.
3. Forecast for 2010
A financing decision for the launch of a preliminary study will be proposed for adoption by April 2010.
The call for tenders will be launched in the first half of 2010.
The contract is expected to be signed in the second half of 2010.
The results of the impact assessment are to be expected for end 2011.
Heading 3a
Impact assessment of legislative measures in contract law (18 06 09)
1. Objective
The general objectives of the project are:
(a) to eliminate legal obstacles to the efficient functioning of cross-border transactions between businesses in the Member States;
(b) to improve the daily life of individuals and businesses by enabling them to assert their rights throughout the European Union.
(c) to promote the examination and developing of the Common Frame of Reference for European Contract Law and
(d) to further the discussion about the usefulness of a 28th contractual system.
2. Implementation
The pilot project will encompass the following actions, to be initiated in 2010:
Translation of the Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR) for a European Contract Law and its comments and notes into five important languages as well as a translation of other academic work in the field of European contract law, i. e. German, French, Spanish, Italian and Polish. Given the limited resources it will not be possible to translate the entire DCFR. The envisaged solution is to translate only the sections relating directly or indirectly to contract law. To promote a large discussion it is also necessary to translate other academic works into the above-mentioned languages. In this context the Guiding principles of European Contract Law (in European Contract Law)[2] are also to be translated. This study has been drafted in French and comprises approximately 170 pages. It has already been translated into English but it would be very useful for the discussion to get it translated into German, Italian, Spanish and Polish.
A Study about the attitude of European businesses towards a 28th contractual system: This system would be similar to those devised for other areas of the internal market (e.g. the European company, the European economic interest grouping or the Community trade mark) and would encourage the development of intra-Community trade by establishing a single, directly applicable legal framework.
Up to five seminars on specific issues in the area of contract law, for example about the so-called blue button (the idea of the blue button is that parties to electronic cross border transactions can tick a blue button on the screen to accept that a European optional instrument would govern their contract, instead of one of the national regimes).
For these actions the Commission will refer to various existing framework contracts.
3. Forecast for 2010
1st Quarter: Adoption of the financial decision
2nd Quarter: Launch of the translation and the study
3rd and 4th Quarter: Organisation of the conferences
Heading 3b
Cultural heritage alert networks (15 04 46)
1. Objective
Le commentaire budgétaire tel qu'adopté dans le cadre du Budget 2010 prévoit la création d'un réseau d'échange direct d'informations entre chacun des points de contact officiels mis en place dans les différents États membres pour signaler les cas de vol et de trafic ou d'exportation illicites de biens relevant du patrimoine culturel ou de monuments historiques protégés et fournir toutes les informations en rapport avec ceux-ci, et les infrastructures nécessaires à cette fin.
Le réseau se fonderait notamment sur une base de données dûment documentée répertoriant les articles volés et toutes les informations utiles pour faciliter la recherche et la récupération de ces pièces, parvenir à un accord, entre les points de contact sur un certain nombre de mesures de lutte contre le vol et le trafic illégal de biens relevant du patrimoine culturel et, enfin, fournir ces informations rapidement aux autorités de la police, des ports, des aéroports et des douanes.
2. Implementation
Le projet pilote du Parlement européen se situe dans le contexte des conclusions du Conseil JAI du 27/28 novembre 2008 qui a, entre autres, invité la Commission européenne à dresser et à rapporter, avant le 31 décembre 2010, un état des lieux des instruments législatifs, normatifs et opérationnels dans le domaine des biens culturels volés dans l'Union européenne (UE).
Il a également souligné l'importance d'une coopération étroite entre les services des Etats membres spécialisés dans la lutte contre le trafic des biens culturels, par exemple par la désignation de points de contact dans chacun des Etats membres et a recommandé d'étudier la possibilité de faire circuler de manière plus rapide et plus large les informations portant sur les biens culturels volés, contenus dans les systèmes nationaux existants.
Précisément pour donner suite à cette demande, la Commission a lancé un certain nombre d'activités :
Suite aux conclusions du Conseil JAI du 27/28 novembre 2008, Interpol a été chargé de perfectionner sa base de données ainsi que son système d'alerte. Le groupe de travail mis en place rendra ses recommandations vers la mi-2010; la réalisation de celles-ci pourra être mise en œuvre via le programme "Prévenir et combattre la criminalité", géré par la DG JLS.
Est également en cours une étude sur la prévention du trafic des biens culturels dans l'UE et dont la finalisation est attendue pour la fin 2010-début 2011; les résultats de cette étude devraient permettre d'identifier les besoins et les modalités envisageables de coopération européenne.
- Un groupe d'experts "mobilité de collections", gérés par la DG EAC travaille actuellement sur l'identification des moyens de renforcement de la prévention et de la lutte contre le trafic des biens culturels dans les Etats Membres. Les conclusions des travaux de ce groupe sont attendues courant 2010.
3. Forecast for 2010
De l'avis de la Commission, il serait préférable d'attendre les conclusions de ces diverses initiatives avant d'envisager la mise en œuvre d'actions plus opérationnelles telles que préconisées par le projet pilote adopté par le Parlement. Il est évident que la Commission tiendra informé le Parlement européen des résultats des activités en cours.
Compte tenu des contraintes du calendrier, il est peu probable que la Commission soit en mesure de lancer le projet pilote avant la fin 2010.
Toutefois, au cas où des résultats probants étaient disponibles dans le courant de l'année, la Commission pourrait évaluer l'opportunité d'utiliser les crédits mis à disposition pour compléter les initiatives en cours.
Heading 4
Support for surveillance and protection measures for Community vessels sailing through areas where piracy is a threat (19 06 07)
1. Objective
The first and main result will be maritime surveillance data of the region off the coast of Somalia delivered routinely to operational users in the field – e.g. to EU NAVFOR depending on the duration of its mandate, and after that to a suitable follow-up entity. To protect the confidentiality of the data, maritime monitoring and surveillance information from European Union (EU) systems must not be shared with entities that have not been mandated to contribute to the protection and safeguarding of Community vessels in the area or with which there is no enforceable agreement on the protection of such information.
A further result will be the increase of maritime situational awareness and derived risk assessment. It is assumed this would lead to better protection of vessels travelling in high-risk areas.
2. Implementation
The proposed implementation method is direct centralised management. The project consists in a service, i.e. the study of the possibilities of providing integrated maritime information including a test phase. Under these conditions the JRC has been charged with execution of the relative tasks.
3. Forecast for 2010
The activities foreseen under this pilot project are as follows:
Complete the inventory of ongoing initiatives and involved actors.
Set up and test maritime surveillance data collection, communications and contacts in selected countries in the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden region.
Obtain a persistent stream of maritime surveillance data from a multitude of sources.
Run the most important parts of the system in a testing phase in selected countries in the region off the coast of Somalia[3] to help establish which of various possible methods are in practice feasible and effective.
Establish a cost-benefit analysis of the use of particular surveillance or communication means, in order to base decisions on their continued use in the operational phase.
Programme for NGO-led peace building activities (19 06 09)
1. Objective
The Commission signaled already, through its Executability letter, that there is no need for a specific pilot project to work with civil society in peace-building as it already undertakes substantial work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Stability Instrument (IfS).
Almost a quarter of all IfS crisis response funds under Article 3 of the IfS Regulation (19.060101), some EUR 60 million, are being implemented by NGOs worldwide, in more than 80 grants awarded since 2007. The most prominent examples include Zimbabwe, Southern Thailand, Colombia, Georgia, Bangladesh, Philippines and Cuba.
Under Article 4.3 of the IfS, funding for NGOs was some EUR 9 million for 2007-2009, and it is estimated that an average of EUR 10 million or more will be devoted for NGOs per year from 2010 to 2013.
See:
Furthermore, the Commission has recently adopted a financing decision under Article 3 of the IfS - Third Facility for urgent actions involving Policy Advice, Technical Assistance, Mediation and Reconciliation for the benefit of third countries affected by crisis situations (PAMF 3), and published on its website (). This facility will provide more than EUR 3 million earmarked for NGO-led activities in crisis situations in the sectors enumerated in the pilot project.
Against this background, the additional EUR 1 million provided by this pilot project will accordingly be implemented within this existing framework, in line with the budgetary comments voted by Parliament.
2. Implementation
It is foreseen to implement this pilot project under a new financing decision in 2010 for a 4th Facility for urgent actions involving Policy Advice, Technical Assistance, Mediation and Reconciliation for the benefit of third countries affected by crisis situations, in which a specific funding allocation will be foreseen for NGO-led activities.
The decision will authorize expenditure under 19.0601 and 19.0609 (the pilot project). A restricted call for proposals might be considered, especially for activities to take place in stable conditions as opposed to a crisis situation. A specific follow up and reporting will be established for the expenditures, the actions taken and the results obtained for the pilot project.
3. Forecast for 2010
The above mentioned financing decision will be adopted in the 1st quarter of 2010, and grants for NGO-led activities shall be awarded starting in the 4th quarter 2010.
Finance for agricultural production (21 02 04)
1. Objective
The present pilot project has the overall objective to facilitate access to small-holder farmers to financial resources which should be used to stimulate agricultural production in developing countries.
At the time being (February 2010), the Commission is planning exploratory missions in Malawi to check the existence and the financial probity of organisations specialised in microfinance, including local banks and associations. The exploratory missions will lead the way to identification of possible micro-credits projects for small-holders farmers most touched by food crisis and who are looking for financial means to increase production and yields. A correct targeting of possible end beneficiaries would then be needed.
2. Implementation
On the basis of the results of the exploratory missions, the Commission will see whether it is possible to grant a direct contract to local microfinance institutions already working in the country and detaining a de facto monopoly situation. This would be the preferred option to choose: targeted project.
As a fallback position, should this option not be implementable, the Commission will consider the option of launching a call for proposal having for target audience specialised microfinance institutions operation.
3. Forecast for 2010
Once the identification mission has been finalised (forecast: March/April 2010), in case of targeted projects, the Commission will launch the procedure for the commitment of funds leading to a Commission Decision (forecast: May 2010) and subsequently signature of contracts (forecast: September 2010).
In case a call for proposal will need to be launched, the expected procedure will be:
- October April 2010: publication of guidelines
- December 2010: submission of concept notes
- January 2011: starting of the evaluation
- Mid-April 2011: submission of full applications
- End May 2011: selection of successful applications
- June 2011: signature of grant contracts
Enhanced health care for victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (21 05 01 08)
1. Objective
In line with the budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget, this pilot project aims at improving the medical response to victims of sexual violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
2. Implementation
Given that the project has only recently been agreed, the Commission Delegation in DRC is still in the process of designing the project.
As a first step, the Delegation will contract a short term consultant to explore the options for this project, some of which may be:
o direct support to existing medical facilities in eastern DRC supporting with sexual violence victims
o Explore options to provide medical training and equipment to medical facilities in eastern DRC working with sexual violence victims.
o
3. Forecast for 2010
o Terms of Reference for identification finalised: end February
o Selection procedure for Consultant (framework contract Lot 8): March
o Study completed: July
o Financing proposal submitted to Brussels: September
Heading 5
European research grants for cross-border investigative journalism (16 02 05)
1. Objective
The budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget refers to a project aiming at developing a serious cross-border journalistic research at the European Union (EU) scale, with competitive calls for proposals to be organised with a view to select common investigation projects gathering journalists from at least two European Member States and with a cross-border or European dimension that is brought through a national, regional or local perspective.
At this stage the Commission has had a preliminary contact with the EP administration. DG COMM intends to make further contacts with the MEPs concerned.
2. Implementation
The Commission is currently exploring the options it has for implementing the pilot project. The project is politically sensitive as it involves granting public money to individual journalists.
3. Forecast for 2010
The implementation phase will be determined after a thorough assessment.
Inter-institutional system identifying long-term trends facing the EU (25 01 09)
Discussions are still going on within the Commission as to the most appropriate delivery mechanism. In parallel, contacts were established by the Commission services with the European Parliament for exchanging ideas on the best approach to implement this pilot project.
Implementation of Preparatory Actions
Heading 1a
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (02 02 03 05)
1. Objective
Europe needs more entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is essential for economic growth and job creation. Many founders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack management experience and key skills. This, coupled with the fact that the vast majority of SMEs operate in only one country, restricts growth.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs helps new European Union (EU) entrepreneurs to enrich their experiences, learn and network with experienced entrepreneurs in their entreprises in other EU Member States. The overall objective of the preparatory action is to enhance the entrepreneurship, internationalisation and competitiveness of European SMEs and improve the chances of success of potential start-up entrepreneurs and newly established micro and small enterprises in the EU.
The preparatory action will also give input to the preparation of the legal base for a permanent programme after 2011.
2. Implementation
The preparatory action will be implemented via a call for proposals. The call for proposals will be published around March 2010. It is expected that around 30-35 proposals will be selected.
3. Forecast for 2010
For 2010 goals are:
o Implementation of the 2010 call for proposals.
o Management of the 2009 call grant agreements and mobility exchanges.
o Target: 1200 exchanges until June 2011.
o Evaluation of the pilot project and preparatory action.
o Holding of a stakeholders conference on the future development of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.
o Preparation of a legal basis for a permanent programme.
The expected timetable is as follows:
|TIME |GOAL |EXPECTED OUTCOME |
|March 2010 |Publication of the call for proposals for the 2nd cycle of the |EU-wide participation of relevant organisations in the call. |
| |preparatory action. | |
|12-13 April 2010 |Stakeholders' conference (Brussels) |Input for the evaluation of the pilot project and the preparatory action to allow preparation of the legal |
| | |base. |
|July 2010 |Evaluation of proposals. |Selection of the best proposals (around 25-35), acceptance of evaluation report and signing of award |
| | |decision. |
|September 2010 |First report on interim evaluation. |Input for the drafting of the legal base. |
|October-December 2010 |Grant agreements preparation and signature. |Maximise the use of the allocated appropriations for signature of grant agreements. |
|June – December 2010 |Drafting of legal base. |Legal base text prepared for circulation and approval. |
European Destinations of Excellence (02 02 08 01)
1. Objective
Since the launch of the project, the aim of the initiative has been to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote both within Europe and in third countries the European destinations where the economic growth objective is pursued in such a way as to ensure the social, cultural and environmental sustainability of tourism. The measure has also been intended to help European citizens to become better acquainted with one another.
Indeed, in 2006, the Budget Authority adopted the pilot project “European Destinations of Excellence" (EDEN) as a mean of initiating a Community action in support of European tourism, with an annual budget of EUR 1 million. In 2007 the pilot project was concluded. The Budget Authority adopted a budget of EUR 2.5 million in 2008 to launch a preparatory action to ensure the follow up of the pilot project. The same budget was adopted in 2009. For the third and last year of the preparatory action the Budget Authority voted for an increased budget of EUR 3 million.
More in particular, the project's aims are to:
• enhance visibility of the emerging European tourist destinations of excellence, especially the lesser known,
• create awareness of Europe’s tourist diversity and quality,
• promote all European countries and regions both within Europe and in the main third country markets,
• help decongestion, combat seasonality, and rebalance the tourist flows towards the non-traditional destinations,
• present awards for sustainable forms of tourism,
• create a platform for the exchange of good practices at European level,
• promote networking between awarded-winning destinations which could persuade other destinations to adopt sustainable tourism development models.
The project also received a concrete support from the European Parliament with the award ceremony of the EDEN photo competition in December 2009 held on its premises.
2. Implementation
In 2009 the Commission:
1. Implemented the EDEN III project (called “Tourism and protected areas") by supporting the Member States by providing grants (of up to 75% of the eligible costs) for the national selection procedures of the destinations of excellence. This selection was carried out at national level in the first semester of 2009 by 22 countries (20 Member states and 2 Candidate countries): Austria - Belgium - Bulgaria - Croatia - Cyprus – Czech Republic- Estonia - France - Greece - Hungary - Ireland - Italy - Latvia - Lithuania – Luxembourg - Malta – Netherlands - Poland - Romania – Slovenia - Spain - Turkey.
The selection of the 22 winners was completed in June 2009. Eligible destinations were those protected areas (i.e. area of land and/or sea/internal waters especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means) and/or the areas bordering them where an economically viable tourism product has been developed using the protected area as an asset, while respecting its protected environment and at the same time meeting the needs of local residents and visitors.
2. In addition, in order to give more visibility to the preparatory action the Commission implemented the following communication activities:
a. production of the audiovisual material about the awarded destinations and the EDEN Awards ceremony,
b. organisation of the EDEN Awards ceremony and EDEN Exhibition during the European Tourism Forum in Brussels on 7-8 October 2009,
c. production of promotional material (e.g. press pack, brochures, posters, etc),
d. launch of a fan page on Facebook, publication of the EDEN page on Wikipedia, publication of articles in different magazine. Preparation of a special issue of the Parliament Magazine dedicated to the competition,
e. maintenance and updating of a dedicated web portal (edenineurope.eu )
f. launch of a photo competition on the theme of sustainable tourism with a final award ceremony hosted in the premises of the European Parliament.
3. to provide support to the destinations for the networking, promotional and marketing activities to enhance sustainability aspects in the management of the European destinations, the Commission:
a. maintained the network of EDEN destinations
b. proposed the signature of the so called Brussels Declaration to the winning destinations of EDEN II editions which therefore joined the network
c. organised two meetings of the network (one in Ireland in February and one in Brussels in October
d. tried to involve the National Tourist Offices in the promotion of the winning destinations.
3. Forecast for 2010
The same objectives and procedure as in the previous years are continued: the foreseen theme, as agreed with the Member States is “tourism and the regeneration of physical sites”.
It is planned to publish a call for proposals for interested Member States, Candidate and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries in February. The amount dedicated to the grants for the selection procedure will be the same as in 2009 (EUR 1 million).
Thanks to the increased budget, more resources will be used for the communication campaign with the aim of increasing the visibility of the project in Europe and outside, as well as to improve the functioning of the EDEN network, which should serve as a platform of reference for local authorities which wish to adopt sustainable tourism offers for their growth.
The project EDEN IV will be brought to an end with a final award ceremony in the last trimester of the year at the occasion of a major tourism event to attract as many persons as possible.
To this aim, the cooperation with different stakeholders, in particular the European Travel Commission and dedicated TV channels and magazines, will be strengthened.
The main general goal of the year is to increase awareness of non traditional emerging destinations all over Europe among the general public. More specifically, 25 destinations will be nominated as EDEN destinations for their sustainable offer in the field of aquatic tourism before summer 2010; the selection for the next round of EDEN will be launched before the end of the year; the EDEN network will be enlarged and reinforced under the lead of an expert in marketing and branding of destinations.
Potential difficulties are linked to the general economic crisis. A number of participating authorities is already facing difficulties in managing the project because of cuts of both financial and human resources. There is a concrete possibility that the number of countries participating in the project cannot be increased.
Sustainable tourism (02 02 08 02)
1. Objective
The implementation in 2009 of the preparatory action was done by the use of existing framework contracts and a low value tender (less than EUR 60.000). It focussed on two initiatives for awareness-raising. The first initiative was the production of a short video-clip to be used to promote cycling as a leisure activity, but also as a mode of sustainable tourism transport and to promote existing EuroVelo routes.
The second initiative consisted of the organisation of three regional Workshops in Europe in order to:
- Highlight the increasing importance of cycling tourism and its benefits and regional economic impacts and stress the importance of developing the Iron Curtain Trail as a EuroVelo route, of which the former remote areas will benefit.
- Present European best-practices from existing EuroVelo routes and model implementations of the Iron Curtain Trail.
- Explore the interest of countries and regions alongside the former Iron Curtain in implementing such a cycling trail and the way forward by identifying feasible/concrete initiatives on how the Commission could assist its implementation in the years 2010 and 2011.
- Promote networking of countries and regions alongside the former Iron Curtain towards the establishment of a future trans-national cycling route, the "Iron Curtain Trail".
- Commemorate the common history of countries and people living along the former Iron Curtain while at the same time giving visibility to their European citizenship.
Each of the first two Workshops gathered between 90 and 120 participants from local, regional and national transport and tourism authorities and other interested stakeholders as well as journalists and media representatives, who showed a huge interest in the topic of cycling tourism. MEP Michael Cramer, initiator and promoter of the Iron Curtain Trail Project was invited to the Workshops as a speaker.
2. Implementation
The implementation in 2010 of this preparatory action will be done by means of a call for proposals.
3. Forecast for 2010
The implementation of further awareness raising actions for cycling tourism seems best to be done with a call for proposals targeted towards the following beneficiaries: national and/or regional authorities and other associations in charge of regional development and/or tourism in the Member States
Timetable 2010 (tentatively):
April: launch of a call for proposals for best practices on trans-border sustainable bicycle and train tourism networks
November: publication of results
December: award decision
Expected outcome:
It is expected to award a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 10 trans-border networks (depending on the project scale).
Potential difficulties:
- to find appropriate synergies with similar calls within the operational programmes of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Social tourism in Europe (02 02 08 03)
1. Objective
Implementing this project would be a genuine opportunity to promote partnerships, spurred on by the European Union, between the social partners as well as the public and private sectors. Regional exchange programmes (such as Interreg, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)) are indeed indicative of the propensity of encouraging regional and cross-border cooperation. Within this context, Calypso is intended as a tool in extending existing regional good practices to other European territories whilst ensuring accessibility, through tourism exchanges, to different target groups in order to encompass additional strata of the European population.
A study has been launched in 2009 (with 2009 credits) which reflects clearly the main Calypso objectives. The study objectives are to:
- catalogue the main (most representative) good practices as a means to encourage tourism activity particularly during the off peak season, thus generating employment opportunities when tourism demand is traditionally low;
- identify the existing measures at European and national level allowing the exchanges of persons from the following target groups: senior citizens, young people, disabled citizens and families facing difficult social circumstances;
- examine the difficulties related to such exchanges whilst proposing the most appropriate solutions;
- propose one or several mechanisms in the tourist low season enabling particular target groups (senior citizens, young people, disabled citizens and families facing difficult social circumstances) to go on holiday in other Member States/Candidate Countries on the basis of themed programmes and accommodation offers coordinated by Member States/Candidate Countries authorities (national, regional or local public authorities), on the basis of initiatives from stakeholders that include municipalities, charitable organisations, parishes, unions, social partners, cooperatives or any not-for-profit association.
2. Implementation
2010 is seeing – amongst other initiatives - the implementation of this study. Reaching the above objectives would contribute to:
- generate economic activity and growth across Europe (by facilitating the development of European tourism programmes for target groups).
- improve tourism seasonality patterns across Europe, particularly through the social policy function of tourism (tourism growth patterns; encouraging economic activity by target groups during the low season as a means to reduce unemployment risks for tourism personnel; mitigating pressures on the physical infrastructure of developed destinations by promoting tourism outside the peak months; assist in the development of small emerging destinations in the context of regional development).
- create more and better jobs in the tourism sector (respect for tourism sustainability challenges[4]; strengthening full-time employment prospects as opposed to seasonal part-time work; improving employment conditions by stressing the importance of a qualitative work environment throughout the entire tourism supply chain).
- increase the European citizenship (providing tangible opportunities to improve mobility, self-fulfilment, socialising and active learning for families, youths and seniors).
3. Forecast for 2010
It is envisaged that the study currently being implemented will indicate appropriate recommendations concerning Calypso`s future directions. With the aim of facilitating exchanges and the development of social tourism at European level, the Commission intends initially issuing a call for proposals across all European countries interested in the preparatory action. The budget will be of circa EUR 800.000.
Apart from the study implementation, other activities envisaged include a communication campaign (utilising an existing Framework Contract) and meetings in different parts of Europe aimed at ensuring additional visibility to the Preparatory Action. The communication campaign will amongst others include the production of a logo, leaflets and lamas, besides the compilation of targeted databases and the strengthening of relations with stakeholders. The meetings, on the other hand, are phased to coincide with the different implementation stages of the study, and will include a concluding conference (organised in collaboration with the Spanish Presidency) in June 2010.
Assisting the Commission in its endeavours is an Expert Group composed of a cross-section of stakeholders (including Commission officials, European tourism representative bodies, Tourism Sustainability Group (TSG) Members, social partners, NGO`s etc.) which is being consulted regularly on the different stages of implementation.
Heading 1b
Promoting a more favourable environment for micro-credit in Europe (13 03 24)
1. Objective
On 13th November 2007, the European Commission adopted a communication (COM (2007) 708) on a “European initiative for the development of micro-credit in support of growth and employment” ([5]) (the “European Initiative”) whose objective is to promote the development of micro-credit in the European Union. This initiative comprises four different strands:
e. Improving the legal and institutional environment in the Member States;
f. Further changing the climate in favour of entrepreneurship;
g. Promoting the spread of best practices;
h. Providing additional capital for micro-credit institutions.
The communication of the Commission stresses in particular that adequate technical and financial support is necessary to help micro-finance institutions ("MFIs")/ micro-credit providers release their potential.
The Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) launched on 10th and 11th September 2008 respectively a joint initiative JASMINE (Joint Action to Support Micro-finance Institutions in Europe) to support non-bank micro-credit providers with a view to help them to improve the quality of their operations, to expand and to become sustainable.
The pilot phase of this initiative aims at testing the European market’s ability to provide support to micro-credit providers/ MFIs on commercial terms. JASMINE started its development and implementation in the 3rd quarter of 2009. The pilot phase will last 3 years from 2009-2011 and is targeting some 30 non-bank MFIs in the EU.
With respect to the above mentioned pilot phase the Commission and the EIB have agreed the following:
i. that the JASMINE facility will be hosted and managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF);
j. the Commission will finance activities relating to technical assistance to be provided to non-bank micro-credit providers/ MFIs, such as assessments/ratings and training as indicated in proposal 2 of COM(2007) 708 (1st pillar), and
k. the EIB will provide funding to selected MFIs on a commercial basis through the EUR 20 million RCM Micro-credit Pilot Facility (2nd pillar). This latter aims at supporting the development of very small micro-enterprises through microfinance entities that are close to self-sustainability or in general in a development phase aiming at becoming fully bankable. Financial instruments comprise funded and unfunded risk sharing arrangements and equity investments and will be financed alongside with co-financing partners, such as banks or investment funds.
Pursuant to the decision of the European Parliament to launch a preparatory action in view to promote a more favourable environment for micro-credit in Europe, which is compliant with the provisions of the initiative COM(2007) 708 adopted by the Commission on 13th November 2007, "A European initiative for the development of micro-credit in support of growth and development", the Commission and the EIF took the view that the budgetary allocation from the European Parliament can be used to complete the activities foreseen within the JASMINE initiative; thus allowing to provide a wider range of services to the European MFIs, namely:
Additional risk capital and financial support in order to help smaller or less sustainable MFIs than those targeted under the 2nd pillar to reach a meaningful size and financial standing (3rd pillar). The resources available under the Preparatory Action ("EPPA Resources") will be used for that purpose in combination with the RCM Micro-credit Pilot Facility, or with any other new European facility related to microfinance.
These 3 pillars will be accounted as separate blocks of finance and managed accordingly.
2. Scope of the action and objective
The objective of the Action is to implement the Preparatory Action. The aim of the Preparatory Action is to foster the development of micro-credit on a sustainable basis, in particular by providing seed funding for non-bank micro-finance institutions in the EU.
The budget allocated to the Action (EUR 4,000,000) will be used to provide seed funding and other financial support to selected MFIs / non-bank micro-credit providers in the EU. It is intended to help small MFIs/microcredit providers to reach a meaningful size and financial standing.
The Action should improve the development of micro-credit in the EU in co-ordination with the JASMINE facility that was launched and set up by the Commission and the EIB Group in 2008, combing technical assistance (1st pillar) and RCM Micro-credit Pilot Facility (2nd pillar).
As not all MFIs/micro-credit providers will be eligible for financing under the RCM Micro-credit Pilot Facility which states in its guidelines that “the financial objective for the Micro-credit Facility shall be to achieve full cost coverage and to preserve the real value of the relevant investment”, the EPPA Resources will allow financing green field initiatives having a strong legitimacy from a social point of view and help them reach sustainability in the mid to long term. Seed capital is the initial capital used to start a business. The amount of money is usually relatively small because the business is still at a conceptual stage. Such a venture is generally at a pre-revenue stage and seed capital is needed to cover initial operating expenses until a service can start generating revenue, and to attract the attention of private investors.
3. Implementation
The project will be implemented through a grant (EUR 4 million) directly by the Commission to the EIF pursuant to articles 168(d) and 168(f) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002. The Board of the EIF has approved on 22 December 2009 to top up this amount with additional EUR 250.000. This will allow signing a contribution Agreement with the EIF in the first quarter of 2010
The resources allocated to this preparatory action will be utilised to help up to 5 non-bank micro-credit providers reach sustainability and commercial standing in the medium term. They will start to be disbursed case by case to selected MFIs/micro-credit providers in the course of 2010. Part of the funding will also be allocated to set up co-ordination with JASMINE. The administrative costs linked to the management of the project are estimated to amount to 7% for the whole duration of the project.
The EIF foresees to use the resources primarily in two ways:
A stand alone funding from the resources to provide seed capital for greenfield MFIs/micro-credit providers who can be expected to have an important impact in terms of job creation and financial inclusion but are unable to attract a loan on commercial terms. In this case, the EIF will financially support start-up/growing MFIs/micro-credit providers (i.e. local initiatives in Western European countries) through seed capital funding. The ultimate objective of the resources in a stand alone funding context is to contribute to build and maintain new micro-credit providers.
A combination of seed capital / funding from the EPPA Resources and commercial funding from the RCM Micro-credit Pilot Facility to cover the risk for MFIs/micro-credit providers showing good quality portfolio but in need of capital funding to face a growing demand (i.e. opening of new branches for an existing MFI/micro-credit providers; recruitment; premises extension, etc.); or any other new European facility related to microfinance.
4. Forecast for 2010
The action will start in the first quarter 2010 and it will last until 31 December 2020. The investment period will be up to 4 years, starting from the date of receipt of the funds by EIF.
DG REGIO, DG ENTR and DG EMPL are seeking to co-ordinate their activities with a view to foster greater synergy between existing instruments aimed at micro-enterprises and financial inclusion of potential entrepreneurs, notably JEREMIE and JASMINE, the CIP instrument and the newly announced PROGRESS microfinance facility.
Heading 2
Climate of the Carpathian Basin (07 03 17)
1. Objective
The objective of the preparatory action is to investigate the detailed weather-related and spatial structure of the Carpathians and the Carpathian basin with integrated or at least comparable methods. The basic results will be a contribution to regional climate variability and change studies, and applied climatology.
This is the second year of this pilot project: EUR 2,5 millions were allocated in the 2009 budget and EUR 2 millions have now been included in the 2010 budget.
The project already underway is focused on the collection and elaboration of relevant data in view of getting a real-time monitoring of drought in the Carpathian region and developing an information exchange protocol/platform.
In this second year the Commission does not consider suitable to further invest in the collection and elaboration of data, without having collected and analysed the results of the first year financing.
In 2010, in line with the Commission White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change and taking into account the needs of the Carpathian/South East Europe (SEE) region, the Commission proposes to focus the analysis on the vulnerability of the region to climate change impacts and on suggesting potential adaptation measures. The results of this analysis will be strongly interrelated with the work underway and will also provide a contribution to the European Union (EU) Adaptation Clearinghouse, the web based platform for the exchange of information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation envisaged by the White Paper on climate change adaptation.
2. Implementation
The Commission would like to conclude one or more contract(s) for an analysis of vulnerability to Climate Change impacts and potential adaptation measures.
3. Forecast for 2010
One or more open calls will be launched in the second semester of 2010, after the adoption the financing decision.
EU Rapid Response Capability (07 04 05)
1. Objective
The preparatory action aims at meeting the challenges facing civil protection as outlined on the European Parliament resolutions on the fight against natural disasters, in Commission's communication on Reinforcing the Union's Disaster Response Capacity and in the European Parliament resolution on forest fires in the summer of 2009. It covers standby teams and equipment covering a wider scope of disasters and reducing the existing gaps in response capacities. It was initially launched under the 2008 budget and renewed in 2009 with the merge of 2008 pilot project on the EU Forest Fire-fighting Tactical reserve into a single preparatory action. This is because the pilot project and the preparatory action in 2008 were covering closely related activities, while the pilot project was restricted to forest fires.
The extension of the preparatory action for 2010 (third and last budgetary year), will make it possible to continue, reinforce and diversify the rapid response capability established in 2008 and 2009 pending a presentation by the Commission and adoption by the legislator of a proposal establishing the rapid response capability on a permanent basis.
The amounts proposed are the same that were allocated to this budgetary line in the 2009 budget.
2. Implementation
The funds will be used through:
1) a call for proposals (grants) aiming at improving the overall capacity of the European Union (EU) to respond immediately to critical needs arising from all types of major disasters inside and outside the EU, and
2) a call for tender (study contract), aiming at assessing various governance models and arrangements for the development of an EU Rapid Response Capability.
3. Forecast for 2010
An ad hoc financing decision is in the process of adoption.
It is planned to launch a call for proposals of an amount of EUR 7 350 000 in February 2010 and have grant agreements signed in April 2010. An Information Day is expected to be organised in February 2010.
It is also planned to launch a tender for a study contract of an amount of EUR 150 000 in February 2010 and have the contract signed in April 2010.
It is expected that grants will be awarded to beneficiaries before the summer. The preparatory action should enable further testing various arrangements for making resources available for the EU civil protection operations.
They might include
- the standby of additional European rapid response capabilities that can be deployed at the request of the Commission/MIC;
- further extension of standby periods and additional deployments of resources made available in the framework of the preparatory action calls of 2008 and 2009;
- a complementary tactical reserve of aerial fire-fighting capacity for assisting Member States or third countries overwhelmed by forest fires.
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Control posts (resting posts) in relation to the transport of animals (17 04 03 03)
1. Objective
The increased transport of animals by road over long journeys has raised the need for improved control posts where animals are to rest. In the interest of animal health and welfare, it has been necessary to introduce specific measures to avoid stress to the animals and the spreading of infectious diseases. The objective of the action is to increase the use of control posts and promote high quality control posts.
The 2010 preparatory action is a follow-up of similar preparatory actions voted in 2009 and 2008.
2. Implementation
The project will be implemented through grants to renovate or build high quality control posts and a possible system of certification to improve their use by livestock transporters.
The implementation shall be carried out directly by DG SANCO.
3. Forecast for 2010
A preliminary feasibility study for determining the best criteria for the grants is presently ongoing and results are expected in May 2010 (based on the credits voted in 2009).
A financing decision for the present action is being prepared and will be adopted in the meantime.
A single call for proposals for an amount of EUR 2.000.000 will be published. The action shall be performed within 24 months following the signature of the grant agreement. The call will be launched after the completion of the preliminary feasibility study.
Potential difficulties:
In a previous call carried out in 2008 on the same topic few parties showed their interest in the project. In addition, applicants lacked sufficient co-financing or economical sustainability to be able to ensure a consistent participation in the proposed projects.
The future call will be prepared in a way that it provides a wider publicity and that interested parties are aware of the importance of the economical viability of their projects.
Heading 3b
Erasmus for Journalists (09 06 05)
1. Objective
The budgetary remarks adopted in the 2010 Budget foresee that "ensuring pluralism in Europe is one of the most important goals of EU media policies. An effective way to enhance pluralism is to give journalists access to pluralism. This could be achieved by financing exchange of journalists between different countries and media within the EU. The goal is to enable journalists to gain a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the EU and its different media and culture."
The first year of this preparatory action will deliver the parameters under which the action requested by the European Parliament (MEP Rübig) can be successfully implemented.
2. Implementation
As the first step of the Preparatory Action an exploratory/feasibility study is being commissioned. The exploratory study will test the underlying intervention logic and define implementation rules for a possible “Erasmus for Journalists” programme. The output shall constitute original analysis, rather than being a mere assembly of secondary sources; it shall take the already on-going Erasmus programmes into account in order to learn from their experiences and avoid any duplication and may propose alternative means. The study shall consist of two parts. The first part should deal with the details of elaboration and implementation of a possible programme. The second part of the study should provide underlying information about the current state of journalism and the media sector in the European Union (EU) Member States. This part of the study should contain the building-up of a database and the preparation of analysis for the management of a possible programme by an external entity.
3. Forecast for 2010
Goal: An exploratory/feasibility study will be commissioned. The study has to be completed within 12 months with part 1 available by September 2010.
Timetable:
|Time |Main tasks |
|January 23rd |Tender launched for feasibility study |
|February-March, 2010 |Evaluation of proposals, award and signing of contract of the exploratory study |
|September 2010 |Preliminary report on Part 1 of the study available ,with inputs for the preparation of a pilot project |
|March 2011 |Delivery of part two, containing statistical background for the management of the project. |
Expected outcome
An exploratory/feasibility study which provides the necessary information for implementing the Erasmus for Journalists project.
Potential difficulties
No particular difficulties are expected. The elaboration of the requested statistical database on the current situation of journalism and the media sector may raise various questions in relation to part 2 of the work. Regular consultation with the contractor as part of the management of the study will address this issue.
Preparatory Action in the Field of Sport (15 05 11)
1. Objective
According to Article 165 of the TFEU Treaty, "The Union shall contribute to the promotion of sporting issues, while taking into account the specific nature of sport, its structures based on voluntary activity and its social and educational function". The objective of the preparatory action for 2010 is to provide policy support for the identification of future policy actions in the area of sport (studies, surveys, conferences and seminars); and to test the establishment and functioning of suitable networks and good practices.
2. Implementation
A call for proposals will cover support to networks and good practices in three main areas:
• Fight against doping (Indicative number of projects: 5. Indicative amount: EUR 1 million );
• Promoting social inclusion in and through sport (Indicative number of projects: 5. Indicative amount: EUR 1 million );
• Promoting volunteering in sport (Indicative number of projects: 1. Indicative amount: EUR 0,5 million ).
Potential beneficiaries will be public authorities, sporting organisations, educational institutions and civil society bodies.
Informal contacts were taken with the European Parliament on this action. In the January 2010 meeting of the Committee on Culture and Education, the Commission announced that is currently launching a consultation process with sport stakeholders as a basis for future initiatives in this field, and will outline its policy approach to sport in response to Article 165 (2) TFEU Treaty.
3. Forecast for 2010
Procurements: studies, surveys, conferences and seminars will be carried out in order to support the Commission’s structured dialogue with sport stakeholders and to identify future actions in the field of sport on the basis of priorities identified in the 2007 White Paper on Sport.
European Year of Volunteering 2011 (15 06 11)
1. Objective
The purpose of the preparatory actions in 2010 is to lay the groundwork for a successful European Year of Voluntary activities promoting active citizenship in 2011. In line with the comments to budget line 15.06.11, the preparatory actions will focus on the development and launching of the information and communication campaign and the co-ordinated mobilisation of civil society.
A well-targeted and professional information and communication campaign is crucial to the success of the European Year. The campaign will be developed and launched during 2010 in order to ensure a good level of awareness for 2011. A specific contract will be drawn up under the Multiple Framework Contract No EAC/20/2008 with renewed competitive tendering for the provision of integrated communication services. The selected provider will be charged with: the conception, implementation and monitoring of a communication campaign and strategy for the European Year; the development and dissemination of communication tools and promotional material including a European website; and the organisation of awareness-raising events.
Volunteers and the civil society organisations that represent and work with volunteers are key stakeholders of the European Year. A grant will be awarded to a coordination structure bringing together the major stakeholders at European level to mobilise volunteers and promote ownership of the Year amongst civil society.
The Alliance is a unique pan-European grouping of 22 international and European networks of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) bringing together an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and experience. It represents around 1,500 civil society organisations active at national and regional and covers all sectors and types of volunteering as well as all ages of volunteers and therefore is de facto in a monopoly position to carry out the tasks of the civil society co-ordination structure as provided for in Article 168.1(c) of the Implementing Regulation. No other body could rival the wide scope, breadth of geographical coverage and scale of representation of the Alliance. The Alliance secretariat will be invited to present a grant request to specify how they would: plan and carry out activities specifically targeted at volunteers and civil society organisations and aiming to encourage recognition of volunteering, stimulate projects and promote partnership building between civil society, business, research and public authorities, support debate and sharing of experience in order to improve the policy framework of volunteering and create better conditions for voluntary activities in the European Union (EU).
2. Implementation
A work programme has been prepared covering these two actions and is currently in inter-services consultation. The work programme should be adopted around the beginning of March enabling contracts for the communication campaign and civil society co-ordination structure to be signed and work to get underway in end of March/April 2010.
Informal contacts were taken with the European Parliament on this action.
3. Forecast for 2010
A direct award procedure should then be taken on 1st quarter of 2010.
Monitoring Measures in the Field of Consumer Policy (17 02 03)
1. Objective
The precise type of action and data to be collected is still under examination. The overall objective is to better understand the functioning of the internal market from a consumer and demand-side perspective. This will be pursued through the continuation of existing surveys and studies, by looking into how best to disseminate results and optimise methodologies identified, and the possible financing of further market studies – thus improving the quality of the Consumer Markets Scoreboard.
2. Implementation
Depending on the results of the ongoing discussion calls for tender, grant proposals or a framework contract will be used for implementing the various parts of the action.
3. Forecast for 2010
On the basis of results of the forthcoming third Consumer Markets Scoreboard (March 2010), DG SANCO will identify consumer markets which show the most serious signs of malfunctioning for consumers. One or more of these markets will then be chosen to undergo a more in-depth market study.
In order to make further progress on the European Union (EU) wide introduction of harmonised methodologies for classifying and reporting, there will be an examination into how best to overcome obstacles to do so. Possibilities to better disseminate data collected under the Scoreboard will also be examined.
Heading 4
Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea Basin and a common European framework programme for development of the Black sea region (07 02 04)
1. Objective
This preparatory action aims at promoting measures for regular monitoring of the quality of the marine and coastline environment, and for combating pollution in the Black Sea region.
In particular, its objectives are the following:
- to study pollution of the marine and coastline environment; to study the impact of pollution on biodiversity and on jobs supported by the marine and coastline environment,
- to develop new technologies for environmental protection and emergency pollution clean-up,
- to design and put in place an integrated marine and coastline monitoring system in the region,
- to establish a network of facilities for dynamic remote-sensing monitoring of the «sea-coast-river» system,
- to train people and prepare staff for the actual implementation of monitoring-related activities.
2. Implementation
This preparatory action continues the pilot project "environmental monitoring of the Black Sea Basin" and a Common European framework programme for development of the Black Sea region created in 2008.
Under the 2008 and 2009 budgets, two grants were awarded to the Black Sea Commission, the sole organisation that for its competence and structure might guarantee efficient dialogue on pollution among the riparian countries, for EUR 1 million each:
- The first grant agreement was signed in December 2008 and the action, started in January 2009, lasts 24 months. The project aims at strengthening the institutional cooperation in view of building up the consensus for addressing oil pollution problems and at preparing the implementation of a monitoring and information platform on oil pollution.
- The second grant agreement was signed on December 2009 and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. It focuses the development of the information and monitoring capabilities necessary to enable riparian countries to better address the pollution provoked by oil.
The results of these two projects will be known by the end of 2011. As already expressed in the letter of executability addressed to the Parliament in November 2009, the Commission considers that it is advisable to wait for the results of the abovementioned projects before launching new activities on oil pollution.
Considering the Strategic Action Plan of the Bucharest Convention adopted in 2009 by the Ministerial meeting of the Bucharest Convention, the Black Sea Convention (BSC) current Work Plan, the European Union (EU) priority for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, as well as other regional initiatives such as the EU Water initiative and the Task force for the Danube and the Black Sea (DABLAS), further work could be needed in 2010, inter alia in the following areas:
- cooperation between the BSC and the Danube Convention (ICPDR)
- strengthening of cooperation with other European Regional Seas Conventions.
- Support to the EU Water initiative (geographical component covering the Caucasus area).
Such activities will contribute to studying pollution, designing and putting in place an integrated marine and coastline monitoring system and to training staff for the actual implementation of monitoring-related activities, in line with the EP objectives; it is estimated that the necessary budget will not exceed EUR 500.000.
3. Forecast for 2010
The Commission will undertake all necessary efforts, including informal consultations with key stakeholders, for implementing the preparatory action aiming to further promotion of environmental protection in the Black Sea, taking into account the need to build on existing projects and results, to avoid overlaps with ongoing or already planned relevant activities and to consider the absorption capacity of possible implementing organisations in the region.
Implementation of the MEDIA 2007 programmes in third countries (09 06 01 02)
1. Objective
In the context of the increasing importance of the international dimension of audiovisual policy, the objective of the "Preparatory action MEDIA International" is to strengthen commercial and cultural relations between Europe's film industry professionals and their counterpart in third countries. Global co-operation of the audiovisual industry is expected to offer the consumer a larger choice by bringing more culturally diverse products to European and international markets and to create new business opportunities.
2. Implementation
An amount of EUR l million has been voted for the third year of the preparatory action MEDIA International compared to EUR 5 million in 2009. This has to be seen in the wider context of the launching of the MEDIA Mundus Programme from 2011 with an annual budget of EUR 5 million.
As already explained in the Executability letter, due to the budget decrease, the call for proposals 2010, to be launched in February 2010, will include only two action lines in 2010 (compared to five in 2009), i.e. training of professionals and access to markets. The budget will not allow for the continuity of some valuable projects that were selected in the past[6].
3. Forecast for 2010
The call will be published in February. The selection of projects will take place in April/May. It is expected to support some 10 projects, compared to 18 in 2008 and 40 in 2009. Projects could start in the second half of 2010.
While the 2009 call for proposals was open to projects in the fields of initial training, continuous training, promotion, distribution, screening of cinematographic works and for projects to encourage audiences, the 2010 call for proposals will have to concentrate on continuous training and market access.
Emergency response to the financial and economic crisis in developing countries (19 06 08)
1. Objective
The Community budget is not equipped for addressing directly the consequences of the financial and economic crisis in the 50 Development Co-operation Instrument (DCI) countries and cannot be a substitute to international financial institutions (IFIs) macroeconomic and sectoral role and mandate.
It is also important to remind the mobilisation of the EUR 1 billion additional funds for the Food Facility of which a part is allocated to the DCI countries; a sizeable part of that billion has already been committed this year and will continue to be disbursed in the course of the next months.
With a limited amount, the purpose of this preparatory action should be rather, in line with the EP objective, to assess the consequences of the financial and economic crisis in the developing countries.
2. Implementation and Forecast for 2010
The Commission proposes to start the implementation during 2010 by launching a study on the impact of the crisis in the developing countries. It is estimated that an amount of EUR 500.000 would be appropriate to carry out a study.
Minorities in Russia – Developing culture, media and civil society (19 08 01 05)
1. Objective
The overall objective is to continue with the activities planned in the previous phase of the preparatory action (“Ethnic and national minorities in Russia: promoting integrity and intercultural dialogue”, which is expected to start implementation in 2011). The whole preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament “Minorities in Russia: developing languages, culture, media and civil society” is focused on promoting Russia’s ethnic and national minorities and improving the recognition of their integrity as regards languages, culture, education, media and civil society.
2. Implementation
This phase (as the two previous ones) will be implemented through joint management with an international organisation (standard contribution agreement will be used). The international organisation indentified is the Council of Europe.
3. Forecast for 2010
Draft project fiche is planned to be ready by summer 2010; the contract is planned to be signed in course of 2011, when relevant outputs from previous activities are available. As this stage is a continuation of the previous ones, its expected results will be in line with those expected from the stage two.
Given the sensitivity of the issues tackled by action the full endorsement by the Russian authorities is essential.
EU-Asia – Integration of policy and practice (19 10 01 06)
In the budgetary remark adopted in the 2010 Budget, the EP has requested the Commission to have recourse, for its implementation, to a direct award to a specifically mentioned organisation. This is contrary to the Financial Regulation (FR).
The Commission would propose to implement this preparatory action through a Call for proposals or a Call for Tender in accordance with the rules of the FR and is consequently further reflecting on how to shape the implementation.
Water management in developing countries (21 04 06)
1. Objective
The action, introduced in 2007 for pilot projects and extended later as preparatory action, has the purpose of promote integrated water resources management in developing countries with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation at regional and continental level pursuing the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
In 2010 special emphasis is given to the adaptation of water management policies and practices to the expected impacts of climate change, in order to minimise the risks of water scarcity and reduce conflicts linked to it.
2. Implementation
The projects funded under this budget line are identified and formulated with the involvement of DG Development, DG RELEX, EuropeAid and the EU Delegations.
The projects funded so far are:
|Year |Title |EC contribution in EUR |Implementing partner |
|2007 |Building local capacities for sustainable water and sanitation services in |1.5 million |United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) |
| |Trans-boundary basins through a participatory approach in Central America | | |
| |(2008–2010) | | |
| |Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering Transboundary |1.5 million |United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
| |Dialogue in Central Asia | | |
|2008 |Fostering Integrated Resources Management and Intergovernmental Cooperation in the|1.5 million |Joint Research Center (JRC) |
| |water sector in Africa | | |
| |Supporting the African Union Commission (AUC) towards improved IWRM through |1.5 million |Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) |
| |intergovernmental cooperation | | |
|2009 |Improving Governance of Water Management at micro-basin level |1 million | |
| |Latin American Network of Knowledge Centres in the Water Sector |2 million | |
In accordance with the water needs, it was agreed that every two years the actions funded under this budget line would take place in Sub-Saharan Africa. In line with the geographical distribution, the above mentioned objectives and taking in consideration the on-going initiatives in the sector, the options being considered for funding in 2010 are the following:
i) Preparatory actions for the development of trans-boundary water management in Africa, with a specific focus on the impact of climate change on water management, as well as conflict prevention. This work will build on the reinforced cooperation between AU, AMCOW and regional institutions (supported by this budget line in 2008), and on a reinforced donor coordination. Knowledge exchange will build on the work of the research component of the EU Water Initiative, in particular the work of the SPLASH ERANET, and cooperation will be reinforced with relevant organisations and networks such as the Global Water Partnership (supporting AMCOW on transboundary issues), IUCN, and others. The objective is to contribute to the preparation and development of sound transboundary water management programmes which will be able to attract resources for their implementation, including in the framework of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership;
ii) Expansion of the African Network of Centres of Excellence (cf. 2008 programme) into new regions;
Support to the involvement of civil society in transboundary basin management programmes, such as the Nile Basin Discourse, to ensure a development of transboundary basins anchored on participatory approaches and stakeholder involvement.
3. Forecast for 2010
The actions foreseen are currently at different stages of identification. Depending on the results of the identification phase, all or only part of the three actions mentioned above will be finally undertaken.
It is expected that the financing decision on the use of the 2010 appropriations will be taken by the Commission no later than October 2010.
Pharmaceutical-related transfer of technology in favour of developing countries (21 05 01 06)
1. Objective
The objective of this preparatory action is to support the improvement of pharmaceutical research, development, and production capacity in developing countries in order to increase access, especially of poor and least developed countries, to health products of the poverty related, tropical and neglected, as well as non-communicable diseases.
2. Implementation
Under the first year of this preparatory action - 2008 budget - a contribution agreement was signed with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2008 for the implementation of a large consultation of stakeholders. The purpose of the study is to identify the main challenges and obstacles of local pharmaceutical production and related transfer of technology to developing countries and provide recommendations and guidance for further action in this field. The study was launched in January 2009 and will run for 24 months.
Part of the appropriations under the second year of the preparatory action - 2009 budget - was used to extend this study to vaccines and diagnostics through an amendment to the initial Contribution Agreement with WHO (EUR 519 000). Further action will be identified jointly with WHO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as the first partial results of the study become available as from March 2010. This second phase (EUR 4 481 000) will lay the groundwork for implementing the recommendations of the study and set the framework for concrete capacity-building measures according to the needs and priorities identified. It is expected to be implemented through a Contribution Agreement with the most appropriate UN agency.
The second phase of this action has been designed in a flexible way, in order to start developing capacity-building plans in the area of human resources and accommodate the first outcomes of the study as they become available. Considering that these activities are already covered by the budget allocated in 2009, support to other areas should build on the recommendations of the study. It would therefore be premature and very difficult to identify additional activities before 2011.
Research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases (21 05 01 07)
1. Objective
The objective of the action is to support research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases in order to increase access, especially for poor and least-developed countries, to public health intervention, effective health services, medicines and vaccines to combat these diseases.
2. Implementation
In 2008, the first year of this preparatory action, an action was identified and prepared in consultation with the relevant Commission services, notably RTD. A contribution agreement was signed with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2008 for the implementation of a large consultation of stakeholders with the purpose of identifying the most pressing priorities in R&D into poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases and provide recommendations for further action in this field. The consultation is implemented through the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and is part of a larger programme. The main outcome will be a Global Report on Research on Infectious Diseases of poverty with recommendations on priorities for research.
In 2009, a new Contribution Agreement was signed with WHO/TDR to support the establishment of sustainable regional health product Research and Development (R&D) innovation networks in order to build capacity for product R&D innovation in Africa, Asia and Latin America and to enhance South-South collaboration in this field. This action will support the establishment of the regional network organisation in Africa and the development of strategic business plans for the Asian and Latin American networks.
The identification of new activities in the area of Research and Development should seek guidance from the final recommendations of the ongoing consultation, which will not be available before end 2010. Consultations will be launched with WHO/TDR, in close collaboration with DG RTD, to identify the areas of R&D were joint initiatives would bring added value, in particular in the light of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property. The possibility of further supporting capacity building activities at regional level will also be explored.
3. Forecast for 2010
The identification of further action to be implemented under the 2010 budget will be made in close collaboration with DG RTD and through informal consultations with WHO, taking into account the need to avoid overlapping with the EU Framework Programme on Research and Development and to build on ongoing activities.
March-June 2010: consultation of relevant Commission services and stakeholders for the identification of the action.
July-September 2010: formulation of the action.
October-November 2010: financing decision procedure.
Preserving and restoring cultural heritage in conflict areas (22 02 09)
1. Objective
According to the remark included in the 2010 budget, the appropriation are to be used for supporting preservation and restoration projects for valuable cultural and religious objects (churches, mosques, libraries, museums, monuments, etc.) damaged or destroyed by war or other political conflicts. Appropriations may be used to support public organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) conducting projects in this field.
The Commission is ready to implement a preparatory action with this objective in the Western Balkans and Turkey. It has also taken note that, building on the experience of the 2008-2009 pilot projects, it "should … develop this further, including proposing a permanent legal base". As far as the Western Balkans and Turkey are concerned, similar actions in the future can indeed be covered by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), so there is no need for a separate legal base.
As regards the use of the allocated funds as well as the opportunity to develop a permanent, specific legal base for cultural heritage in other parts of the world, the Commission needs assessing how this experience might be broadened to the other regions.
2. Implementation
Depending on the assessment ongoing, the funds allocated to budget line 22 02 09 could be used, partially or in their entirety, for the Western Balkans and Turkey. Implementation will be done via a call for proposals open to NGOs.
3. Forecast for 2010
It is intended that contracts will be signed before the end of 2011. The preparation for the launch of the calls for proposals will be done during 2010.
Heading 5
Erasmus public administration programme (26 03 03)
1. Objective
This preparatory action is the continuation of the pilot project with the same name, financed on budget line 26 03 02 during the budget years 2008 and 2009, and jointly implemented by the Commission's DG HR and the European Administrative School (EAS). Satisfaction levels were very high during the four sessions already organised with nearly 98% of participants giving the programme a score of 4 or 5 (out of a scale of 1 to 5) in terms of overall satisfaction. All but two member states have sent participants and many have considerable waiting lists of candidates.
The goal is to foster collaboration between Member State administrations (at national, regional or local level), and the European Union (EU) institutions, by allowing relatively recently appointed national officials dealing with EU questions to get to know the institutions better through a programme of conferences, visits and training sessions.
2. Implementation
Four 2-week sessions of training, visits to and conferences in all the EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg are foreseen in 2010. Until now, a maximum of 60 participants have been admitted, but this might be slightly increased.
Participants will have to satisfy a number of criteria, the most important of which being that they have not worked in their department for more than five years, that they deal with EU issues and that they have never worked in any capacity in any of the EU institutions. These criteria are designed to ensure maximum impact for the preparatory action.
A call for candidates will be launched, as was the case for the pilot project, through the Member States' Permanent Representations. The decision on which candidates to admit in accordance with the Commission's criteria and taking account where possible of Member State preferences, will be made by a selection panel composed of representatives of the Commission services and the EAS.
In proposing this preparatory action, the European Parliament asked the Commission to "explore how those measures [for implementing the Erasmus public administration pilot project] might be taken further. It is proposed that the EAS run four short training programmes per year that will be open to managers working in Member State administrations, building on a successful experimental action it initiated last year. Such a development would be in line with the overall aim of the Erasmus public administration preparatory action by reinforcing links between Member State administrations and the Institutions through mutual learning events and the opportunity for the exchange of experience and good practice, as well as promoting the establishment of useful networks. The EAS will use its internal trainers and existing consultancy contracts to deliver these courses
3. Forecast for 2010
Given the lead time that was necessary to set up the pilot project, three of the four sessions financed from the 2008 budget took place in 2009 and the 2009 appropriations are being used to finance the four 2010 sessions.
Similarly, the largest part of the 2010 appropriations will be used to finance the two-week visit in 2011, though some will be used in 2010 itself, notably to finance the increased number of participants per session and the programmes for managers referred to under point 2
Therefore no appropriations will be needed in 2011. The Commission and the EAS are actively examining the question of a proposal for a legal base for the future.
Annex :DG responsible and contact persons
PILOT PROJECTS
|Line number |Heading |DG Resp. |Contact Person |
|Heading 1a |
|04 03 09 |Pilot project - Working and living conditions of posted workers |EMPL |Tim RENTROP |
|04 03 10 |Pilot project - Measures for employment maintenance |EMPL |Egbert HOLTHUIS |
|04 03 11 |Pilot project - Enhancing mobility and integration of workers within the EU |EMPL |Marco FERRI |
|04 03 12 |Pilot project - All-inclusive cooperation between public authorities, commercial firms and |EMPL |Peter SZATMARI |
| |not-for-profit enterprises on integrating people into society and employment | | |
|04 04 08 |Pilot project - Encourage conversion of precarious work into work with rights |EMPL |Bertrand MULLER SCHLEIDEN |
|04 04 11 |Pilot project - Preventing elder abuse |EMPL |Sven MATSKE |
|04 04 13 |Pilot project - Employment of people on the autistic spectrum |EMPL |Daniel SCHMIDT |
|06 04 08 |Pilot project - Portplus - Sustainable energy plan for ports |ENER |Stefan TOSTMANN |
|06 04 15 |Pilot project - Waste recovery and waste recycling for clean energy | | |
|15 02 31 |Pilot project - Costs of studies for students coming from the ENP countries and for related |EAC |Ana MAGRANER |
| |academic activities | | |
|15 02 32 |Pilot project - European Neighbourhood Policy — Enhancing education through scholarships and |EAC |Pedro MARTINEZ MACIAS |
| |exchanges | | |
|17 02 04 |Pilot project - Transparency and stability in the financial markets |SANCO |Myriam CAZZANIGA |
|Heading 1b |
|13 03 23 |Pilot project - Enhancing regional and local cooperation through the promotion of EU regional |REGIO |Raphael GOULET |
| |policy at a global scale | | |
|13 03 25 |Pilot project - Actions in connection with the textile and footwear sector |ENTR |Ivone KAIZELER |
|Heading 2 |
|05 02 17 01 |Pilot project - Support for farmers' cooperatives | | |
|05 02 17 02 |Pilot project - European farm prices and margins observatory | | |
|05 02 17 03 |Pilot project - Support for farmers' and consumers' initiatives for low carbon emission, low | | |
| |energy consumption and locally marketed food production | | |
|07 03 16 |Pilot project - Development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe |ENV |Andrea NAM |
|07 03 18 |Pilot project - Recovery of obsolete vessels not used in the fishing trade |ENV |Laurence MATRINGE |
|07 03 19 |Pilot project - Economic loss due to high non-revenue-water amounts in cities |ENV |Henriette FAERGEMANN |
|07 03 21 |Pilot project - Certification of low-carbon farming practices |ENV |Jana POLAKOVA |
|07 03 22 |Pilot project - Complex research on methods of controlling the spread of ragweed and pollen |ENV |WAKENHUT François |
| |allergies | | |
|11 09 03 |Pilot project - To promote the replacement of vessels in the European commercial fleet with low | | |
| |environmental impact vessels | | |
|17 03 18 |Pilot project - A European refund system for aluminium beverage cans |ENV |Diana OANCEA |
|Heading 3a |
|18 06 09 |Pilot project - Impact assessment of legislative measures in contract law |JLS |Lenka ZDRAHALOVA |
|Heading 3b |
|15 04 46 |Pilot project -Cultural heritage alert networks |JLS |F. KNECHCIAK |
|Heading 4 |
|19 06 07 |Pilot project - Support for surveillance and protection measures for Community vessels sailing |AIDCO |Elisabeth SANDFUCHS |
| |through areas where piracy is a threat | | |
|19 06 09 |Pilot project - Programme for NGO-led peace building activities |RELEX |Christian MEUNIER |
|21 02 04 |Pilot project - Finance for agricultural production |AIDCO |Simona MARI |
|21 05 01 08 |Pilot project - Enhanced health care for victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of |AIDCO |Bronte FLECKER |
| |Congo (DRC) | | |
|Heading 5 |
|16 02 05 |Pilot project - European research grants for cross-border investigative journalism |COMM |Stefaan DE RYNCK |
|25 01 09 |Pilot project – Inter-institutional system identifying long-term trends facing the EU |SG |Julien MOUSNIER |
PREPARATORY ACTIONS
|Line number |Heading |DG Resp. |Contact Person |
|Heading 1a |
|02 02 03 05 |Preparatory action - Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs |ENTR |Gloria LORENZO LERONES |
|02 02 08 01 |Preparatory action - European Destinations of Excellence |ENTR |Francesca TUDINI / Iuliana ALUAS |
|02 02 08 02 |Preparatory action - Sustainable tourism |ENTR |Renate PENITZ |
|02 02 08 03 |Preparatory action - Social tourism in Europe |ENTR |Alan VELLA |
|Heading 1b |
|13 03 24 |Preparatory action — Promoting a more favourable environment for micro-credit in Europe |REGIO |Philippe DELVAUX |
|Heading 2 |
|07 03 17 |Preparatory action - Climate of the Carpathian Basin |ENV |Jacques DELSALLE |
|07 04 05 |Preparatory action - EU rapid response capability |ENV |Martine BETRI DE MEYER |
|17 04 03 03 |Preparatory action — Control posts (resting points) in relation to transport of animals |SANCO |Andrea GAVINELLI / Denis SIMONIN |
|Heading 3b |
|09 06 05 |Preparatory action - Erasmus for Journalists |INFSO |Kalman DEZSERI |
|15 05 11 |Preparatory action in the field of sport |EAC |Jaime BARDOLET |
|15 06 11 |Preparatory action - European Year of Volunteering 2011 |COMM |Jennifer WANNAN |
|17 02 03 |Preparatory action - Monitoring measures in the field of Consumer policy |SANCO |David MAIR / Marie-Loise ALTMUTTER |
|Heading 4 |
|07 02 04 |Preparatory action - Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea Basin and a common European |ENV |Michail PAPADOYANNAKIS |
| |framework programme for development of the Black Sea region | | |
|09 06 01 02 |Preparatory action - Implementation of the MEDIA 2007 programme in third countries |EAC |Irina ORSSICH |
|19 06 08 |Preparatory action - Emergency response to the financial and economic crisis in developing |AIDCO |Angelo BAGLIO |
| |countries | | |
|19 08 01 05 |Preparatory action - Minorities in Russia — Developing culture, media and civil society |AIDCO |Jyrki TORNI |
|19 10 01 06 |Preparatory action - EU-Asia - Integration of policy and practice |AIDCO |Thierry ROMMEL |
|21 04 06 |Preparatory action - Water management in developing countries |AIDCO |Louis du BREIL de PONTBRIAND |
|21 05 01 06 |Preparatory action - Pharmaceutical-related transfer of technology in favour of developing |AIDCO |Cristina TORRES |
| |countries | | |
|21 05 01 07 |Preparatory action - Research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases |AIDCO |Cristina TORRES |
|22 02 09 |Preparatory action - Preserving and restoring cultural heritage in conflict areas |ELARG |Anna Claire MICHAEL |
|Heading 5 |
|26 03 03 |Preparatory action - Erasmus public administration programme |HR |Hendrik VANTILBORGH |
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[1] Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine and Russia.
[2] in: European Contract Law, Material for a Common Frame of Reference, edited by Bénédicte Fauvarque-Cosson and Denis Mazeaud, Sellier, Munich 2008, p.421 ss
[3] Only countries will be involved with which an enforceable agreement on the protection of the data processed has been concluded.
[4] As identified in the Communication : “Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism’ (COM(2007) 621 final)
([5]) Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: a European Initiative for the development of micro-credit in support of growth and employment - COM (2007)708 final.
[6] 2008 was the first year of the Preparatory Action MEDIA Internathe Preparatory Action MEDIA International, with a budget of 2 M€ for 18 projects (out of 33 proposals). For 2009, the EP voted a considerable budget increase, so that 40 projects (out of 95 proposals) could be selected for a total of 5 M€. All MEDIA International projects are based on partnerships between professionals from the EU and from third countries, aiming at achieving a maximum and sustainable international networking effect. The projects selected in 2008 and 2009 contributed to successfully structure international audiovisual markets and, indeed, created expectations among professionals who already massively invested in creating new partnerships and good quality projects in 2008 and 2009 paving the way for the launching of the new MEDIA Mundus Programme in 2011).
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