Activities of Mireille D'ORNANO related to 2017/0102(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the legal framework of the European Solidarity Corps and amending Regulations (EU) No 1288/2013, (EU) No 1293/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013 and Decision No 1313/2013/EU
Amendments (53)
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Having regard to its resolution of 12 June 2012 on recognising and promoting cross- border voluntary activities in the EU,
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
Having regard to the European Charter on the Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers,
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 c (new)
Citation 1 c (new)
Having regard to its resolution of 27 October 2016 on European Voluntary Service and the promotion of volunteering in Europe,
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 d (new)
Citation 1 d (new)
Having regard to the International Labour Organisation's definition of volunteering in its Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work, of 3 November 2011,
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) More than 100 million of Europe's citizens are involved in voluntary activities, contributing to the production of 5% of its total GDP, according to an estimate cited by Parliament in the abovementioned resolution of 27 October 2016.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The State of the Union address of 14 September 201617 emphasizsed the need to invest in young people and announced the establishment of a European Solidarity Corps with a view to creating opportunities for young people across the Union to make a meaningful contribution to society, show solidarity and develop their skills, thus getting not only work but also invaluable human experience. _________________ 17 The State of the Union 2016: Towards a Better Europe – A Europe that Protects, Empowers and Defends, IP/16/3042 (http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16- 3042_en.htm).
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The European Solidarity Corps must complement, rather than replace, EU and national volunteering programmes such as the national civic service programmes and the European Volunteer Service, which has mobilised almost 100 000 volunteers since its establishment.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) Volunteering plays a key role in the development of active democracy and citizenship and also in personal development.Its true value should therefore be reflected in young people's vocational training and education, and there should be rigorous processes of validation for skills acquired during periods of volunteering.
Amendment 41 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 c (new)
Recital 2 c (new)
(2c) EU solidarity policies should also include senior citizens by encouraging active ageing, and participation by both young people and senior citizens in solidarity activities and volunteering should therefore be developed.The Commission, in this regard, highlighted in its communication entitled 'Towards Social Investment for Growth and Cohesion – including implementing the European Social Fund 2014-2020', COM 2013(83) final, the importance of active ageing in contributing to senior citizens' social inclusion and to the rapid development of solidarity activities in the EU.EU initiatives such as the European Day of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations can help here to raise senior citizens' awareness of volunteer and solidarity activities.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In its Communication “A European Solidarity Corps”18 of 7 December 201618, the Commission emphasised the need to strengthen the foundations for solidarity work across Europe, to provide young people with more and better opportunities for solidarity activities covering a broad range of areas, and to support national and local actors, in their efforts to cope with different challenges and crises. The Communication launched a first phase of the European Solidarity Corps whereby different Union programmes have been mobilised to offer volunteering, traineeship or job opportunities to young people across the EU. These activities, whether implemented before or after the entry into force of this Regulation, should continue to apply the rules and conditions set by the respective Union programmes that have financed them under the first phase of the European Solidarity Corps. _________________ 18 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A European Solidarity Corps, COM(2016) 942 final of 7.12.2016.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Young people should be provided with easily accessible opportunities to engage in solidarity activities, which could enable them to express their commitment to the benefit of communities while acquiring useful experience, skills and competences for their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employabilityxperience with a view to future employment. Those activities would also support the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and workers.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The solidarity activities offered to young people should be of high quality, in the sense that they should respond to unmet societal needs, contribute to strengthening communities, offer young people the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and competences, especially in the field of humanitarian aid, be financially accessible to young people, and be implemented in safe and healthy conditions.
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The European Solidarity Corps would provide a single entry point for solidarity activities throughout the Union. Consistency and complementarity of that framework should be ensured with other relevant Union policies and programmes. The European Solidarity Corps should build on the strengths and synergies of existing programmes, notably the European Voluntary Service. It should also complement the efforts made by Member States to support young people and ease their school-to-work transition under the Youth Guarantee19by providing them with additional opportunities to make a start on the labour market in the form of traineeships or jobs in solidarity-related areas within their respective Member State or across borders. Complementarity with existing Union level networks pertinent to the activities under the European Solidarity Corps, such as the European Network of Public Employment Services, (EURES )and the Eurodesk network, should also be ensured. Furthermore, complementarity between existing related schemes, in particular national solidarity schemes and mobility schemes for young people, and the European Solidarity Corps should be ensured, building on good practices where appropriate. _________________ 19Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee (2013/C 120/01).
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Voluntary activities constitute a rich experience in a non-formal and informal learning context which enhances young people's personal, socio-educational and professional development, active citizenship and employability. Voluntary activities should notcan have an adverse effect on potential or existing paid employment, nor should they be seen as by becoming a substitute for it. In order to ensure continuity with respect to the volunteering activities that are supported at Union level, the volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that fall within the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps should be supported by the latter in the form of cross- border volunteering placements. The other volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that do not fall under the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps should continue to be supported under the Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport20. With respect to the interpretation of related legislation at Union level, both the cross-border volunteering placements under the European Solidarity Corps and the volunteering activities that continue to be supported under Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 should be considered equivalent to those carried out under the European Voluntary Service. _________________ 20 Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Decisions No 1719/2006/EC, No 1720/2006/EC and No 1298/2008/EC, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Voluntary activities constitute a rich experience in a non-formal and informal learning context which enhances young people's personal, socio-educational and professionalcivic development, active citizenship and employability. Voluntary activities should not have an adverse effect on potential or existing paid employment, nor should they be seen as a substitute for it. In order to ensure continuity with respect to the volunteering activities that are supported at Union level, the volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that fall within the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps should be supported by the latter in the form of cross-border volunteering placements. The other volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that do not fall under the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps should continue to be supported under the Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport20. With respect to the interpretation of related legislation at Union level, both the cross-border volunteering placements under the European Solidarity Corps and the volunteering activities that continue to be supported under Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 should be considered equivalent to those carried out under the European Voluntary Service. _________________ 20 Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Decisions No 1719/2006/EC, No 1720/2006/EC and No 1298/2008/EC, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) It is important to note that the civic service schemes introduced in certain Member States, particularly France, may have had unintended effects as some civic service work is becoming a substitute for paid employment.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Within the European Solidarity Corps framework a clear distinction should be drawn between voluntary service activities, which must comply with the relevant rules on such activities, and work experience with humanitarian aid and volunteer bodies.The latter is subject to specific social security and labour law provisions and may, for example, take the form of a traineeship as part of an academic course or, indeed, of employment on a fixed-term or open- ended contract.The legal framework for volunteering should not be used as a substitute for employment contracts or traineeships.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 b (new)
Recital 10 b (new)
(10b) There is provision under Member States' labour law for young Europeans to train in jobs associated with humanitarian aid and solidarity activities, particularly by undertaking traineeships consistent with their studies.The creation of the European Solidarity Corps should not aim to introduce, or have the effect of introducing, any special status exempt from labour law.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Young people and organisations participating in the European Solidarity Corps should feel that they belong to a community of individuals and entities committed to enhancing solidarity across Europe. At the same time, participating organisations need support to strengthen their capacities to offer good quality placements to an increasing number of participants, ensuring they are properly monitored and trained. The European Solidarity Corps should support networking activities aimed at strengthening young people and participating organisations’ engagement in this community, at fostering a European Solidarity Corps spirit, as well as at encouraging the exchange of useful practices and experience. Those activities should also contribute to raising awareness about the European Solidarity Corps among public and private actors as well as to collect feedback from participants and participating organisations on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The organisations hosting European Solidarity Corps participants should ensure that the persons concerned are properly trained and monitored.Mentoring programmes linking participants with more experienced workers should, in particular, be encouraged.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) Member States should, in so far as possible, introduce processes for validating skills and competences acquired during periods of volunteering.They should also ensure that the requisite arrangements are put in place for offering vocational guidance to participants following periods of volunteering.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) A quality label should be put in place to ensure compliance of the participating organisations with the principles and requirements of the European Solidarity Corps Charter, as regards their rights and responsibilities during all stages of the solidarity experience. Obtaining a quality label should be a precondition for participation but should not automatically lead to funding under the European Solidarity Corps. The Member States should determine certification arrangements in respect of the quality label and the conditions on which it is awarded and should appoint national certifying bodies.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, with at least one office in each Member State, should assist the implementing bodies, the participating organisations and the young people taking part in the European Solidarity Corps in order to raise the quality of the implementation and of the activities of the European Solidarity Corps as well as to enhance the identification and validation of skills and competences acquired through these activities.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) A European Solidarity Corps Portal should continuously be developed in order to ensure easy access to the European Solidarity Corps and to provide a one-stop shop for both interested individuals and organisations as regards, inter alia, registration, identification and matching of profiles and opportunities, networking and virtual exchanges, online training, language and post-placement support as well as other useful functionalities, which may arise in the future. The portal, in order to be accessible to European Solidarity Corps applicants, should be available in each of the EU official languages.
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure continuity in the activities supported by the programmes contributing to the European Solidarity Corps, the financial support to solidarity placements and projects should indicatively follow: an 80%-20% split between volunteering placements and solidarity projects on the one hand and traineeship and job placements on the other hand. The two branches of the European Solidarity Corps should be distinct from one another. In particular, traineeships and jobs obtained through the European Solidarity Corps should be subject to the relevant social security legislation.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) There is a specific legal framework for volunteering. Volunteering is distinct from contractual employment and traineeships, particularly paid traineeships, and should not aim to replace them, either wholly or partially, or have the effect of so doing.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The Member States should, in any event, put in place the requisite arrangements and resources for informing people about the European Solidarity Corps, monitoring participants and recognising and validating the skills and competences they acquire during periods as volunteers or in jobs or traineeships under the aegis of the Corps.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In addition to the Member States, tThe European Solidarity Corps should alsoall be open to the participation of other countries on the basis of bilateral agreements. This participation should be based, where relevant, on additional appropriations to be made available in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with the concerned countries Member States and their nationals only.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The European Solidarity Corps should target young people aged 18-30 who are nationals of an EU Member State. Participation in the activities offered by the European Solidarity Corps should require prior registration in the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Special attention should be paid to ensuring that the activities supported by the European Solidarity Corps are accessible to all young people, notably the most disadvantaged ones. Special measures should therefore be put in place to promote social inclusion, the participation of disadvantaged young people, as well as to take into account the constraints imposed by the remoteness of the outermost regions of the Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories24 . Similarly, the participating countries should endeavour to adopt all appropriate measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the European Solidarity Corps. This includes resolving, where possible, and without prejudice to the Schengen acquis and Union law on the entry and residence of third-country nationals, administrative issues that create difficulties in obtaining visas and residence permits. _________________ 24 Individuals from an overseas country or territory (OCT) and competent public and /or private bodies and institutions from an OCT may participate in the programmes in accordance with Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community, OJ L314, 30.11.2001, p.1.
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25a) The quality label shall be awarded in accordance with national certification procedures and subject to the conditions specified by the Member States and the certification bodies designated by them.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) Effective performance management, including monitoring and evaluation, requires the development of specific, measurable and realistic indicators which can be measured over time and which reflect the logic of the intervention. These performance indicators shall be developed by the Member States.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Appropriate outreach, publicity and dissemination of the opportunities and results of the actions supported by the European Solidarity Corps should be ensured at European, national and local level. The outreach, publicity and dissemination activities should rely on all the implementing bodies of the European Solidarity Corps, including, when relevant, with the support of other key stakeholders. Member States shall, in particular, ensure that the opportunities offered by the European Solidarity Corps are made as widely available as possible.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article premier – paragraph 1
Article premier – paragraph 1
This Regulation lays down the legal framework for the European Solidarity Corps, which shall offer young people opportunities to engage in solidarity activities. as volunteers or paid trainees or staff members.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) “participating organisation” means any public or private entity that has been attributed the European Solidarity Corps quality label, which offers a placement to a participant in the European Solidarity Corps or implements other activities in the framework of the European Solidarity Corpsin the form of a paid traineeship, employment contract or volunteer experience;
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) “solidarity placement” means a volunteering activity, traineeship or job in a solidarity-related area, which is organised by a participating organisation and which contributes to addressing key societal challenges while enhancing the personal, educational, social, civic and professional development and the employability of the European Solidarity Corps participant who undertakes such voluntary activity, either in a country other than the country of residence (cross-border) or in the country of residence of the participant (in-country);
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) “volunteering” means a part or full- 32 time unpaid32 voluntary service for a period of up to twelve months, which provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out, including a solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, social and professional development, and which will also contribute to improving their employability; _________________ 32 As a general principle, an activity carried out continuously, 5 days a week for 7 hours a day.career development;
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) “volunteering” means a full- time32 unpaid voluntary service32, subject to the framework legal provisions governing voluntary activity, for a period of up to twelve months, which provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out, including a solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, social and professional development, and which will also contribute to improving their employability; _________________ 32 As a general principle, an activity carried out continuously, 5 days a week for 7 hours a day.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) “volunteering teams’ placements” means placements allowing teams of European Solidarity Corps participants from different participating countries to volunteer together for a common objective, by carrying out manual or intellectual tasks, on a worthwhile community service project for a period between two weeks and two months; these tasks shall not have the purpose or effect of replacing an employment contract, traineeship or any other paid activity;
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9
(9) "job" means a period of work from two to twelve months, remunerated by the participating organisation employing the European Solidarity Corps participant in accordance with the employment legislation applicable, carried out in a participating country and based on an employment contract in accordance with the national regulatory framework of that participating country;
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) “solidarity project” means a local initiative for a period from two to twelve months, which is set up and carried out by groups of at least five European Solidarity Corps participants in the form of volunteer activity, employment contracts or traineeships, with a view to addressing key challenges within their local community while linking them to a broader European perspective;
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
(12) “European Solidarity Corps Charter” means the document that sets out the respective rights and responsibilities that all the entities willing to join the European Solidarity Corps must agree to adhere to;.The European Solidarity Corps Charter shall be based, in particular, on the European Charter on the Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers referred to in the preamble.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14
(14) "European Solidarity Corps Portal" means a web-based tool that provides relevant online services to the European Solidarity Corps participants and participating organisations, including providing information about the European Solidarity Corps, registering participants, searching for participants for placements, advertising and searching for placements, searching for potential project partners, managing contacts and offers for placements and projects, training, communication and networking activities, informing and notifying about opportunities, as well as other relevant developments related to the European Solidarity Corps. The European Solidarity Corps Portal in its entirety shall be available in all the official languages of the European Union.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The objective of the European Solidarity Corps is to enhance the engagement of young people and organisations in accessible and high quality solidarity activities as a means to contribute to strengthening cohesion and solidarity in Europe, supporting communities and responding to societal challenges, as well as contributing to the academic and vocational training of young Europeans, together with their personal development.
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to provide young people, with the support of participating organisations, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities while improving their skills and competences, subject to formal certification thereof, for personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, as well as their employability and facilitating transition into the labour market, including by supporting the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and workers;
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to ensure that the solidarity activities that are offered to the European Solidarity Corps participants contribute to addressing concrete, unmet societal needs and strengthening communities, are of high quality, particularly in terms of individual monitoring and training, and properly validated.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the development and maintenance of a quality label, for which certification procedures and bodies responsible for certification shall be designated by the Member States, for entities willing to provide placements for the European Solidarity Corps in order to ensure compliance with the principles and requirements of the European Solidarity Corps Charter;
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the activities of a European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre, with branches in each Member State, to support and raise the quality of the implementation of the actions of the European Solidarity Corps and enhance the validation of their outcomes;
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. FourTwo years after the date of application of this Regulation the Commission shall carry out an independent evaluation of this Regulation and present a report on the main findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee.