BETA

48 Amendments of Julie GIRLING related to 2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1

(1) Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') provides that, in order to strengthen its economic, social and territorial cohesion, the Union is to aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, and that particular attention is to be paid to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps. Reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, in particular rural areas, requires the further empowerment of women in those areas both in the economic and social terms and the promotion of work life balance. The collection of gender-disaggregated data allows for the identification and analysis of specific vulnerabilities and capacities of women and men, revealing gaps and inequalities and thus contributing to the building of a more fair and inclusive society and aiming at breaking the pattern of poverty and deprivation across generations. Article 175 of the TFEU requires that the Union is to support the achievement of these objectives by the action it takes through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section, the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Investment Bank and other instruments. Article 322 of the TFEU provides the basis for adopting financial rules determining the procedure to be adopted for establishing and implementing the budget and for presenting and auditing accounts, as well as for checks on the responsibility of financial actors.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on the European Union ('TEU') and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU should be respected in the implementation of the Funds, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women as set out in Article 8 of the TFEU and integrating the gender perspective in all its activities, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation or exclusion. The objectives of the Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment and combating climate change as set out in Article 11 and Article 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11

(11) The principle of partnership is a key feature in the implementation of the Funds, building on the multi-level and gender equal governance approach and ensuring the involvement of civil society and social partners. In order to provide continuity in the organisation of partnership, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/201413 should continue to apply. _________________ 13 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1).

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18

(18) Member States should establish a performance framework for each programme covering all indicators, milestones and targets to monitor, report on and evaluate programme performance. Indicators should be developed in a gender sensitive manner when possible.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19

(19) The Member State should carry out a mid-term review of each programme supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund. Such review shall include a gender chapter and shall assess the programme’s impact on fundamental rights. That review should provide a fully- fledged adjustment of programmes based on programme performance, while also providing an opportunity to take account of new challenges and relevant CSRs issued in 2024. In parallel, in 2024 the Commission should, together with the technical adjustment for the year 2025, review all Member States' total allocations under the Investment for jobs and growth goal of cohesion policy for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, applying the allocation method set out in the relevant basic act. That review together with the outcome of the mid-term review should result in programme amendments modifying the financial allocations for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20

(20) Mechanisms to ensure a link between Union funding policies and the economic and social governance of the Union should be further refined, allowing the Commission to make a proposal to the Council to suspend all or part of the commitments for one or more of the programmes of the Member State concerned where that Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic and social governance process or in the respect for human rights. In order to ensure uniform implementation and in view of the importance of the financial effects of measures being imposed, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council which should act on the basis of a Commission proposal. To facilitate the adoption of decisions which are required to ensure effective action in the context of the economic governance process, reversed qualified majority voting should be used.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24

(24) To better mobilise potential at the local level, it is necessary to strengthen and facilitate CLLD. It should take into account local needs and potential, as well as relevant socio-cultural characteristics, and should provide for structural changes, namely regarding gender equality and the empowerment of women, build community capacity and stimulate innovation. The close cooperation and integrated use of the Funds to deliver local development strategies should be strengthened. Local action groups, representing the interests of the community in a gender balanced way, should be, as an essential principle responsible for the design and implementation of CLLD strategies. In order to facilitate coordinated support from different Funds to CLLD strategies and to facilitate their implementation, the use of a 'Lead Fund' approach should be facilitated.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27

(27) In order to examine the performance of the programmes, the Member State should set up monitoring committees. For the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, annual implementation reports should be replaced by an annual structured policy dialogue based on the latest information and data, including gender disaggregated data, on programme implementation made available by the Member State.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28

(28) Pursuant to paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 201616, there is a need to evaluate the Funds on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burden, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Funds on the ground. Indicators should be developed in a gender sensitive manner when possible. _________________ 16 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 13.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

(30) In order to support the preparation of related programmes and activities of the next programming period, the Commission should carry out a mid-term assessment of the Funds. At the end of the programming period, the Commission should carry out retrospective evaluations of the Funds, which should focus on the impact of the Funds. These assessment and evaluations shall evaluate its impact on fundamental rights, with focus on the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74

(74) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, namely as the general principles of gender equality,

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)

(9 a) ‘gender impact assessment’ means an examination of proposed interventions to see whether they will affect women and men differently, with a view to adapting these proposals to make sure that discriminatory effects are neutralised and that gender equality is promoted;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 b (new)

(9 b) ‘gender mainstreaming’ means the (re)organisation, improvement, development and evaluation of the planned interventions, so that a gender equality perspective is systematically incorporated in all actions at all levels and all stages;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) a more connected Europe by enhancing mobility and regional ICT connectivity, with a special focus on closing the digital gender gap;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) a more social, equal and accessible Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, with particular focus on three key principles, namely principle 2 on gender equality, principle 3 on equal opportunities and principle 9 on work-life balance; principle 11 on childcare and support to children, principle 16 on health care and principle on 18 on long-term care; fostering equality between women and men and fulfilling the needs of persons with special necessities like persons with disabilities;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)

(d a) preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex or sexual orientation and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and anti- discrimination;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)

Article 5 a Promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination The Member States and the Commission shall aim at eliminating inequalities and ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes, including in relation to monitoring, reporting and evaluation. The Funds shall not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) relevant bodies representing civil society, environmental partners, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, rights of LGBTI+ persons, gender equality and non- discrimination.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i a (new)

(i a) a gender impact assessment for the policy choices in each of the Funds;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)

(f a) actions taken to involve the relevant partners referred to in Article 6;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) the socio-economic situation and level of gender equality achieved of the Member State or region concerned;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 9

9. The scope and level of the suspension of commitments or payments to be imposed shall be proportionate, shall respect the equality of treatment between Member States and shall take into account the economic and social circumstances of the Member State concerned, in particular the level of unemployment, the level of poverty or social exclusion of the Member State concerned in relation to the Union average and the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The impact of suspensions on programmes of critical importance to address adverse economic or social conditions shall be a specific factor to be taken into account. The suspension of commitments or payments shall have no specific negative impact on women’s economic and social developments.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i

(i) economic, social and territorial disparities and where appropriate, gender inequalities, except for programmes supported by the EMFF;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i a (new)

(i a) a gender impact assessment on the related types of actions and the planned operations of strategic importance;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point ii

(ii) output indicators and result indicators with the corresponding milestones and targets disaggregated, where relevant, by gender;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i

(i) the envisaged approach to communication and visibility for the programme through defining its objectives, target audiences, communication channels, social media outreach, planned budget and relevant indicators ~~for monitoring and evaluation~~, the latter developed in a gender sensitive manner when possible, for monitoring and evaluation; according to non-sexist communication and with a gender perspective;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)

(f a) the contribution of the operational programme to the promotion of equality between women and men and, where appropriate, measures to ensure the inclusion of the gender perspective.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4 – point f b (new)

(f b) where appropriate, the measures taken to guarantee the accessibility of persons with special needs, such as persons with disabilities;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1

1. The ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund may jointly provide support for programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal., with particular attention to programmes aiming to incorporate more women and persons with special needs into the labour market;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b

(b) an analysis of the development needs, gender equality, and the potential of the area;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) led by local action groups composed of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests, in cluding organisations responsible for promoting gender equality, in which no single interest group, including the public sector, controls the decision-making;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2 – point d

(d) supportive of networking, gender equality, accessibility, innovative features in the local context and, where appropriate, cooperation with other territorial actors.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) the geographical area and population covered by that strategy; particular attention must be given to women and persons with special needs like persons with disabilities;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)

(fa) a gender impact assessment of that strategy;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2

2. The relevant managing authorities shall define criteria for the selection of those strategies, set up a gender-balanced committee to carry out this selection and approve the strategies selected by that committee.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point b

(b) drawing up a non-discriminatory, gender-balanced and transparent selection procedure and criteria, which avoids conflicts of interest and ensures that no single interest group controls selection decisions;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

The Member State shall determine the composition of the monitoring committee and shall ensure gender balance and a balanced representation of the relevant Member State authorities and intermediate bodies and of representatives of the partners referred to in Article 6.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. This report shall be gender- sensitive and include a specific chapter on gender equality.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Where relevant, data shall be disaggregated by gender.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1

1. The managing authority shall carry out evaluations of the programme. Each evaluation shall assess the programme's effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value, and its impact on fundamental rights, including gender equality and non-discrimination, with the aim to improve the quality of the design and implementation of programmes.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. The final performance report shall be gender-sensitive and include a specific chapter on gender equality.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1

1. The Commission shall carry out a mid-term evaluation to examine the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence impact on fundamental rights, including gender equality, and EU added value of each Fund by the end of 2024. The Commission may make use of all relevant information already available in accordance with Article [128] of the Financial Regulation.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 63 – paragraph 4

4. Member States shall ensure the quality and reliability of the monitoring system and of data on indicators, which should be developed in a gender-sensitive manner where possible, and guarantee that, where relevant, data is collected disaggregated by gender.

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)

(da) ensure the implementation of gender mainstreaming in the programme;

2018/10/24
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)

(ja) ensure equal opportunities between women and men and non- discrimination;

2018/11/15
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point j b (new)

(jb) ensure, where appropriate, accessibility to persons with special needs, such as persons with disabilities.

2018/11/15
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 016 a (new)

016a Skills development for increasing 0% 0% women’s participation in the labour market in the area of STEM

2018/10/30
Committee: REGI

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Table Horizontal enabling conditions – row 5

Effective application and implementation Effective mechanisms are in place to of the ~~EU Charter of Fundamental Rights~~promotion of gender equality and ensure compliance with the ~~EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which~~promotion of the fight against gender based gender equality and the fight against discrimination gender based discrimination include: 1. Arrangements ~~to ensure~~in accordance with verification of compliance of operations supported by the Funds with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.the institutional and legal framework of Member States for the involvement of bodies responsible for gender equality throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes, including the provision of advice on gender equality; 2. ~~Reporting a~~ Arrangements ~~to the~~for training for ~~monitoring committee on the compliance~~ staff of the authorities involved in the management and control of the funds in ~~with~~ the ~~Charter of the operations~~fields of Union gender equality law ~~supported by the Funds~~and policy as well as on gender mainstreaming.

2018/10/30
Committee: REGI