COM(2011)0413

In accordance with the requirements of Decision No. 1720/2006/EC, this report provides information on the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). It builds on the findings of the LLP interim evaluation, on National Reports on LLP implementation from the 31 participating countries and on information gathered by the Commission.

Main findings: d uring its first three years, the Programme has financed, with almost EUR 3 billion, transnational education and training activities promoting the modernisation of education systems in 31 European countries. It has catered for 900 000 learning mobility periods of European citizens, of which more than 720 000 by students and almost 180 000 by teachers/trainers/staff. More than 50 000 European organisations have taken part in various forms of co-operation activities.

The report states that the LLP acts as a catalyst for structural change through support to policy development, cooperation and mobility. The respondents to evaluation surveys emphasised the role of the LLP mainly in policy cooperation and interchange, development of the European dimension in education and training and the extent to which the LLP creates additional value in comparison with similar international or national programmes. The finding is that in the absence of the LLP, developments in these areas would be fragmented (in terms of scope of activities and coverage of the participating countries), activities would be carried out on a smaller scale and less extensively, and a number of important results would not have been achieved at all.

However, not all the potential has been unleashed. An excessive number of objectives set for the Programme has translated in a host of specific actions, some of which lack the critical mass to have a long lasting impact. Progress towards a lifelong learning approach as opposed to one based on educational sectors is still quite limited. In addition, while the largest impact of the LLP actions is found on the individual and institutional level, the impact at systemic – policy level is rather moderate. Its direct added value is predominantly linked to the recognition of qualifications and increased transparency of education and training system across Europe but the direct influence of LLP actions on the modernisation of education and training systems is still hard to observe and estimate.

LLP mobility can be considered as success story. A study on a value of Erasmus Mobility of students and teachers indicated that a temporary period of study in another European country helped to enhance international competences, facilitated access to the labour market and contributed to placing former Erasmus students in visibly international professional positions. However, the LLP still faces some difficulties. Problems with reaching individuals and organisations beyond established education circuits, very high levels of unmet demand, still limited involvement of enterprises as venues for mobile student placements or insufficient language knowledge of participants (notably adults) in mobility actions remain important factors which limit the reach of the programme.

Targets: the most recent data show that reasonable progress has been achieved towards quantitative targets. Some 450 000 pupils were involved in Comenius education activities on an annual basis (with the target being at least 3 million over the period of 2007–2013), which would add up to 3 150 000 pupils involved by 2013. Since the Erasmus programme started in 1987, 2.15 million students participated in its mobility actions by 2009 (with a target of 3 million by 2012). Leonardo da Vinci supported more than 72 000 placements in enterprises in 2009 and almost 79 000 in 2010, an increase of almost 10 % (the target is at least 80 000 placements in enterprises per year by 2013). Grundtvig supported mobility of around 6 100 staff and adult learners in 2009. However, based on the 2007-2009 data, the evaluators pointed to a risk that some of the LLP quantified targets set by the legal base for the sectoral sub-programmes would not be reached owing to the insufficient size of the Programme budget and other, mainly mobility related, barriers.

The report sets out the recommendations of the evaluators. It notes that the LLP is considered by the external evaluation as instrumental to reaching the key Education and Training objectives agreed at EU level. It is also important for the lives of the individual citizens involved, user friendly, highly popular and addresses the needs of its various target communities. The control framework is working effectively.

Improvements required: the number of audits or quasi-audits is high and they are not always sufficiently coordinated. Management of the previously independent programmes is not yet fully integrated. Possibilities offered by the electronic management tools are not yet fully explored. The Programme had a difficult start-up phase with a need for successive adjustments at all levels: forms, IT systems, management rules, reporting principles and requirements. It is fair to admit that the positive appreciation of the Programme management today by the main stakeholders reflects more the snapshot of 2010 than the average perception in 2007-2009. There is now a general call for stability by letting principles and processes to settle, and cost benefits having better exploited for a preparation of the implementation phase.

The Commission notes that whilst the managerial improvements required are within the reach of the Commission, other improvements are more far-reaching and would require a review and rethinking of the design of the Programme. Based on the mid-term review of the LLP, the Commission intends to:

fix the management framework that has reached a good quality level with stable rules, procedures and IT tools minimising efforts throughout the implementation chain: Commission, National Agencies, final beneficiaries. Potential change will be assessed against a thorough cost-benefit and risk analysis; examine as a matter of urgency the possibility to simplify audits by replacing the current approach of untargeted sampling with a new one, based on a serious risk assessment strategy; test new exchange platforms or the extension of existing platforms or other means to facilitate exchanges of information and know-how to match offer and demand for cooperation projects and mobility (e.g. Leonardo or Erasmus placement partner search).

Without prejudging its proposals for the next programme generation in the context of the new MFF, the Commission intends to:

reflect on a comprehensive policy framework for the new MFF, seeking synergies between different types of EU-financed investments in education and training, to avoid overlaps and maximise impact; consider how to further build on the strengths of the existing Programme to contribute to the overarching Europe 2020, E&T 2020 and the Digital Agenda objectives. EU-wide actions engaging all Member States in similar activities with common objectives, transnational learning mobility, providing evidence for policy reform, serving as an incubator for innovative actions and best practices, exchange and networking at low cost, are all areas where the Programme excels; reflect how better to balance ambitious targets, notably through meaningful concentration, streamlining, simplification and better impact measurement; prepare the management and control framework for the next Programme generation to ensure a seamless start-up phase and full exploitation of all possible simplifications.

COM(2011)0413
EUR-Lex

This report was written to fulfil the requirements set out in the European Parliament and Council decisions establishing the Community action programmes in the field of education ( Socrates 2000-2006 ), vocational training ( Leonardo da Vinci 2000-2006 ) and integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe ( eLearning 2004-2006 ).

Together, these programmes received more than EUR 3 billion of Community funds .

For the period 2007-2013, the various initiatives under these three programmes have been integrated under a single umbrella, the new Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). The decision to conduct a joint evaluation and to present this joint report follows the same line as this integration.

Results of the evaluation : the evaluation of the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and eLearning programmes shows that they have had a significant impact on education and training in the EU, both quantitative and qualitative. This can be seen at individual, institutional and policy-making levels:

at individual level , a positive impact was observed on both staff and learners who broadened their skills (including language proficiency), deepened their knowledge, developed a strong sense of networking across national boundaries and gained a stronger feeling of being European citizens. The mobility schemes, i.e. learning periods abroad, were the most successful in this respect. Mobility schemes have not only enhanced individuals’ skills but also induced progress at institutional level. Erasmus in particular has embedded mobility in university life and led to structural changes and modernisation in higher education in Europe. As a result of various types of partnership and project, improvements in teaching, learning and management and structural changes in curricula or systems were also observed, in particular in the work environment of the participants and at local level. There is less evidence of a broader impact on national education systems and the countries participating failed to make sufficient strategic use of the outcomes of the programmes to adapt their systems; at policy-making level, the impact of the Erasmus and Leonardo programmes is evident in the development of EU instruments to improve transparency and recognition of qualifications, in particular tools such as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the European Credits in Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). However, the impact of Comenius and Grundtvig remained more local.

Overall, the programmes clearly contributed to creating a European education area and embedded a culture of European cooperation amongst educational institutions.

The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) adopted for 2007-13 has learned lessons from its predecessors by building on their strengths on the one hand and trying to remedy the weaknesses detected on the other.

The Commission will continue to improve the common management system (LLP Link) and provide tools to consolidate data collection and impact assessment of the programme. Progress on the quality of outcomes, e.g. on mobility, and on implementation of the LLP objectives until 2013 will be closely monitored in cooperation with the countries represented on the single Programme Committee. Attention will also focus on better application and mainstreaming of the results of the LLP in order to support modernisation of education and training systems in Europe .

EUR-Lex
COM(2009)0159

PURPOSE: to establish a programme in the field of lifelong learning: 2007-2013.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an action programme in the field of lifelong learning.

BACKGROUND: within the framework of the new financial perspectives, 2007 -2013 a series of new financial programmes in the field of education, life-long learning, youth and culture have been adopted. They are:

- Citizens for Europe ;

- Culture 2007 ;

- MEDIA 2007 ;

- Lifelong learning .

The intention of the lifelong learning programme is to help the EU realise its stated objective of becoming an advanced knowledge society and to thereby create more and better jobs. In addition, the new lifelong learning programme supports the 1999 Bologna Declaration, seeking the creation of a “European Area of Higher Education” by 2010 as well as the 2002 Barcelona Declaration which seeks to make the EU’s education and training systems a world quality reference.

CONTENT: with a total budget of EUR 6.97 billion , the programme integrates and amalgamates all previous Community programmes dealing with education and learning under one framework. To recall, since 1999 a number of financial programmes have implemented the EU’s policy to promote lifelong learning. These programmes have been regulated through individual and separate Decisions, entitled:

- Leonardo da Vinci;

- Socrates;

- eLearning;

- Europass; and

- the Erasmus Mondus programme.

In the interest of clarity, flexibility and simplicity this Decision integrates all of the previous programmes under this one programme entitled “Lifelong Learning”. Although most of the previous programmes have now been integrated into this single lifelong learning programme, the individual programmes are still retained within the new framework.

Significant advantages are expected as a result of this initiative including: greater synergy between the different fields of action; greater capacity to support developments in lifelong learning; and a more coherent, streamlined and efficient mode of administration. Further, the single programme is expected to deliver improved co-operation between the various levels of educational and training establishments.

The Decision can be summarised as follows:

General objective:

The general objective of the lifelong learning programme is to contribute, through lifelong learning , towards the development of the Community as an advance knowledge based society with more and better jobs. At the heart of its drive to invest in lifelong learning is the recognised need to take account of environmental sustainable development and the need to foster greater social cohesion. In particular, the new programme will encourage exchange programmes, greater co-operation and greater mobility programmes between the various educational and training institutions within the Community. In short, through the establishment of an integrated lifelong learning programme, the EU is setting itself the highest standards so that the Community’s education system may become a world quality reference .

Specific objectives:

Alongside the more general objective of the lifelong learning programme a number of specific objectives are also listed. They are:

- to promote the quality of lifelong learning; innovation and a European dimension to education;

- to improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of lifelong learning;

- to strengthen lifelong learning’s ability to improve social cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender equality and personal fulfilment;

- to promote creativity, competitiveness, employability and an entrepreneurial spirit;

- to encourage the participation of those with disabilities and the disadvantaged in lifelong learning programmes;

- to promote language learning and linguistic diversity;

- to support innovative ICT-based content, services and pedagogies;

- to promote quality assurance in all Community educating and training sectors;

- to encourage the best use of results; innovative products and processes; and

- to encourage the exchange of good practices.

The Sub-programmes:

The lifelong learning programme will be channelled through: four sectoral programmes, one transversal programme and the Jean Monnet programme. They are referred to as the “sub-programmes”.

The four sectoral sub-programmes :

COMENIUS: Pre-school and schools:

The Comenius programme will be allocated 13% of the budget of which 80% must be spent on mobility and Comenius partnerships with schools. It addresses the teaching and learning needs of all those in pre-school and school education up to the end of upper secondary education. It will also address the institutions and organisations providing education at this level.

ERASMUS: Higher education:

The Erasmus programme will be allocated 40% of the budget of which 80% must be spent on mobility programmes. An average of EUR 200 per month will be allocated to students studying abroad under the Erasmus programme. It address the teaching and learning needs of all those in higher education and vocational education and training at tertiary level including doctoral studies. It will also address the institutions and establishments providing higher education training.

LEONARDO DA VINCE : Vocational education:

The Leonardo da Vinci programme will be allocated 25% of the budget of which 60% must be spent on mobility and partnership programmes. It will address the teaching and learning needs of all those in vocational education and training (other than at tertiary level). It also addresses the institutions and organisation facilitating such education and training.

GRUDNVIG : Adult education:

The Grundvig programme will be allocated 4% of the budget of which not less than 55% must support mobility and partnership programmes. It will address the teaching and learning needs of those in all forms of adult education. It has, partly, been established in recognition of the Community’s ageing population. It also addresses the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating adult education.

The transversal programme:

The transversal programme consists of four key activities namely:

- policy co-operation in lifelong learning;

- the promotion of language learning;

- the development of innovative ICT-based content, services pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning;

- the dissemination and exploitation of results.

The Jean Monnet programme:

This programme supports institutions and activities in the field of European integration such as:

- supporting Jean Monnet actions (This part of the sub-programme will receive not less than 16% of the allocated budget.)

- supporting operating grants to specific institutions (This part of the sub-programme will receive not less than 65% of the allocated budget.)

- Supporting operating grants to support other European institutions and associations in the fields of education and training. (This part of the sub-programme will receive not less than 19% of the allocated budget.)

The Jean Monnet programme is open to students and researchers in the field of European integration; higher education institutions - within and outside of - the Community; teachers; associations; public and private bodies and research centres. The type of actions funded by the programme include the Jean Monnet Chairs; support for young researchers and information and research activities relating to the Community which seek to promote discussion and reflection on the process of European integration. More specifically, the Jean Monnet programme will continue funding the following establishments: The College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin; The European University Institute in Florence; The European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht; the Academy of European Law in Trier; and the International Centre for European Training in Nice.

Actions:

The list of actions supported by the lifelong learning programme are:

- the mobility of individuals in lifelong learning;

- bilateral and multilateral partnerships;

- multilateral projects;

- unilateral and national projects;

- multilateral projects and networks;

- studying policies in the field of lifelong learning;

- the establishment and regular improvement of reference material;

- support for the transparency and recognition of qualifications; and

- support for quality assurance.

These actions may be implemented either through calls for proposals, call for tenders or directly by the Commission.

Access to the lifelong learning programme :

The programme will be open to:

- pupils, students, trainees and adult learners;

- teachers, trainers and other staff involved in any aspect of lifelong learning;

- institutions or organisations providing learning opportunities;

- persons and bodies responsible for systems and policies concerning any aspect of lifelong learning at local, regional and national level.

- enterprises, social partners – including trade organisations and chambers of commerce and industry;

- bodies providing guidance and counselling in any aspect of lifelong learning;

- associations working the in the field of lifelong learning, including student, trainer, pupil, teacher, parent and adult learner associations;

- research centres; and

- NGO’s.

Simplification:

In a 2002 Resolution on the Socrates programme, the European Parliament drew attention to the disproportionately onerous administrative procedures for grant applications under the second phase of the programme. Bearing this in mind the new lifelong learning programme introduces radical simplification methods vis-à-vis the application procedure. New simplification measures include, for example:

- accounting requirements proportional to the size of the grant;

- measures that prevent irregularities and fraud; and

- new steps to recover lost funds or funds that have been incorrectly paid.

Implementation:

The Decision states that the Commission will be responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of the lifelong learning programme. As far as the Member States are concerned they are expected to establish “national agencies”, which will be responsible for the co-ordinated management and implementation of the programme.

Participation of third countries:

The programme will be open to the EFTA countries; the candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy; the countries of the Western Balkans and the Swiss Confederation. In addition, international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the OECD and UNESCO may co-operate with the Commission on the lifelong learning programme.

Monitoring and evaluation:

The Commission will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the programme. As such, the Commission will arrange regular independent external evaluations as well as being responsible for publishing statistics relating to the programme. By 30 June 2010 and 30 June 2015, the Member States are obliged to submit data on the programme to the Commission, which will form the basis of interim evaluations reports to be forwarded to both the Council and the European Parliament by the Commission.

Transitional Provisions:

Actions under the previous regime, which have been entered into before the 31 December 2006, will be administered in conformity with the provisions of the earlier Decisions.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 14 December 2006.

APPLY FROM: 1 January 2007.

Decision 2006/1720
OJ L 327 24.11.2006, p. 0045-0068

03655/2006

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Doris PACK (EPP-ED, DE) and approved the Council's common position.

T6-0442/2006

Debate in Parliament

A6-0344/2006

A6-0344/2006

The committee adopted the report by Doris PACK (EPP-ED, DE) approving the Council's common position unamended under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure.

PE378.463

The Commission considers that the common position adopted by the Council on 24 July 2006 by unanimity is appropriate. It notes that the Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament has indicated in a letter to the Council Presidency that if the common position was adopted as such he would recommend to the Committee to approve the common position in second reading. The Commission can therefore support the common position which reflects the agreement reached between the three institutions.

In relation to the revised Commission proposal, two changes of substance have been made in the common position, with the prior agreement of the Parliament:

a) reverting to the Commission’s original proposal for the administration of multilateral projects in the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig sub-programmes;

b) adding the International Centre for European Training (CIFE) in Nice to the list of institutions designated to be able to receive operating grants without the need for a call for proposals.

The first change simply restores the text from the Commission’s original proposal, so requires no comment. As regards the second change, the Commission stated in the Parliament’s plenary debate on 24 October that it would not oppose an agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council on the institutions to be designated under Article 37 of this Decision. The inclusion of CIFE is therefore accepted by the Commission.

The Commission notes that the equivalent of the financial envelope of EUR 6.2 billion in 2004 prices referred to in the common position (Article 14) is EUR 6.97 billion in current prices.

COM(2006)0467
EUR-Lex

The Council's common position remains broadly consistent with the Commission's original proposal, although a significant number of EP amendments were incorporated into the text and a number of technical adjustments - chiefly concerning implementation procedures - were made following the downward revision of the overall financial envelope for the Programme. The revised allocation of EUR 6.2 billion (at 2004 prices - i.e. EUR 6.97 billion at current prices) was agreed by the three institutions in the context of the Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Framework for 2007-2013.

New elements contained in the common position as compared to the Commission proposal

Despite a smaller overall financial allocation than anticipated, the overall objectives of the Programme remain intact and the principle of quantified targets for each of the sub-programmes has been maintained. There is also scope within the Programme to expand the number and type of projects covered in the event of any future increase in funding.

The Council has also:

- sought to strike the right balance between projects under the various sub-programmes, slightly increasing the emphasis placed on adult education in response to current employment and demographic trends. As a result, the minimum allocation for the Grundtvig Programme rises to 4% ;

- endeavoured both to simplify administrative procedures for project applicants and to ensure that a larger proportion of projects are selected and managed by the national agencies themselves, by extending the decentralised approach from Leonardo da Vinci pilot projects to Comenius, Erasmus and Grundtvig;

- re-introduced a management committee procedure for individual selection decisions on projects and networks with a total Community contribution exceeding EUR 1 million, and for the 'Policy Development' key activity of the Transversal programme.

- restructured and simplified many parts of the original proposal, one example being the amalgamation of the implementation articles for each of the sub-programmes into a single article (9). A number of drafting improvements have also been made for greater clarity;

- given detailed consideration to the definitions contained in Article 2, has incorporated specific references to the need for quality, high performance and innovation and has endeavoured to ensure effective monitoring and the availability of comparable data as a means of underpinning lifelong learning policy development in general;

- in keeping with the EP's opinion, sought to increase mobility, in particular for vocational trainees, to promote inter-regional cooperation through crossborder mobility and partnerships and to enhance the exchange of best practices;

- acceded to the EP's request to include two more designated bodies - the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education in Middelfart (Denmark), and the International Centre for European Training in Nice (France).

European Parliament amendments

Although the Council was able to accept a considerable number of the European Parliament's amendments in full or in part, a certain number failed to be incorporated. They are as follows:

§ in the light of the Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Framework, the Council rejected the amendment which concerns the overall budget as well those containing quantative targets which had to be revised. The Council was also unable to accept the Parliament's proposal on the indicative budget breakdown for the four main subprogrammes, as set out in Annex B.11, its final position remained close to that of the EP;

§ a number of amendments were rejected on the grounds that their content was covered by recitals or other provisions of the legislative text, while references to disparities between the various EU education systems or to the convergence of those systems were rejected on the grounds of subsidiarity. The amendment on the interaction between enterprises, higher education establishments and scientists was seen as referring more to a means of achieving an objective rather than an objective in itself, while another amendment was considered inappropriate in view of the Decision's legal basis;

§ the amendment on the learning of second or additional foreign languages was rejected on the grounds that it was too far-reaching for some Member States, while the amendment concerning the accreditation of prior experience was considered to be inappropriate for the Grundtvig programme.

Finally, since the Council could only agree to the inclusion of two of the four additional designated bodies requested by the EP.

06237/3/2006
OJ C 251 17.10.2006, p. 0037-0061 E

The Council's common position remains broadly consistent with the Commission's original proposal, although a significant number of EP amendments were incorporated into the text and a number of technical adjustments - chiefly concerning implementation procedures - were made following the downward revision of the overall financial envelope for the Programme. The revised allocation of EUR 6.2 billion (at 2004 prices - i.e. EUR 6.97 billion at current prices) was agreed by the three institutions in the context of the Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Framework for 2007-2013.

New elements contained in the common position as compared to the Commission proposal

Despite a smaller overall financial allocation than anticipated, the overall objectives of the Programme remain intact and the principle of quantified targets for each of the sub-programmes has been maintained. There is also scope within the Programme to expand the number and type of projects covered in the event of any future increase in funding.

The Council has also:

- sought to strike the right balance between projects under the various sub-programmes, slightly increasing the emphasis placed on adult education in response to current employment and demographic trends. As a result, the minimum allocation for the Grundtvig Programme rises to 4% ;

- endeavoured both to simplify administrative procedures for project applicants and to ensure that a larger proportion of projects are selected and managed by the national agencies themselves, by extending the decentralised approach from Leonardo da Vinci pilot projects to Comenius, Erasmus and Grundtvig;

- re-introduced a management committee procedure for individual selection decisions on projects and networks with a total Community contribution exceeding EUR 1 million, and for the 'Policy Development' key activity of the Transversal programme.

- restructured and simplified many parts of the original proposal, one example being the amalgamation of the implementation articles for each of the sub-programmes into a single article (9). A number of drafting improvements have also been made for greater clarity;

- given detailed consideration to the definitions contained in Article 2, has incorporated specific references to the need for quality, high performance and innovation and has endeavoured to ensure effective monitoring and the availability of comparable data as a means of underpinning lifelong learning policy development in general;

- in keeping with the EP's opinion, sought to increase mobility, in particular for vocational trainees, to promote inter-regional cooperation through crossborder mobility and partnerships and to enhance the exchange of best practices;

- acceded to the EP's request to include two more designated bodies - the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education in Middelfart (Denmark), and the International Centre for European Training in Nice (France).

European Parliament amendments

Although the Council was able to accept a considerable number of the European Parliament's amendments in full or in part, a certain number failed to be incorporated. They are as follows:

§ in the light of the Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Framework, the Council rejected the amendment which concerns the overall budget as well those containing quantative targets which had to be revised. The Council was also unable to accept the Parliament's proposal on the indicative budget breakdown for the four main subprogrammes, as set out in Annex B.11, its final position remained close to that of the EP;

§ a number of amendments were rejected on the grounds that their content was covered by recitals or other provisions of the legislative text, while references to disparities between the various EU education systems or to the convergence of those systems were rejected on the grounds of subsidiarity. The amendment on the interaction between enterprises, higher education establishments and scientists was seen as referring more to a means of achieving an objective rather than an objective in itself, while another amendment was considered inappropriate in view of the Decision's legal basis;

§ the amendment on the learning of second or additional foreign languages was rejected on the grounds that it was too far-reaching for some Member States, while the amendment concerning the accreditation of prior experience was considered to be inappropriate for the Grundtvig programme.

Finally, since the Council could only agree to the inclusion of two of the four additional designated bodies requested by the EP.

06237/3/2006

11295/2006

Package of legislative proposals following the Interinstitutional Agreement on

budgetary discipline and sound financial management

The conclusion on 17 May 2006 by the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament of the agreement on the 2007-2013 financial framework (Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management – please refer to procedure ACI/2004/2099 ) marks a real success for Europe, providing a stable financial framework for the political priorities of the enlarged Union for the next seven years. It is now up to the institutions and Member States to ensure that the financial resources available are used and implemented as well as possible. Action at European level must contribute true added value to that taken at national, regional or local level and must have an optimum impact on each European player. The Commission is ready to play a full role in all these areas.

The agreement marks a decisive step forward towards the ultimate objective of providing the Union with operational programmes by the beginning of 2007. Work must now be continued on each legislative act. To this end, the Commission intends to continue to provide momentum and act as a facilitator, as it has been doing since the start of the negotiations.

As part of the negotiations on the 2007-2013 financial framework, in October 2005 the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission adopted a joint declaration in which they undertook to continue work on the legislative proposals currently being discussed and then, once the interinstitutional agreement had been adopted and on the basis of amended proposals by the Commission, to reach agreement on each of these proposals. Thus, in accordance with Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty and in order to facilitate this phase for each legislative act, the Commission has adopted a total of 30 proposals, 26 of which are amended and 4 new.

The proposals amended as a result of the IIA are as follows:

Programmes concerning the external policy of the Union and development cooperation:

Ø COD/2004/0219 ( European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument )

Ø COD/2004/0220 ( development co-operation and economic co-operation instrument )

Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows Programme (JHA):

Ø COD/2005/0046 (European Refugee Fund)

Ø COD/2005/0047 ( External borders fund, 2007-2013 )

Ø COD/2005/0049 ( European Return Fund )

Fundamental Rights and Justice Programme (JHA):

Ø COD/2005/0037/A (DAPHNE )

Ø COD/2005/0037/B ( drugs prevention and information )

RDT Framework Programme and specific programmes :

Ø COD/2005/0043 ( RDT Framework Programme )

Ø CNS/2005/0044 (Nuclear Research Programme )

Ø CNS/2005/0184 ( Joint Research Centre - JRC )

Ø CNS/2005/0185 ( Transnational cooperation specific programme )

Ø CNS/2005/0186 ( Specific programme Ideas, frontier research )

Ø CNS/2005/0187 (S pecific programme supporting researchers )

Ø CNS/2005/0188 ( RDT Capacities specific programme )

Ø CNS/2005/0189 ( specific programme direct actions by the Joint Research Centre JRC )

Ø CNS/2005/0190 ( fusion energy, nuclear fission and radiation protection specific programme)

Employment and social cohesion Programme: COD/2004/0158

Programmes in the fields of youth and education:

Ø COD/2004/0152 ( Youth )

Ø COD/2004/0153 ( Education – lifelong learning )

Consumer Protection and Public Health Framework programme:

Ø COD/2005/0042/A ( Public health )

Ø COD/2005/0042/B ( Consumers )

Programme in the fields of energy, environment and transport :

Ø COD/2004/0218 ( LIFE+)

Ø COD/2004/0154 ( TransEuropean networks in the areas of energy and transport )

Ø CNS/2004/0221 ( Decommissioning of the Bohunice nuclear plant )

GALILEO ( radio-navigation by satellite ): COD/2004/0156

In terms of new proposals , the Commission has already submitted three in the area of agriculture and rural development policy and fisheries and aquaculture policy:

Ø CNS/2006/0081 ( fisheries and aquaculture )

Ø CNS/2006/0082 ( rural development )

Ø CNS/2006/0083 ( common agricultural policy ).

Certain legislative acts do not form part of this package of measures, in particular those on which political agreement has been reached since 17 May. For these measures, the Commission has played a full part in helping to bring about agreement between the arms of the legislative authority. The same applies to the acts for which conclusion of the interinstitutional agreement does not modify the Commission’s original proposal. For all the others, which are included in the package presented, the changes proposed by the Commission take account of the content of the interinstitutional agreement adopted, either in a simplified form, where the financial resources allocated to each programme must be adapted, or in a more detailed form where the structure or even the content of the act must be revised. It should also be noted that four of the amended proposals contain amendments already voted on by the European Parliament at first reading and that one proposal has been divided into two amended proposals in response to a request by the Council and the European Parliament, although Parliament has not yet proceeded to a first reading of this proposal.

Based on these amended proposals, the Commission calls on the European Parliament and the Council to continue their discussions of these proposals and conclude them as soon as possible in order to ensure that all the legal instruments are available in time for the effective launch of the programmes in January 2007.

COM(2006)0239
EUR-Lex

The Commission’s revised proposal integrates the European Parliament amendments presented at 1 st reading, new measures following the Council’s partial political agreement as well as budgetary amendments following the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 17 May 2006 on the financial framework 2007-2013.

1) European Parliament amendments accepted in the revised proposal

The revised proposal incorporates either verbatim or in substance 42 of the 71 amendments voted by the European Parliament at First Reading. The great majority of these amendments improve the drafting of the draft Decision, by incorporating references to relevant policies or processes.

The following accepted amendments make more substantial changes relating directly to the content or implementation of the programme:

- introduce the new “Comenius-Regio” action;

- introduces the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education into the list of designated institutions to receive operating grants. This agency fulfils the criteria adopted by the Commission for the construction of the list: institutions in the field of the programme which have intergovernmental systems of governance and/or funding;

- interpreting the Financial Regulation to permit simpler and more flexible programme implementation arrangements than are possible under the existing generation of Community programmes in particular as suggested by the Commission at the time of its original proposal.

2) Council amendments following its partial political agreement: the Commission proposal contains two substantive amendments included in the Council’s text:

§ the re-introduction in Article 9 of consultation of the programme committee on individual selection decisions for projects and networks where the grant proposed exceeds EUR 1 million, and for the “Policy Development” Key Activity of the Transversal Programme;

§ the extension of a decentralised project approach from Leonardo da Vinci pilot projects, to Comenius, Erasmus and Grundtvig.

In line with the Council’s text, the Commission’s revised proposal replaces the term “integrated programme” with “Lifelong Learning Programme” throughout, and replaces the term “specific programmes” with “sub-programmes” to refer to the component programmes within it. Following the Council’s text, it also makes a number of structural changes which clarify the architecture of the Decision:

§ former Article 3 “Definitions” (new Article 2) is moved to come before former Article 2 “Specific Programmes” (now Article 3 “Sub-Programmes”);

§ the specific objectives relating to each sub-programme are moved from former Article 2 to the respective “Objectives” Articles of each sub-programme, where they precede the operational objectives;

§ Article 9 covers the “implementing measures” for the entire programme and its sub-programmes, regrouping material previously included in additional “implementing measures” Articles under each sub-programme, which have consequently been removed;

§ former Article 13 “Joint Actions” has been deleted, and replaced by specific reference in new Article 13 to complementarity with relevant Community policies.

The Commission’s revised proposal follows the text of the Council’s Partial Political Agreement, except:

§ for provisions referring directly or indirectly to the programme budget envelope. These were excluded from the Council’s text pending agreement on the financial framework for the EU budget;

§ for EP amendments, accepted by the Commission, which introduce the Comenius-Regio action and the Agency for Development in Special Needs Education.

3) New budgetary approach following the IIA on the financial framework 2007-2013

3.1 Main budgetary amendments : the original budget proposed was EUR 13.6 billion (EUR 12.0 billion in 2004 prices). Following the Interinstitutional Agreement on the financial framework 2007-2013, the programme budget has been considerably reduced to EUR 6.97 billion (EUR 6.2 billion in 2004 prices). The quantified targets set out in the Decision have been amended accordingly.

The Commission is of the opinion that the funds available are insufficient to permit many new activities included in the Commission proposal to be introduced, with the exception of mobility for upper secondary pupils in Comenius, which is planned to be launched on a relatively small scale during the lifetime of the new programme, and the assistantships and adult learner mobility actions in Grundtvig. As a complement to this, the Commission proposes also to introduce the “Comenius-Regio” scheme proposed by the European Parliament, another relatively small-scale action aimed at reinforcing cross-border teacher cooperation in frontier regions. The Commission has, however, retained references in the programme Decision to all the new activities originally proposed, although without any corresponding budget allocation at this stage, to leave open the possibility for them to be introduced before 2013 should funds be available, either through re-allocations of the existing programme budget, or following a revision of the overall financial framework.

The minimum allocations set out in Point B.10 of the Annex to the Decision for each of the four sectoral programmes have also had to be revised to reflect the reduction in the budget envelope.

3.2 Commission amendments

§ the Commission has introduced a new Recital (Recital 19), which refers to a new and significantly simpler system for supporting National Agency operating costs, through lump sum funding included in the agreement distributing the decentralised funds, rather than as a series of separate operating grant agreements;

§ following the partial agreement by the Council, the operation of a fully decentralised project management system in the four sectoral sub-programmes would require a budget increase of at least an additional EUR 500 million, because each Member State would need to receive a budget allocation that made it worthwhile organising a call for proposals and selection – i.e. they would need to have enough money to be able to fund a reasonable number of projects at the end of the process. Given the substantial budget reduction, this level of funding is available only in Leonardo, so it is unavoidable that the project management approach has to be amended. The Commission has therefore revised the “ National Agency 2 ” procedure set out in Point A.1.2 of the Annex, whereby the application and selection process is managed centrally, with involvement of Member State experts at the quality evaluation stage, and the funds are then devolved to the National Agencies of the selected project coordinators, who manage the remainder of the process;

§ the Commission has introduced a new Point B.5 into the Annex, permitting the use of partnership grant agreements, which could be selected and funded for a four-year period, subject to a lightweight renewal procedure.

COM(2006)0236
EUR-Lex

The Commission’s revised proposal integrates the European Parliament amendments presented at 1 st reading, new measures following the Council’s partial political agreement as well as budgetary amendments following the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 17 May 2006 on the financial framework 2007-2013.

1) European Parliament amendments accepted in the revised proposal

The revised proposal incorporates either verbatim or in substance 42 of the 71 amendments voted by the European Parliament at First Reading. The great majority of these amendments improve the drafting of the draft Decision, by incorporating references to relevant policies or processes.

The following accepted amendments make more substantial changes relating directly to the content or implementation of the programme:

- introduce the new “Comenius-Regio” action;

- introduces the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education into the list of designated institutions to receive operating grants. This agency fulfils the criteria adopted by the Commission for the construction of the list: institutions in the field of the programme which have intergovernmental systems of governance and/or funding;

- interpreting the Financial Regulation to permit simpler and more flexible programme implementation arrangements than are possible under the existing generation of Community programmes in particular as suggested by the Commission at the time of its original proposal.

2) Council amendments following its partial political agreement: the Commission proposal contains two substantive amendments included in the Council’s text:

§ the re-introduction in Article 9 of consultation of the programme committee on individual selection decisions for projects and networks where the grant proposed exceeds EUR 1 million, and for the “Policy Development” Key Activity of the Transversal Programme;

§ the extension of a decentralised project approach from Leonardo da Vinci pilot projects, to Comenius, Erasmus and Grundtvig.

In line with the Council’s text, the Commission’s revised proposal replaces the term “integrated programme” with “Lifelong Learning Programme” throughout, and replaces the term “specific programmes” with “sub-programmes” to refer to the component programmes within it. Following the Council’s text, it also makes a number of structural changes which clarify the architecture of the Decision:

§ former Article 3 “Definitions” (new Article 2) is moved to come before former Article 2 “Specific Programmes” (now Article 3 “Sub-Programmes”);

§ the specific objectives relating to each sub-programme are moved from former Article 2 to the respective “Objectives” Articles of each sub-programme, where they precede the operational objectives;

§ Article 9 covers the “implementing measures” for the entire programme and its sub-programmes, regrouping material previously included in additional “implementing measures” Articles under each sub-programme, which have consequently been removed;

§ former Article 13 “Joint Actions” has been deleted, and replaced by specific reference in new Article 13 to complementarity with relevant Community policies.

The Commission’s revised proposal follows the text of the Council’s Partial Political Agreement, except:

§ for provisions referring directly or indirectly to the programme budget envelope. These were excluded from the Council’s text pending agreement on the financial framework for the EU budget;

§ for EP amendments, accepted by the Commission, which introduce the Comenius-Regio action and the Agency for Development in Special Needs Education.

3) New budgetary approach following the IIA on the financial framework 2007-2013

3.1 Main budgetary amendments : the original budget proposed was EUR 13.6 billion (EUR 12.0 billion in 2004 prices). Following the Interinstitutional Agreement on the financial framework 2007-2013, the programme budget has been considerably reduced to EUR 6.97 billion (EUR 6.2 billion in 2004 prices). The quantified targets set out in the Decision have been amended accordingly.

The Commission is of the opinion that the funds available are insufficient to permit many new activities included in the Commission proposal to be introduced, with the exception of mobility for upper secondary pupils in Comenius, which is planned to be launched on a relatively small scale during the lifetime of the new programme, and the assistantships and adult learner mobility actions in Grundtvig. As a complement to this, the Commission proposes also to introduce the “Comenius-Regio” scheme proposed by the European Parliament, another relatively small-scale action aimed at reinforcing cross-border teacher cooperation in frontier regions. The Commission has, however, retained references in the programme Decision to all the new activities originally proposed, although without any corresponding budget allocation at this stage, to leave open the possibility for them to be introduced before 2013 should funds be available, either through re-allocations of the existing programme budget, or following a revision of the overall financial framework.

The minimum allocations set out in Point B.10 of the Annex to the Decision for each of the four sectoral programmes have also had to be revised to reflect the reduction in the budget envelope.

3.2 Commission amendments

§ the Commission has introduced a new Recital (Recital 19), which refers to a new and significantly simpler system for supporting National Agency operating costs, through lump sum funding included in the agreement distributing the decentralised funds, rather than as a series of separate operating grant agreements;

§ following the partial agreement by the Council, the operation of a fully decentralised project management system in the four sectoral sub-programmes would require a budget increase of at least an additional EUR 500 million, because each Member State would need to receive a budget allocation that made it worthwhile organising a call for proposals and selection – i.e. they would need to have enough money to be able to fund a reasonable number of projects at the end of the process. Given the substantial budget reduction, this level of funding is available only in Leonardo, so it is unavoidable that the project management approach has to be amended. The Commission has therefore revised the “ National Agency 2 ” procedure set out in Point A.1.2 of the Annex, whereby the application and selection process is managed centrally, with involvement of Member State experts at the quality evaluation stage, and the funds are then devolved to the National Agencies of the selected project coordinators, who manage the remainder of the process;

§ the Commission has introduced a new Point B.5 into the Annex, permitting the use of partnership grant agreements, which could be selected and funded for a four-year period, subject to a lightweight renewal procedure.

COM(2006)0236
EUR-Lex

The Council held an exchange of views on the financial aspects of the Lifelong Learning programmes, taking account of the draft financial perspective (2007-2013) as well as the Commission’s amended proposal.

The new integrated programme will be made up of four sub-programmes, which already exist within the current Socrates programme. They are Comenius (school education); Erasmus (higher education); Leonardo da Vinci (vocational education and training); and the Grundtvig (adult education). The programme seeks to contribute to the development of an EU knowledge-based society, which would allow for better jobs, greater social cohesions as well as greater educational mobility.

Following an inter-institutional dialogue on 4 April 2006 regarding the 2007-2013 financial perspective, the budget allocation for the Lifelong Learning programme now stands at EUR 6 970 million (in cash prices) compared to the EUR 13 620 million originally proposed by the European Commission.

Having been invited to express their views on the use of the financial resources and in particular the relative importance attached to each of the four sub-programmes, the delegations expressed broad agreement on the proposal tabled by the Commission. The Council underlined the importance that needs to be given to adult learning (Grundtvig) and to mobility – notably that of teachers and researchers under the Leonardo programme.

As a reminder, the European Parliament following its first reading of the proposed programme in October 2005, tabled a large number of amendments, which have been incorporated into the text either in whole, in part or in essence.

2729

The Council reached a partial political agreement on a decision establishing the life long learning programme, which is aimed at providing financial support for the European education sector for the period 2007-2013.

It is recalled that the new integrated programme will comprise four sub-programmes already existing within the current Socrates programme: Comenius (school education); Erasmus (higher education); Leonardo da Vinci, (vocational education and training); Grundtvig (adult education). It will also include a “transversal” programme incorporating four key activities (policy development, language learning, innovative approaches and dissemination of project results), plus a Jean Monnet programme to support action related to European integration and European institutions and associations. A single programme should permit greater synergies between the different fields of action as well as more coherent, streamlined and efficient modes of action.

Regarding the questions that were still to be solved (making project selection subject to the committee procedure and the possibility for ministries to act as agencies), it was decided to:

-accept a Presidency compromise whereby centralised projects for which the Community support proposed exceeded EUR 1 million would be subject to the management procedure;

-endorse the provision in the Commission proposal which prevents ministries from acting as national agencies.

The "partial" nature of this agreement is due to the fact that the budgetary aspects have been excluded pending the outcome of the discussions on the future Community financial framework (Financial Perspective 2007/2013). It is therefore expected that this item will return to the (Education, Youth and Culture) Council's agenda at some future date in order to finalise the budget and its final breakdown aspects.

2689

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Doris PACK (EPP-ED, DE) by 549 votes in favour to 47 against with 23 abstentions and made several amendments to the Commission’s proposal. Parliament increased the programme’s multiannual budget from EUR 13.62 million to EUR 14 377 million. It also made adjustments to the budget share to be allocated to the sectoral programmes: for Comenius this was increased from 10%, as originally proposed, to 12%; for Erasmus it was increased slightly from 40% to 41%; while for Leonardo Da Vinci it was reduced from 25% to 23%. The proposed 3% share for Grundtvig was left unchanged.

In addition:

-Parliament increased the participation of pupils and teachers in the Comenius sub-programme, which is designed for schools, from 1 in 20 pupils to 1 to 15. Parliament also suggests a new sub-programme called Comenius-Regio to promote cross-border individual mobility of pupils and teachers, especially between adjacent regions. It should involve some 10 000 pupils and 10 000 teachers.

-There is an increase in the monthly standard grant from EUR 210 in 2007 to EUR 300 in 2013, as compared to the Commission's figures of EUR 200 and EUR 250, respectively.

-Several amendments focused on the specific objectives of the programme: the need to promote the convergence of Member States’ education systems towards higher quality standards; encouraging interaction between education and business; the need to contribute to intercultural dialogue; emphasis on linguistic diversity, respect for human rights and democracy in the implementation of the programme; improving access to the programme for less-favoured persons and groups.

-A new clause states that the Commission will provide the national agencies with criteria which they shall follow with regard to selection and award procedures, as well as contract, payment and audit arrangements, for the funds they manage. These criteria must take into account the size of the grants made; where grants amount to less than EUR 25 000 they will provide for simplified systems at all stages involving applicants or beneficiaries. They will enable national agencies to determine and limit the detail required from applicants for grants and to issue contracts following the award of grants on a simplified basis including only the following elements: the contracting parties; the duration of the contract, which shall be the period of eligibility of the expenditure; the maximum amount of funding awarded; a summary description of the action involved; reporting and audit access requirements.

-Flat rate grants may be used up to a maximum of EUR 25 000 per grant. They may be combined up to a maximum of EUR 100 000 or used in conjunction with scales of unit costs.

-All schools and higher education institutions specified by Member States, and all learning providers who have received more than 50% of their annual revenues from public sources over the previous two years, or who are controlled by public bodies or their representatives, shall be treated by the Commission as having the necessary financial, professional and administrative capacity, together with the necessary financial stability, to carry out projects under this programme; they shall not be required to produce further documentation to demonstrate this.

-Finally, a new clause states that, In accordance with the principle of proportionality, certification and reporting requirements will be kept to the appropriate minimum necessary level.

T6-0395/2005
OJ C 272 09.11.2006, p. 0016-0078 E

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Doris PACK (EPP-ED, DE) by 549 votes in favour to 47 against with 23 abstentions and made several amendments to the Commission’s proposal. Parliament increased the programme’s multiannual budget from EUR 13.62 million to EUR 14 377 million. It also made adjustments to the budget share to be allocated to the sectoral programmes: for Comenius this was increased from 10%, as originally proposed, to 12%; for Erasmus it was increased slightly from 40% to 41%; while for Leonardo Da Vinci it was reduced from 25% to 23%. The proposed 3% share for Grundtvig was left unchanged.

In addition:

-Parliament increased the participation of pupils and teachers in the Comenius sub-programme, which is designed for schools, from 1 in 20 pupils to 1 to 15. Parliament also suggests a new sub-programme called Comenius-Regio to promote cross-border individual mobility of pupils and teachers, especially between adjacent regions. It should involve some 10 000 pupils and 10 000 teachers.

-There is an increase in the monthly standard grant from EUR 210 in 2007 to EUR 300 in 2013, as compared to the Commission's figures of EUR 200 and EUR 250, respectively.

-Several amendments focused on the specific objectives of the programme: the need to promote the convergence of Member States’ education systems towards higher quality standards; encouraging interaction between education and business; the need to contribute to intercultural dialogue; emphasis on linguistic diversity, respect for human rights and democracy in the implementation of the programme; improving access to the programme for less-favoured persons and groups.

-A new clause states that the Commission will provide the national agencies with criteria which they shall follow with regard to selection and award procedures, as well as contract, payment and audit arrangements, for the funds they manage. These criteria must take into account the size of the grants made; where grants amount to less than EUR 25 000 they will provide for simplified systems at all stages involving applicants or beneficiaries. They will enable national agencies to determine and limit the detail required from applicants for grants and to issue contracts following the award of grants on a simplified basis including only the following elements: the contracting parties; the duration of the contract, which shall be the period of eligibility of the expenditure; the maximum amount of funding awarded; a summary description of the action involved; reporting and audit access requirements.

-Flat rate grants may be used up to a maximum of EUR 25 000 per grant. They may be combined up to a maximum of EUR 100 000 or used in conjunction with scales of unit costs.

-All schools and higher education institutions specified by Member States, and all learning providers who have received more than 50% of their annual revenues from public sources over the previous two years, or who are controlled by public bodies or their representatives, shall be treated by the Commission as having the necessary financial, professional and administrative capacity, together with the necessary financial stability, to carry out projects under this programme; they shall not be required to produce further documentation to demonstrate this.

-Finally, a new clause states that, In accordance with the principle of proportionality, certification and reporting requirements will be kept to the appropriate minimum necessary level.

T6-0395/2005

Debate in Parliament

A6-0267/2005

A6-0267/2005

The committee adopted the report by Doris PACK ( EPP-ED , DE ) amending the Commission’s proposal at first reading (codecision). MEPs felt it was important to assign new ambitious objectives for the programme, as well as appropriate financial reference amounts. Accordingly, they increased the programme’s multiannual budget from EUR 13.62 million to EUR 14.6 million, and made adjustments to the budget share to be allocated to the sectoral programmes: for Comenius this was increased from 10%, as originally proposed, to 12%; for Erasmus it was increased slightly from 40% to 41%; while for Leonardo Da Vinci it was reduced from 25% to 23%. The proposed 3% share for Grundtvig was left unchanged.

Other amendments focused on the specific objectives of the programme:

the need to promote the convergence of Member States’ education systems towards higher quality standards; encouraging interaction between education and business; the need to contribute to intercultural dialogue; emphasis on linguistic diversity, respect for human rights and democracy in the implementation of the programme; improving access to the programme for less-favoured persons and groups.

The committee stressed the importance it attributed to the mobility dimension of the programme and therefore increased the amounts earmarked for this purpose in the ERASMUS programme: a standard student grant of EUR 210/month in 2007, rising to EUR 300/month in 2013, as opposed to the Commission's proposal of EUR 200/month and EUR 250/month respectively. In other amendments, it wanted the Comenius programme to involve 1 pupil in 15 (rather than 1 pupil in 20) in joint educational activities between 2007 and 2013 and to develop partnerships not only between schools, as proposed, but also between "organisations responsible for any aspect of school education, with a view to fostering regional cooperation ('Comenius-Regio partnerships'). Lastly, MEPs amended the text in a number of places with the aim of simplifying the programme’s management, in line with the principle of proportionality.

PE359.937

PE357.639

PE357.697

PE353.352

CDR0258/2004
OJ C 164 05.07.2005, p. 0059-0064

CES0139/2005
OJ C 221 08.09.2005, p. 0134-0140

PE350.236

PE349.883

2616

PURPOSE: to establish an integrated programme for Community action in the field of lifelong learning from 2007-2013.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: this integrated lifelong learning programme builds on the current Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes, the eLearning programme, the Europass initiative, and the various actions funded through the Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level and to support specific activities in the fields of education and training. In addition, the Erasmus Mundus programme, which runs to 2008, will be incorporated as an additional programme within the Integrated Programme from 2009.

This restructuring responds to the need to reinforce the strengths and address the perceived discontinuities and lack of synergy resulting from the current more fragmented programme design, as revealed by interim evaluations of Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci, and by the public consultation on the options for the new generation of programmes.

The general objective of the Integrated Programme is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, while ensuring good protection of the environment for future generations. In particular, it aims to foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference.

The Programme has nine specific objectives, including the promotion of language learning and linguistic diversity, and the reinforcement of the role of lifelong learning in creating a sense of European citizenship and encouraging tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures. These objectives will be pursued through the implementation of four sectoral programmes, one transversal programme, and the Jean Monnet programme (‘the Specific Programmes'.) The provisions relating to the Integrated Programme will also govern the Specific Programmes, to which specific provisions also apply.

The sectoral programmes comprise the following:

Comenius, for general education activities concerning schools up to and including upper secondary level; Erasmus, for education and advanced training activities at higher education level; Leonardo da Vinci, for all other aspects of vocational education and training; Grundtvig for adult education.

The transversal programme incorporates four key activities and makes specific provision for language learning and ICT-related activity where these fall outside the specific programmes.

The Jean Monnet programme supports action related to European integration and European institutions and associations in education and training.

The integrated approach is designed on the one hand to preserve essential continuity with past experience, hence an architecture based on the main types of education and training provision found in all Member States and retention of the established programme names, and on the other to increase the coherence and synergy between all its constituent parts, so as to permit a greater and more flexible range of actions to be supported more efficiently. The Integrated Programme will therefore comprise common actions and procedures across all its parts, and a single programme committee to ensure overall coherence.

The new quantified targets are as follows:

- 1 in 20 school pupils involved in Comenius actions 2007 – 2013;

- 3 million Erasmus students by 2011;

- 150,000 Leonardo placements by 2013;

- 25,000 Grundtvig mobilities by 2013.

The Commission views such ambitious targets as essential to make the new programme an adequate instrument to support the achievement of the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.

The proposed indicative financial amount is set at EUR 13.620 billion for the 7 years of the programme.

The draft decision proposes that the following activities should be administered via National Agencies: mobility, small-scale partnerships between institutions, transfer of innovation projects in the field of vocational education and training, and some work on the dissemination and exploitation of results.

The Decision will be implemented over the period from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013. However, preparatory measures may be implemented as from the date of entry into force.

For a more detailed assessment of the budgetary implications of this proposal, please refer to the financial statement.

COM(2004)0474
EUR-Lex

SEC(2004)0971
EUR-Lex

PURPOSE: to establish an integrated programme for Community action in the field of lifelong learning from 2007-2013.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: this integrated lifelong learning programme builds on the current Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes, the eLearning programme, the Europass initiative, and the various actions funded through the Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level and to support specific activities in the fields of education and training. In addition, the Erasmus Mundus programme, which runs to 2008, will be incorporated as an additional programme within the Integrated Programme from 2009.

This restructuring responds to the need to reinforce the strengths and address the perceived discontinuities and lack of synergy resulting from the current more fragmented programme design, as revealed by interim evaluations of Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci, and by the public consultation on the options for the new generation of programmes.

The general objective of the Integrated Programme is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, while ensuring good protection of the environment for future generations. In particular, it aims to foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference.

The Programme has nine specific objectives, including the promotion of language learning and linguistic diversity, and the reinforcement of the role of lifelong learning in creating a sense of European citizenship and encouraging tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures. These objectives will be pursued through the implementation of four sectoral programmes, one transversal programme, and the Jean Monnet programme (‘the Specific Programmes'.) The provisions relating to the Integrated Programme will also govern the Specific Programmes, to which specific provisions also apply.

The sectoral programmes comprise the following:

Comenius, for general education activities concerning schools up to and including upper secondary level; Erasmus, for education and advanced training activities at higher education level; Leonardo da Vinci, for all other aspects of vocational education and training; Grundtvig for adult education.

The transversal programme incorporates four key activities and makes specific provision for language learning and ICT-related activity where these fall outside the specific programmes.

The Jean Monnet programme supports action related to European integration and European institutions and associations in education and training.

The integrated approach is designed on the one hand to preserve essential continuity with past experience, hence an architecture based on the main types of education and training provision found in all Member States and retention of the established programme names, and on the other to increase the coherence and synergy between all its constituent parts, so as to permit a greater and more flexible range of actions to be supported more efficiently. The Integrated Programme will therefore comprise common actions and procedures across all its parts, and a single programme committee to ensure overall coherence.

The new quantified targets are as follows:

- 1 in 20 school pupils involved in Comenius actions 2007 – 2013;

- 3 million Erasmus students by 2011;

- 150,000 Leonardo placements by 2013;

- 25,000 Grundtvig mobilities by 2013.

The Commission views such ambitious targets as essential to make the new programme an adequate instrument to support the achievement of the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.

The proposed indicative financial amount is set at EUR 13.620 billion for the 7 years of the programme.

The draft decision proposes that the following activities should be administered via National Agencies: mobility, small-scale partnerships between institutions, transfer of innovation projects in the field of vocational education and training, and some work on the dissemination and exploitation of results.

The Decision will be implemented over the period from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013. However, preparatory measures may be implemented as from the date of entry into force.

For a more detailed assessment of the budgetary implications of this proposal, please refer to the financial statement.

COM(2004)0474
EUR-Lex