In accordance with the Decision N° 1904/2006/EC, and building on the conclusions of an external ex post evaluation, this report from the Commission offers an overview of the implementation, results and overall assessment of the 'Europe for citizens' programme 2007-2013 (EFCP).

To recall, the 'Europe for citizens' programme was established in December 2006 for a period of seven years (from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013). The programme was seen as an initial step towards a more coherent strategy and policy in the area of civic participation. It was designed to support a wide range of activities and organisations promoting active citizenship through the involvement of individual citizens, local authorities and civil society organisations in the process of European integration.

Key activities and implementation of the programme : the EFCP provided financial support for a wide range of activities, which were grouped under four actions:

Action 1: Active citizens for Europe : This measure offered funds for organising town citizens’ meetings and networks of twinned towns, as well as citizens’ projects of a trans-national and cross-sectorial dimension. These activities were all aimed at strengthening mutual knowledge and understanding between citizens from different municipalities and cultures. Action 2: Active civil society in Europe: this provided structural support for European think tanks and civil society organisations and for projects initiated by civil society organisations. Action 3: Together for Europe : supported (i) high visibility events aiming to make European citizens aware of European history and of the EU's achievements and values; (ii) studies to provide a better understanding of active citizenship at European level, and information provided through an internet website; (iii) the establishment of 28 'Europe for Citizens' Contact Points, out of which 22 received operating grants from the European Commission. Action 4: Active European Remembrance : this measure offered funds for projects commemorating the victims of mass extermination and deportations as well as for preserving remembrance sites, memorials and archives.

Budget : the financial envelope for the EFCP's implementation from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 was EUR 215 million :

EUR 78.280 million were granted to towns and municipalities through both types of twinning projects, EUR 14.203 million were spent on remembrance projects, EUR 35.077 million on civil society and citizens' projects, EUR 49.935 million were granted as structural support to think tanks and European civil society organisations.

Applications and participants : over the 2007-2013 period, almost 20 000 grant applications were submitted. The programme saw a steady growth in the number of applications of more than 45 % between 2007 and 2013. The lion's share of applications concerned town twinning.

Germany was the Member State introducing the greatest number of projects (2 791), followed by France (2 537), Hungary (2 434), Italy (2 265) and Poland (1 219). In 2007, these five countries represented more than 70% of the projects submitted. In 2013, that share was 54 %.

Over the years, the projects submitted involved a growing number of participants . Overall, the total number of direct project participants increased from 700 000 in 2007 to 1 175 000 in 2013.

Over the 2007-2013 period, the 'Europe for Citizens' programme had approximately 7 million direct participants. The programme reached almost 25 000 towns and cities in Europe and created 350 networks of towns and cities around common issues. 4 250 civil society organisations were mobilised to meet citizens' concerns. More than 500 organisations were involved in remembrance activities vis-à-vis citizens.

Conclusion : the report concludes that the Europe for Citizens Programme 2007-2013 triggered a lot of interest amongst citizens, as the steady growth in number of applications clearly shows. Citizens are eager to take part in discussions and to have their say in EU policies that affect their daily lives.

Even if the long-term impact of the EFCP is difficult to assess, the programme effectively fostered civic participation and democratic engagement and reached large numbers of citizens who otherwise would not have been engaged with the European project.

As the only EU programme that targets citizens directly the EFCP:

contributed to raise awareness on EU activities and achievements, to foster a sense of ownership of the EU and to enhance mutual understanding and tolerance in a difficult context; served as an important entry point for ordinary citizens who wanted to discuss and engage with the EU, and as a dynamic platform of cooperation between civil society organisations and local authorities to develop citizenship activities; contributed to promoting fundamental values on which our European societies are based, such as peace, tolerance, mutual understanding and solidarity.

Over the final three years of the programme, the fact that the projects were of higher quality and larger in scale, with closer links to the main themes associated with citizenship and civic participation and that many first time participants were involved, considerably augmented impact of the programme.

In future, and taking into account the budgetary requirements, the programme will continue to be developed with a view to maximise its impact and deploy its funding strategically focussing on activities targeting citizens directly.

This document presents the main findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the "Europe for Citizens" Programme 2007-2013, as well as the reactions and conclusions of the Commission to these recommendations.

To recall, the general objectives of the Programme are:

giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union; developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture; fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens; enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

Main conclusions : the evaluation confirms the importance the 'Europe for Citizens' Programme for the promotion of civic participation, strengthening the sense of belonging together, tolerance and mutual understanding. The programme has so far given 2.8 million European citizens and their organizations an opportunity to interact and to participate in the process of the European construction, to express their opinions and to feed into the political process. It has connected people and local communities from different countries. The evaluation has also highlighted the scope for further development.

The evaluation shows that the demand for the programme is strong and that the programme budget is below levels of actual demand. In order to reach out to prospective project promoters and to further strengthen the programme impact, a re-balancing of the financial support within the budget of the current Programme should be seriously considered.

Should the decision be taken to continue the Programme in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the lessons learned from the mid term evaluation might be integrated into the reflections and preparatory work for the 2014-2020 Programme. The mid-term evaluation suggests in particular the need for strengthening the policy impact of the Programme. The possible next Programme should therefore be more closely linked to the key topics on the EU agenda. It needs to be coherent with a view to improving European governance and to exploit synergies with other EU Programmes and policies.

PURPOSE: to establish a programme to promote active European citizenship (‘Europe for Citizens’) covering the period 2007-2013.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1904/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to promote active European citizenship

BACKGROUND: With the adoption of the new financial framework for the period 2007-2013 , a series of new programmes in the area of youth, culture and European citizenship were approved, consolidating, updating and improving the access procedures to the programmes, as well as the implementation of these policies.

The current programme which takes over from the European citizenship programme 2004-2006 ( CNS/2003/0116 ) and the Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of culture ( COD/2003/0115 ) falls within this new structure and consolidates existing actions within a single programme. From a budgetary perspective, ‘Europe for Citizens’ will also be complementary to the new programmes in the fields of citizenship and culture which are:

Culture 2007-2013 , MEDIA 2007 and Youth in action .

CONTENT: With a budget of € 215 million for the period 2007-2013 , the programme will contribute to the following general objectives: a) giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented; b) developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture; c) fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens; and d) enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

On an operational level, these objectives will be complemented by specific objectives that will be implemented via the following practical actions:

Eligible actions: 4 types of actions are foreseen:

- Action 1: Active citizens for Europe: this will include two types of actions, and is likely to receive at least 45% of the budget:

Town-twinning: this measure is aimed at activities that involve or promote direct exchanges between European citizens through their participation in town-twinning activities. For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), a body pursuing an aim of general European interest, active in the field of town twinning.

Citizens' projects and support measures: a variety of projects of a transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens, will be supported under this measure. Priority is given to projects aimed at encouraging local level participation.

- Action 2: Active civil society in Europe: this will cover three areas and approximately 31% pf the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

Structural support for European public policy research organisations: this measure is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of those organisations, which are representative, provide real European added value, can bring about important multiplier effects and, finally, are able to cooperate with other beneficiaries of the programme. The strengthening of transeuropean networks is an important element in this area. Grants may be awarded on the basis of a multi-annual work programme bringing together a range of themes or activities. For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the association ‘Groupement d'études et de recherches Notre Europe’ and for the ‘Institut für Europäische Politik’, as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest.

Structural support for civil society organisations at European level: this measure will provide them with the capacity and stability to act in a cross-sectoral and horizontal dimension as transnational catalysts for their members and for civil society at European level. For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for three bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest: the Platform of European Social NGOs, the European Movement and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles.

Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations in various Member States : to contribute to mutual understanding for the different cultures and points of view and to the identification of shared concerns and values.

- Action 3: Together for Europe: this objective includes 3 sub-actions. Approximately 10% of the total budget allocated to the programme will fund projects under this heading.

High-visibility events: this measure will support events organised by the Commission, which are substantial in scale and scope, strike a chord with the peoples of Europe, help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the history, achievements and values of the European Union, involve them in intercultural dialogue and contribute to the development of their European identity (such as the commemoration of historical events, the celebration of European achievements, artistic events, awareness-raising around specific issues, European-wide conferences and the awarding of prizes …);

Studies, surveys and opinion polls : in order to get a better understanding of active citizenship at European level;

Information and dissemination tools : this measure will fund, by means of an Internet portal and other tools, comprehensive information on the various activities of the programme, on other European actions related to citizenship and on other relevant initiatives. For the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, structural support may be provided directly for the ‘Association Jean Monnet’, the ‘Centre européen Robert Schuman’ and the ‘Maisons de l'Europe’

- Action 4: Active European Remembrance: on the request of the European Parliament, a fourth action is provided for to fund the protection of the main sites and archives associated with the victims of Nazism, Stalinism and the Holocaust . Approximately 4 % of the total budget allocated to the programme will be devoted to this action.

For each type of action foreseen, priority will be given to ensuring the balanced involvement of citizens and civil society organisations in all the Member States, respecting the balance between old and new Member States (2004 and 2007 enlargements).

Community measures may take the form of grants or public procurement contracts. Community grants may be provided through specific forms such as operating grants, action grants, scholarships and prizes (as described in the Annex to the Decision).

Eligible entities: the programme shall be open to all stakeholders promoting active European citizenship, in particular local authorities and organisations, European public policy research organisations (think-tanks), citizens' groups and other civil society organisations. It will also be open to a number of third countries (candidate countries, Western Balkans, EFTA countries), as well as international organisations (e.g. the Council of Europe).

Implementation: the implementing measures have been simplified and rationalised: less information required from beneficiaries, simplified application forms; more transparent procedures; the amount of information to be provided by beneficiaries limited in the case of small grants, etc.

Consistency and complementarity: coherence and complementarity will be ensured between the programme and instruments in other areas of Community action, especially education, vocational training, culture, youth, sport, the environment, the audiovisual sector and the media, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclusion, gender equality, combating all forms of discrimination, racism and xenophobia, scientific research, information society and Community external action,(in particular at the level of European Neighbourhood policy).

Monitoring and evaluation: specific measures are foreseen regarding the monitoring and evaluation of actions. The usual anti-fraud measures are also foreseen, as well as the regular evaluation of the programme:

an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the programme no later than 31 December 2010; a communication on the continuation of the programme no later than 31 December 2011; an ex-post evaluation report no later than 31 December 2015.

Lastly, this Decision provides for a series of transitional measures for the follow-up of actions started before 31 December 2006, pursuant to Decision 2004/100/EC.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision will enter into force on 28 December 2006. It is applicable as of 1 January 2007.

The Commission accepts the four amendments adopted by the European Parliament. These amendments are the result of an overall compromise between the European Parliament and the Council with a view to the second reading. They are in line with the objectives of the Commission’s initial proposal and the Communication from the Commission on the common position.

§ the 1 st amendment adds the promotion of tolerance to the aims of the programme;

§ the 2 nd amendment is a technical one, changing the period between publication of the Decision and its entry into force from 20 days to one day, which will speed up the implementation of the programme;

§ the 3 rd and 4 th amendments relate to the percentages of the budget allocated to Actions I and II. At least 45% of the budget will be allocated to Action I and approximately 31% to Action II.

The Commission would draw the legislative authority’s attention to the need, by the time of final publication in the OJ, for the financial envelope referred to in the basic act to be quoted at current prices. That is the usual budgetary practice and serves to make compliance with the legislative authority’s decision quite clear. For the programme in question, the figure at current prices amounts to EUR 215 million .

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) and approved the Council's common position with three amendments. (Please see the summary of 10/10/2006.)

The committee adopted the report by Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) broadly approving the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure, subject to a few amendments:

- the general objectives of the programme should include enhancing tolerance;

- the share in the overall budget for projects under Action 1 ('Active citizens for Europe') should be reduced from 47% to 45%;

- the share in the overall budget for projects under Action 2 ('Active civil society in Europe') should be increased from 29% to 31%.

The Common position was adopted on 18 September 2006 by unanimity. It is largely based on the Commission amended proposal, which itself accepted a large number of the European Parliament’s amendments.

The differences between the Commission amended proposal and the Common position of the Council concern the following three main issues:

1) Designated organisations : the Commission proposed the designation, for the whole duration of the programme, of a total of nine designated organisations, thereby integrating three additional organisations proposed by the European Parliament. However, in view of the difficulties encountered by the Council in reaching a compromise on this issue, the Commission can accept the position of the Council, consisting in the phasing out, after a period of three years, of the nine designated organisations.

2) Budget breakdown between the actions : the European Parliament and the Council reviewed the original proposal of the Commission, putting emphasis however on different actions of the programme (on action I for the Council and on action II for the European Parliament). The Commission's amended proposal broadly maintained its initial position, in order to ensure a balance between the different actions. However, in order to facilitate a quick agreement, the Commission can accept any compromise solution within the limits set by the co-legislators, i.e.:

§ between 40 and 47 % for action I;

§ between 29 and 38 % for action II).

3) Comitology : the Commission made a declaration, for inclusion in the minutes of the Council, expressing its regrets about the introduction of a further step in the comitology procedure, which will have a negative impact on the beneficiaries. However, the Commission can accept the text of the Common position in order to avoid any delay in the adoption of the programme. Under those circumstances, the Commission considers the Common position as being an acceptable compromise and recommends to the European Parliament to approve it.

The Commission notes that the equivalent of the financial envelope of EUR 190 million in 2004 prices referred to in the Council common position (article 11 on budgetary resources) is EUR 215 million in current prices.

The Council's common position retains the main elements of the Commission's original proposal. In general the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have similar views regarding this Decision.

The budget of EUR 190 million (at 2004 prices, and subject to adjustment to take account of inflation) was agreed by the three institutions in the context of the inter-institutional agreement on the Financial framework for 2007-2013.

New elements in the common position

The Council has taken up in its common position the idea of the European Parliament to add a new fourth action line relating to active European remembrance. The Council has also responded positively to the Parliament's suggestion to add three additional "designated bodies" (making nine in all) to receive grants under the programme. However, to ensure an appropriate balance, the special status of these nine bodies is phased-out after three years.

Regarding the indicative budget breakdown, the Council has sought to emphasise further the relative importance of Action 1 (town-twinning and citizens' projects) and, like the Parliament, has sought to reduce spending on the management of the programme.

Regarding programme implementation and comitology, the Council has extended the use of the management procedure to also cover certain cases of financial support.

European Parliament amendments

The Council has sought in its common position to take account of the European Parliament's concerns and priorities and was able to accept most of Parliament's amendments. However, the Council chose not to accept the amendments concerning:

- the legitimacy of the institutions as this was considered unnecessary;

- the granting of structural support to the legally vague notion of "associations or networks";

- the programme budget which was addressed and agreed by the three institutions in the context of the agreement on the Financial Perspectives;

- singling out events organised by twinning sports clubs, given that other sectors were not specifically mentioned in this part of the text, however a reference to sports organisations has been added in the Annex;

- the budget breakdown, where the Council preferred to favour Action 1, leaving the percentage allocated to Action 2 similar to that originally proposed by the Commission.

The Council's common position retains the main elements of the Commission's original proposal. In general the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have similar views regarding this Decision.

The budget of EUR 190 million (at 2004 prices, and subject to adjustment to take account of inflation) was agreed by the three institutions in the context of the inter-institutional agreement on the Financial framework for 2007-2013.

New elements in the common position

The Council has taken up in its common position the idea of the European Parliament to add a new fourth action line relating to active European remembrance. The Council has also responded positively to the Parliament's suggestion to add three additional "designated bodies" (making nine in all) to receive grants under the programme. However, to ensure an appropriate balance, the special status of these nine bodies is phased-out after three years.

Regarding the indicative budget breakdown, the Council has sought to emphasise further the relative importance of Action 1 (town-twinning and citizens' projects) and, like the Parliament, has sought to reduce spending on the management of the programme.

Regarding programme implementation and comitology, the Council has extended the use of the management procedure to also cover certain cases of financial support.

European Parliament amendments

The Council has sought in its common position to take account of the European Parliament's concerns and priorities and was able to accept most of Parliament's amendments. However, the Council chose not to accept the amendments concerning:

- the legitimacy of the institutions as this was considered unnecessary;

- the granting of structural support to the legally vague notion of "associations or networks";

- the programme budget which was addressed and agreed by the three institutions in the context of the agreement on the Financial Perspectives;

- singling out events organised by twinning sports clubs, given that other sectors were not specifically mentioned in this part of the text, however a reference to sports organisations has been added in the Annex;

- the budget breakdown, where the Council preferred to favour Action 1, leaving the percentage allocated to Action 2 similar to that originally proposed by the Commission.

Parliament adopted the report by Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI), by 473 votes in favour, 92 against and 51 abstentions, broadly approving the proposal to establish the "Citizens for Europe" programme for the period 2007-2013 to promote active European citizenship. The House adopted a number of amendments which were summarised in the summary dated 21/03/2006.

The committee adopted the report by Hannu TAKKULA (ALDE, FI) broadly approving the proposal to establish the "Citizens for Europe" programme for the period 2007-2013 to promote active European citizenship. MEPs adopted a number of amendments under the first reading of the codecision procedure:

- the words in the title should be reversed so that the programme would be called "Europe for Citizens" instead of "Citizens for Europe". MEPs felt that the original title conveyed the wrong message, i.e. that citizens should support Europe, and that the programme should reflect the fact that Europe must be the vehicle to fulfil citizens' aspirations;

- when outlining the programme's aims, reference should be made to constructing a Europe "which is multifaceted, fair, democratic and world-oriented", and to encouraging respect for multilingualism;

- a fourth action should be added to the programme: Active European Remembrance, consisting of "support for projects to commemorate the victims of Nazi and Stalinist mass deportations and mass extermination". Approximately 4% of the overall programme budget should be allocated to this action;

- the proposed budget for the period 2007-2013 (EUR 235 million) should be regarded as a minimum. The maximum period for granting funding at any one time should be three years, to prevent the beneficiaries becoming dependent on it. In a new clause, MEPs also stressed that the overall administrative expenditure of the programme, including internal and external management expenditure for the Executive Agency, should be proportional to the tasks provided for;

- the share in the overall budget for projects initiated by civil society organisations (under Action 2) should be increased from 30% to 38%;

- the 'Maisons de l'Europe' that are federated at national and European level should also qualify for structural support under Action 3 "as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest", along with the 'Association Jean Monnet' and the 'Centre européen Robert Schuman'. The share in the overall budget for this action should be decreased from 15% to 8%;

- town-twinning activities should include the twinning of sports clubs, in particular projects involving amateur sports clubs;

- artistic events should be included among the high-profile events organised by or with the European Commission which qualify for support;

- lastly, MEPs called for the programme to be open to citizens of non-EU countries who have permanent residence rights in the EU.

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

Regarding the only question that was still to be solved (making projects selection subject to the committee procedure), it was decided to accept a Presidency compromise whereby projects for which the total Community support proposed exceeded EUR 200,000 would be subject to the management committee procedure.

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.

The proposal for the "Citizens for Europe" programme designed to promote active European citizenship for the period 2007-2013 was submitted by the Commission and was the subject of an initial exchange of views in Council.

The Presidency had suggested that the following questions for guiding the exchange of views be addressed by Ministers:

- Do you think that this programme, which is devoted to citizens, helps to make European citizenship a reality? Does it encourage citizens to realise their citizenship fully and actively at European level and make this European area, which is based both on common values and on respect for its diversity, their own?

- How do you see the European added value of the programme, which aims to focus on transnational actions and exchanges and encourage the mobility of citizens, and also of ideas, across Europe?

- What is your perception of the special attention this programme gives to the participation of citizens and organisations of all Member States, particularly those which have only recently joined the EU?

Delegations warmly welcomed the proposed programme in that it aimed to bring citizens closer to the reality of Europe, to promote their active participation in democratic life and to enhance mutual understanding between citizens of the various Member States. It was acknowledged that there was real added value to be gained from the fact that such an initiative was being taken at European level. Delegations also recognised that particular attention should be paid to those Member States which had only recently joined the European Union.

PURPOSE: to present a programme to promote for the period 2007-2013 active European citizenship.

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

CONTEXT: In its strategic guidelines for the 2007-2013 financial perspectives (INI/2004/2209), the Commission stressed the importance of better information of citizens about European institutions and on European issues in general, of greater awareness of their fundamental rights and duties as citizens of the European Union and of them becoming actively involved in the process of European integration, developing a sense of belonging and a European identity. It proposed, in particular, to ensure that the development of active European citizenship would become one of the Union’s priorities for action.

To achieve this, the Commission is proposing a programme to encourage cooperation between citizens and their organisations from different countries in order to meet, to act together and to develop their own ideas in a European environment that goes beyond a national vision and which respects their diversity. Mutual understanding, solidarity and a sense of belonging to Europe are the building blocks for the involvement of citizens.

CONTENT: With a budget of EUR 235 million from 2007 to 2013, the proposed programme both ensures the continuity of the current civic participation programme (2004-2006) (CNS/2003/0116) and opens the way to new activities, providing a degree of flexibility in order to be able to adapt to future developments.

Its main objectives are as follows:

- giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity;

- forging a European identity, based on recognised common values, history and culture;

- enhancing mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and celebrating cultural diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

Taking into account the current situation and the identified needs, the most appropriate specific objectives, which are to be implemented on a transnational basis, are to:

- bring together people from local communities across Europe to share and exchange experiences, opinions and values, to learn from history and to build for the future: in particular, the programme will foster the direct participation of citizens across Europe, both in the activities of the programme and in the development of the notion of a European identity.

- foster action, debate and reflection related to European citizenship through cooperation between civil society organisations at European level.

- make the idea of Europe more tangible for its citizens by promoting and celebrating Europe's values and achievements, while preserving the memory of its past.

- encourage the balanced integration of citizens and civil society organisations from all Member States, contributing to intercultural dialogue and bringing to the fore both Europe’s diversity and unity, with particular attention to the activities with Member States that have recently joined the European Union.

-Eligible actions: the programme will fund three types of action:

Action 1: Active citizens for Europe: this first objective would comprise 2 activities:

- Town twinning - t his measure will actively contribute to strengthening mutual knowledge and understanding between the citizens.

- Citizens’ projects and support measures - a variety of projects of transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens, will be supported. The scale and scope of such projects will depend on the developments within society and will explore, through innovative approaches, possible responses to the identified needs. Those projects will gather citizens from different horizons, who will act together or debate on common European issues, thereby developing mutual understanding as well as raising awareness of the process of European integration. Measures to exchange best practices, to pool experiences between stakeholders at local and regional levels and to develop new skills will also be supported.

Action 2: Active civil society in Europe: this objective would comprise 3 activities:

- Structural support for European public policy research organisations (think-tanks): This measure is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of those organisations, which are representative, provide real European added value, can bring about important multiplier effects and, finally, are able to cooperate with other beneficiaries of this programme. The strengthening of trans-European networks is an important element in this area;

- Structural support for organisations of civil society at European level: Civil society organisations need to exist and to be able to operate and cooperate at European level in a large number of fields of general interest (e.g. common values and heritage, voluntarism, social issues). This measure will provide them with the capacity and stability to act as transnational catalysts for their members and for civil society at European level. The strengthening of trans-European networks is an important element of this area;

- Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations: Direct cooperation among civil society organisations from different Member States will contribute to mutual understanding for the different cultures and point of views and to the identification of shared concerns and values.

Action 3: Together for Europe: this objective comprises 2 activities:

- High-visibility events organised by or in cooperation with the European Commission which are substantial in scale and scope, strike a significant chord with the peoples of Europe, help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the history, achievements and values of the European Union, involve them in intercultural dialogue and contribute to the development of their European identity will be supported;

- Studies surveys and opinion polls will be carried out by the Commission in order to get a better understanding of active citizenship at European level;

- Information and dissemination tools : this will focus on the development of comprehensive information on the various activities of the programme, on other European actions related to citizenship and on other relevant initiatives to be provided through an Internet portal and other tools.

- Eligible bodies : The programme will be open to all stakeholders promoting active European citizenship, in particular to local communities, European public policy research organisations (think-tanks), citizen’s groups and other civil society organisations such as non-governmental organisations, platforms, networks, associations and federations, trade unions. It will also be open to participants from various third countries (candidate countries, Western Balkans, EFTA countries), as well as international organisations.

- Implementation : Most of the actions will be implemented through centralised management as follows:

- The Commission will manage directly strategic activities, in particular those involving the development of partnerships or the organisation of major events: structural support to think tanks and to civil society networks, town-twinning support measures, citizen’s initiatives, studies and polls, and most of the special events and dissemination of information.

- The Executive Agency will manage by delegation smaller-scale projects: town-twinning projects (citizen’s meetings, conferences and seminars) and civil society projects.

In specific circumstances, and in specific countries, the Commission could decide to entrust national public-sector bodies/bodies with public service mission with the management of the programme.

The implementation of the programme will be guided by the principles of transparency as well as openness, to a large variety of organisations and projects. As a consequence, projects and activities will be selected, as a general rule, via open calls for proposals. It will develop the principle of multi-annual partnerships based on agreed objectives, building on the analysis of the results, in order to ensure mutual benefits for both civil society and the European Union.

All actions will be implemented on a transnational basis. They will encourage mobility of citizens and ideas within the European Union.

- Coherence and complementarity : The Commission will ensure the coherence and the complementarity between this programme and instruments in other areas of action of the Community, especially education, vocational training, culture, sport, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclusion, gender equality, combating discrimination, research and the Community external action, in particular in the context of the European Neighbourhood policy.

The Commission will ensure that, when actions financed under the present Decision are implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties. It will ensure regular, external and independent evaluation of the programme. It will submit to the other institutions an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the programme not later than 31/12/2010; a Communication on the continuation of the programme not later than 31/12/2011 and an ex-post evaluation report not later than 31/12/2015. It is intended that the programme’s activities will start on 1 January 2007.

FINANCIAL IMPACT :

Budget lines: 15.06 01… and 15.01 04…

Areas of activity: Education and Culture – Dialogue with the citizens

Periode of application: 2007-2013

Financial Resources: from 2007-2013: EUR 235 million of operational expenditures and administrative expenditures + EUR 14.105 million of expenditures not included in the reference amount (human resources and related costs), giving a total of EUR 249.105 million.

Breakdown of resources: EUR 207.47 million of net operational expenditures: of which:

-Objective 1: Active citizens for Europe: EUR 102.550 million (covering town twinning and Citizens’ projects and support measures );

-Objective 2: Active civil society in Europe : EUR 80.73 million (covering structural support for European public policy research organisations/think-tanks, organisations of civil society at European level and support for projects initiated by civil society organisations);

- Objective 3: Together for Europe: EUR 24.19 million (covering high visibility events, studies and information and dissemination tools).

Human resources: the programme will need different types of personnel to manage these activities: from 2007 to 2013, it estimated that its needs will range from 36 to 46 persons (officials, temporary agents and other staff).

PURPOSE: to present a programme to promote for the period 2007-2013 active European citizenship.

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

CONTEXT: In its strategic guidelines for the 2007-2013 financial perspectives (INI/2004/2209), the Commission stressed the importance of better information of citizens about European institutions and on European issues in general, of greater awareness of their fundamental rights and duties as citizens of the European Union and of them becoming actively involved in the process of European integration, developing a sense of belonging and a European identity. It proposed, in particular, to ensure that the development of active European citizenship would become one of the Union’s priorities for action.

To achieve this, the Commission is proposing a programme to encourage cooperation between citizens and their organisations from different countries in order to meet, to act together and to develop their own ideas in a European environment that goes beyond a national vision and which respects their diversity. Mutual understanding, solidarity and a sense of belonging to Europe are the building blocks for the involvement of citizens.

CONTENT: With a budget of EUR 235 million from 2007 to 2013, the proposed programme both ensures the continuity of the current civic participation programme (2004-2006) (CNS/2003/0116) and opens the way to new activities, providing a degree of flexibility in order to be able to adapt to future developments.

Its main objectives are as follows:

- giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity;

- forging a European identity, based on recognised common values, history and culture;

- enhancing mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and celebrating cultural diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

Taking into account the current situation and the identified needs, the most appropriate specific objectives, which are to be implemented on a transnational basis, are to:

- bring together people from local communities across Europe to share and exchange experiences, opinions and values, to learn from history and to build for the future: in particular, the programme will foster the direct participation of citizens across Europe, both in the activities of the programme and in the development of the notion of a European identity.

- foster action, debate and reflection related to European citizenship through cooperation between civil society organisations at European level.

- make the idea of Europe more tangible for its citizens by promoting and celebrating Europe's values and achievements, while preserving the memory of its past.

- encourage the balanced integration of citizens and civil society organisations from all Member States, contributing to intercultural dialogue and bringing to the fore both Europe’s diversity and unity, with particular attention to the activities with Member States that have recently joined the European Union.

-Eligible actions: the programme will fund three types of action:

Action 1: Active citizens for Europe: this first objective would comprise 2 activities:

- Town twinning - t his measure will actively contribute to strengthening mutual knowledge and understanding between the citizens.

- Citizens’ projects and support measures - a variety of projects of transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens, will be supported. The scale and scope of such projects will depend on the developments within society and will explore, through innovative approaches, possible responses to the identified needs. Those projects will gather citizens from different horizons, who will act together or debate on common European issues, thereby developing mutual understanding as well as raising awareness of the process of European integration. Measures to exchange best practices, to pool experiences between stakeholders at local and regional levels and to develop new skills will also be supported.

Action 2: Active civil society in Europe: this objective would comprise 3 activities:

- Structural support for European public policy research organisations (think-tanks): This measure is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of those organisations, which are representative, provide real European added value, can bring about important multiplier effects and, finally, are able to cooperate with other beneficiaries of this programme. The strengthening of trans-European networks is an important element in this area;

- Structural support for organisations of civil society at European level: Civil society organisations need to exist and to be able to operate and cooperate at European level in a large number of fields of general interest (e.g. common values and heritage, voluntarism, social issues). This measure will provide them with the capacity and stability to act as transnational catalysts for their members and for civil society at European level. The strengthening of trans-European networks is an important element of this area;

- Support for projects initiated by civil society organisations: Direct cooperation among civil society organisations from different Member States will contribute to mutual understanding for the different cultures and point of views and to the identification of shared concerns and values.

Action 3: Together for Europe: this objective comprises 2 activities:

- High-visibility events organised by or in cooperation with the European Commission which are substantial in scale and scope, strike a significant chord with the peoples of Europe, help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the history, achievements and values of the European Union, involve them in intercultural dialogue and contribute to the development of their European identity will be supported;

- Studies surveys and opinion polls will be carried out by the Commission in order to get a better understanding of active citizenship at European level;

- Information and dissemination tools : this will focus on the development of comprehensive information on the various activities of the programme, on other European actions related to citizenship and on other relevant initiatives to be provided through an Internet portal and other tools.

- Eligible bodies : The programme will be open to all stakeholders promoting active European citizenship, in particular to local communities, European public policy research organisations (think-tanks), citizen’s groups and other civil society organisations such as non-governmental organisations, platforms, networks, associations and federations, trade unions. It will also be open to participants from various third countries (candidate countries, Western Balkans, EFTA countries), as well as international organisations.

- Implementation : Most of the actions will be implemented through centralised management as follows:

- The Commission will manage directly strategic activities, in particular those involving the development of partnerships or the organisation of major events: structural support to think tanks and to civil society networks, town-twinning support measures, citizen’s initiatives, studies and polls, and most of the special events and dissemination of information.

- The Executive Agency will manage by delegation smaller-scale projects: town-twinning projects (citizen’s meetings, conferences and seminars) and civil society projects.

In specific circumstances, and in specific countries, the Commission could decide to entrust national public-sector bodies/bodies with public service mission with the management of the programme.

The implementation of the programme will be guided by the principles of transparency as well as openness, to a large variety of organisations and projects. As a consequence, projects and activities will be selected, as a general rule, via open calls for proposals. It will develop the principle of multi-annual partnerships based on agreed objectives, building on the analysis of the results, in order to ensure mutual benefits for both civil society and the European Union.

All actions will be implemented on a transnational basis. They will encourage mobility of citizens and ideas within the European Union.

- Coherence and complementarity : The Commission will ensure the coherence and the complementarity between this programme and instruments in other areas of action of the Community, especially education, vocational training, culture, sport, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclusion, gender equality, combating discrimination, research and the Community external action, in particular in the context of the European Neighbourhood policy.

The Commission will ensure that, when actions financed under the present Decision are implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties. It will ensure regular, external and independent evaluation of the programme. It will submit to the other institutions an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the programme not later than 31/12/2010; a Communication on the continuation of the programme not later than 31/12/2011 and an ex-post evaluation report not later than 31/12/2015. It is intended that the programme’s activities will start on 1 January 2007.

FINANCIAL IMPACT :

Budget lines: 15.06 01… and 15.01 04…

Areas of activity: Education and Culture – Dialogue with the citizens

Periode of application: 2007-2013

Financial Resources: from 2007-2013: EUR 235 million of operational expenditures and administrative expenditures + EUR 14.105 million of expenditures not included in the reference amount (human resources and related costs), giving a total of EUR 249.105 million.

Breakdown of resources: EUR 207.47 million of net operational expenditures: of which:

-Objective 1: Active citizens for Europe: EUR 102.550 million (covering town twinning and Citizens’ projects and support measures );

-Objective 2: Active civil society in Europe : EUR 80.73 million (covering structural support for European public policy research organisations/think-tanks, organisations of civil society at European level and support for projects initiated by civil society organisations);

- Objective 3: Together for Europe: EUR 24.19 million (covering high visibility events, studies and information and dissemination tools).

Human resources: the programme will need different types of personnel to manage these activities: from 2007 to 2013, it estimated that its needs will range from 36 to 46 persons (officials, temporary agents and other staff).