PURPOSE: to extend into 2006 a programme for the dissemination of good practices in the ICT sector and to monitor the take-up of information and communication technologies.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision 2113/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision 2256/2003 with a view to extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring of the take-up of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

CONTENT: in 2003 the EU adopted Decision 2256/2003 setting up the Modinis programme, which had the remit to monitor the 2005 eEurope Action Programme. In 2004, the Council invited the Commission to prepare a strategy for future challenges relating to the IT sector. This the Commission did when it prepared a Communication entitled Challenges for the European Information Society beyond 2005 . In this Communication, the Commission identifies a number of challenges facing the EU IT sector up until and beyond 2010. In its report the Commission argues for wider use of ICTs and for continuing a policy of monitoring the EU’s IT uptake complemented by an exchange of best practices. In 2005, it was decided to amalgamate a number of Community specific programmes relating to competitiveness and innovation under one “Innovation Framework Programme”, 2007-2013. Hence the eEurope programme will expire at the end of 2005; its role being taken up in 2007 under the Innovation Framework Programme. However, in the twelve months between the expiry of the eEurope programme and the implementation of the new Framework Programme in 2007, the take-up of ICT’s across the economy needs to be monitored and supported through continual benchmarking, complemented by statistical analysis based on structural indicators. For the sake of continuity Decision 2256/2003 has therefore been amended as follows:

- The programme will cover the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2006.

- The programme for 2006 shall continue monitoring the take-up and use of ICTs across the economy.

- The practice of disseminating good practices will continue with Member States comparing the best in the world through the use of official statistics.

- Member States will continue to stimulate the use of ICTs at a national, regional or local level.

- The programme’s activities will be cross-sectoral in nature. None of the actions must duplicate Community activities. The actions taken on bench-marking, good practice and policy co-ordination will be based on the 2005 Commission Communication Working together for growth and jobs – A new start for the Lisbon strategy .

- The following actions are to be under-taken: Action 1 - data collection and analysis on benchmarking; Action 2 – Dissemination of good practises through studies and targeted conferences. Action 3 – Analysis and strategic discussions.

- The financial framework for the programme’s implementation is set at EUR 30 160 000.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 27 December 2005.

Decision 2005/2113
OJ L 344 27.12.2005, p. 0034-0037

03658/1/2005

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Giles CHICHESTER (EPP-ED, UK) and approved the proposal.

T6-0417/2005

CES1262/2005
OJ C 028 03.02.2006, p. 0089

A6-0302/2005

A6-0302/2005

The committee adopted the report by its chairman, Giles CHICHESTER ( EPP-ED , UK ), approving the proposal unamended under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure.

PE362.753

PURPOSE : to extend the MODINIS programme until 31 December 2006, and to adjust the overall budget.

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

CONTENT : The multi-annual Community programme MODINIS was adopted on 17th November 2003 for the period 2003 to 2005, with a budget of EUR 21 million. This amount was subsequently increased to EUR 22.4 million by Decision No 786/2004/EC in order to take into account the enlargement of the EU.

MODINIS provides financial support for the monitoring of the information society in Europe and dissemination of good practice.

Both the MODINIS programme and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan expire at the end of 2005. The successor to the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the i2010 initiative, will enter into force in January 2006. In order to ensure continuity between the expiry of the MODINIS programme, the successor of eEurope 2005, and the launch of the ICT Policy Support Fund 2007 it is proposed that an annual programme be adopted in order to continue support to benchmarking and best practice activities as well as analysis and policy dialogue during 2006. It is essential that the new information society policy initiative continues to benefit from a financial support programme right from the start. In particular, benchmarking, exchange and dissemination of best practice and structured and strategic dialogue with stakeholders need to be carried out every year in order to develop a meaningful EU Information Society policy.

The overall objectives of the programme are still valid and relevant, and will therefore remain unchanged. However, the fourth and last objective of MODINIS is to prepare for the establishment of the future structure at European level for network and information security issues (ENISA) with a view to improving network and information security. Since the adoption of Regulation 460/2004/EC establishing ENISA, actions related to this objective are no longer supported by MODINIS.

The programme for 2006 shall continue the monitoring of the take up and use of ICTs across the economy and the dissemination of good practices and shall have the following objectives:

-to monitor performance of and within Member States and to compare it with the best in the world by using, where possible, official statistics;

-to support efforts by Member States to stimulate the use of ICTs, at national, regional or local level, by analysis of good practices and by the complementary interaction of developing mechanisms of exchange of experiences;

-to analyse the economic and societal consequences of the information society with a view to facilitating policy discussions particularly in terms of competitiveness, growth and employment as well as in terms of social inclusion.

These objectives will be pursued through data collection and benchmarking analysis, studies to identify good practices, targeted conferences, seminars and workshops. The duration of the extension of the programme will be of 12 months, beginning 1 st January 2006 and ending 31st December 2006. The budget will be EUR 7.72 million. A specific work programme will be published containing the year's priorities and actions.

The Commission therefore proposes:

-to prolong the MODINIS programme until 31 December 2006,

-to adjust the overall budget of the MODINIS programme as prolonged to EUR 30.16 million.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS :

- Budget lines and headings: 09-030100.

- Total allocation for action : EUR 7.72 million for commitment.

- Action 1: (surveys, pilot actions) EUR 4.400 million.

- Action 2: (studies, conferences ands workshops) EUR 3.020 million.

- Action 3: (website, documentation and communication EUR 0.300 million.

- TOTAL EUR 7.720 million.

- Period of application: 1st January 2006-31st December 2006.

- Technical and administrative assistance and support expenditure: none.

- Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure: EUR 1.036 million.

- Total : EUR 8.756 million.

- Total staff: 7.5.

COM(2005)0347
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