The Commission presents a report on the impact certain Decisions modifying the legal bases of the European Programmes in the areas of Lifelong Learning , Culture , Youth and Citizenship .

It recalls that in December 2008, the European Parliament and the Council adopted four decisions amending the legal bases of the programmes in these areas. These decisions removed from the advisory procedure described in Council Decision 1999/468/EC certain selection decisions taken by the Commission for the award of grants within those programmes. The purpose was to simplify the procedures and shorten the time required for making decisions affecting directly the beneficiaries, in the interests of a quicker implementation of the programmes.

Under the original legal bases, it had been compulsory to consult within restrictive delays the European Parliament and the programme committees before the Commission could make the formal award decisions. Sometimes recess periods would add to the scrutiny periods, causing further delays in the implementation.

With the entry into force of the amending decisions, the advisory procedure has been replaced by an information procedure . The Commission is obliged to inform the European Parliament and the programme committees within two working days of the selection decisions it has taken. The information needs to include a description and an analysis of the applications received, a description of the assessment and of the selection procedure, and lists of both the projects proposed for funding and those rejected.

In addition to these decisions, Decision n°1298/2008/EC establishing the Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 action programme also requires the Commission to inform the European Parliament and the programme committee within two working days of the selection decisions it has taken.

Although the decision establishing the Erasmus Mundus action programme does not contain a reporting requirement, the Commission has decided, in the interest of transparency, to include in this report the impact of the new information procedure on the implementation of this programme as well. In this way, a single report covers the impact of all five decisions.

The report notes that for all programmes, the time taken for the selection process from the submission deadline to the adoption of the grant award-decision and the notification of the beneficiaries has been considerably shortened .

Lifelong Learning programme : in 2009 grant award decisions in the actions that can be compared were notified to the beneficiaries on average 123 days after the submission deadline, with an average gain was of 37 days in comparison to 2008 and of 32 in comparison to 2007. In one case (Leonardo de Vinci – Transfer of Innovation), the period in 2009 was slightly longer than in 2008 due to the need to examine thoroughly a specific case that involved the protection of the financial interests of the EU.

Culture programme : notification in 2009 occurred on average 152 days after the submission deadline, with an average gain of 54.5 days when in comparison to 2008 and of 117 in comparison to 2007.

Youth in Action programme : the average time gain was more than 40 days compared to 2008 and of more than 75 in comparison with 2007. Grant-award decisions and the subsequent notification of beneficiaries occurred at the latest 3.5 months after the submission deadline, whereas under the consultation procedure, the average selection time was of 5.5 months.

Europe for Citizens programme : the gain was, on average, 22 days compared to 2008 and 12 days compared to 2007. However, two actions present an exception: no time was saved for actions 1.4 and 1.5 between 2009 and 2008. These projects ("Citizens' projects and "Support measures") are more complex and larger in scale than other more traditional projects such as town twinning. However, this had no impact on beneficiaries as they were notified of the result of the selection in time for the projects to start as scheduled.

Erasmus Mundus scholarships : the reduction was of 27 days in comparison with the 2007 scholarships and of 10 in comparison with 2008. For the joint programmes the reduction was of 74 days, despite the fact that 2009 was also the first year in which, in addition to the Masters' courses, PhDs were funded by the programme. In all cases the information to the European Parliament and programme committees was provided within the set delay of two working days. The amount of information transmitted has not changed compared to the comitology procedure, but the removal of the formalities associated with the advisory procedure, concerning for example the launch of written procedures and the upload in the registry, has resulted nonetheless in a significant reduction of the administrative burden.

Conclusion : the information procedure replacing the formal advisory procedure under the Comitology Decision has been successfully implemented in all five programmes. All the necessary information required in the decisions has been systematically transmitted by the Commission to the European Parliament and the programme committees within the compulsory deadline of two working days. The Commission has not received any reactions or complaints from the European Parliament or the programme committees on the information transmitted or on the procedure itself. Several beneficiaries have instead expressed their satisfaction with the reduced time taken for selection decisions as a result.

The substantial shortening of the delays has increased the efficiency of the programmes by enabling the applicants to be informed on the selection decisions further in advance, with positive effects on the sustainability of the partnerships implementing the projects, and therefore on the quality of the projects themselves. For all programmes, the new procedure has enabled the increased effectiveness of project management.

PURPOSE: to reduce the time required for awarding grants covered by the “Youth in Action” programme, 2007-2013.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1349/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 1719/2006/EC establishing the 'Youth in Action' programme for the period 2007 to 2013.

CONTENT: until now, the measures necessary for the implementation of Decision 1719/2006/EC establishing the ‘Youth in Action’ programme were to be adopted in accordance with Article 9(3) of that Decision, n amely in accordance with the advisory procedure established by Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission. However, the wording of this paragraph of the Decision results in particular selection decisions being subject to the advisory procedure and to the European Parliament's right of scrutiny. Yet these selection decisions mainly concern projects of limited duration whose life cycle is incompatible with lengthy decision-making procedures and do not involve politically sensitive decision making.

However, these procedural requirements add two to three months to the process of awarding grants to applicants, causing many delays for recipients and providing no added value given the nature of the grants awarded.

In order to allow selection decisions to be implemented more quickly and efficiently, it is necessary to replace the advisory procedure with an obligation on the Commission to inform the European Parliament and the Member States without delay about any measures taken for the implementation of Decision No 1719/2006/EC without the assistance of a committee.

In accordance with the compromise reached at first reading between the Parliament and the Council, it is provided that the Commission shall inform the Committee (referred to in the Decision) and the European Parliament of all other selection decisions it has taken for the implementation of this Decision within two working days of the adoption of the decisions in question (for example, descriptions and an analysis of the applications received, a description of the assessment and selection procedure, and lists of both the projects proposed for funding and those rejected).

It is also provided that the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the impact of this Decision by 25 June 2010.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25/12/2008.

The European Parliament adopted by 601 votes to 47, with 16 abstentions, a legislative resolution under 1st reading of the co decision procedure, amending the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 1719/2006/EC establishing the Youth in Action programme for the period 2007 to 2013. The report had been tabled for consideration in plenary by Katerina BATZELI (PES, EL) on behalf of the Committee on Culture and Education. The amendments were the result of a compromise between Parliament and Council.

The Commission had proposed eliminating the advisory procedure for selection decisions in order to simplify decision-making procedures in the interests of potential beneficiaries of the grants. However, Parliament considered that in order to allow selection decisions to be implemented more quickly and efficiently, it was necessary to replace the advisory procedure with an obligation on the Commission to inform the European Parliament and the Member States without delay about any measures taken for the implementation of Decision No 1719/2006/EC without the assistance of a committee.

Accordingly, a new clause states that the Commission shall inform the Committee and the European Parliament, of all other selection decisions taken by the Commission for the implementation of the Decision, within two working days of the adoption of the decisions in question. This information shall include descriptions and an analysis of the applications received, a description of the assessment and selection procedure, and lists of both the projects proposed for funding and the projects rejected for funding.

Parliament added that the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the impact of the Decision 18 months after its entry into force.

The Committee on Culture and Education adopted a report drafted by Katerina BATZELI (PES, EL) and amended the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 1719/2006/EC establishing the Youth in Action programme for the period 2007 to 2013.

The Commission had proposed eliminating the advisory procedure for selection decisions in order to simplify decision-making procedures in the interests of potential beneficiaries of the grants. The committee felt that comitology was important, and that it was necessary to replace the advisory procedure with an obligation on the Commission to inform the European Parliament and the Member States without delay about any measures taken for the implementation of the Decision without the assistance of a committee.

Accordingly, a new clause states that the Commission shall inform the Committee and the European Parliament, of all other selection decisions taken by the Commission for the implementation of the Decision, within two working days of the adoption of the decisions in question. This information shall include descriptions and an analysis of the applications received, a description of the assessment and selection procedure, and lists of both the projects proposed for funding and the projects rejected for funding.

The committee added that the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the impact of the Decision 18 months after its entry into force.

Following an exchange of views, the Council adopted key messages in the field of education and training addressed to the European Council on 13 and 14 March in Brussels. The key messages highlight a number of actions and issues that need to be drawn to the attention of the European Council at this critical stage for the implementation of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. They mainly concern the implementation of lifelong learning strategies and invite Member States to take concrete action to: (i) address the lack of progress on youth literacy and reduce the number of early school leavers; (ii) improve achievement levels among migrants; (iii) make the teaching profession more attractive to the best graduates; (iv) encourage more adults to take advantage of education and training opportunities, namely:

the knowledge triangle (education, research, innovation): Member States must particularly emphasise the crucial role of education and training in promoting creativity and innovation; intercultural dialogue: underlining the importance of equipping individuals with the competences needed to engage in such a dialogue; transnational mobility, which should become common practice in higher education and be developed further in the field of vocational education and training.

In addition, the Council invited the Commission to submit by the end of 2008 a proposal for an updated strategic framework for European cooperation in the field of education and training. The debate covered the following items in particular:

the importance of basic skills and teacher training; the effectiveness of the open method of coordination and the role of peer learning, indicators and benchmarks, particularly with regard to the EU strategy for the post-2010 period; the particular issue of early school leaving, and the means that can be used to address this problem, including increased support for disadvantaged schools, closer teacher-parent cooperation, mentoring schemes and special attention for the children of migrants.

PURPOSE: to reduce the time required for awarding grants covered by the “Youth in Action” programme, 2007-2013.

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

BACKGROUND: this proposal relates to the legislative act establishing the Youth in Action programme 2007-2013 and its implementing powers. In order to implement the programme’s objectives, namely to promote active citizenship, to encourage tolerance and to foster understanding between young people, the Commission relies on its implementing rights as expressed through “comitology” procedures. This is particularly pertinent in the case of selecting grant projects following calls for proposals.

To recall, the Commission’s right of implementation is set out, inter alia , in Decision No 1999/468/EC. In this Decision a number of procedures are set out including the “management” procedure and the “consultation” procedure. Both of these procedures involve the participation of the European Parliament. Under the consultation procedure, the Parliament has one month in which to examine a draft measure before the Commission makes a formal decision.

Under the terms of the Youth in Action programme, the “management” procedure is applied in cases relating to the “European Youth Forum” only. All other decision are not subject to a comitology procedure. Wording in the Decision, however, implies that the “consultation” procedure should be applied to all other measures. The current wording can cause serious problems by delaying the adoption of decisions – some times by up to two to three months. Yet, in general, the projects affected are of a short-time frame only.

With Parliamentary consent, temporary solutions have been found in order to reduce the time required for scrutiny. Nevertheless, it is important that a long-term solution is put in place in order to prevent unnecessary delays.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is to amend Council Decision 1719/2006/EC, setting up the Youth in Action programme, in order to find a definitive solution.

The wording of the amendments has been framed so that the consultative procedure will disappear and be replaced, on the basis of a Commission declaration, with a procedure whereby the Commission provides the programme committee and the European Parliament with immediate information on the selection decisions which it adopts.

The proposed amendment will mark a return to the system in force under the Youth programme from 2000-2006, which provided for the committee and the European Parliament to be informed immediately of the same decisions as those currently under discussion. This arrangement is fully in line with the legislator’s original intention when the Decision was being negotiated.

Upon approval, the amended Decision will make it possible to reduce, by two to three months, the time required for grants to be awarded and to ensure effective implementation of the activities and measures covered by the programme. The programme committee and the European Parliament will be informed immediately of the selection decisions. It will also help strengthen the principles of simplification and proportionality.

A similar revision of the basic instruments establishing programmes on (i) education and (ii) citizenship and (iii) culture, is planned in parallel with this proposal.

PURPOSE: to reduce the time required for awarding grants covered by the “Youth in Action” programme, 2007-2013.

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

BACKGROUND: this proposal relates to the legislative act establishing the Youth in Action programme 2007-2013 and its implementing powers. In order to implement the programme’s objectives, namely to promote active citizenship, to encourage tolerance and to foster understanding between young people, the Commission relies on its implementing rights as expressed through “comitology” procedures. This is particularly pertinent in the case of selecting grant projects following calls for proposals.

To recall, the Commission’s right of implementation is set out, inter alia , in Decision No 1999/468/EC. In this Decision a number of procedures are set out including the “management” procedure and the “consultation” procedure. Both of these procedures involve the participation of the European Parliament. Under the consultation procedure, the Parliament has one month in which to examine a draft measure before the Commission makes a formal decision.

Under the terms of the Youth in Action programme, the “management” procedure is applied in cases relating to the “European Youth Forum” only. All other decision are not subject to a comitology procedure. Wording in the Decision, however, implies that the “consultation” procedure should be applied to all other measures. The current wording can cause serious problems by delaying the adoption of decisions – some times by up to two to three months. Yet, in general, the projects affected are of a short-time frame only.

With Parliamentary consent, temporary solutions have been found in order to reduce the time required for scrutiny. Nevertheless, it is important that a long-term solution is put in place in order to prevent unnecessary delays.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is to amend Council Decision 1719/2006/EC, setting up the Youth in Action programme, in order to find a definitive solution.

The wording of the amendments has been framed so that the consultative procedure will disappear and be replaced, on the basis of a Commission declaration, with a procedure whereby the Commission provides the programme committee and the European Parliament with immediate information on the selection decisions which it adopts.

The proposed amendment will mark a return to the system in force under the Youth programme from 2000-2006, which provided for the committee and the European Parliament to be informed immediately of the same decisions as those currently under discussion. This arrangement is fully in line with the legislator’s original intention when the Decision was being negotiated.

Upon approval, the amended Decision will make it possible to reduce, by two to three months, the time required for grants to be awarded and to ensure effective implementation of the activities and measures covered by the programme. The programme committee and the European Parliament will be informed immediately of the selection decisions. It will also help strengthen the principles of simplification and proportionality.

A similar revision of the basic instruments establishing programmes on (i) education and (ii) citizenship and (iii) culture, is planned in parallel with this proposal.