PURPOSE: to establish for the period 2007-2013 the Specific Programme "Drug prevention and information" as part of the General Programme "Fundamental Rights and Justice".
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1150/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing for the period 2007-2013 the Specific Programme "Drug prevention and information" as part of the General Programme "Fundamental Rights and Justice".
BACKGROUND: the framework programmes in the area of Justice, Freedom and Security, under the new Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 have been established to provide coherent support to an area of freedom, security and justice under the financial perspectives 2007 - 2013. The three key objectives of freedom, security and justice are to be developed in parallel and to the same degree of intensity, thus allowing for a balanced approach, based on the principles of democracy, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law. Each of the three key objectives is supported by a Framework programme underpinning and linking each policy area. This structure represents a major simplification and rationalisation of existing financial support.
The three framework programmes are:
1) “Fundamental rights and Justice” which includes 5 specific measures: i) “Fundamental rights and citizenship”; ii) “Civil justice”. Iii) “Criminal justice”; iv) “Daphne III”; v) “Drugs prevention and information” which is the subject of the present proposal;
2) “Security and safeguarding Liberties” comprising of 2 specific programmes : i) the programme on prevention of terrorism; ii) the specific programme on the “Prevention and the fight against crime”;
3) “Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows” includes 4 specific funds: i) the European Fund for the Integration of Third-country nationals; ii) External Borders Fund; iii) Refugee Fund; iv) Return Fund.
Each of these framework programmes have been given an overall financial envelope covering the 2007-2013 period which will be broken between each specific programme, except for the Funds which have individual budgets.
The ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’ Framework Programme has several specific objectives. They are:
It should be noted that initially the Commission had presented the "Daphne" and "Drugs prevention and information" together. However, at the request of the European Parliament, the two programmes were split so as to clarify the objectives and the implementing measures.
CONTENT: this Decision establishes the Specific Programme "Drug prevention and information" in order to contribute to ensuring a high level of human health protection and to reducing drug-related health damage.
The Programme shall have the following general objectives: a) to prevent and reduce drug use, dependence and drug-related harm; b) to contribute to the improvement of information on drug use; and c) to support the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy.
The Programme shall have the following specific objectives:
a) to promote transnational actions to: i) set up multidisciplinary networks; ii) ensure the expansion of the knowledge base, the exchange of information and the identification and dissemination of good practices, including through training, study visits and staff exchange; iii) raise awareness of the health and social problems caused by drug use and to encourage an open dialogue with a view to promoting a better understanding of the phenomenon of drugs; and iv) support measures aimed at preventing drug use, including by addressing reduction of drug-related harm and treatment methods taking into account the latest state of scientific knowledge;
b) to involve civil society in the implementation and development of the EU Drugs Strategy and EU Action plans; and
c) to monitor, implement and evaluate the implementation of specific actions under the Drugs Action Plans 2005 to 2008 and 2009 to 2012. The European Parliament is involved in the evaluation process through its participation in the Commission’s evaluation steering group.
Eligible actions: with a view to pursuing the general and specific objectives, the Programme shall support the following types of action under the conditions set out in the annual work programme:
· specific actions taken by the Commission, such as studies and research, opinion polls and surveys, formulation of indicators and common methodologies, collection, development and dissemination of data and statistics, seminars, conferences and experts' meetings, organisation of public campaigns and events, development and maintenance of websites, preparation and dissemination of information materials, support to and animation of networks of national experts, analytical, monitoring and evaluation activities;
· specific transnational projects of Community interest presented by at least two Member States, or at least one Member State and one other state which may either be an acceding or a candidate country under the conditions set out in the annual work programme; or
· the activities of non-governmental organisations or other entities pursuing an aim of general European interest regarding the general objectives of the Programme under the conditions set out in the annual work programme.
Target groups: the Programme is targeted at all groups that directly or indirectly deal with the phenomenon of drugs. With regard to drugs, youth, women, vulnerable groups and people living in socially disadvantaged areas are groups at risk and shall be identified as target groups. Other target groups include teachers and educational staff, parents, social workers, local and national authorities, medical and paramedical staff, judicial staff, law enforcement and penitentiary authorities, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and religious communities.
Access to the Programme: this shall be open to public or private organisations and institutions (local authorities at the relevant level, university departments and research centres) working in the area of information on and prevention of drug use including the reduction and treatment of drug-related harm. The following countries may participate in the actions of the Programme: (a) the EFTA States which are party to the EEA Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement; and (b) the candidate countries and the western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and association process in accordance with the conditions laid down in the association agreements or their additional protocols relating to participation in Community programmes concluded or to be concluded with those countries. Candidate countries not participating in the Programme may be associated with projects where this would contribute to their preparation for accession, as may other third countries or international organisations not participating in the Programme where this serves the aim of the projects.
Implementing measures: the Commission shall implement the Community financial support in accordance with the Financial Regulation. To implement the Programme, the Commission shall, within the limits of the general objectives, adopt an annual work programme taking into account the technical expertise of the Centre. The Programme shall set out the specific objectives, thematic priorities, a description of accompanying measures and, if necessary, a list of other actions.
Complementarity with other instruments: synergies and complementarity shall be sought with other Community instruments, in particular with the General Programme ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’, the 7th Research and Development Framework Programme and the Community Programme on Public Health. Complementarity with the methodology and best practices developed by the Centre shall be assured, in particular with regard to the statistical element of information on drugs. Operations financed under this Decision shall not receive financial support for the same purpose from other Community financial instruments. The Commission shall require that the beneficiaries of the Programme provide the Commission with information about financing received from the general budget of the European Union and from other sources, as well as information about ongoing applications for financing.
Budgetary resources: the financial envelope for the implementation of this Decision from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 shall be EUR 21 350 000.
Evaluation: the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with: an annual presentation on the implementation of the Programme; an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the Programme not later than 31 March 2011; a Communication on the continuation of the Programme not later than 30 August 2012; and an ex-post evaluation report not later than 31 December 2014.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23 October 2007. The Programme applies from 1 January 2007.