Youth in Action programme (2007-2013); Commission implementing powers

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 Actionprogramme 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.