Community action programme in the field of education "Socrates", second phase: application of cofinancing requirement

PURPOSE : to amend the legislation relating to the second stage of "Socrates" in order to allow flexibility in the requirement for cofinancing. CONTENT : Decision 253/2000/EC establishes the second phase of the "Socrates" programme and states that Community funding under the programme will not normally exceed 75%, except in the case of accompanying measures. Decision 819/95/EC establishing the Socrates programme did not stipulate a minimum level of cofinancing. Projects within the decentralised actions of the programme cannot be realised without a significant contribution in the form of staff time and infrastructure support from the partner organisations. The Community grant for these projects does not support the costs of the contributions of such staff, but may cover up to 100% of the other costs incurred in realising the project. The target group is primarily small institutions such as schools and adult education institutes, which generally have limited administrative resources. The Community has not previously needed partner organisations within the decentralised actions of the programme to provide information about the cost of the contribution of the staff they employ towards the realisation of the project. The Community grant averaged EUR 3315 in 2000. It is not consistent with the principles of simplification and proportionality to apply a new requirement on the institutions participating in projects to account for staff contributions, solely in order to demonstrate that the Community grant does not normally exceed 75% of the total cost of the project. An amendment is proposed to the effect that, in accordance with the cofinancing principle, the beneficiary's contribution may take the form of the provision of the personnel and/or infrastructure necessary for the realisation of the project.�