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

PURPOSE : to permit flexibility in the cofinancing requirement for the "Socrates" programme. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Decision 451/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision 253/2000/EC establishing the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education "Socrates". CONTENT : Community assistance for projects under the Socrates programme will not normally exceed 75 % of the total costs of the project. Decision 819/95/EC establishing the Socrates programme did not stipulate a minimum level of cofinancing. However, 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 organisations involved in the project partnership. The Community assistance granted to these projects does not cover the costs of the contributions of such staff, but may cover up to 100 % of the other costs incurred. The target group for these projects is primarily small institutions and the sums granted as Community assistance are small, averaging EUR 3 315 in 2000. This Decision ensures that these institutions do not have to account for the contribution made by their staff, solely in order to demonstrate that Community assistance does not normally exceed 75 % of the total costs of the project. An amendment is made to Decision No 253/2000/EC in order to permit appropriate flexibility in the application of the cofinancing requirement. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 02/04/03.�