PURPOSE: to establish a Civil Protection Financial Instrument.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2007/162/EC, Euratom establishing a Civil Protection Financial Instrument.
BACKGROUND: with the adoption of the new financial perspectives 2007-2013, a series of new instruments have been adopted and replace the instruments from the previous financial perspectives. The funding provided under the new instrument will increase the effectiveness of rapid response and preparedness measures for major emergencies, particularly measures taken by way of the cooperation between Member States established by Council Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom on an assistance intervention mechanism (see CNS/2000/0248). This Decision aims to replace the previous instrument.
Overall, the new instrument will establish a civil protection financial instrument under which financial assistance may be given, both as a contribution to improving the effectiveness of response to major emergencies, in particular in the context of Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom, and to enhancing preventive and preparedness measures for all kinds of emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters, acts of terrorism including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism, and technological, radiological or environmental accidents.
However, to avoid duplication of effort and funding, certain areas are not eligible for funding with this instrument, e.g. the actions and measures included in the action programme "Health and consumer protection 2007-2013" or the action programme in the field of consumer policy (COD/2005/0042A and COD/2005/0042B), those implemented outside the EU through the stability instrument (COD/2004/0223) and those provided for by the specific programme on terrorism or relating to the maintenance of order and internal security. Moreover, funding is excluded where the proposed action or measure is already funded by another European financial instrument.
CONTENT: this Decision establishes a Civil Protection Financial Instrument to support and complement the efforts of the Member States for the protection, primarily of people but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage, in the event of natural and man-made disasters, acts of terrorism and technological, radiological or environmental accidents and to facilitate reinforced cooperation between the Member States in the field of civil protection.
The Instrument will cover the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.
The financial reference amount for the implementation of the Instrument for the period 2007 to 2013 shall be EUR 189 800 000.
Actions receiving financial assistance under the Instrument shall not receive assistance from other Community financial instruments.
It lays down the rules for the provision of financial assistance for:
In addition, it makes special provisions to fund certain transport resources in the event of a major emergency.
Actions eligible for financial assistance under the Instrument in the field of prevention and preparedness include the following:
Actions eligible for financial assistance under the Instrument in the field of response under the Mechanism:
Member States requesting financial support for the transportation of their assistance shall reimburse at least 50 % of the Community funds received, not later than 180 days after the intervention.
Evaluation: actions receiving financial assistance under the Instrument shall be monitored regularly in order to follow their implementation. The Commission shall submit the following to the European Parliament and to the Council:
- no later than 31 December 2008, a first evaluation report on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of this Decision;
- no later than 30 June 2010, an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of this Decision;
- no later than 31 December 2011, a communication on the continuation of this Decision;
- no later than 31 December 2014, an ex post evaluation report.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision shall apply from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.