24 Amendments of Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ related to 2018/0191(COD)
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 (Text with EEA relevance)
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In its Communication on 'A modern budget for a Union that protects, empowers and defends - the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027'26 adopted on 2 May 2018, the Commission called for a stronger “youth” focus in the next financial framework, notably by more than doubling the size of the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ Programme, one of the Union’s most visible success stories. The focus of the new Programme should be on inclusiveness, and to reach more young people with fewer opportunities and promoting the overall personal development of young people as active citizens in diverse and democratic societies. This should allow more young people to move to another country to learn or work. _________________ 26 COM(2018) 321 final. COM(2018) 321 final.
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The Programme should be coherent with the new European Union youth strategy30, the framework for European cooperation in the youth field for 2019- 2027, based on the Commission's Communication of 22 May 2018 on 'Engaging, connecting and empowering young people: a new EU Youth Strategy'31, including as regards the strategy’s aspirations to support quality youth work and non-formal learning. This entails attention for mobility, capacity-building, innovation and recognition of youth work and non-formal learning within the context of the 2012 Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning. This also calls for the promotion of quality tools and systems that should be used in the training of youth workers and that correspond to the changing circumstances of young people’s lives. These should be embedded in a broader quality approach to empower youth organisations. _________________ 30 [Reference - to be adopted by the Council by the end of 2018]. 31 COM(2018) 269 final.
Amendment 151 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Programme should be more inclusive by improving its outreach to those with fewer opportunities, including through more flexible learning mobility formats, and by fosteringsimplified administrative procedures, youth-friendly and clear information and communication about the programme and by fostering and supporting the participation of smallocal organisations, in particular newcomers and communityvolunteer-based grassroots organisations that work directly with disadvantaged learners of all ages. Simplified procedures, such as accreditation through compliance with quality charters, should be put in place to allow experienced mobility providers to support institutions and organisations with limited resources and capacities, with a view to enhancing outreach, inclusion and quality of learning mobility. Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, should be promoted as a complementary aspect of a physical mobility to reach more participants, in particular those with fewer opportunities and those for whom moving physically to a country other than their country of residence would be an obstacle.
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In its Communication on Strengthening European identity through education and culture, the Commission highlighted the pivotal role of education, culture and sport in promoting active citizenship and common values amongst the youngest generations. Strengthening European identity and fostering the active participation of individuals in the democratic processes and civil society is crucial for the future of Europe and our democratic societies. Going abroad to study, learn, train and work or to participate in youth and sport activities contributes to strengthening this European identity in all its diversity and the sense of being part of a cultural community as well as to fostering such active citizenship, among people of all ages. Those taking part in mobility activities should get involved in their local communities, for example by volunteering in local initiatives, as well as engage in their host country local communities to share their experience. Activities linked to reinforcing all aspects of creativity in education, training and youth and enhancing individual key competencies should be supported. The role of civil society organisations, such as youth organisations, is particularly important in achieving this goal through non-formal education and informal learning.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Programme should encourage youth participation in Europe's democratic life, including by supporting participation projects for young people to engage and learn to participate in civic society, raising awareness about European common values including fundamental rights, bringing together young people and decision makers at local, national and Union level, as well as contributing to the European integration process. The Programme recognises the key role of youth organisations and youth work in reaching this objective and will focus on building a stronger youth sector in Europe by supporting and promoting the operation and projects of youth organisations across Europe and in neighbouring countries, and cooperation with the rest of the world.
Amendment 214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Programme should offer young people more opportunities to discover Europe through learning experiences abroad. Eighteen year oldsYoung people, in particular those with fewer opportunities, should be given the chance to have a first-time, short- term individual or group experience travelling throughout Europe in the frame of an blended informal learning and non-formal educational activity aimed at fostering their sense of belonging to the European Union and, discovering its cultural diversity and fostering intercultural learning and active citizenship education. The Programme should identify bodies in charge of reaching out and selecting the participants and support activities to foster the learning dimension of the experience. The Programme should also integrate the European Capitals of Culture, the European Youth Capitals, the European Volunteering Capitals and European Green Capitals as key partners.
Amendment 255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) As a way to ensure cooperation with other Union instruments and support to other policies of the Union, mobility opportunities should be offered to people in various sectors of activity, such as the public sector, agriculture and enterprise, to have a learning experience abroad allowing them, at any stage of their life, to grow and develop professionally but also personally, in particular by developing an awareness of their European identity and an understanding of European cultural diversity. The Programme should offer an entry point for Union transnational mobility schemes with a strong learning dimension, simplifying the offer of such schemes for beneficiaries and those taking part in these activities. The scaling-up of Erasmus projects should be facilitated; specific measures should be put in place to help promoters of Erasmus projects to apply for grants or develop synergies through the support of the European Structural and Investment Funds and the programmes relating to migration, security, justice and citizenship, health and culture, as well as the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 296 #
(44a) As a general rule, grant requests and project applications will be submitted to the national agency of the country where the applicant organisation is based. Grant requests and project applications for activities organised by Union-wide networks, European non-governmental organisations and international organisations should be submitted to and managed by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) Member States should endeavour to adopt all appropriate measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the Programme. This includes resolving, where possible, and without prejudice to Union law on the entry and residence of third-country nationals issues that create difficulties in obtaining visas and residence permits and other legal difficulties that could prevent young people’s access to the Programme. In line with Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council39, Member States are encouraged to establish fast-track admission procedures. _________________ 39 Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing (OJ L 132, 21.5.2016, p. 21).
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 21
(21) ‘youth worker’ means a professional or a volunteer involved in non-formal learning who supports young people in their personal socio-educational and professional development; and the development of their competences. Youth workers together with young people are involved in the planning, steering, coordination, implementation and evaluation of youth work activities and related youth work development.
Amendment 369 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 22
(22) ‘EU Youth dialogue’ means the dialogue with young people and youth organisations whichinvolving policy- and decision-makers, as well as experts, researchers and other relevant civil society actors, as appropriate. It serves as a forum for continuous joint reflection on the priorities, implementation and follow- up of European cooperation in the youth field;
Amendment 376 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 25
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 25
(25) ‘people with fewer opportunities’ means people facing obstacles that prevent them from having effective access to opportunities under the Programme for economic, social, cultural, geographical or health reasons, a migrant background or for reasons such as disability and educational difficultieindividuals who require additional, targeted support due to discrimination and a heightened risk of social exclusion as a result of various factors, either individually or in combination with each other. Such factors may include disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, health status, geographical obstacles, legal barriers or other status;
Amendment 396 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to support the educational, professional and personal development of people in education, training, youth and sport, in Europe and beyond, thereby contributing to sustainable growth, jobs and social cohesion, promote active citizenship, participation in democratic life and to strengthening European identity. As such, the Programme shall be a key instrument for building a European education area, supporting the implementation of the European strategic cooperation in the field of education and training, with its underlying sectoral agendas, strengthening the youth sector and advancing youth policy cooperation under the Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and developing the European dimension in sport.
Amendment 402 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) promote learning mobility of individuals, as well as cooperation, inclusion, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training;, through a cross-sectoral approach that enhances synergies between the formal and non-formal education sectors.
Amendment 408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) promote non-formal learning mobility, intercultural learning, critical thinking, volunteering and active participation among young people, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, growth, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth;
Amendment 490 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) policy dialogue, support and cooperation with relevant key stakeholders, including Union-wide networks, European non- governmental organisations, and international organisations in the field of youth, the EU Youth dialogue as well as support to the European Youth Forum;
Amendment 574 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The levels of financial support, such as grants, travel or administrative lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, shall be regularly revised and adjusted to the living and subsistence costs of the host country or region as well as travelling conditions.
Amendment 599 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. As a general rule, grant requests and project applications shall be submitted to the national agency of the country where the applicant organisation is based. Grant requests and project applications for activities organised by Union-wide networks, European non- governmental organisations and international organisations, shall be submitted to and managed by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission.
Amendment 613 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18a Inclusion When implementing the Programme, inter alia as regards the selection of participants and the award of scholarships, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that particular efforts are made to promote social inclusion and the participation of people with special needs or with fewer opportunities. A specific inclusion strategy shall be developed to implement the Programme and inclusion shall be an important element in the programming, monitoring and evaluation.
Amendment 626 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. National agencies referred to in Article 24 shall develop a consistent strategy with regard to the effective outreach as well as dissemination and exploitation of results of activities supported under the actions they manage within the Programme, shall assist the Commission in its general task of disseminating information concerning the Programme, including information in respect of actions and activities managed at national and Union level, and its results, and. National agencies shall inform all relevant target groups about the actions and activities undertaken in their country, with a view to enhancing outreach across and cooperation with the wide spectrum of stakeholders and to support a cross- sectoral approach in the Programme’s implementation.
Amendment 637 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 2
2. The Member States shall take all necessary and appropriate measures to remove any legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the Programme, including, where possible, measures aimed at resolving issues that give rise to difficulties in obtaining visas, residence permits and other legal difficulties that could prevent young people’s access to the programme.
Amendment 645 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. The national agency shall regularly consult the beneficiaries of the Programme (individuals and organisations) in order to collect their feedback on the Programme and improve its implementation at national level based on their feedback and expertise.
Amendment 672 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. The committee may meet in specific configurations to deal with sectoral issues. Where appropriate, in accordance with its rules of procedure and on an ad hoc basis, external experts, including representatives of the social partners, may becivil society organisations and representatives of beneficiaries, shall be regularly invited to participate in its meetings as observers.