Activities of Liadh NÍ RIADA related to 2018/0191(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 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 PDF (574 KB) DOC (263 KB)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the 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
Amendments (87)
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) On 16 September 2016 in Bratislava, leaders of twenty-seven Member States stressed their determination to provide better opportunities for youth. In the Rome Declaration signed on 25 March 2017, leaders of twenty-seven Member States and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission pledged to work towards a Union where young people receive the best education and training and can work, learn, exchange, study and find jobs across the Union; a Union which preserves our cultural heritage and promotes solidarity, democracy and cultural diversity.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The mid-term evaluation report of the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ programme confirmed that the creation of a single programme on education, training, youth and sport resulted in significant simplification, rationalisation and synergies in the management of the Programme while further improvements are necessary to further consolidate the efficiency gains of the 2014-2020 Programme. In the consultations for the mid-term evaluation and on the future Programme, Member States and stakeholders made a strong call for continuity in the Programme's scope, architecture and delivery mechanisms, while calling for a number of improvements, such as making the Programme more inclusive and manageable for smaller beneficiaries and smaller projects.. They also expressed their full support for keeping the Programme integrated and underpinned by the lifelong learning paradigm. The European Parliament, in its Resolution of 2 February 2017 on the implementation of Erasmus+, welcomed the integrated structure of the programme and called on the Commission to exploit fully the lifelong learning dimension of the programme by fostering and encouraging cross-sectoral cooperation in the future programme. Member States and stakeholders also highlighted the need to keep a strong international dimension in the Programme and to extend it to other sectors of education and training.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The open public consultation on Union funding in the areas of values and mobility confirmed these key findings and emphasised the need to make the future programme a more inclusive programme and to continue to focus priorities on modernising education and training systems as well as strengthening priorities on fostering European identity,fostering active citizenship and participation in democratic life.
Amendment 109 #
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. In its resolution of 14 March 2018 on the next multiannual financial framework, the European Parliament called for the Programme’s budget to be tripled on order to maintain its success, achieve its goals including increased inclusiveness, as well as reduce its shortcomings and barriers to participation. The focus of the new Programme should be on inclusiveness, and to reach more young people with fewer opportunities. This should allow more young people to move to another country to learn or work.
Amendment 110 #
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 live, learn or work. _________________ 26 COM(2018) 321 final. COM(2018) 321 final.
Amendment 111 #
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.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Programme is essential to promoting lifelong learning and this dimension should be encouraged by means of cross-sectoral cooperation as well as greater interaction among different forms of education. In this context, large-scale policy projects should be promoted and provided with sufficient funding and national agencies should have greater flexibility.
Amendment 131 #
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 132 #
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 the strategy’s aspirations to support quality youth work and non- formal and informal learning. This entails attention to mobility, inclusiveness, capacity-building, innovation and recognition of youth work and non-formal or informal 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. COM(2018) 269 final.
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Programme should contribute to strengthening the Union's innovation capacity notably by supporting mobility and cooperation activities that foster the development of competences in forward- looking study fields or disciplines such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, climate change, the environment, clean energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, data analysis and arts/design, to help people develop knowledge, skills and competences needed for the future. To this end, particular measures should address women and girls, who are still under-represented in these disciplines in some countries.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Synergies with Horizon Europe should ensure that combined resources from the Programme and the Horizon Europe Programme33 are used to support activities dedicated to strengthening and modernising European higher education institutions. Horizon Europe will, where appropriate, complement the Programme's support for the European Universities initiative, in particular its research dimension as part of developing new joint and integrated long term and sustainable strategies on education, research and innovation. Synergies with Horizon Europe will help to foster the integration of education and research in higher education institutions. The programming of synergies should be coherent and synchronised in all relevant programmes. The simplified procedures for application should be applied for beneficiaries at the implementation level.
Amendment 152 #
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 fostering participation ofmobility formats, simplified administrative procedures, targeting of beneficiary organisations working with groups under-represented in Erasmus+, youth-friendly and clear information and communication about the programme and by fostering and supporting the participation of local organisations and small organisations, in particular newcomers, youth organisations, volunteer-based and community-based grassroots organisations that work directly with disadvantaged learners of all ages. Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, should be promoted 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 obstacllearners with fewer opportunities of all ages, and organisations working with and supporting people from marginalised groups, such as people with an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and LGBTI people. Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, should be promoted to reach more participants and complement the mobility experience.
Amendment 153 #
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 throughoffering more flexible learning mobility formats, and by fostering the participation of small organisations, in particular newcomers and community-based grassroots organisations that work directly with disadvantaged learners of all ages. Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, should be promoted 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. , and strengthening cooperation and dialogue with social partners, national and local authorities and civil society. To that end, an EU-wide strategy on fostering inclusiveness should be developed, including a specific methodology and specific measures to reach people with fewer opportunities and assist their participation in the Programme. Such a strategy should be further adjusted to national and local contexts and implemented by national agencies together with relevant stakeholders.
Amendment 155 #
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 fostering participation of small organisations, in particular newcomers and community-based grassroots organisations that work directly with disadvantaged learners of all ages. Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, should be promoted 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. Non-discriminatory and barrier-free access to the Programme should be ensured for people with disabilities. To that end, adequate funding, suitable educational and social supports, and enhanced structural support is vital to increase the Programme outreach.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) The Programme should put greater emphasis on bilingual or multilingual inclusive and high-quality early school education as a means of enhancing children’s long-term educational potential from early years and preventing social and economic inequalities. The mobility of early education and pre-school staff should be promoted with the aim of strengthening the educational mission of pre-schools and improving the teaching of children.
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) Virtual formats, such as virtual cooperation, blended and virtual mobility, can be promoted to reach more participants, in particular those whose participation in transnational activities is limited or strongly impeded. Such virtual formats should be viewed as an enhancement to, rather than a replacement for, physical mobility.
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 b (new)
Recital 16 b (new)
(16b) Non-discriminatory and barrier- free access to the Programme should be ensured for people with disabilities. To that end, adequate funding and enhanced structural support is necessary to increase the Programme outreach.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 c (new)
Recital 16 c (new)
(16c) With a view to enhancing outreach, inclusion and the quality of learning mobility, experienced non-profit mobility providers should benefit from a simplified application procedure, such as accreditation by complying with quality charters, in order to support the participation in the Programme of institutions and organisations with limited resources and capacities.
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 d (new)
Recital 16 d (new)
(16d) The Programme should put greater emphasis on inclusive and high- quality early school education as a means of enhancing children’s long-term educational potential from early years and preventing social and economic inequalities. The mobility of early education and pre-school staff should be promoted with the aim of strengthening the educational mission of pre-schools and improving the teaching of children.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 e (new)
Recital 16 e (new)
(16e) Online tools and platforms connected with the Programme should be optimised and synchronised in order to create a single information point for all stakeholders and Programme beneficiaries.
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 f (new)
Recital 16 f (new)
(16f) The Programme should ensure the meaningful participation of the representatives of programme beneficiaries, including civil society, in the governance, implementation and evaluation of the Programme actions. Good governance and partnership with key stakeholders contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of the Programme's actions and activities.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 g (new)
Recital 16 g (new)
(16g) The Programme should provide structural support to key Union-level networks and European non- governmental organisations whose activities relate to and contribute to the Programme objectives.
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The international dimension of the Programme should be boosted aiming at offering a greater number of opportunities for mobility, cooperation and policy dialogue with third countries not associated to the Programme, including with regional and sub-state governments. Building on the successful implementation of international higher education and youth activities under the predecessor programmes in the fields of education, training and youth, the international mobility activities should be extended to other sectors, such as in vocational education and training.
Amendment 189 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) The Programme should ensure quality mobility experiences based on the principles laid down in the European Quality Charter for Mobility (2006/961/EC), where the quality of the practical provisions such as information, preparation, support and recognition of experience and qualifications, as well as clear learning plans and learning outcomes drawn up in advance, have a definitive impact on the advantages of the mobility experiences. In addition, authorities and organisations involved in this process can improve its value by adequate planning and suitable evaluation.
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Programme should reinforce existing learning mobility opportunities, notably in those sectors where the Programme could have the biggest efficiency gains, to broaden its reach and meet the high unmet demand. This should be done notably by increasing and facilitating mobility activities for higher education students, school pupils and learners in vocational education and training. Mobility of low-skilled adult learnerunder- represented groups, especially young people not in formal education and learners in vocational education and training, as well as school pupils. Higher education students could continue to be targeted at the existing high level. Mobility of learners with fewer opportunities should be embedded in partnerships for cooperation. Mobility opportunities for youth participating in non-formal or informal learning activities should also be fundamentally extended to reach more young people, especially newcomers, those with fewer opportunities and hard-to-reach population groups. Mobility of staff in education, training, youth and sport should also be reinforced, considering its leverage effect. In line with the vision of a true European Education Area, the Programme should also boost mobility and exchanges and promote student participation in educational and cultural activities by supporting digitalisation of processes, such as the European Student Card. This initiative can be an important step in making mobility for all a reality first by enabling higher education institutions to send and receive more exchange students while still enhancing quality in student mobility and also by facilitating students' access to various services (library, transport, accommodation) before arriving at the institution abroad.
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The Programme should strengthen inclusivity and quality in VET in order to ensure its vital role in providing equal opportunities and social inclusion for all citizens. To this end, the Programme should address VET sector-specific issues in relation to Programme participation, such as high-quality mobility partnerships, sector-specific language training and competence recognition and/or certification.
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The Programme should pay more attention to building a supportive environment for teachers and educational personnel and to the social dimension of teaching and learning of exchange students. Additional financial support and sufficient continuous professional development opportunities should be provided for school and academic staff and researchers who teach international students.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 b (new)
Recital 20 b (new)
(20b) VET institutions should be further encouraged to apply for the VET Charter in order to benchmark their quality and attractiveness. Partnerships and networks between employers and VET providers should be strengthened.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 c (new)
Recital 20 c (new)
(20c) The Programme should support and encourage the mobility of teachers and educational staff at all levels as an important factor in fostering their ongoing learning, enhanced working practice and overall professional development. To this end, teachers and educational staff should benefit from the same financial support regardless of sending countries, flexible work arrangements as well as the possibility to incorporate periods abroad into their work programmes and regular workloads.
Amendment 213 #
(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 informal educational activity aimed at fostering their sense of belonging to the European Union discovering its diversity and the variety of youth participation and discovering its cultural diversity. The Programme should identify bodies, including civil society organisations and youth organisations, in charge of reaching out and selecting the participants and support activities to foster the learning dimension of the experience. Preparation and debriefing seminars, providing language training, intercultural skills and stimulating reflection should be an integral part of the travelling experience. Those seminars should be organised by the responsible sending or receiving organisations. Those organisations should also be involved in the selection of participants and serve as a point of contact for the traveller for the duration of the journey. The Programme should also link with the European Capitals of Culture, the European Youth Capitals, the European Volunteering Capitals and European Green Capitals as a key component of the experience.
Amendment 215 #
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 travel experience travelling throughoutin Europe in the frame of an informal educational activity aimed at fostering their sense of belonging to the European Union and discovering its cultural diversity. Actions proposed within this framework should have a strong learning component enabling the validation of the competences and skills acquired during the mobility periods, and an inclusive character tailored to the needs of all participants. It should also integrate the European Capitals of Culture, the European Youth Capitals, the European Volunteering Capitals and European Green Capitals as a key component of the learning and traveling experience. The Pprogramme should identify bodies in charge of reaching out and selecting the participants and support activities to foster the learning dimension of the experience.
Amendment 223 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The Programme should also enhance the learning of languages, including minority and unofficial languages, as well as national sign languages, in particular through widened use of accessible online tools, as e-learning offers additional advantages for language learning in terms of access and flexibility. The online tools and portals must be fully accessible in line with Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies.
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The Programme should also enhance the learning of languages, in particular throughcluding on-site language courses and widened use of online tools, as e-learning offers additional advantages for language learning in terms of access and flexibility. The Erasmus Online Linguistic Support should be tailored to the specific needs of participants of the Programme and open to everybody.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23a) The Programme should make use of language technologies such as automatic translation technologies within all key actions, with the aim of facilitating exchanges between authorities and improving intercultural dialogue, especially in written and audiovisual expression. Reinforced synergies with Horizon Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) could help develop the use of language technologies under the Programme.
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23a) Minority and lesser used languages and linguistic diversity should make up a core part of the programme where these languages are spoken.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The Programme should support measures that enhance the cooperation between institutions and organisations active in education, training, youth and sport, recognising their fundamental role in equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills and competences needed in a changing world as well as to adequately fulfil the potential for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, in particular within the digital economy. To this end, effective cooperation between all relevant stakeholders at all levels of the Programme’s implementation should be ensured.
Amendment 238 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The 2010 Bruges Communiqué called for support of vocational excellence for smart and sustainable growth. The 2017 Communication on Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions points to linking vocational education and training to innovation systems, as part of smart specialisation strategies at regional level. The Programme should provide the means to respond to these calls and support the development of transnational platforms of Centres of vocational excellence closely integrated in local and regional strategies for sustainable development, social inclusion, growth, innovation and competitiveness. These centres of excellence should act as drivers of quality vocational skills in a context of sectorial challenges, while supporting overall structural changes and socio-economic policies in the Union.
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) The Programme should contribute to facilitating transparency and automatic recognition of skills and, competences, qualifications, and diplomas as well as the transfer of credits or units of learning outcomes, to foster quality assurance and to support validation of non-formal and informal learning, skills management and guidance. In this regard, the Programme should also provide support to contact points and networks at national and Union level that facilitate cross-European exchanges as well as the development of flexible learning pathways between different fields of education, training and youth and across formal and non-formal settings.
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 a (new)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29a) The Programme should put special emphasis on the validation and recognition of education and training periods abroad, including for secondary school education. In this regard, the budget allocation and concrete grants should be linked to quality assessment procedures, to a description of the learning outcomes, and to the full application of the Council Recommendation on European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 a (new)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29a) Stresses that any EU-supported internship or apprenticeship programme must have proper monitoring and controls, including pre-placement checks and consultation with trade unions where a collective agreement exists, to prevent displacement of paid work and ensure meaningful employment-enhancing training.
Amendment 258 #
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.
Amendment 259 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32 b (new)
Recital 32 b (new)
(32b) Given the legal obligation of the European Union to eliminate inequalities and promote equality between men and women through all its activities established by Article 8 TFEU, this Programme should contribute to mainstreaming gender in the Union's policies. Relevant actions should be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review process. Improvements are especially needed regarding the gender balance of participants from third countries.
Amendment 271 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33 a (new)
Recital 33 a (new)
(33a) Considering that the EU and all the Member States have ratified the UN CRPD, including its Article 9 on accessibility and its Article 24 on education, special attention should be given to ensuring that the activities supported by the Programme are accessible to all young people, notably people with fewer opportunities, including persons with disabilities. Furthermore, reasonable accommodation must be provided if required to promote the social inclusion and the participation of young people with fewer opportunities, as well as to take into account the constraints imposed by the remoteness of a number of rural areas and of the outermost regions of the Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories. Similarly, the participating countries should endeavour to adopt all appropriate measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the Programme. This should resolve, where possible, and without prejudice to the Schengen acquis and Union law on the entry and residence of third-country nationals, administrative issues that create difficulties in obtaining visas, residence permits and access to support services, as well as the issuing of a European Health Insurance Card in the case of cross-border activities within the European Union.
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Appropriate outreach, publicity and dissemination of the opportunities and results of the actions supported by the Programme should be ensured at European, national and local level. The outreach, publicity and dissemination activities should rely on all the implementing bodies of the Programme, including, when relevantapplicable, with the support of other keyrelevant stakeholders.
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) In order to ensure efficient, and effective implementation of this Regulation, the Programme should make maximum use of delivery mechanisms already in place. The implementation of the Programme should therefore be entrusted to the Commission, and to national agencies, which should ensure consistent and coherent application of the Programme rules across the EU countries and proper outreach to and cooperation with all target groups across the wide spectrum of stakeholders. Where feasible, and in order to maximise efficiency, the national agenciesy should be the same as the one designated for the management of the predecessor programme. The scope of the ex- ante compliance assessment should be limited to the requirements that are new and specific to the Programme, unless justified, such as in case of serious shortcomings or under-performance on the part of the national agency concerned.
Amendment 300 #
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 exempting study grants from taxation and social levies, as well as 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. 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 306 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
Recital 49
(49) In order to simplify requirements for beneficiaries, simplified grants in the form of lump-sums, unit-costs and flat-rate funding should be used to the maximum possible extent. The simplified grants to support the mobility actions of the Programme, as defined by the Commission, should take into accountbe regularly reviewed and adjusted to the living and subsistence costs of the host country and regions. The Commission and national agencies of the sending countries should have the possibility to adjust these simplified grants on the basis of objective criteria, in particular to ensure access to people with fewer opportunities. In accordance with national law, Member States should also be encouraged to exempt those grants from any taxes and social levies. The same exemption should apply to public or private entities awarding such financial support to the individuals concerned.
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49 a (new)
Recital 49 a (new)
(49a) It is important to ensure equality of opportunity for persons that may be physically or geographically disadvantaged, or who may belong to a minority, so that they enjoy full and fair access to the Programme. This is of paramount importance to the Programme’s success in achieving full inclusivity.
Amendment 309 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) It is necessary to ensure the complementarity of the actions carried out within the Programme with activities undertaken by the Member States and with other Union activities, with emphasis on sharing knowledge and fostering national and local developments. These activities include in particular those in the fields of education, culture and the media, youth and solidarity, employment and social inclusion, research and innovation, industry and enterprise, agriculture and rural development with a focus on young farmers, cohesion, regional policy and international cooperation and development.
Amendment 310 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51 a (new)
Recital 51 a (new)
(51a) The Programme will recognise the importance of safeguarding both natural and cultural heritage and will harness the educational potential of these amenities.
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. In particular, this Regulation seeks to ensure full respect for the right to equality between men and women and the right to non-discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and to promote the application of Articles 21 and 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) 'lifelong learning' means learning in all its forms (formal, non-formal and informal learning) taking place at all stages in life, including early childhood education and care, general education, vocational education and training, higher education, and adult education, and resulting in an improvement in knowledge, skills and attitudes or participation in society, sensitivity to global and local environmental and social issues, in a personal, civic, cultural, social and/or employment-related perspective, including the provision of counselling and guidance services;
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) '‘learning mobility' means moving physically to a country other than the country of residence, in order to undertake study, training or non-formal or informal learning; It mayis fully accessible, inclusive and adequately funded and shall be accompanied by measures such as language support, including for national sign languages, and training and/or be complemented by accessible online learning of and virtual cooperation regarding all EU spoken and signed languages. In some specific cases, it may take the form of learning through the use of accessible information technology and accessible communications tools;
Amendment 322 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) 'learning mobility' means moving physically to a country other than the country of residence, in order to undertake study, training or non-formal or informal learning;, including teaching or professional development activities. It may be accompanied by measures such as language support and training and/or be complemented by online learning and virtual cooperation. In some specific cases, it may take the form of learning through the use of information technology and communications tools; tools, but not to the exclusion of physical mobility.
Amendment 327 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) 'informal learning' means learning resulting from daily activities and experiences which is not organised or structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support. It may be unintentional from the learner's perspective and it should provide a learning outcome beneficial for the learner;
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) ‘staff’ means any person who, on either a professional or a voluntary basis, is involved in education at all levels, training or non- formal learning, and may include professors, teachers, trainers, school leaders, youth workers, sport coaches, non- educational staff and other practitioners involved in promoting learning;
Amendment 345 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) ‘adult education’ means any form of non-vocational education for adults after initial education, whether of a formal, non- formal or informal nature; The main objectives of adult education are the promotion of social inclusion, active citizenship, personal development and well-being, along with the transfer of knowledge, competences and skills;
Amendment 375 #
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 who need additional support due to their disadvantage compared to their peers because of various obstaccless to opportunities under the Programme for, for example disability, health problems, educational difficulties, cultural differences, economic, social, cultural, and geographical or health reasons, a migrant background or for reasons such as disability abstacles, including people from marginalised communities or at risk of facing discrimination based on any of the grounds educational difficulties;nshrined in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment 384 #
(26a) ‘social inclusion’ means the process of enabling people with fewer opportunities to participate in the Programme or/and addressing issues of inclusion and diversity that ultimately benefit people with fewer opportunities;
Amendment 389 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27 b (new)
(27b) ‘reasonable accommodation’ means necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure for persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 391 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27 c (new)
(27c) ‘mobility providers’ means non- profit organisations which offer support services to schools, universities or VET providers for the organisation of mobility projects.
Amendment 429 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) language learning opportunities, including those supporting mobility activities., and including minority and unofficial languages, as well as national sign languages;
Amendment 447 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) partnerships for innovation, especially sustainable and green innovation to strengthen Europe’s sustainable innovation capacity;
Amendment 450 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) partnerships for social inclusion and cohesion and reduction of poverty;
Amendment 462 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) measures that contribute to the high-qualitative and inclusivy and socially more inclusive and environmentally sustainable implementation of the Programme;
Amendment 475 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) intergenerational exchange activities between youth and older persons;
Amendment 489 #
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 structural support to the European Youth Forum and other European youth organisations;
Amendment 506 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) not for profit and grassroots sport events aiming at further developing the European dimension of sport.
Amendment 512 #
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 4 a (new)
Chapter 4 a (new)
CHAPTER V SOCIAL INCLUSION 1. The increased participation of people with fewer opportunities shall be a priority in order to ensure wide outreach, to foster inclusiveness and to contribute to achieving the Programme’s goals. In this context, a Union-wide strategy on enhancing the Programme’s inclusiveness shall be developed, setting common goals, indicating possible measures and guidelines to achieve them, outlining structural and financial support available, as well as monitoring and evaluation tools. The national agencies may further adjust this strategy to national and local contexts and shall implement it. The European Commission shall monitor the implementation of such a strategy. 2. The strategy referred to in paragraph 1 shall give particular attention to the following elements: (a) enhanced cooperation and dialogue with social partners, national and local authorities and civil society; (b) the optimisation of the potential of participating organisations by facilitating their participation in the Programme; (c) adapting the level of financial support for the mobility of individuals to meet the needs of people with fewer opportunities, in line with the living and subsistence costs of the host country or region; (d) collection of qualitative and quantitative data on the Programme’s inclusiveness; (e) cooperation with other Union instruments including the European Social Fund+ and support for other Union policies; (f) dissemination and awareness- raising of the Programme in the most user-friendly way to targeted groups; (g) support to contact points for beneficiaries and organisations working with them; (h) portability of social grants, and provision of pre-financing options and structural aid for the disabled; (i) preparation initiatives for the mobility experience. 3. Grants for mobility actions for people with fewer opportunities shall cover their total cost of participation in the Programme.
Amendment 573 #
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 575 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. To support the inclusion of those who face additional barriers and require special needs assistance, a dedicated budget to cover the costs of such assistance will be provided, separate from the main project budget.
Amendment 581 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. The funds for the learning mobility of individuals referred to in Article 4 shall be adjusted to the cost of living in the host Member States or regions.
Amendment 584 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Staff such as teachers, professors or researchers working on the same project shall be remunerated equally and their living costs shall be adjusted to reality, based on host regions (reviewed annually or bi-annually and based on updated Eurostat figures).
Amendment 602 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. When implementing the Programme, inter alia in the selection of participants and the award of grants, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that efforts are made to promote social inclusion and improve outreach to people with fewer opportunities. The cost of measures to facilitate inclusion cannot by itself justify the rejection of a project application. Furthermore, participants who declare that they fall into the category of “people with fewer opportunities” shall not be obliged to prove their support needs, as this would create barriers to their equal participation.
Amendment 604 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. When implementing the Programme, inter alia in the selection of participants and the award of grants, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that efforts are made to promote social inclusion and improve outreach to people with fewer opportunities. Additional support shall be provided to allow barrier-free access to all activities for people with fewer opportunities to prepare them culturally, socially, and linguistically for their mobility experiences.
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Article 18 – paragraph 5
5. To improve access to people with fewer opportunities and ensure the smooth implementation of the Programme, the Commission may adjust or may authorise the national agencies referred to in Article 23 to adjust, on the basis of objective criteria, the grants to support mobility actions of the Programme, for example by providing pre-financing.
Amendment 616 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. There shall be an overseeing body to monitor the participation of the three groups who have been previously marginalised by the programme. This body will report to the European Parliament on an annual or bi-annual basis. These groups are: – People with disabilities and special education requirements – Marginalised communities, such as persons who are geographically disadvantaged, early school leavers, people in informal education and people with ethnic status or belonging to a minority – People at socio-economic disadvantage
Amendment 623 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 5
Article 21 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observationsubmit evaluation reports to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Amendment 629 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. All Programme documents shall be available in all the official and co- official languages of the European Union in order to ensure equal opportunities.
Amendment 630 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. The national agency shall provide adequate support to ensure that projects are easily accessible and contribute to the qualitative and inclusive implementation of the Programme.
Amendment 638 #
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 647 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 7 b (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. The national agency shall regularly consult the beneficiaries of the Programme (individuals and organisations) with a view to improving the Programme’s implementation.
Amendment 652 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7
Article 25 – paragraph 7
7. Regular meetings shall be organised with the network of national agencies in order to ensure coherent implementation of the Programme across all Member States and all third countries referred to in Article 17. The representatives of beneficiaries, including civil society and external experts, shall be invited to participate in these meetings as observers.
Amendment 677 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 1
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) High quality and inclusive learning mobility for people from diverse backgrounds, including people with fewer opportunities
Amendment 679 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 2 – point 3
Annex I – paragraph 2 – point 3
(3) Number of people taking part in mobility activities under the Programme, accompanied by a description of the measures taken to achieve full inclusion of the participants