Activities of Max ANDERSSON related to 2018/0207(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Rights and Values programme
Amendments (46)
Amendment 10 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Those rights and values must continue to be promoted andcultivated, protected, promoted, enforced and shared among the citizens and peoples and be at the heart of the EU project, as the deterioration of those rights and values in any Member State can have detrimental effects on the Union as a whole. Therefore, a new Justice, Rights and Values Fund, comprising the Rights and Values and the Justice programmes shall be created in the EU budget. At a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisions, it is more important than ever to promote, strengthen and defend justice, rights and EU values: human rights, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. This will have profound and direct implications for political, social, cultural and economic life in the EU. As part of the new Fund, the Justice Programme will continue to support the further development of Union area of justice and cross-border cooperation. The Rights and Values Programme will bring together the 2014-2020 Programme Rights, Equality and Citizenship established by Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council8 and the Europe for Citizens programme established by Council Regulation (EU) No 390/20149 , (hereafter 'the predecessor Programmes'). _________________ 8 Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the period 2014 to 2020 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 62) 9 Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014 of 14 April 2014 establishing the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme for the period 2014- 2020 (OJ L 115, 17.4.2014, p.3)
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus primarily on people and entities, which contribute to make our common values, rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain a rights-based, equal, open, inclusive and democratic society. That includes a vibrant civil society by funding activities that promote a vibrant, well-developed, self-reliant and empowered civil society. Such activities include advocacy for the promotion and protection of our common values, encouraging people's democratic, civic and social participation and fostering peace and the rich diversity of European society, based on our common values, history and memory. Article 11 of the Treaty of the European Union further specifirequires that the institutions shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society and shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. The Commission should maintain a regular dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme as well as other relevant stakeholders by setting up a Civil Dialogue Group.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) Full respect and promotion of the rule of law and democracy is fundamental to building people's trust in the Union. Respect for the rule of law within the Union is a prerequisite for the protection of fundamental rights, as well as for upholding all rights and obligations enshrined in the Treaties. The way in which the rule of law is implemented in the Member States plays a vital role in ensuring mutual trust among Member States and their legal systems. The Programme should therefore promote and safeguard fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law at local, regional, national and transnational levels.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4 b) The 'rule of law', as one of the Union values enshrined in Article 2 TEU, include the principles of legality, implying a transparent, accountable, democratic and pluralistic process for enacting laws; legal certainty; prohibition of arbitrariness of executive powers; effective judicial protection by independent courts, including of fundamental rights; separation of powers and equality before the law.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Citizens should also be more aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union, and should feel at ease about living, travelling, studying, working and volunteering in another Member State, and should feel able to enjoy and exercise all their citizenship rights, place their trust in equal access, full enforceability and protection of their rights without any discrimination, no matter where in the Union they happen to be. Civil society needs to be supportedtrengthened at all levels for the promotion, safeguarding and raising awareness of EU common values under Article 2 TEU and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications (right to privacy) is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The protection of personal data is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Compliance with the rules for the protection of personal data is subject to the control by independent supervisory authorities. The Unions’ legal framework, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council12 and Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council13 lay down provisions to ensure that the right to protection of personal data is effectively protected. These legal instruments entrust the national data protection supervisory authorities with the task of promoting public awareness and understanding of the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the processing of personal data. The Union should be able to conduct awareness- raising activities, support civil society organisations in advocating for data protection in line with Union standards, carry out studies and other relevant activities given the importance of the right to the protection of personal data in times of rapid technological developments. _________________ 12 13OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1-88. OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1-88. 13 OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89-131. OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89-131.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Independent human rights bodies and civil society organisations play an essential role in promoting, safeguarding and raising awareness of the Union’s common values under Article 2 TEU, and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights under Union law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. As reflected in the European Parliament Resolution of 189 April 2018, an increase in funding and adequate financial support is key to the development of a conducive and sustainable environment for civil society organisations to strengthen their role and perform their functions independently and effectively. Complementing efforts at national level, EU funding should therefore contribute to support, empower and build , including through adequate core funding and simplified cost options, financial rules and procedures, the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of human rights whose activities help the strategic enforcement of rights under EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including through advocacy and watchdog activities, as well as to promote, safeguard and raise awareness of the Union’s common values at national level.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) TAs regards the implementation of the specific objectives of promoting gender equality and rights, promoting citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union at local, regional, national and transnational level as well as combating violence, the Programme should be open, subject to certain conditions, to the participation of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and EFTA members which are not members of the EEA and other European countries. Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy should also be able to participate in the Programme.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to ensure efficient allocation of funds from the general budget of the Union, it is necessary to ensure the European added value of all actions carried out, their complementarity to Member States’ actionsbearing in mind the particular Union added value inherent in any action, including actions carried out at local, regional, national and transnational level, directed at promoting and safeguarding our common values as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, their complementarity to Member States’ actions, where actions at Member State level are present, while consistency, complementarity and synergies shall be sought with funding programmes supporting policy areas with close links to each other, in particular within the Justice, Rights and Values Fund — and thus with the Justice Programme — as well as with Creative Europe programme, and Erasmus+ to realise the potential of cultural crossovers in the fields of culture, media, arts, education and creativity. It is necessary to create synergies with other European funding programmes, in particular in the fields of employment, internal market, enterprise, youth, health, citizenship, justice, migration, security, research, innovation, technology, industry, cohesion, tourism, external relations, trade and, development and climate.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [the new FR] (the ‘Financial Regulation’) applies to this Programme. It lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including the rules on grants, prizes, procurement, indirect implementation, financial assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees. and demands full transparency on the use of resources, sound financial management and prudent use of resources. In particular, rules concerning the possibility for local, regional, national and transnational civil society organisations to be funded through multiannual operating grants, cascading grants, provisions ensuring fast and flexible grant-making procedures, such as a two-step-application procedure, user-friendly applications and reporting procedures should be operationalised and further strengthened as part of the implementation of this Programme
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24 a (new)
Recital 24 a (new)
(24 a) In order to increase accessibility and provide guidance and practical information in relation to the Programme, each Member State should set up an independent National Contact Point with a view to providing assistance to both beneficiaries and applicants.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) TIn relation to the implementation of the specific objectives of promoting gender equality and rights, citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union at local, regional, national and transnational level and combating violence, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulationsupplement this Regulation with a view to carrying out the Programme and ensuring effective assessment of its progress towards the achievement of its objectives, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of work programmes pursuant to Article 13 and indicators as indicated in Articles 14 and 16 and Annex II. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties, including by supporting civil society organisationsdemocracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, in particular by supporting and building the capacity of civil society organisations at local, regional, national and transnational level, in order to sustain open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point –a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point –a (new)
(-a) to promote and safeguard fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law at local, regional, national and transnational level (Union values strand);
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a Union values strand Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (-a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: (a) protecting and promoting democracy and the rule of law, including ensuring the independence of the judiciary; effective judicial protection by independent courts, including of fundamental rights; transparency and non-arbitrariness by public authorities and law enforcement; providing support for independent human rights defenders and civil society organisations undertaking monitoring compliance with the rule of law, for whistle-blower defence and for initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, integrity and absence of corruption; (b) protecting, strengthening and promoting fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or association, media freedom and pluralism of the media, academic freedom, freedom of religion or belief and the right to privacy and family life; (c) supporting, empowering and building the capacity of independent civil society organisations active in the promotion of the values referred to in Article 2(1).
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on:
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial, social or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, language or sexual orientation, and supporting comprehensive policies to promote gender equality and anti- discrimination and their mainstreaming as well policies to combat racism and all forms of intolerance;
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (b) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on:
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (c) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on:
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) supporting and protecting victims of such violence, including by facilitating and ensuring access to justice, access to victim support services and access to safe police reporting for all victims of violence.
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point –a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point –a (new)
(-a) EUR [1 000 000 000] for the specific objectives referred to in point (-a) of article 2(2);
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The Commission should allocate at least 40% of the resources referred to in points (-a), (a) and (c) of paragraph 2 to the support of civil society organisations.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Resources allocated to a Member State under shared management may be transferred to the Programme in the following cases: (a) where the Commission activates the EU Rule of Law Framework; (b) where one third of the Member States, the European Parliament or the Commission submits a reasoned proposal to the Council in accordance with Article 7(1) TEU to determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by the Member State concerned of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU; (c) where one third of the Member States or the Commission submits a reasoned proposal to the European Council in accordance with Article 7(2) TEU to determine the existence of a serious and persistent breach by that Member State of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that paragraph. Where possible, those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. The Commission may make a proposal to the Council to transfer the resources in accordance with paragraph 5a after consulting the European Parliament. A proposal by the Commission shall be deemed adopted by the Council unless the Council decides, by means of an implementing act, to reject such a proposal by qualified majority within one month of the submission of the Commission proposal.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5 c (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. The Commission shall keep the European Parliament informed of the implementation of paragraphs 5a and 5b. In particular, the Commission shall, when one of the conditions set out in paragraph 5a is fulfilled for a Member State, immediately inform the European Parliament and provide details of the Funds and programmes which could be subject to a transfer of resources. The European Parliament may invite the Commission for a structured dialogue on the application of paragraphs 5a and 5b.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. TFor the specific objectives referred to in points (a) and (c) of article 2(2), the Programme shall be open to the following countries provided that the conditions are met: (Excluding third countries from participating in funding for objectives relating to the newOr. en strand art 2(2)(-a)NEW on Union values.)
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Actions contributing to the achievement of a general or specific objective specified in Article 2 may receive funding under this Regulation. In particular, activities listed in Annex I rticle 9 a (shall be eligible for funding.
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 b (new)
Article 9 b (new)
Article 9 b Activities eligible for funding The general and specific objectives of the Programme set out in Article 2 will be carried out in particular, but not exclusively, by supporting the following activities as carried out by one or more eligible entities: (a) awareness raising, public education, promotion and dissemination of information to improve the knowledge of the policies, principles and rights within the areas covered by the Programme; (b) mutual learning through the exchange of good practices among stakeholders to improve knowledge and mutual understanding and civic and democratic engagement; (c) analytical monitoring, reporting and advocacy activities to improve the understanding of the situation in Member States and at Union level in the areas covered by the Programme as well as to improve the transposition and implementation of Union law, policies and common Union values within Member States, such activities to include for instance the collection of data and statistics; the development of common methodologies and, where appropriate, indicators or benchmarks; studies, researches, analyses and surveys; evaluations; impact assessment; the elaboration and publication of guides, reports and educational material; (d) training relevant stakeholders to improve their knowledge of the policies and rights in the fields covered and strengthening relevant stakeholders’ capability to advocate for the policies and rights in the fields covered; (e) promoting public awareness and understanding of the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the protection of personal data, privacy, and digital security, as well as addressing fake news and targeted misinformation through awareness raising, trainings, studies and monitoring activities; (f) bringing together Europeans of different nationalities and cultures by giving them the opportunity to participate in town-twinning activities and projects; (g) encouraging and facilitating active and inclusive participation in the construction of a more democratic Union as well as raising awareness and promoting and defending rights and values through support to civil society organisations; (h) financing the technical and organisational support to implement Regulation [(EU)No 211/2011], thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives; (i) supporting civil society organisations active in the areas covered by the Programme at all levels, as well as developing the capacity of European networks and civil society organisations to contribute to the development, awareness raising and monitoring of the implementation of Union law, policy goals, values and strategies; (j) enhancing knowledge of the programme and dissemination and transferability of its results and fostering citizen and civil society outreach, including by setting up and supporting independent programme desks; (k) strengthening the capacity and independence of human rights defenders and civil society organisations monitoring the situation of the rule of law and supporting actions at local, regional, national and transnational levels; (l) supporting whistleblower defence, including initiatives and measures to establish safe channels for reporting within organisations and to public authorities or other relevant bodies, as well as measures to protect whistleblowers against dismissal, demotion or other forms of retaliation, including through information and training for relevant public authorities and stakeholders; (m) supporting initiatives and measures to promote and protect freedom and pluralism of the media and to build capacity for the new challenges such as new media and countering hate speech; (n) support and build capacity for civil society organisations active in promoting and monitoring integrity and corruption, transparency and accountability of public authorities; (o) supporting civil society organisations active in the area of protection and promotion of fundamental rights, including support for actions to raise awareness of fundamental rights and contribute to human rights education.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. The evaluation committee may be composed of external experts. The composition of the evaluation committee shall ensure gender balance.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a – indent 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a – indent 2
— for the specific objectives referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 2(2), a third country associated to the Programme;
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Commission shall apply the partnership principle when deciding its priorities under the Programme and provide for a comprehensive involvement of stakeholders into planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this Programme and its work programmes in accordance with Article 15a.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. The work programme shall be adopted by the Commission by means of an implementing act. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 19Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to supplement this Regulation by establishing the appropriate work programme.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Indicators to report on progress of the Programme towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 shall, where applicable, be collected disaggregated by gender, age, educational background, occupation and other relevant factors. The list of indicators are set out in Annex II.
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate and least burdensome reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and Member States. In order to facilitate reporting requirements being met, the Commission shall make available user-friendly formats and provide orientation and support programmes particularly targeted to civil society organisations, who may not always have the know-how and adequate resources and staff to meet reporting requirements.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Evaluations shall be gender mainstreamed, include a specific chapter for each strand and carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision- making process.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The Commission shall make the evaluation public by publishing it on its website.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 a (new)
Article 15 a (new)
Article 15 a Civil Dialogue 1. In line with Article 11(2) TEU, the Commission shall set up a Civil Dialogue Group aimed at ensuring a regular dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders. 2. The Civil Dialogue Group shall carry out the following: (a) Maintain a regular dialogue on all matters relating to the Programme and its planning, implementation and evaluation; (b) Exchange experiences and good practices within the fields and objectives covered by the Programme; (c) Contribute to the dissemination of the Programme’s results; (d) Contribute to the preparation and implementation of any events or activities organised under the Programme; (e) Monitor and discussing policy developments in related fields. 3. The Civil Dialogue Group shall consist of the following organisations: (a) Organisations which have been selected to receive an operating or action grant under the Programme; (b) Organisations which have received an operating or action grant under the former "Europe for Citizens" Programme or “Daphne” Programme and have expressed their continued interest to take part to the dialogue; (c) Other organisations or stakeholders who have expressed an interest in the Programme or work in this policy area, but not necessarily supported by the Programme.
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 13 and 14 shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2027.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 13 and 14 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Article 16 – paragraph 4
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. The composition of the group of experts consulted shall ensure gender balance. When preparing and drawing up delegated acts, the Commission shall ensure a timely and simultaneous transmission of all documents, including the draft acts, to the European Parliament and the Council at the same time as to Member States' experts. Where they consider this necessary, the European Parliament and the Council may each send experts to meetings of the Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts to which Member States' experts are invited. To that end, the European Parliament and the Council shall receive the planning for the following months and invitations for all experts meetings.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. Based on the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making , citizens and other stakeholders may express their opinion on the draft text of a delegated act during a four-week period. The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions shall be consulted on the draft text, based on the experience of NGOs and local and regional authorities with respect to the implementation of the Programme.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 6
Article 16 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 13 and 14 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a National Contact Points Each Member State shall set up an independent National Contact Point with qualified staff tasked with providing the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Programme with guidance, practical information and assistance regarding all aspects of the Programme, including in relation to the application procedure and proposal writing, distribution of documentation, partner search, training and other formalities.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I
Annex I