Sittings · Document
Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the implementation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme 2021-2027 – citizens' engagement and participation
Rapporteur: Łukasz KOHUT (S&D / PL)
Reference numbers: 2023/2004 (INI) / A9-0392/2023 / P9_TA(2024)0009
Date of adoption of the resolution: 16 January 2024
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The resolution highlights the uniqueness of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme’s contribution to enhancing the civic space in the EU, as well as the respect of fundamental rights. It notes that the CERV programme is an essential instrument for the future of the EU and for addressing a number of socio-political challenges, such as Euroscepticism and shrinking civic space. It indicates that the programme faced several challenges that hindered the initial stages of its implementation, but it acknowledges that now the programme is functioning well.
The resolution raises concerns that the introduction of new corporate digital tools (e.g. the eGrants) hindered the participation of smaller organisations. Therefore, the resolution calls on the Commission for the simplification of the application process, including for four-year framework partnerships for operating grants. The resolution deplores that it is not obligatory for Member States to set up a CERV programme national contact point (NCP), and regrets that only 20 NCPs have been established by June 2023. The resolution also calls on the Member States that have not yet designated NCPs to do so as quickly as possible. The resolution expresses concern about the current inflation rates and their negative impact on the CERV beneficiaries and projects.
The resolution calls on the Commission to prioritise data collection on the CERV programme, particularly on disadvantaged groups, and stresses the importance of establishing strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The resolution recalls the need to encourage citizens’ active participation by reinforcing the European dimension of citizenship education. The resolution calls to explore a possibility to extend the re-granting schemes to the other areas of the CERV programme, while simplifying the requirements for re-granting and increasing the co-funding rate.
Finally, the resolution calls for the programme’s budget to be increased to EUR 2.6 billion in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and for the programme’s scope to be enlarged.
Response to the requests in the resolution and overview of the action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
Paragraph 3
The Commission recalls that the CERV programme’s performance monitoring framework provides a comprehensive approach and system of indicators used for monitoring purpose, to contribute to assess results and impacts, as well as to inform policy development.
The CERV intervention logic encompasses impacts on specific groups of the society, including minorities and groups at risk.
The Commission reports on the general performance of the programme and its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the Programme Performance Statement: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/performance-and-reporting/programme-performance-statements/citizens-equality-rights-and-values-programme-performance_en.
Paragraphs 5 and 17
For grants awarded under CERV the Commission uses the corporate solutions available for EU funding programmes (namely the Funding & Tenders Portal (F&T Portal - 70 EU funding programmes are currently managed by it) and the eGrants tools). eGrants is a set of integrated corporate tools for managing all steps of grant management, from proposal submission, to selection processes, to reporting and monitoring, to final payments. The Commission is constantly working to adapt these tools, focusing on user needs, to improve applicants/beneficiaries experience with searching, applying and managing EU funding. In addition, for smaller applicants, for first time applicants and in general for organisations needing further support, the Commission has put in place additional help through the National Contact Points. Applicants can also count on the F&T IT Helpdesk for questions related to tools and processes. The very high level of participation to calls for proposals indicates that this constant work has produced very positive results. In addition, for even smaller organisations/low value grants, the Commission has planned ad-hoc modalities of granting and has already proposed also with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) three calls implementing re-granting (financial support to third parties), which received a high interest and have allowed to reach an important number of small grassroot organisations active at local level, in line with the objectives of the programme.
The Commission would like to recall that the set-up of Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA) intends to support European networks and organisations whose activities contribute to the implementation of CERV’s objectives. The Financial Regulation Art 130(1) wording, which states “… grant agreements may be signed under such agreements”, indicates that conditions apply and hence a FPA does not automatically guarantee annual funding, hence the need for annual assessments. The annual operating grants are awarded to Framework Partners (FPs) via calls for proposals and only insofar the proposal and activities in their proposed annual programme are in line with the criteria of the call, in line with the objectives of the programme in the area concerned and in line with EU priorities. It is to be noted though that this annual procedure is substantially simplified as compared to an open call for proposals for action grants.
Paragraph 7
As regards the negative impact of inflation on grant beneficiaries, corporate guidance has been issued at Commission level to recommend the use of the flexibility offered by the grant agreements in order to mitigate the effects of inflation, by extending the action duration, by mitigating costs (replacing face to face meeting by online solutions) or by reducing the tasks to be implemented inter alia. This guidance has been fully followed for the CERV and this flexibility has been allowed.
Moreover On 26 July 2023 the Commission adopted an amendment to Decision C(2021)35 authorising the use of unit costs for the reimbursement of travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. The purpose of this amendment is to increase the rates for return air and rail travel above 400km by 25%. With these different measures the impact of inflation on the CERV grants could be mitigated.
Paragraph 8
The role of the Civil Dialogue Group is defined in the legal base of the CERV programme and has been carefully drafted and agreed by the co-legislators to respect financial rules as defined in the Financial Regulation. This includes in particular the need to ensure the absence of conflict of interest, which would not be respected, should the Civil Dialogue be part of the direct governance of the CERV, as beneficiaries would establish the rules of and decide on calls for proposals that they would themselves apply for.
As per the CERV Regulation (Regulation 2021/692), the Civil Dialogue purpose, to which the Commission remains committed, is to ensure a regular, open and transparent dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders.
In this context, the Commission recalls that during the first three years of implementation of the programme, it has organised, promoted and participated to several exchange opportunities with CERV beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders. In particular, the Commission and its executive Agency EACEA in charge of the programme implementation have been organising regular info-sessions for applicants, regular meetings with all calls beneficiaries, dedicated discussions with framework partners, as well as conferences and events on policy issues where CERV beneficiaries as well as other relevant stakeholders have taken part. All these exchange opportunities constitute essential parts of the Civil Dialogue and will continue throughout the remaining years of the programme, in order to foster the dialogue between beneficiaries and the EU institutions, as well as to promote mutual learning and exchange of practices.
Paragraphs 9 and 14
When it comes to reinforcing the European dimension of citizenship education the Commission has been supporting Member States’ implementation of the 2018 Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education and the European dimension of teaching by facilitating mutual learning and exchange of best practices. As of 2021, under the European Education Area, the Commission provides space for Member States’ and other stakeholders’ (civil society organisations, social partners, international organisations) joint exploration of citizenship education, through the Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training. Last year the Working Group published its Issue paper on citizenship education. In addition, several platforms, such as the European School Education Platform already offer various opportunities to exchange on good practices, share teaching material and cooperate on this topic. The Erasmus+ Teacher Academies action encourages development of teachers’ courses, modules and other learning opportunities on the topic of common values, civic engagement and participation. The Erasmus+ Jean Monnet actions are also instrumental in promoting teaching, learning and research in European integration matters, in both higher education and general and vocational education and training.
As regards the participation of non-EU citizens and organisations to the CERV programme, the Commission recalls that the rules establishing the eligibility of non-EU countries to the programme are laid down in Article 8 of the CERV Regulation.
As regards Ukraine, the Commission and Ukraine have signed an Association Agreement for Ukraine’s participation in the CERV programme on 9 January 2024. Except for the Union values strand of the CERV programme - which in the CERV Regulation was explicitly excluded by the co-legislators from the participation of third countries - Ukrainian entities can already participate in calls for proposals under the other three strands of the CERV programme. Once the Ukrainian Parliament has ratified the Agreement, the Agreement will apply, and Ukrainian entities will be also eligible for EU funding, if they are in successfully selected CERV projects.
Paragraph 10
As of 1 February 2024, 21 Member States have established a National Contact Point, the latest nomination being the NCP for Slovakia. The updated list can be found here: CERV Contact Points 3 AUG 2023.pdf (europa.eu)
While in line with the CERV Regulation the establishment of NCP is not compulsory, since the CERV programme’s implementation, the Commission has continuously reminded Member States about the importance of NCP and encouraged them to nominate NCP as soon as possible. The Commission, in cooperation with EACEA, has also been investing in building and sustaining the network of NCPs, which have now become a well-established network playing an essential role in promoting the programme’s funding opportunities.
In addition to their national-level activities, the NCP network regularly organizes open online events about funding opportunities under the CERV programme. The aim of these events is to promote CERV calls for proposals and provide support to all potential applicants. This NCP network has also set up a partnership search tool to help organizations looking for new partnership opportunities in the context of CERV programme implementation.
Paragraph 11
The Commission recalls that the interim evaluation of CERV, currently ongoing, aims to assess the effects generated by the simplification measures already introduced, as well as to assess how the programme supports the work of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the role they play in promoting EU values. This includes assessing the preliminary results of re-granting mechanisms under the programme.
The results of the evaluations will be used for the improved implementation of the programmes as well as to contribute to the reflections on the post-2027 MFF.
As regards the need for EU funding beneficiaries to respect EU values, the Commission recalls that when implementing the budget, the Commission ensures at all stages (pre-award, implementation, ex-post checks) that organisations and projects incompatible with EU values do not receive support. Rules and procedures are set out in the Financial Regulation, the applicable Model Grant Agreement and relevant public guidance (e.g. the Annotated Model Grant Agreement).
Being aware of the difficulty for civil society organisations to co-fund projects, the Commission took the Decision authorising the use of unit costs for volunteers () and introduced the possibility for applicants under the CERV programme to declare unit costs for the work of volunteers in order to satisfy to the co-funding requirement.
Paragraph 12
Without prejudice to the preparations of the and negotiations for the MFF post 2027, the Commission takes note of the call to continue the programme also in the next MFF, with an increased budget and scope.
Paragraphs 15
In continuity with the past, through the CERV programme, the Commission continues to provide funds for projects on European remembrance. With a strengthened budget since the programmes beginning, the Commission has significantly extended the support to European memory projects, with the objective to contribute to the process of healing and reconciliation across Europe, between societies of different countries and within societies. The funding priorities go beyond totalitarian and authoritarian regimes and their crimes, to take account of the multi-faceted recent history of Europe. The calls for proposals support projects that commemorate, research and educate about defining experiences in modern European history. In addition, through operating grants, the CERV programme also provides multi-annual support to organisations, including memorial and education sites, acknowledging their crucial role in remembrance.