6.7.2007 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 176/31 COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2007/468/CFSP of 28 June 2007 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 14 thereof, Whereas: (1) On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chapter III of which contains a list of measures to combat such proliferation which need to be taken both within the EU and in third countries. (2) The European Union is actively implementing the EU Strategy and is giving effect to the measures listed in Chapter III thereof, in particular by releasing financial resources to support specific projects conducted by multilateral institutions. (3) The States Signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 September 1996, have decided to establish a Preparatory Commission, endowed with legal capacity, for the purpose of carrying out the effective implementation of the CTBT, pending the establishment of the CTBT Organisation (CTBTO). (4) On 17 November 2003, the Council adopted Common Position 2003/805/CFSP (1) on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery. (5) The early entry into force and universalisation of the CTBT and the strengthening of the monitoring and verification system of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO are important objectives of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. (6) The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO pursues the same objectives as those referred to in recitals 4 and 5 and is already engaged in identifying by what means its verification system could best be strengthened through the timely provision of expertise and training to personnel from the States Signatories involved in the implementation of the verification regime. It is therefore appropriate to entrust the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO with the technical implementation of this Joint Action. (7) On 20 March 2006, the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/243/CFSP (2) on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in the area of training and capacity building for verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. (8) The nuclear test carried out by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in October 2006 further underlined the importance of the early entry into force of the CTBT and the need for an accelerated building-up of the CTBTO monitoring and verification system, HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION: Article 1 1. For the purposes of immediate and practical implementation of certain elements of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the European Union shall support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to further the following objectives: (a) strengthening the capabilities of the CTBTO monitoring and verification system, including in the field of radio-nuclide detection; (b) enhancing the operational performance of the CTBTO monitoring and verification system, including through testing and validation of on-site inspection modalities. 2. The projects to be supported by the European Union shall have the following specific objectives: (a) to provide support for the development of capacity in the area of noble gas monitoring and verification; (b) to provide support for the preparation, conduct and evaluation of the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 in the area of on-site inspections (IFE08/OSI). The projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States Signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex. Article 2 1. The Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (SG/HR), shall be responsible for the implementation of this Joint Action. The Commission shall be fully associated. 2. The projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. It shall perform this task under the control of the SG/HR, assisting the Presidency. For this purpose, the SG/HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. 3. The Presidency, the SG/HR and the Commission shall keep each other regularly informed about the projects, in conformity with their respective competences. Article 3 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 1 670 000. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the European Community procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Communities with the exception that any pre-financing shall not remain the property of the Community. 3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, which shall take the form of a grant. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is to ensure visibility of the EU contribution, appropriate to its size. 4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Joint Action. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement. Article 4 The Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Joint Action on the basis of regular reports prepared by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council. The Commission shall be fully associated. It shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of this Joint Action. Article 5 This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire: (a) 15 months after the conclusion of the financing agreement between the Commission and the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, or (b) 12 months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period. Article 6 This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Luxembourg, 28 June 2007. For the Council The President S. GABRIEL (1) OJ L 302, 20.11.2003, p. 34. (2) OJ L 88, 25.3.2006, p. 68. ANNEX EU support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction I. Introduction The announced nuclear tests by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in October 2006 not only highlighted the importance of early entry into force of the Treaty, but also underscored the need for the rapid build-up of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification regime. The event constituted a real life system-wide test for the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) and highlighted the potential value that the global verification system can bring to States Signatories. It demonstrated the technical relevance or the CTBT verification arrangements, including the importance of validated and efficient on-site inspections (OSI). For this project proposal, the PTS has identified elements with regard to the monitoring and verification capabilities that merit particular focus in the light of the experiences gained from the DPRK event. The proposal is built on the following two components: (a) noble gases; (b) the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 (IFE08/OSI). II. Description of projects 1. Project Component Noble Gas; improve the knowledge of PTS noble gas measurements: (a) the International Monitoring System (IMS) has currently reached a level of approximately two-thirds of stations in operation. The build-up of the system is pursued as a matter of priority with the aim to reach a level of up to 90 % in early 2008. The DPRK event was well recorded by the PTS primary and auxiliary seismic stations, providing reliable measurements to States Signatories of the time, location and magnitude of the event. The system of seismic stations has reached a level of approximately 80 % build up to date; (b) the level of operation of stations capable of monitoring the presence in the atmosphere of relevant noble gases upon the entry into force of the Treaty, however, needs to be advanced. Currently, 10 prototype stations are operational or in construction, equivalent to 25 % of the projected number at entry into force. These stations are providing experimental and provisional measurements in the framework of the PTS's International Noble Gas Experiment (INGE). It is recalled that this research and development program is based on four technologies proposed by the four following countries: France, Russia, Sweden and the United States. In the wake of the DPRK event, many States Signatories, including Member States of the European Union, have expressed their opinion that the PTS capabilities of monitoring the presence of noble gas need to be strengthened; (c) noble gas monitoring is a fundamental and highly sensitive technique for the detection of underground and underwater nuclear explosions. Of all verification technologies, it is, together with radionuclide particulate monitoring, the only technique that has the potential to provide unmistakable proof of a nuclear explosion; (d) in order to ensure the quality and accuracy of the current and future PTS's noble gas measurement capabilities, it is of eminent importance to know the ‘noble gas background’ that can be expected in other regions of the world, where no stations currently exist. A methodology for categorization of events detected by noble gas system measurements therefore needs to be developed. Noble gas field measurements are the best way to achieve this and to provide answers to such ‘unknowns’. Currently, INGE stations are collecting data in the North- and South Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania. However, in South Asia, the Persian Gulf and Southern Africa, there are nuclear facilities but no radio xenon background data are available. Moreover, in Europe measurements at specific sites, e.g. near radiopharmaceutical plants or nuclear power plants, are also needed; (e) to this end, measurements near nuclear power plants (NPPs) or radiopharmaceutical production plants should be undertaken to show the difference between theoretical release models, reported average releases, and experimental, real measured results. Further, the background of noble gases in other regions of the world, where no stations currently exist, needs to be studied; (f) to achieve the abovementioned necessary improvements of the capabilities in the area of noble gas, the PTS seeks support for the following project: (i) conduct of up to four field measurement campaigns with a duration of approximately four months each. During each campaign, the Xenon background is recorded at several sites at a distance of 500 to 2 500 kilometres from the base camp for a period of approximately three weeks. In addition, a detector background measurement should be performed at each measurement location. Some of the measurements could then also be used as site background for the future to install IMS stations. All these activities would be conducted in close relationship with relevant weather forecast organisations; (ii) the measurements will be performed with European-made transportable noble gas measurement equipment (Swedish SAUNA and/or French SPALAX systems respectively), which will be lent to the PTS at no cost for the period covered by this Joint Action; (iii) the French system SPALAX is a very mature system operating at many sites (including IMS sites) for several years. It will also be available in a transportable version providing data with the same high sensitivity. During each campaign the whole system can be either transported to different sites or split up in a transportable sampling unit and a detector unit at the ‘base-camp’, depending on the logistical conditions of the region; (iv) the Swedish SAUNA system has already been used in several field campaigns, and is thus well evaluated. The system delivers data with detection limits similar to the IMS version (SAUNA II) for the four relevant isotopes, and the data will thus be directly applicable to the IMS measurement scenario. During each of the campaigns, the base camp unit is installed at one location and mobile sampling measurements are performed at two or three sites nearby; (v) each measurement campaign would require: — preparations and careful logistics (service of equipment, logistical planning, agreements with local institutes, transport, etc.), — installation, calibrations and data collection, — equipment calibration, packing, transport home, — data analysis; (vi) the anticipated cost elements for this project include: — staff (including a temporary assistant for logistics) and travel costs, — equipment (e.g. manufacturing of sampling columns or equivalent, uninterruptible power supply, etc.), — consumables (e.g. power and helium), — service and spare parts, — shipment and transport of equipment, — local transport and logistics, — evaluation workshop; (g) measurements are planned to be performed in the following regions: Europe (1), the Persian Gulf (2), Southern Africa (3) and South Asia (4). The measurements in region (3) and partly in region (1) are expected to be performed with CEA (France) equipment, while the measurements in region (2) and (4) as well as partly in (1) are expected to be performed with FOI (Sweden) equipment; (h) the equipment for this project will be provided free of charge by CEA (France) and FOI (Sweden) who will also be contracted by the PTS for its deployment and operation; (i) the expected duration of this project component would be approximately one to one and a half years; (j) preliminary cost estimated: EUR 960 507. 2. project Component On-Site Inspection; Support for the Preparations for the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 (a) the event in the DPRK has again highlighted the importance of on-site inspections as a key pillar of the CTBT verification regime. While the data provided by the International Monitoring System and the International Data Centre about the event in the DPRK in the framework of provisional operating and testing of the system was extremely valuable and reliable, definite clarity about the nature of the event could only be obtained through an on-site inspection in the determined location. It is a key responsibility of the Preparatory Commission to achieve the highest level of operational readiness of the on-site inspection regime in time for entry into force of the Treaty; (b) policy making organs of the Preparatory Commission, in particular Working Group B, have underscored repeatedly that the most efficient way of achieving the required level of readiness is through the conduct of OSI field exercises. The first such large-scale exercise, the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 (IFE08), will take place in September 2008 in Kazakhstan. This will be the first attempt to simulate a real on site inspection by integrating three main pillars of the OSI regime, namely: (i) trained inspectors (approximately 50); (ii) OSI-equipment; and (iii) testing the OSI operational manual. (c) the comprehensive preparations and successful conduct of IFE08 are a prerequisite for the completion of the OSI regime in the near future. The evaluation of the results and the lessons learned from IFE08 will provide the PTS with essential knowledge as to which steps still need to be taken to achieve operational readiness of the OSI regime. The availability of appropriate resources for IFE08, financial and human, as well as in-kind contributions by States Signatories of equipment, training and logistical support is essential for the success of IFE08; (d) in the current stage of preparations for IFE08, the PTS has identified the following areas in which support from States Signatories would be particularly important: (i) Transportation IFE08 requires the transportation of 20-30 tons of equipment from Vienna to the point of entry in Kazakhstan. In addition, 80 persons (40 inspectors and 40 other persons, including direction of exercise, control team, observers and evaluators) would have to travel to the location. The likely budget for IFE08 to be approved by States Signatories foresees savings through ground transportation of the equipment. In the PTS's assessment, however, this has serious disadvantages, in particular regarding the duration and reliability of transportation and the safety and security of OSI equipment. This assessment was endorsed by the OSI Expert Advisory Group, which is assisting the PTS in the preparation of IFE08, in its meeting on 5 and 6 December 2006. The PTS therefore seeks support for air transportation of equipment and personnel to and from Kazakhstan. In the light of logistical and operational requirements of IFE08 as well as the legal arrangements with the host country, air transportation may have to be arranged through non-EU based companies; (ii) Establishment of operational base-camps In the course of IFE08, the PTS will have to deploy two bases of operations at the surrogate inspection area on the territory of the former Soviet nuclear test site in Semipalatinsk. While the first base will be for the inspection team, the second base is required for the evaluators and observers of IFE08. These bases, equipped with the necessary infrastructure such as offices, communication facilities etc., would serve as headquarters of the IFE08 and serve an essential function for the conduct and control of the operation at the inspection area. The PTS is able to identify resources for procuring the first base camp for the inspection team. However, the regular budget will not allow the procurement of a second set. Therefore, the procurement and deployment of the second base would require resources, which cannot be covered by the IFE08 budget. Using remote infrastructure will result in much time being lost in transportation, with additional related cost and limitations on the number of hours that may be usefully spent for exercise purpose; (iii) IFE08 evaluation workshop Purpose: To enhance the evaluation and outcome of the IFE08 in December 2008. This would provide an opportunity for experts to review and discuss the immediate results of the exercise with a view to assisting the PTS in drafting a preliminary report for the first meeting of Working Group B in 2009 and to identify priorities for further PTS efforts. In addition, valuable lessons are expected to be drawn by experts from the raw material during the workshop, and preliminary guidance for the next cycle of field exercises is expected to be identified. The workshop would address the following items: — logistics including the set up and running of a base of operation, — team management, — issues regarding relations with the Inspected State Party (ISP) including in particular confidentiality and managed access, — visual observation including during overflights, — seismic issues, — geophysical techniques, — health and safety, — communication, — navigation. In addition, in cooperation with the Office of the Executive Secretary/Evaluation, the evaluation of the exercise itself should be discussed; (e) The estimated costs for the two components in support of IFE08 are: EUR 250 000 (air transportation on a commercial basis. In kind support e.g. chartered cargo airplane may be an option) EUR 269 249 (purchase, setting up and activation of the second operational base camp) EUR 152 965 IFE08 evaluation workshop EUR 672 214 (total) III. Duration The total estimated duration of the implementation of the projects is 15 months. IV. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of the projects in this Joint Action, which are aimed at strengthening the monitoring and verification capabilities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, are all States Signatories to the CTBT. V. Implementing entity The CTBTO Preparatory Commission will be entrusted with the implementation of the projects. The projects will be implemented directly by staff of the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, experts from the States Signatories to the CTBT and contractors. In the case of contractors, the procurement of any goods, works or services by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the context of this Joint Action will be carried out as detailed in the financing agreement to be concluded by the European Commission with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The implementing entity will prepare: (a) A mid-term report after the first six months of the implementation of the projects; (b) A final report not later than one month after the end of the implementation of the projects. Reports will be sent to the Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. VI. Third party participants The projects will be financed in their entirety by this Joint Action. Experts from the CTBTO Preparatory Commission and from the States Signatories to the CTBT may be considered as third party participants. They will work under the standard rules of operation for CTBTO Preparatory Commission experts. VII. Estimated required total financial means The EU contribution will cover full implementation of the project described in this Annex. The estimated costs are as follows: Project Component Noble Gas: EUR 960 507 Project Component On-Site Inspection: EUR 672 214 Total: EUR 1 632 721 In addition, a contingency reserve of about 3 % of eligible costs (for a total amount of EUR 37 279) is included for unforeseen costs. VIII. Financial reference amount to cover the cost of the projects The total cost of the project is EUR 1 670 000.

Summary: Comprehensive ban on nuclear testing Comprehensive ban on nuclear testing SUMMARY OF: Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP — support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE JOINT ACTION? It aims to support the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty (CTBT) and the need to rapidly build up the CTBT verification regime. KEY POINTS The signatory states to the CTBT, adopted in 1996, set up a Preparatory Commission to carry out the effective implementation of the CTBT pending the establishment of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO). 2 of the most important elements of the EU’s Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction are the early entry into force of the CTBT and the improvement of the capabilities and the operational performance of the CTBTO’s monitoring and verification system. To achieve these objectives, the EU provides financial support for specific projects conducted by the Preparatory Commission. The projects for which the EU has provides financing concern: support for the development of capacity in the area of noble gas* monitoring and verification: the objective is to have 90% of International Monitoring System stations operational by the beginning of 2008. In addition, the number of operational stations capable of monitoring the presence of noble gases in the atmosphere needs to be increased before the Treaty comes into force. Currently only 25% of the projected number are operational or under construction. support for the Integrated Field Exercise held in Kazakhstan in 2008 in the context of the On-Site Inspection Mechanism: The EU support focused on 3 areas: transportation, establishment of operational base-camps, and an evaluation workshop. The projects are carried out by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The sum of €1,670,000 is earmarked for these projects, which are described in detail in the annex to the Joint Action. FROM WHEN DOES THE JOINT ACTION APPLY? It has applied since 28 June 2007 for a period of 15 months following the conclusion of the financing arrangements between the Commission and the CTBTO. BACKGROUND In 2003, the EU described how the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (Decision 2003/567/CFSP) could be brought into force as rapidly as possible, thus implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP. KEY TERMS Noble gases: group of rare gases which includes helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon. MAIN DOCUMENT Council Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP of 28 June 2007 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 176, 6.7.2007, pp. 31-38) RELATED DOCUMENTS EU strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Council of the European Union, 10.12.2003 Council Decision 2003/567/CFSP of 21 July 2003 implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP relating to the European Union’s contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (OJ L 192, 31.7.2003, p. 53) Council Common Position 1999/533/CFSP of 29 July 1999 relating to the European Union’s contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (OJ L 204, 4.8.1999, pp. 1-2) last update 27.09.2018


3.10.2007 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 257/23 DECISION No 1150/2007/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 September 2007 establishing for the period 2007-2013 the Specific Programme ‘Drug prevention and information’ as part of the General Programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’ THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) According to the Treaty, a high level of human health should be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities. Community action is required to include a contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protection. (2) Community action should complement national policies directed towards improving public health, obviating sources of danger to human health and reducing health-related harm associated with drug dependence, including information and prevention policies. (3) Given that, according to research, the morbidity and the mortality associated with drug dependence affects a sizeable number of European citizens, the health-related harm associated with drug dependence constitutes a major problem for public health. (4) The Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the results of the final evaluation of the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs (2000 to 2004) pointed out the need regularly to involve civil society in the formulation of the EU’s policies on drugs. (5) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003 to 2008) (4) includes the development of strategies and measures on drug dependence, as one of the important lifestyle-related health determinants. (6) In Recommendation 2003/488/EC of 18 June 2003 on the prevention and reduction of health-related harm associated with drug dependence (5), the Council recommended that Member States set as a public health objective the prevention of drug dependence and the reduction of related risks, and that they develop and implement comprehensive strategies accordingly. (7) In December 2004, the European Council endorsed the EU Drugs Strategy 2005 to 2012, which covers all European Union drug-related activities and sets main targets. These targets include the attainment of a high level of health protection, well-being and social cohesion by preventing and reducing drug use, dependence and drug-related harm to health and society. (8) The Council adopted the EU Drugs Action Plan (2005 to 2008) (6) as a crucial instrument for transposing the EU Drugs Strategy 2005 to 2012 into concrete actions. The ultimate aim of the Action Plan is to reduce significantly the prevalence of drug use among the population and to reduce the social harm and health damage caused by the use of and trade in illicit drugs. (9) The specific programme, ‘Drug prevention and information’, established under this Decision (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’) aims at implementing targets identified by the EU Drugs Strategy 2005 to 2012 and the EU Drugs Action Plans 2005 to 2008 and 2009 to 2012, by supporting projects aimed at preventing drug use, including by addressing reduction of drug-related harm and treatment methods taking into account the latest scientific knowledge. (10) It is important and necessary to recognise the serious, immediate and long-term implications of drugs for health, for psychological and social development including the equal opportunities of those concerned, for individuals, families and communities, and to recognise the high social and economic costs to society as a whole. (11) Special attention should be paid to the prevention of drug use among young people who are the most vulnerable in the population. The main challenge in prevention is to encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles. (12) The European Community can bring added value to the actions to be undertaken by Member States in the field of drug prevention and information, including treatment and reduction of drug-related harm, by complementing those actions and by promoting synergies. (13) In accordance with Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (7), the European Parliament should be informed by the Commission of committee proceedings relating to the implementation of this programme. In particular, the European Parliament should receive the draft annual programme when it is submitted to the management committee. In addition, the European Parliament should receive the results of voting and summary records of the meetings of that Committee. (14) Complementarity with the technical expertise of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Centre’) should be assured by making use of methodology and best practices developed by the Centre and by its involvement in the preparation of the annual work programme. (15) Since the objectives of this Decision cannot, because of the need for an exchange of information at Community level and for the Community-wide dissemination of good practices, be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, due to the need for a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach and by reason of the scale and effects of the Programme, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. (16) Bearing in mind the importance of visibility of the Community funding, the Commission should provide guidance to ensure that any authority, non-governmental organisation, international organisation or other entity receiving a grant under the Programme acknowledges properly the support received. (17) This Decision lays down for the entire duration of the Programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime reference within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (8) for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. (18) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (9), (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Financial Regulation’), and Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (10), which safeguard the Community’s financial interests, should be applied taking into account the principles of simplicity and consistency in the choice of budgetary instruments, a limitation on the number of cases where the Commission retains direct responsibility for their implementation and management, and the required proportionality between the amount of resources and the administrative burden related to their use. (19) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (11), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (12) and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (13). (20) The Financial Regulation requires a basic act to be provided to cover operating grants. (21) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, with a distinction being made between those measures which are subject to the management procedure and those which are subject to the advisory procedure, the advisory procedure being in certain cases, with a view to increased efficiency, the more appropriate. (22) In order to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the Programme, this Decision should apply from 1 January 2007, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Establishment and scope of the Programme 1. This Decision establishes the Specific Programme ‘Drug prevention and information’, (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’), as part of the General Programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’, in order to contribute to ensuring a high level of human health protection and to reducing drug-related health damage. 2. The Programme shall cover the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. Article 2 General objectives The Programme shall have the following general objectives: (a) to prevent and reduce drug use, dependence and drug-related harm; (b) to contribute to the improvement of information on drug use; and (c) to support the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy. Article 3 Specific objectives The Programme shall have the following specific objectives: (a) to promote transnational actions to: (i) set up multidisciplinary networks; (ii) ensure the expansion of the knowledge base, the exchange of information and the identification and dissemination of good practices, including through training, study visits and staff exchange; (iii) raise awareness of the health and social problems caused by drug use and to encourage an open dialogue with a view to promoting a better understanding of the phenomenon of drugs; and (iv) support measures aimed at preventing drug use, including by addressing reduction of drug-related harm and treatment methods taking into account the latest state of scientific knowledge; (b) to involve civil society in the implementation and development of the EU Drugs Strategy and EU Action plans; and (c) to monitor, implement and evaluate the implementation of specific actions under the Drugs Action Plans 2005 to 2008 and 2009 to 2012. The European Parliament is involved in the evaluation process through its participation in the Commission’s evaluation steering group. Article 4 Actions With a view to pursuing the general and specific objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3, the Programme shall support the following types of action under the conditions set out in the annual work programme referred to in Article 9(2): (a) specific actions taken by the Commission, such as studies and research, opinion polls and surveys, formulation of indicators and common methodologies, collection, development and dissemination of data and statistics, seminars, conferences and experts' meetings, organisation of public campaigns and events, development and maintenance of websites, preparation and dissemination of information materials, support to and animation of networks of national experts, analytical, monitoring and evaluation activities; (b) specific transnational projects of Community interest presented by at least two Member States, or at least one Member State and one other state which may either be an acceding or a candidate country under the conditions set out in the annual work programme; or (c) the activities of non-governmental organisations or other entities pursuing an aim of general European interest regarding the general objectives of the Programme under the conditions set out in the annual work programme. Article 5 Participation The following countries may participate in the actions of the Programme: (a) the EFTA States which are party to the EEA Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement; and (b) the candidate countries and the western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and association process in accordance with the conditions laid down in the association agreements or their additional protocols relating to participation in Community programmes concluded or to be concluded with those countries. Candidate countries not participating in the Programme may be associated with projects where this would contribute to their preparation for accession, as may other third countries or international organisations not participating in the Programme where this serves the aim of the projects. Article 6 Target groups 1. The Programme is targeted at all groups that directly or indirectly deal with the phenomenon of drugs. 2. With regard to drugs, youth, women, vulnerable groups and people living in socially disadvantaged areas are groups at risk and shall be identified as target groups. Other target groups include teachers and educational staff, parents, social workers, local and national authorities, medical and paramedical staff, judicial staff, law enforcement and penitentiary authorities, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and religious communities. Article 7 Access to the Programme Access to the Programme shall be open to public or private organisations and institutions (local authorities at the relevant level, university departments and research centres) working in the area of information on and prevention of drug use including the reduction and treatment of drug-related harm. Bodies and organisations which are profit-oriented shall have access to grants under the Programme only in conjunction with non-profit or state organisations. Article 8 Types of intervention 1. Community financing may take the following legal forms: (a) grants; or (b) public procurement contracts. 2. Community grants shall be awarded further to calls for proposals, save in duly substantiated exceptional cases as provided for in the Financial Regulation, and shall be provided through operating grants and grants to actions. The annual work programme shall specify the minimum rate of the annual expenditure to be awarded to grants and the maximum rate of co-financing. 3. Furthermore, provision is made for expenditure for accompanying measures, through public procurement contracts, in which case Community financing shall cover the purchase of goods and services. This shall cover, inter alia, expenditure on information and communication, preparation, implementation, monitoring, checking and evaluation of projects, policies, programmes and legislation. Article 9 Implementing measures 1. The Commission shall implement the Community financial support in accordance with the Financial Regulation. 2. To implement the Programme, the Commission shall, within the limits of the general objectives set out in Article 2, adopt an annual work programme taking into account the technical expertise of the Centre. The Programme shall set out the specific objectives, thematic priorities, a description of accompanying measures referred to in Article 8 and, if necessary, a list of other actions. The first annual work programme shall be adopted by 23 January 2008. 3. The annual work programme shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(3). 4. The evaluation and award procedures relating to grants to actions shall take into account, inter alia, the following criteria: (a) conformity of the proposed action with the annual work programme, the objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 and the types of action set out in Article 4; (b) quality of the proposed action in terms of its design, organisation, presentation and expected results; (c) amount requested for Community financing and its appropriateness in relation to expected results; and (d) impact of the expected results on the objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 and on the actions referred to in Article 4. 5. Applications for operating grants as referred to in Article 4(c) shall be assessed in the light of: (a) their consistency with the Programme objectives; (b) the quality of the planned activities; (c) the likely multiplier effect on the public of these activities; (d) the geographic and social impact of the activities carried out; (e) citizen involvement in the organisation of the bodies concerned; (f) the cost/benefit ratio of the activity proposed. 6. Decisions related to proposed actions referred to in Article 4(a) shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(3). Decisions related to projects and activities referred to in Article 4(b) and (c) respectively shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(2). Decisions on applications for grants involving profit-oriented bodies or organisations shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(3). Article 10 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months. Article 11 Complementarity 1. Synergies and complementarity shall be sought with other Community instruments, in particular with the General Programme ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’, the 7th Research and Development Framework Programme and the Community Programme on Public Health. Complementarity with the methodology and best practices developed by the Centre shall be assured, in particular with regard to the statistical element of information on drugs. 2. The Programme may share resources with other Community instruments, in particular the General Programmes ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’, ‘Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows’ and the 7th Research and Development Framework Programme in order to implement actions meeting the objectives of all the programmes. 3. Operations financed under this Decision shall not receive financial support for the same purpose from other Community financial instruments. The Commission shall require that the beneficiaries of the Programme provide the Commission with information about financing received from the general budget of the European Union and from other sources, as well as information about ongoing applications for financing. Article 12 Budgetary resources 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of this Decision from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 shall be EUR 21 350 000. 2. The budgetary resources allocated to the actions provided for in the Programme shall be entered in the annual appropriations of the general budget of the European Union. The available annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. Article 13 Monitoring 1. The Commission shall ensure that for any action financed by the Programme, the beneficiary submits technical and financial reports on the progress of work and that a final report is submitted within three months of the completion of the action. The Commission shall determine the form and content of the reports. 2. The Commission shall ensure that the contracts and agreements resulting from the implementation of the Programme provide in particular for supervision and financial control by the Commission (or any representative authorised by it), if necessary by means of on-the-spot checks, including sample checks, and audits by the Court of Auditors. 3. For a period of five years following the last payment in respect of any action, the Commission shall require that the beneficiary of financial support keeps available for the Commission all the supporting documents regarding expenditure on the action. 4. On the basis of the results of the reports and on-the-spot checks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Commission shall, if necessary, adjust the scale or the conditions of allocation of the financial support originally approved and also the timetable for payments. 5. The Commission shall take every other step necessary to verify that the actions financed are carried out properly and in compliance with the provisions of this Decision and the Financial Regulation. Article 14 Protection of Community financial interests 1. The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts wrongly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95, (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 and (EC) No 1073/1999. 2. For the Community actions financed under this Decision, Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 and (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 shall apply to any infringement of a provision of Community law, including infringements of a contractual obligation stipulated on the basis of the Programme, resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator, which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the European Union or budgets managed by the Communities, by an unjustified item of expenditure. 3. The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the amount of financial support granted for an action, if it finds irregularities, including non-compliance with the provisions of this Decision or the individual decision or the contract or agreement granting the financial support in question, or if it transpires that, without Commission approval having being sought, the action has been subjected to a change which conflicts with the nature or implementing conditions of the project. 4. If the time limits have not been observed or if only part of the allocated financial support is justified by the progress made with implementing an action, the Commission shall request the beneficiary to submit observations within a specified period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial support and require repayment of sums already paid. 5. The Commission shall ensure that any undue payment is repaid to the Commission. Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid in good time under the conditions laid down by the Financial Regulation. Article 15 Evaluation 1. The Programme shall be monitored regularly in order to follow the implementation of activities carried out under it. 2. The Commission shall ensure the regular, independent, external evaluation of the Programme. 3. The Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with: (a) an annual presentation on the implementation of the Programme; (b) an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the Programme not later than 31 March 2011; (c) a Communication on the continuation of the Programme not later than 30 August 2012; and (d) an ex-post evaluation report not later than 31 December 2014. Article 16 Publication of projects Each year, the Commission shall publish the list of projects financed under the Programme with a short description of each project. Article 17 Visibility The Commission shall lay down guidelines to ensure the visibility of the financing granted under this Decision. Article 18 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from 1 January 2007, with the exception of Article 9(2) and (3) and Article 10(3), which shall apply from the date when this Decision enters into force. Done at Strasbourg, 25 September 2007. For the European Parliament The President H.-G. PÖTTERING For the Council The President M. LOBO ANTUNES (1) OJ C 69, 21.3.2006, p. 1. (2) OJ C 192, 16.8.2006, p. 25. (3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 14 December 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 23 July 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and position of the European Parliament of 6 September 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision No 786/2004/EC (OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 7). (5) OJ L 165, 3.7.2003, p. 31. (6) OJ C 168, 8.7.2005, p. 1. (7) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as last amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11). (8) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1. (9) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1). (10) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 (OJ L 111, 28.4.2007, p. 13). (11) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. (12) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. (13) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

Summary: 'Drug prevention and information' programme (2007-2013) 'Drug prevention and information' programme (2007-2013) The European Union (EU) establishes the 'Drug prevention and information' programme for the period 1.1.2007 - 31.12.2013 is part of the General Programme 'Fundamental Rights and Justice'. It aims to support projects aimed at preventing drug use. ACT Decision 1150/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 September establishing for the period 2007-2013 the specific programme 'Drug prevention and information' as part of the General Programme 'Fundamental Rights and Justice'. SUMMARY The death rate from drug addiction in Europe is very high. It is essential to measure the immediate and long-term consequences of drug use on health and social and psychological development, and the equality of the chances of the individuals concerned. The 'Drug prevention and information' programme set up by the European Union has three objectives. Specifically to: prevent and reduce drug use, drug addiction and the associated inherent risks; improve information about drug use; support the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy. To this end, the programme supports transnational actions aimed at: creating multi-disciplinary networks; ensuring the expansion of the knowledge base, as well as the exchange of information and good practices; raising awareness of the health and social problems caused by drug use; preventing drug use. Scope The actions financed by this programme are: the actions implemented by the Commission (research, surveys, conferences, campaigns, public events, analysis, Internet sites, etc.); transnational projects of European interest presented by Member States or by candidate countries for membership of the EU; the activities of non-governmental organisations and other bodies pursuing aims of general European interest. The actions developed under this programme are open to public or private bodies, active in terms of preventing, or providing information, on drug use. The programme is targeted at all groups implicated in drug use, but most particularly at ‘at risk groups’ such as young people, women, vulnerable groups and people living in socially disadvantaged areas. Other targeted groups include educational staff, parents, teachers, social workers, local and national authorities, medical and paramedical personnel, judicial staff, law enforcement and penitentiary authorities, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and religious communities. Financing The programme has a budget for 2007-2013 of EUR 21.35 million. Grants are awarded by the Commission following calls for proposals, taking into account: the conformity of the proposed action with the annual work programme; the consistency of the expected results with the programme objectives; the sum asked for and whether it is appropriate to the expected results; the geographical and social impact of the action and its likely effect on the public; citizen involvement in the organisation of the bodies concerned. Context The EU has launched a number of initiatives in its fight against drugs. In addition to the EU Drugs Strategy for the period 2005-2012, an Action Plan was adopted in order to translate the strategy into concrete actions. The 'Drug prevention and information' programme forms part of the general programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’ 2007-2013 aimed at promoting freedom, security and justice in the EU. The latter also includes the Criminal Justice, Civil Justice, and Fundamental Rights and Citizenship specific programmes, and the Daphne III programme on combating violence. References Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Decision 1150/2007/EC 23.10.2007 - OJ L 257, 3.10.2007 RELATED ACTS Report on the interim evaluation of the specific Programme ‘Drug prevention and information’ for the period 2007-2013 [COM(2011) 246 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. The evaluation of the programme shows that it has recorded good results during the first three years of implementation and that several objectives have been achieved. The Commission regrets, however, the insufficient budget it has at its disposal and which prevents the programme from having a real effect at European level. It therefore proposes to increase the financial resources of the programme, and also to prioritise projects with a European dimension, to simplify the administrative procedures and to improve the dissemination of the results obtained. See also The website of the European Commission Directorate-General for Justice: Drug control policy Last updated: 07.11.2011


3.7.2007 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 173/19 DECISION No 779/2007/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 June 2007 establishing for the period 2007-2013 a specific programme to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk (Daphne III programme) as part of the General Programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’ THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) The Treaty lays down that in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities a high level of human health has to be ensured; Article 3(1)(p) thereof requires Community action to include a contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protection. (2) Community action should complement national policies directed towards improving public health, obviating sources of danger to human health. (3) Physical, sexual and psychological violence against children, young people and women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life, constitute a breach of their right to life, safety, freedom, dignity and physical and emotional integrity and a serious threat to the physical and mental health of the victims of such violence. Such violence, being so widespread throughout the Community, constitutes a genuine violation of fundamental rights, a health scourge and an obstacle to the enjoyment of safe, free and just citizenship. (4) The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. According to a 1996 WHO Assembly resolution, violence is a leading worldwide public health problem. In its report on violence and health of 3 October 2002 WHO recommends promoting primary prevention responses, strengthening responses for victims of violence and increasing collaboration and exchange of information on violence prevention. (5) These principles are recognised in numerous conventions, declarations and protocols of the main international organisations and institutions such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the World Conference on Women and the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. (6) The fight against violence should be placed within the context of the protection of fundamental rights, as recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (4) and the accompanying explanations, bearing in mind its status, which recognises, inter alia, the right to dignity, equality and solidarity. It includes a number of specific articles relating to protection and promotion of physical and mental integrity, equal treatment for men and women, the rights of the child and non-discrimination, as well as recognising the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, slavery and forced labour, and child labour. It recognises that a high level of human health protection is necessary in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities. (7) The Commission has been called upon by the European Parliament to draw up and implement action programmes to combat such violence, inter alia, in its Resolutions of 19 May 2000 on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: ‘For further actions in the fight against trafficking in women’ (5); of 20 September 2001 on female genital mutilation (6); of 17 January 2006 on strategies to prevent the trafficking of women and children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation (7); and of 2 February 2006 on the current situation in combating violence against women and any future action (8). (8) The Community action programme set up by Decision No 293/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 January 2000 adopting a programme of Community action (Daphne programme) (2000 to 2003) on preventive measures to fight violence against children, young people and women (9) has helped to raise awareness within the European Union and to increase and consolidate cooperation between organisations in the Member States active in combating violence. (9) The Community action programme set up by Decision No 803/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 adopting a programme of Community action (2004 to 2008) to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk (Daphne II programme) (10) further developed the results already achieved by the Daphne programme; according to Article 8(2) of Decision No 803/2004/EC the Commission shall take the necessary steps to ensure the consistency of the annual appropriations with the new financial perspectives. (10) It is desirable to ensure continuity for the projects supported by the Daphne and Daphne II programmes. (11) It is important and necessary to recognise the serious immediate and long-term implications of violence against children, young people and women for their physical and mental health and for their psychological and social development, as well as for the equal opportunities of those concerned, for individuals, families and communities, and the high social and economic costs to society as a whole. (12) Violence against women takes many forms ranging from domestic violence, which is prevalent at all levels of society, to harmful traditional practices associated with the exercise of physical violence against women, such as genital mutilation and honour-related crimes, which constitute a particular form of violence against women. (13) Children, young people or women who witness a near relative being assaulted should be regarded as victims of violence in accordance with the programme established by this Decision (the programme). (14) With regard to the prevention of violence, including abuse and sexual exploitation perpetrated against children, young people and women and the protection of victims and groups at risk, the European Union can bring added value to the actions predominantly to be undertaken by Member States by the following means: the dissemination and exchange of information, experience and good practices; the promotion of an innovative approach; the joint establishment of priorities; the development of networking as appropriate; the selection of Community-wide projects including projects supporting free-phone child helplines and hotlines for missing and sexually exploited children; the motivation and mobilisation of all parties concerned; and Europe-wide awareness-raising campaigns against violence. These actions should also encompass support for children, young people and women who are victims of trafficking in human beings. (15) As the root-causes and consequences of violence can often be effectively addressed by local and regional organisations acting in cooperation with their counterparts from other Member States, the programme should attach due weight to the preventive measures and actions in support of victims taking place at a local and regional level. (16) Since the objectives of this Decision, namely to prevent and combat all forms of violence against children, young people and women, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States because of the need for an exchange of information at the Community level and for the Community-wide dissemination of good practices, and can be better achieved at Community level due to the need for a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach and by reason of the scale or impact of the programme, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. (17) This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (11), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. (18) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (12), hereinafter ‘the Financial Regulation’, and Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (13), which safeguard the Community’s financial interests, have to be applied, taking into account the principles of simplicity and consistency in the choice of budgetary instruments, a limitation on the number of cases where the Commission retains direct responsibility for their implementation and management, and the required proportionality between the amount of resources and the administrative burden related to their use. (19) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities’ financial interests (14), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (15) and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (16). (20) The Financial Regulation requires a basic act to be provided to cover operating grants. (21) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (17). (22) The balanced participation of women and men in the decision-making process is a key element in the achievement of substantive equality between women and men. The Member States should, therefore, use their best endeavours to achieve a gender balance in the composition of the committee referred to in Article 10, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Subject matter and scope 1. Building on the policies and objectives laid down in the Daphne and Daphne II programmes, this Decision establishes a specific programme to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk (Daphne III programme), hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’, as part of the general programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’, in order to contribute to a high level of protection from violence so as to enhance the protection of physical and mental health. 2. The programme shall cover the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. 3. For the purposes of the programme, the term ‘children’ covers an age range of 0-18 years, in accordance with international instruments concerning the rights of the child. 4. However, projects with actions particularly designed for beneficiary groups such as, for example, ‘teenagers’ (13 to 19 years old) or people from 12 to 25 years old, shall be considered as targeting the category of ‘young people’. Article 2 General objectives 1. The aim of the programme shall be to contribute to the protection of children, young people and women against all forms of violence and to attain a high level of health protection, well-being and social cohesion. 2. Without prejudice to the objectives and powers of the European Community, the general objectives of the programme shall contribute, especially where it concerns children, young people and women, to the development of Community policies, and more specifically to those related to public health, human rights and gender equality, as well as to actions aimed at protection of children’s rights, and the fight against trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation. Article 3 Specific objective The programme shall have the specific objective of contributing to the prevention of, and the fight against, all forms of violence occurring in the public or the private domain against children, young people and women, including sexual exploitation and trafficking in human beings, by taking preventive measures and by providing support and protection for victims and groups at risk. This shall be achieved by means of the following transnational actions, or other types of actions as referred to in Article 4: (a) assisting and encouraging non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations active in this field, as referred to in Article 7; (b) developing and implementing awareness-raising actions targeting specific audiences, such as specific professions, competent authorities, identified sectors of the general public and groups at risk, with a view both to improving understanding of and promoting the adoption of zero tolerance towards violence, and to encouraging support for victims and the reporting of incidences of violence to the competent authorities; (c) disseminating the results obtained under the Daphne and Daphne II programmes, including their adaptation, transfer and use by other beneficiaries or in other geographical areas; (d) identifying and enhancing actions contributing to positive treatment of people at risk of violence, namely following an approach that encourages respect for them and promotes their well-being and self-fulfilment; (e) setting up and supporting multidisciplinary networks with a view to strengthening cooperation between NGOs and other organisations active in this field; (f) ensuring the expansion of evidence-based information and the knowledge base, the exchange, identification and dissemination of information and good practice, including through research, training, study visits and staff exchange; (g) designing and testing awareness-raising and educational materials regarding the prevention of violence against children, young people and women, and supplementing and adapting those already available for use in other geographical areas or for other target groups; (h) studying phenomena related to violence and its impact, both on victims and on society as a whole, including the health-care, social and economic costs, in order to address the root causes of violence at all levels of society; (i) developing and implementing support programmes for victims and people at risk and intervention programmes for perpetrators, whilst ensuring the safety of victims. Article 4 Types of actions With a view to pursuing the general and specific objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3, the programme shall support the following types of actions, under the conditions set out in the annual work programmes: (a) specific actions taken by the Commission, such as studies and research, opinion polls and surveys, development of indicators and methodologies, collection, development and dissemination of data and statistics, seminars, conferences and experts meetings, organisation of public campaigns and events, development and maintenance of a helpdesk service and websites, preparation and dissemination of information materials (including IT applications and training resources), establishment and facilitation of a stakeholder think-tank providing expert advice related to violence, support to other networks of national experts, and analytical, monitoring and evaluation activities; (b) specific transnational projects of Community interest involving at least two Member States under the conditions set out in the annual work programmes; (c) support to the activities of NGOs or other organisations, pursuing an aim of general European interest regarding the general objectives of the programme set out in Article 2 under the conditions set out in the annual work programmes. Article 5 Participation of third countries The following countries may participate in the actions of the programme: (a) countries with which the European Union has signed a Treaty of Accession; (b) candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with the general principles and the general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Community programmes laid down, respectively, by the framework agreement and by decisions of the Association Councils; (c) EFTA States that are parties to the EEA Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement; (d) the countries of the western Balkans, in accordance with the arrangements to be established with those countries under the framework agreements on the general principles for their participation in Community programmes. Projects may associate candidate countries not participating in the programme where this would contribute to their preparation for accession, or other third countries not participating in the programme where it serves the aim of the projects. Article 6 Beneficiary and target groups 1. The programme shall benefit children, young people and women who are, or risk becoming, victims of violence. 2. The main target groups of the programme shall be, inter alia, families, teachers and educational staff, social workers, police and border guards, local, national and military authorities, medical and paramedical staff, judicial staff, NGOs, trade unions and religious communities. Article 7 Access to the programme Access to the programme shall be open to private or public organisations and institutions (local authorities at the appropriate level, university departments and research centres) working to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women or to protect against such violence or to provide support for victims or to implement targeted actions to promote rejection of such violence or to encourage attitude and behaviour change towards vulnerable groups and victims of violence. Article 8 Types of intervention 1. Community funding may take the following legal forms: — grants, — public procurement contracts. 2. Community grants shall be awarded following consideration of applications arising from calls for proposals, save in duly substantiated exceptional cases of urgency or where the characteristics of the beneficiary leave no other choice for a given action. Community grants shall be provided through operating grants and grants to actions. The maximum rate of co-financing shall be specified in the annual work programmes. 3. Furthermore, expenditure may be made available for complementary measures, through public procurement contracts, in which case Community funds shall cover the purchase of services and goods, directly related to the aims of the programme. This shall cover, inter alia, expenditure on information and communication, preparation, implementation, monitoring, checking and evaluation of projects, policies, programmes and legislation. Article 9 Implementing measures 1. The Commission shall implement the Community assistance in accordance with the Financial Regulation. 2. To implement the programme, the Commission shall, within the limits of the general objectives of the programme set out in Article 2, adopt an annual work programme specifying its specific objectives, thematic priorities, a description of accompanying measures envisaged in Article 8 and if necessary a list of other actions. The annual work programme shall establish the minimum percentage of annual expenditure to be awarded to grants. 3. The annual work programme shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 10(2). 4. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision in relation to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 10(3). 5. The evaluation and award procedures relating to grants to actions shall take into account, inter alia, the following criteria: (a) the general and specific objectives as specified in Articles 2 and 3 and measures taken in the different areas as specified in Article 3 and conformity with the annual work programme; (b) the quality of the proposed action regarding its conception, organisation, presentation and expected results; (c) the amount requested for Community financing and its cost effectiveness as to expected results; (d) the impact of the expected results on the general and specific objectives of the programme defined in Articles 2 and 3 and on measures taken in the different areas as specified in Article 3; (e) innovation. 6. The applications for operating grants, referred to in Article 4(c), shall be assessed in the light of: (a) consistency with the programme objectives; (b) quality of the planned activities; (c) likely multiplier effect on the public of these activities; (d) geographic impact of the activities carried out; (e) citizen involvement in the organisation of the bodies concerned; (f) cost effectiveness ratio of the activity proposed. Article 10 Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. 4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. Article 11 Complementarity 1. Synergies and complementarity with other Community instruments will be sought, particularly the general programmes ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’ and ‘Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows’, the Seventh Research and Development Framework Programme as well as the programmes on health protection, ‘Employment and Social Solidarity — PROGRESS’ and ‘Safer Internet Plus’. Complementarity will also be sought with the European Institute for Gender Equality. The statistical element of information on violence will be developed in collaboration with Member States, using as necessary the Community Statistical Programme. 2. The programme may share resources with other Community instruments, in particular the general programmes ‘Security and Safeguarding Liberties’, ‘Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows’ and the Seventh Research and Development Framework Programme in order to implement actions meeting the objectives of all the programmes. 3. Operations financed under this Decision shall not receive assistance for the same purpose from other Community financial instruments. The Commission shall ensure that the beneficiaries of the programme provide the Commission with information about funding received from the general budget of the European Union and from other sources, as well as information about ongoing applications for funding. Article 12 Funding 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of this Decision is set at EUR 116,85 million for the period set out in Article 1. 2. The allocations for the actions provided for in the programme shall be entered in the annual appropriations of the general budget of the European Union. The available annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. Article 13 Monitoring 1. For any action financed by the programme, the Commission shall ensure that the beneficiary submits technical and financial reports on the progress of work. A final report shall also be submitted within three months of the completion of the action. The Commission shall determine the form and content of the reports. 2. The Commission shall ensure that the contracts and agreements resulting from the implementation of the programme will provide in particular for supervision and financial control by the Commission (or any representative authorised by it), if necessary by means of on-the-spot checks, including sample checks, and audits by the Court of Auditors. 3. For a period of five years following the last payment in respect of any action, the Commission shall require that the beneficiary of financial assistance keeps available for the Commission all the supporting documents regarding expenditure on the action. 4. On the basis of the results of the reports and sample checks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Commission shall, if necessary, adjust the scale or the conditions of allocation of the financial assistance originally approved and also the timetable for payments. 5. The Commission shall take every other step necessary to verify that the actions financed are carried out properly and in compliance with the provisions of this Decision and the Financial Regulation. Article 14 Protection of Community financial interests 1. The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of the Community are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95, Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96, and with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999. 2. For the Community actions financed under the programme, Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 shall apply to any infringement of a provision of Community law, including infringements of a contractual obligation stipulated on the basis of the programme, resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator, which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the European Union or budgets managed thereunder by an unjustified item of expenditure. 3. The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds irregularities, including non-compliance with the provisions of this Decision or the individual decision or the contract or agreement granting the financial support in question, or if it transpires that, without Commission approval having being sought, the action has been subjected to a change which conflicts with the nature or implementing conditions of the project. 4. If the time limits have not been observed or if only part of the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress made with implementing an action, the Commission shall request the beneficiary to submit observations within a specified period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial assistance and demand repayment of sums already paid. 5. Any undue payment shall be repaid to the Commission. Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid in good time under the conditions laid down by the Financial Regulation. Article 15 Evaluation 1. The programme will be monitored regularly in order to follow the implementation of activities carried out thereunder. 2. The Commission shall ensure the regular, independent, external evaluation of the programme. 3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council: (a) an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implementation of the programme not later than 31 March 2011 accompanied by a list of the projects and measures financed; (b) a communication on the continuation of the programme not later than 31 May 2012; (c) an ex-post evaluation report, on the implementation and results of the programme not later than 31 December 2014. Article 16 Publication of projects The Commission shall annually publish a list of the projects financed under the programme together with a brief description of each project. Article 17 Transitional measures Decision No 803/2004/EC is hereby repealed. Actions commenced pursuant to that Decision shall continue to be governed by it, until their completion. Article 18 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Strasbourg, 20 June 2007. For the European Parliament The President H.-G. PÖTTERING For the Council The President G. GLOSER (1) OJ C 69, 21.3.2006, p. 1. (2) OJ C 192, 16.8.2006, p. 25. (3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 5 September 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 5 March 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the European Parliament of 22 May 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000, p. 1. (5) OJ C 59, 23.2.2001, p. 307. (6) OJ C 77 E, 28.3.2002, p. 126. (7) OJ C 287 E, 24.11.2006, p. 75. (8) OJ C 288 E, 25.11.2006, p. 66. (9) OJ L 34, 9.2.2000, p. 1. (10) OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 1. (11) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1. (12) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1). (13) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 (OJ L 111, 28.4.2007, p. 13). (14) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1, corrected by OJ L 36, 10.2.1998, p. 16. (15) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. (16) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1. (17) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

Summary: Combating violence towards children, adolescents and women: Daphne III programme (2007-2013) Combating violence towards children, adolescents and women: Daphne III programme (2007-2013) The Daphne III programme aims to prevent and combat all forms of violence, especially of a physical, sexual or psychological nature, against children, young people and women. It also aims to protect victims and groups at risk to attain a high level of physical and mental health protection, well-being and social cohesion throughout the European Union. This programme is the third phase of the Daphne programme and covers the period 2007-2013. ACT Decision No 779/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 establishing for the period 2007-2013 a specific programme to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk (Daphne III programme) as part of the General Programme Fundamental Rights and Justice. SUMMARY The Daphne III programme aims to prevent and combat all forms of violence (physical, sexual and psychological), occurring in the public or the private domain, towards children, young people and women and to protect the victims and groups at risk. It supplements the existing programmes in the Member States and builds on the policies and objectives of the two previous Daphne programmes (Daphne and Daphne II). The programme budget amounts to EUR 116.85 million for the period 2007-2013. Scope and access to the programme The beneficiaries of the programme are children, young people (12 to 25 years old) and women who are, or risk becoming, victims of violence. These categories are considered as victims of violence, including in cases where they witness a near relative being assaulted. The programme is designed for target groups, such as families, teachers, social workers, police, medical staff, judicial staff, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public authorities. It is open to the Member States of the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States that are parties to the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, as well as, under certain conditions, to the candidate countries and the countries of the Balkans. Proposals may be presented by private or public organisations and institutions (local authorities, university departments and research centres) working to prevent and combat violence or to provide support for victims. Programme objectives The programme aims in particular to: assist and encourage NGOs and other organisations active in combating violence; set up multidisciplinary networks with a view to strengthening cooperation between NGOs; develop and implement awareness-raising actions targeting specific audiences; disseminate the results obtained under the two previous Daphne programmes; ensure the exchange of information and good practice, for example through study visits and staff exchange; study phenomena related to violence and its impact on victims and society (health-care, social and economic costs); develop support programmes for victims and people at risk and intervention programmes for perpetrators. Actions supported With a view to achieving these objectives, the programme supports three types of actions: actions taken by the Commission: research, opinion polls and surveys, collection and dissemination of data, seminars, conferences and experts meetings, development and maintenance of websites, etc.; transnational projects of Community interest involving at least two Member States; support to NGOs or other organisations pursuing an aim of general European interest. Implementation Community funding may take the form of: grants (operating grants and grants to actions) on the basis of calls for proposals; public procurement contracts for complementary measures (e.g. expenditure on information and communication, monitoring and evaluation) to cover the purchase of services and goods. The Commission will adopt an annual work programme setting its priorities and propose an indicative breakdown of the funds to be awarded to grants. It will also publish an annual list of the projects funded under the programme. Daphne III complements the programmes "Security and Safeguarding Liberties" and " Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows ", the 7th Research and Development Framework Programme, the programmes " PROGRESS " and " Safer Internet Plus " and the activities of the European Institute for Gender Equality. Monitoring and evaluation The beneficiaries of the funding must present technical and financial reports on the implementation of the actions and a final report within three months of the completion of the action. Supervision and financial control will also be carried out. The Commission will present an interim evaluation report to Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the projects and their results (not later than 31 March 2011) and an ex-post evaluation report on the implementation and results of the programme (not later than 31 December 2014). In the meantime, it will present a communication on the continuation of the programme not later than 31 May 2012. Background The specific programme "Daphne III" forms part of the General Programme "Fundamental Rights and Justice", which together with the programmes "Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows" and "Security and Safeguarding Liberties", replaces the instruments under Commission management in the field of justice, freedom and security. These new programmes come under the 2007-2013 financial framework. References Act Entry into force - Date of expiry Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Decision No 779/2007/EC [adoption: Co-decision COD/2005/0037] 4.7.2007 - JO L 173 of 3.7.2007 Last updated: 07.09.2007