· 3 draft amendment 562 === gue//7052 === tabled by confederal group of the european united left...

EN EN

2019 BUDGETARY PROCEDURE

Doc No:

4: (4)*******

19.09.2018

COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS

RAPPORTEURS:DANIELE VIOTTI - SECTION III (COMMISSION)

PAUL RÜBIG - OTHER SECTIONS

PARLIAMENT'S POSITION

Amendments submitted to the meeting of theCommittee on Budgets of24-27 September 2018

3

Draft amendment 562 === GUE//7052 ===

Tabled by Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left

-------------------------------

SECTION III — COMMISSION

Item 01 02 77 01 — Preparatory action — Capacity development and institution building to support theimplementation of economic reforms

Amend figures as follows:Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount

Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments

01 02 77 01 p.m. 700 000 p.m. 140 000 p.m. 140 000 -140 000 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total p.m. 700 000 p.m. 140 000 p.m. 140 000 -140 000 p.m. p.m.

Justification:The economic reforms promote by the Commission and the European economic governance only pretend toimpose neoliberal policies, which have been responsible for the destruction of Member States productiviycapacity, as well as the loss of social and labour rights.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Add: 01 02 77 02Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


01 02 77 02 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project —Creation of emerging plans to support the economies that were under the Troikaintervention

Remarks:Add following text:

Despite the conclusion of the economic adjustment programmes, Member States that were subjectedthereto face serious problems at economic and social level and are still affected by the consequences andthe policies imposed by the Troika. Therefore, the aim of this emergency plan is to support the economy ofthose countries that were subjected to the Troika’s intervention, and for this plan to provide financialresources and the necessary exceptions to the functioning of the single market and common policies. Theemerging plans will specifically support Member States intervened by the troika, helping them to copewith the consequences of EU-IMF programmes (economic recession/stagnation, employment destructionand debt explosion). It will support economy stimulation, namely through productive investment, and jobcreation.

Legal basis:

4

Add following text:

Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:EU-IMF intervention programmes had disastrous and painful consequences, leading to a significantdeterioration of the economic and social situation. Intervened countries shall be compensated by the lossescaused and supported, effecting the so-called cohesion principle.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 1374 === EFDD/8811 ===

Tabled by Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group

-------------------------------


Item 02 02 77 25 — Pilot project — Entrepreneurial capacity building for young migrants

Amend figures and remarks as follows:Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


02 02 77 25 p.m. 1 102 000 p.m. 883 400 p.m. 883 400 -883 400 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total p.m. 1 102 000 p.m. 883 400 p.m. 883 400 -883 400 p.m. p.m.

Remarks:Delete following text:

This appropriation is intended to cover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years under thepilot project.

Justification:Money can always be better spent than on immigration.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 4001 === BUDG/4001 ===

Tabled by Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Committee on Budgets, Inés Ayala Sender

-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — IntergenEUrations: solidarity seniors-youngsters, through tourism


5

In the past years, the EU has faced a socio economic crisis, which translated in an increase of social gapsand divisions and had an intergenerational impact, particularly affecting both young people and seniorswithin the EU. On the one hand, the socio economic crisis created more difficulties for young people tofind a job and be integrated in the labour market, and it limited their capacity of voluntary mobility withinthe EU. On the other hand, the crisis brought an increase of inequalities and socio-economic insecuritiesin seniors, whose pension’s rights, among others, were endangered. In parallel to the latter, the gradualincrease of the ageing of the population of the EU, has shaped itself as one of the greatest socioeconomicchallenges of the EU, giving arise and visibility to risks of isolation that seniors are facing in the EU.Projections foresee this ageing of population will have a big impact on sectors such as healthcare, socialsecurity and pension systems.

Due to the latter, the EC already recognised in their 2012 Communication ‘Taking forward the StrategicImplementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing’, theimportance to promote active and healthy ageing, a challenge common to the EU MS and secondly.Secondly, in 2016 the EC urged in their Communication ‘Investing in Europe’s Youth’ to invest andsupport young people to seize their employment and education opportunities. In consequence, thedevelopment of an intergenerational EU strategy is needed to build up a consistent EU social project.

The European Commission has identified the potentiality that tourism can have in contributing toeconomic growth and employment, and has identified both seniors and young people to be target groupsfor the good functioning of the sector. Furthermore, the tourism sector represents the 10% of the GDP ofthe EU and provides employment for almost 15% of the population, a large percentage of them beingyoung people. Lessons learnt from the Calypso programme show how the stimulation of tourism duringthe low/medium season can boost economic growth and increase jobs while it addresses socio-economicchallenges among seniors in the EU and tackles some of the barriers, which come with ageing, such asisolation.

Based on the successful experience of national mechanisms such as IMSERSO in Spain, in favour ofseniors, and Sac Ados in France, in favour of the young people, this PP attempts to create anintergeneration European mechanism allowing young people to receive professional training andeducation in the tourism sector, while involving them in the implementation of opportunities for seniors tohave a greater mobility and break the barriers they face in ageing. Building up synergies betweendifferent national projects, this PP will give them a European scale and added value by developing acommon voluntary mechanism. The EC supported by civil society will launch a call for expression ofinterest to: 1) interested regions of the EU countries participating in the mechanism; 2) to travel agencies,3) professional training schools.

Calls for expression of interest should include information about the following: the valid period of theproject (always in low/medium season to stimulate economic growth); period of the stay; information ofthe professional and education training offered to young people; proposed cultural activities andlanguages used for both target groups; weekly estimated cost, and details regarding destination,including: a) if it is recognised suitable for senior travellers, most importantly about accessibility facilitiesand services, taking as reference the project ‘Sentour’, b) if it complies with sustainability terms, havingas a reference, for instance, the EC ‘European Tourism Indicators System’. Travel agencies will play therole of intermediaries: on one side, they will cooperate with regions and the host structures welcomingseniors and youngster; and on the other side, with the structures and associations representing seniorsand young people. Criteria to participate in the mechanism will privilege those seniors who have moredifficulties and economic challenges to move within the EU, including both urban and rural areas, andyoung people who are facing socioeconomic difficulties in accessing the labour market and are in need ofprofessional training (horeca, cultural and entertainment activities, health support...) Associations ofyoung people and seniors will give more visibility to the mechanism among their members and will workwith civil society to help the Commission to understand better the needs and concerns of seniors andyoungsters. The Commission supported by civil society will get in contact with transport services for themto participate in mechanism.

6

To sum up, the PP ‘IntergenEUrations’ has the following objectives:

0. The establishment of a European dynamic of intergenerational encounters through travelling and thetouristic experience.

1. The maintenance and creation of jobs, economic growth and social cohesion. As the 2010 ECCommunication ‘Europe, the world's No. 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism inEurope’, tourism is an economic activity capable of generating growth and employment, whilecontributing to development and economic and social integration, particularly of rural and mountainareas. With some 1.8 million business, primarily SMEs, employing 5.2% of the total workforce(approximately 9.7 million jobs, with a significant proportion of young people), tourism’s contribution toEU’s GDP is over 10%.2.The improvement of the social inclusion and health situation of seniors, who will have the opportunityto break their isolation, visit other EU countries and meet the EU youngsters and seniors, and learn fromother cultures. Projections foresee a growing number and share of seniors aged 55 and over, whonowadays represent approximately 25% of the EU population. Furthermore, the PP will tackle and offergood solutions to the isolation of seniors. In 2016, some 14.1% of households in the EU-28 werecomposed of a single person aged 65 years and over.

3.The establishment of professional training and qualification processes of young people. People aged 15-29 in the EU represent over 17% of the population. Youth employment peaked 23.9% in the first quarterof 2013 in the EU28. Further to this, the proportion of young people neither in employment nor ineducation or training, the so-called NEETs increase considerably with age. This is even more worrisome,taking into consideration that young people, aged 15-29, represent over 17% of the population.

4.The promotion of a sustainable and eco-friendly sector of tourism, that shows the social and naturediversity of the EU, and which is responsible of the conservation of natural areas and the well-being oflocal people;

Legal basis:Add following text:


Justification:The strengthening of the EU project needs an intergenerational response to tackle two of the ongoinggreatest challenges, the ageing of the population and youth unemployment. This PP seeks to stimulate thedevelopment of a responsible travel and tourism sector during low/medium season that tears down thesocioeconomic barriers senior face, promote the professional and educational training of young people andeventually creates new jobs while it integrates an ecosocial responsible of tourism.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

7

Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Promotion and incentive to the associativism of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises


The economic and social crisis in the EU has brought closure to thousands of micro, small and mediumenterprises across the EU. This heading is intended to promote associations in the field of micro, smalland medium-sized enterprises, as a means of contributing to their strengthening, strengthening theirposition in the market and creating jobs. The promotion and encouragement of associativism in this pilotproject should take account of the protection of the economic and social interests of micro, small andmedium-sized entrepreneurs in order to resist the dynamics and interests of business monopolies atEuropean level and to tackle competitive obstacles and the constraints on SMEs caused by the singlemarket.



Justification:The lack of reference to the importance and encouragement of SME associations, both in the COSMEprogram and in the Erasmus program for young entrepreneurs, makes this pilot project an important embryoin the defense, growth and repositioning of SMEs in the market, while at the same time ensuring theirsurvival. The promotion and encouragement of cooperation in this pilot project should take into account theprotection of the economic and social interests of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Promoting youth employment in rural remote areas


8

Several policies have been developed since 2013 to reduce youth unemployment rates in the MemberStates: Youth Strategy in 2013, the Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative, EURES program,Erasmus + are all tools to boost the opportunities of young citizens to access or create their own venture,including in remote rural areas. Nevertheless none of those programs have integrated a sufficient scopeto tackle chronic unemployment in remote rural regions characterised by an inverted population pyramid,a depression of the public and private aggregated investment, low assistance of public services, chronicunemployment rates and lack of opportunities for young people to access to a job.

The purpose of this pilot is therefore to link the remote rural regions with the various European youthemployment programs in order to ensure the access to the end-users need s and to increase the successrate.

It will focus in developing a network to create a best practices exchange of policy development betweenthe affected regions linking the pathways to fully develop the existing tools contained in YEI, EURES,EUROPASS, ESC and ERASMUS+ specially emphasizing in educational and vocational studies. Thescope is to develop intermediate information spots that would serve to provide a tailored and personalizedguidance to the citizens in the rural remote areas in the EU.

This Pilot Project will spent the resources on stimulating the access to information and establishing adialogue between the rural remote regions' stakeholders, trade unions and employers, with the aim ofcoordinating the local administrations with the European programs and to ease the access to the potentialbeneficiaries of the European programs. This Pilot projects also aims at accomplishing that the activity inthe rural remote areas have the possibility of educational and vocational studies in various economic andlabour sectors, prioritizing the economic sectors that can reactivate the employment flow in the regions.This 2- year pilot project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, would have a total budget of1,500,000 euros.



Justification:Several policies have been developed since 2013 to reduce youth unemployment rates in the Member States(Youth Strategy in 2013, the Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative, EURES program,Erasmus+...). It is now necessary to create a tool that would tackle the youth unemployment rates in thoseregions by linking those European programs and policies. It would thus provide to young people living inthose areas with the conditions to have the same opportunities to receive a job offer.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

9

Heading:Pilot project —Study the impact of the "Digital Revolution" and "Industry 4.0" Employment in theEuropean Union


This pilot project aims to study the impact that the so-called "Digital Revolution" and "Industry 4.0" willinduce the European Union (EU) and in particular Member States, the level of employment but also, andabove all, the consequences which may possibly result in unemployment by eliminating jobs in areaswhere technological advances eliminate. It is intended to power a general framework at EU level but alsoat the level of each State, in view of the potential dangers or to job creation and distribution of potentialwealth generated by these instruments and strategies.



Justification:If on one hand the progressive use of modern digital media can, in general, improve the quality of life ofcitizens, on the other hand it cannot be ignored that involves a perverse effect, in terms of loss of jobs andcasualization of same, with serious social and economic consequences. The preparation of this study is atleast prudent to assess the adoption of measures consequent policies to safeguard the right to employment,workers' rights and economic and social cohesion.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 463 === IMCO/6153 ===

Tabled by Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 300 000 200 000 300 000 200 000

Reserve

Total 300 000 200 000 300 000 200 000

Heading:

Pilot project — Monitoring of possible unfair consumer profiling and price adjustment by airlines


The pilot projects consist of a series of market research among airlines that sell their tickets onlinedirectly to consumers. It aims to investigate whether airlines, by using an online tracking technology, arepricing the flights according to such variants as the interest of a customer in the particular flight, thecustomer's past travel record (browising history), type/make of the device being used by them and otheraspects (so called "consumer profiling") such as consumer nationality, location, preferences and wealth.

10

The research should include practical tests and customer surveys on the ways the airline tickets arepriced. The findings of the report should be published and translated in all official languages of the EU.In order to raise consumer awareness, the report should alse be promoted in Member States with activeinvolvement of European Parliament Information Offices, Commission Representations and Members ofthe European Parliament. Should the Commission conclude the airlines apply unfair pricing practices, itshall draw recommendations in line with Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and other existinglegislation.



Justification:On November 22, 2017 during the meeting on the Digital Single Market working group of the EP, Prof.Monti revealed data on airplane pricing which supported that the airlines use so called ‘consumer profiling’in order to adjust the flight fares. Consumers have been noticing for a while that airlines may be employing asystem that alters prices depending on consumer’s location, purchase history and even make of a device.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 1246 === S&D//7711 ===

Tabled by Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament

-------------------------------




02 02 77 37 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Enhanced Tourism Cooperation between EU and India


"Over the last decades, tourism has become one of the fastest and largest growing economic sectors in theworld. International tourist arrivals have risen from 278 million in 1980 to 1 035 million in 2012 and areexpected to grow by 3,3% a year on average by 2030. Europe remains the world’s number one touristdestination, accounting for half of all international tourist arrivals worldwide – with three-quarters ofthese in European Union (EU) countries. However, its position is being challenged by new touristdestinations in emerging economies.

As a continuation of the successful World Bridge Tourism project related to China, India - one of theother very important emerging countries - has an increasing importance in inbound and outboundtourism flow as well. However, due to the lack of available information, a preparatory study or researchshould be prepared. We simply lack data.

That is why the main aim of this pilot project is:

11

* getting some senior industry figures active on the Indian outbound (or European inbound from India)tourism market;

* concerning the new legislation of the European Commission on VISA Code, widen the ‘visas +promoting Europe in long-haul markets’ discussion;

* with the scope on India as a potential source market, carrying out a market study

* organisation of events and focus groups to discuss and disseminate the results of the study

* setting up a dedicated website as an EU-wide source of information with different versions for differentaudiences;

"



Justification:As a continuation of the successful World Bridge Tourism project related to China, with the scope of India -one of the other very important emerging countries - has an increasing importance in inbound and outboundtourism flow as well. However, due to the lack of available information, a preparatory market study orresearch should be prepared to have a detailed picture on the tourism flow.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Andrey Kovatchev, Răzvan Popa

-------------------------------




02 02 77 38 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Female Angel Investors


Female Angel Investors will direct their efforts in exploring small enterprises run by women both in ruralor urban environments, acting in the small-scale manufacturing of goods, utilizing traditional materialsand methods of production and produce high quality products but have no experience in scaling up theirbusiness and bringing their products to markets or digital platforms. The Women Angel Investors' task isto explore and reach these enterprises, to supervise their scale-up, to assist them in marketing, to facilitatetheir transition to collaborative initiatives, also at a regional level, in order to benefit from economies ofscale and scope, and facilitate access to a blend of finance that can lead small firms to an organic growthprospect.

12

By directing the priorities to small scale manufacturing, we can establish clear quantitative criteria ofsuccess based on the geographical reach, the diversity of the small manufacturing sectors, the scaling-upand organic growth measures and the creation of regional synergies and ecosystems



Justification:EU needs to find innovative financial methods to channel funding to pioneering SMEs and start-ups andaccelerate technology transfer. This however needs to be done in a way that is addressing the lack of femalerepresentation in the sector.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 38 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project —Study measures in the Bank Credit area - low interest rates and average terms - for SMEs


It must be remembered that the situation of SMEs is not much different in most Member States, exceptcountries like Norway, Sweden, France and Germany, which generally live in "good health" economicand financial. This pilot project aims to study measures in the Bank Credit area, which among otherfocus the parameters of interest and deadlines in order to adequate them to the needs and viability.



Justification:Thousands and thousands of SMEs are now completely stifled the development of its activity by the fact thatbank loans have high interest rates and too short term. The harsh reality is that many thousands of SMEs gobankrupt by economic reasons and the situation in each country, compounded by lack of access to credit orhave difficulty in meeting the parameters of the required credit.

13

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 38 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — IntergenEUrations: solidarity seniors-youngsters, through tourism


"In the past years, the EU has faced a socio economic crisis, which translated in an increase of socialgaps and divisions and had an intergenerational impact, particularly affecting both young people andseniors within the EU. On the one hand, the socio economic crisis created more difficulties for youngpeople to find a job and be integrated in the labour market, and it limited their capacity of voluntarymobility within the EU. On the other hand, the crisis brought an increase of inequalities and socio-economic insecurities in seniors, whose pension’s rights, among others, were endangered. In parallel tothe latter, the gradual increase of the ageing of the population of the EU, has shaped itself as one of thegreatest socioeconomic challenges of the EU, giving arise and visibility to risks of isolation that seniorsare facing in the EU. Projections foresee this ageing of population will have a big impact on sectors suchas healthcare, social security and pension systems.

Due to the latter, the EC already recognised in their 2012 Communication ‘Taking forward the StrategicImplementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing’, theimportance to promote active and healthy ageing, a challenge common to the EU MS and secondly.Secondly, in 2016 the EC urged in their Communication ‘Investing in Europe’s Youth’ to invest andsupport young people to seize their employment and education opportunities. In consequence, thedevelopment of an intergenerational EU strategy is needed to build up a consistent EU social project.

The European Commission has identified the potentiality that tourism can have in contributing toeconomic growth and employment, and has identified both seniors and young people to be target groupsfor the good functioning of the sector. Furthermore, the tourism sector represents the 10% of the GDP ofthe EU and provides employment for almost 15% of the population, a large percentage of them beingyoung people. Lessons learnt from the Calypso programme show how the stimulation of tourism duringthe low/medium season can boost economic growth and increase jobs while it addresses socio-economicchallenges among seniors in the EU and tackles some of the barriers, which come with ageing, such asisolation.

Based on the successful experience of national mechanisms such as IMSERSO in Spain, in favour ofseniors, and Sac Ados in France, in favour of the young people, this PP attempts to create anintergeneration European mechanism allowing young people to receive professional training andeducation in the tourism sector, while involving them in the implementation of opportunities for seniors tohave a greater mobility and break the barriers they face in ageing. Building up synergies betweendifferent national projects, this PP will give them a European scale and added value by developing acommon voluntary mechanism. The EC supported by civil society will launch a call for expression ofinterest to: 1) interested regions of the EU countries participating in the mechanism; 2) to travel agencies,

14

3) professional training schools.

Calls for expression of interest should include information about the following: the valid period of theproject (always in low/medium season to stimulate economic growth); period of the stay; information ofthe professional and education training offered to young people; proposed cultural activities andlanguages used for both target groups; weekly estimated cost, and details regarding destination,including: a) if it is recognised suitable for senior travellers, most importantly about accessibility facilitiesand services, taking as reference the project ‘Sentour’, b) if it complies with sustainability terms, havingas a reference, for instance, the EC ‘European Tourism Indicators System’. Travel agencies will play therole of intermediaries: on one side, they will cooperate with regions and the host structures welcomingseniors and youngster; and on the other side, with the structures and associations representing seniorsand young people. Criteria to participate in the mechanism will privilege those seniors who have moredifficulties and economic challenges to move within the EU, including both urban and rural areas, andyoung people who are facing socioeconomic difficulties in accessing the labour market and are in need ofprofessional training (horeca, cultural and entertainment activities, health support...) Associations ofyoung people and seniors will give more visibility to the mechanism among their members and will workwith civil society to help the Commission to understand better the needs and concerns of seniors andyoungsters. The Commission supported by civil society will get in contact with transport services for themto participate in mechanism.

To sum up, the PP ‘IntergenEUrations’ has the following objectives:

0. The establishment of a European dynamic of intergenerational encounters through travelling and thetouristic experience.

1. The maintenance and creation of jobs, economic growth and social cohesion. As the 2010 ECCommunication ‘Europe, the world's No. 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism inEurope’, tourism is an economic activity capable of generating growth and employment, whilecontributing to development and economic and social integration, particularly of rural and mountainareas. With some 1.8 million business, primarily SMEs, employing 5.2% of the total workforce(approximately 9.7 million jobs, with a significant proportion of young people), tourism’s contribution toEU’s GDP is over 10%.2.The improvement of the social inclusion and health situation of seniors, who will have the opportunityto break their isolation, visit other EU countries and meet the EU youngsters and seniors, and learn fromother cultures. Projections foresee a growing number and share of seniors aged 55 and over, whonowadays represent approximately 25% of the EU population. Furthermore, the PP will tackle and offergood solutions to the isolation of seniors. In 2016, some 14.1% of households in the EU-28 werecomposed of a single person aged 65 years and over.

3.The establishment of professional training and qualification processes of young people. People aged 15-29 in the EU represent over 17% of the population. Youth employment peaked 23.9% in the first quarterof 2013 in the EU28. Further to this, the proportion of young people neither in employment nor ineducation or training, the so-called NEETs increase considerably with age. This is even more worrisome,taking into consideration that young people, aged 15-29, represent over 17% of the population.

4.The promotion of a sustainable and eco-friendly sector of tourism, that shows the social and naturediversity of the EU, and which is responsible of the conservation of natural areas and the well-being oflocal people"



15

Justification:The strengthening of the EU project needs an intergenerational response to tackle two of the ongoinggreatest challenges, the ageing of the population and youth unemployment. This PP seeks to stimulate thedevelopment of a responsible travel and tourism sector during low/medium season that tears down thesocioeconomic barriers senior face, promote the professional and educational training of young people andeventually creates new jobs while it integrates an ecosocial responsible of tourism.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 262 === TRAN/5366 ===

Tabled by Committee on Transport and Tourism

-------------------------------




02 02 77 38 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU App(lication) for Road Transport Enforcement


In the context of the negotiations of the Mobility Package I, it has been concluded that a solid and correctenforcement of rules is crucial for the sake of a uniform and good functioning of the EU road transportsector and the improvement of road safety. In May 2017, the European Commission recognised in theirCommunication ‘Europe on the Move’ the importance to ensure a more effective enforcement and legalcertainty and put an end to a non-homogenous implementation across the EU in order to provideprotection for all workers in the transport sector across the European Union. For instance roadsidechecks, among others, have showed the unequal practices on enforcement among MS, as well as the risksit poses to the physical integrity of drivers and control authorities and eventually road safety.

To ensure efficient and coherent enforcement of rules in the road transport sector, a harmonisation ofquality data is of utmost importance. In consequence, two elements are crucial to guarantee comparabilityof information through the EU: the expansions and harmonisation of risk rating systems and theharmonisation of a software used by enforcement authorities to analyse the tachograph data. On the onehand, the expansion and harmonisation of risk rating systems should be done by: a) including in thecalculation of risk rating also infringements of road transport rules which are recorded in nationalregisters of road transport undertakings and exchanged via ERRU; b) establishing a common EUformula for determining a risk rating of undertakings based on the same factors and coefficients. On theother hand, the harmonisation of the software used among the corresponding authorities in the EU isessential since nowadays the analysis of same tachograph data can throw different results in terms ofascertaining infringement depending on the software used by those authorities.

Furthermore, to enhance and ensure uniform and non-discriminatory enforcement of rules in the processof checking of compliance through the EU, the development of an electronic EU application that givesdirect and real-time access to control authorities via an electronic device is needed. This EU applicationwill enable control authorities, both in roadside checks and premises, to have real time and direct accessto the legally agreed relevant and most updated information and data.

This EU application shall give and have direct and real time access to the necessary and pertinent data in

16

order to improve checks by control authorities on posting, cabotage and letterbox companies, amongothers. In consequence, the EC should ensure direct and real time access to the following already existingdatabases and communication tools:

– Information on posting declarations via direct access to the public interface of the Internal MarketInformation System (IMI). IMI is already used for administrative cooperation between nationalauthorities in the area of posting of workers, but not for sending declarations. During the ongoingdebates on the Mobility Package I, the idea of developing a parallel public interface in IMI to whichoperators would have access to send the posting declaration to the host Member State, has gainedsolid support. Furthermore, although IMI is a communication tool, it has storage capacity. This directand real time access would simplify and facilitate the checking of posting requirements by thepertinent authorities in the MS;

– Data from the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) to check informationcontained in national electronic registers (including: name, address, community licence, legalrepresentative, transport manager of the undertakings + serious infringements + information on riskrating)

– Data from e-CMR to facilitate control and checking of cabotage.

The access to this information, as well as future needed data, in the context of an effective enforcement ofrules and mutual assistance between Member States shall comply with the rules on personal dataprotection laid down in Regulation 2016/679.



Justification:The need of clarity in the enforcement of rules in the EU road transport sector is crucial to put an end to anon-homogeneous implementation of social and market rules, which potentially risks the fragmentation ofthe single European Transport area. The development of a common EU application that gives direct and realtime access to control authorities to the agreed and needed information will enhance the efficiency andimpartiality of the good functioning of EU transport sector.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Nicola Caputo

-------------------------------




02 02 77 39 250 000 125 000 250 000 125 000

Reserve

Total 250 000 125 000 250 000 125 000

Heading:Pilot project — InterEUgenerations: solidarity seniors-youngsters, through tourism

17


By 2020, half the global workforce will be made up of Millennials – or Generation Y – who are already ontheir way to becoming a majority. According to the World Health Organisation, if a person remains fitand healthy at 60, they will be physically capable of working until they are 74-77 years old.

Employers now face not only a generation gap, but a massive demographic shift, with people living – andworking – longer than ever before, a trend set to continue in the coming decades. This is the brave newworld of the intergenerational workforce – where five generations could soon be working side by side.Some junior staff will not only be working alongside their grandparent’s generation, but their greatgrandparents’ too. With each group working and communicating in their own way – the challenges areobvious.

One very 21st century concept – reverse mentoring - is increasingly blazing a trail through big business toaddress this very issue – how to meld the generations for continued success. Reverse mentoring turnstraditional mentoring – where a seasoned executive shows a younger and often less experiencedcolleagues the business ropes –completely on its head.

In today’s highly competitive market, organizations that effectively manage their demographically diverseworkforce will enjoy a competitive edge. HRD professionals require to gain an understanding about whatmotivates and drives today’s multigenerational workforce to work with passion so that organizations canadopt policies and programs such as reverse mentoring that can help organizations achieve the same ThePP InterEUgenerations represents one of the first attempts to examine reverse mentoring programs as awin-win scenario for the two diametrically opposite segments of the workforce, for example, the Boomersand the Millennials or the Y Generation.

A recent Forbes study found that 85% of senior executives believe diverse and inclusive workforces are‘crucial’ to innovation. Reverse mentorship pairings can breed this inclusivity by bridging the gapbetween populations diverse in age, exceptionalities, ethnicity and gender. In a fragmenting social andpolitical environment, with Industry 4.0 driving profound changes, many millennials are exhibiting amarked desire for reassurance. They feel pessimistic about the prospects for political and social progress,along with concerns about safety, social equality and environmental sustainability. While young workersbelieve that business should consider stakeholders’ interests as well as profits, their experience is ofemployers prioritizing the bottom line above workers, society and the environment, leaving them with littlesense of loyalty. According to the 2018 Deloitte Millennial Survey, 43% of the demographic group plan toleave their job in the next two years, with a significative loss of talents and forward-looking potential, thatmay affect SMEs competitiveness, especially in the most traditional sectors.

Based on the experiences of mechanism implemented in the private sector, the PP InterEUgeneration willbe based on the launch of a call for the expression of interest to: 1) at least 6 regions from different EUcountries participating in the mechanism of enforcing ESF and training policies to foster digitaltransformation and SDG-oriented competitiveness in traditional sectors by sustaining reverse mentoringas a methodology; 2) training agencies, universities and research centers investigating and applyingdisruptive training schemes and reverse mentoring application to renovate inter-generation transfer oftalents and knowledge; 3) sector skills alliances funded by the EU, business associations, knowledgeclusters representing at least 4 different industrial sectors that may benefit from reverse mentoringaccording to recent researches (i.e.: banking and finance; health and biotech; fisheries, agriculture andagrifood; tourism and culture; engineering; publishing; public services); 4) business incubators andcluster of start-up companies that can support innovation through reverse mentoring and its exploitationas ‘reverse incubation’.

The objectives of PP InterEUgeneration will have the following objectives:

1. Assess the impact of reverse mentoring of competitiveness of traditional sectors at EU scale, byproviding EU institutions with an update of the emerging practices, of the methodologies, on the solutions

18

to connect ESPO standards with skills and attitudes related to/generate through reverse mentoring;

2. Stimulate ESF and ERASMUS Programmes, as well as COSME, to take into account reversementoring as a methodology to sustain active ageing and the establishment of new schemes for theestablishment of professional training and qualification process of young people

3. Support the maintenance and the creation of jobs, economic jobs and cohesion;

4. Improve the competitiveness of SMEs and start-up businesses in traditional sectors

5. Improve social inclusion and health situation of seniors and their talents

6. Use reverse mentoriship to monitor emerging skills and professions yet not classified by the ESPO andby the regional systems for VET qualifications.



Justification:The strengthening of the European project needs an intergenerational response to tackle two of the ongoinggreatest challenges, the ageing of the population and youth unemployment. This PP seeks to stimulate thedevelopment of forward-looking competitiveness for the SMEs in the traditional sectors by supportingreverse mentoring as a solution that tears down the socioeconomic barriers senior face, promote theprofessional and educational training of young people and eventually creates new jobs and startups.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 190 === EMPL/5500 ===

Tabled by Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

-------------------------------




02 02 77 39 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — The reduction of youth unemployment and the setup of co-operatives as a measureto enhance working opportunities in the EU


Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge for Member States with the youth unemploymentrate at 15.9% in the EU28 and 17.7% in the euro area as of February 2018. The aim of the initial pilotproject was to contribute to reducing youth unemployment through the provision of worker co-operativesby establishing entrepreneurship and sustainable job opportunities for young people to both work andown part of the company simultaneously as well as establishing best practice in the area for the whole ofthe EU.

19

The pilot project was launched in three different EU countries with the most experience in this field andincluded objectives such as improving knowledge of the cooperative business concept, guiding students inimplementing their own ideas and helping them start up businesses in form of a cooperative, training andinternships/apprenticeships in co-operatives as well as how to create synergies with related EU programs.

With the preparatory action it is now hoped to continue to build on the impact of the project in these threecountries and to extend its actions to other Member States still struggling with high youth unemploymentsuch as Greece and Spain.


Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:This preparatory action is a follow-up to a successfully implemented pilot project (budget line: 02 02 77 27)and aims to continue to support action in one of the EU's key priority areas to enhance youth employment.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 39 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Study the general framework and evolution of Institutes and National ResearchLaboratories in the Member States.


This pilot project aims to study the general framework and evolution of the Institutes and LaboratoriesNational Research, at the level of Member States. Quantitatively it is intended to know the creation,evolution or extinction, over time, these scientific research and development structures in each MemberState. Qualitatively want to know the availability of access to necessary resources (including Communityfinancial, infrastructure, human resources and technical expertise) for the development of research andknowledge transfer to the various social and economic sectors.


Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,

20

26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:In many Member States there has been a prolonged and planned disinvestment, which in many cases has ledto the reduction of resources and resource, if not even to extinction, institutes and National Laboratories.This puts into question the conditions of development and production of knowledge at the level of states,they lose so instruments with upgradeability and own production, first to define policies with resources forsocial and economic development.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 39 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU Tourism Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem


The European Union is the first destination of the world, with 671 million international tourist arrivals in2017, accounting for 40% in arrivals worldwide. The sector has proved resilient in these last decades,generating more than 10% of the EU GDP and supporting 25 million jobs, directly and indirectly. In thisregard, Startups are essential to the job market, since they provide around 50% of all new jobs and driveinnovation. Nevertheless, tourism currently faces a number of challenges ranging from sustainability orthe capacity of the sector to fully take into count its social and environmental impacts to the digitalizationto meet the demands of the new travelers and increase of competitiveness. The future of tourism willcertainly depend on the success of tourism stakeholders in overcoming these challenges.

As one of the most impacted sectors by digitalization, tourism stakeholders need to take advantage oftechnologies and business models to boost growth and competitiveness. In this regard, bridging the digitalskills gap is essential for EU business and governments to benefit from the opportunities of digitalisation.The lack of knowledge or accessibility to finance by SMEs and Startups is another bottleneck for thedevelopment of an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in Europe.

Despite the numerous EU initiatives aimed at tackling the digitalization of tourism, the state ofdigitalization still varies between EU regions and the markets for capital and talent remains fragmentedacross the EU.

The aim of this pilot project is to build up on existing EU initiatives -such as the Tourism DigitalNetwork, the Digital Innovation Hubs or the Startup Europe project, among others- and develop the firstEU Tourism Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem by identifying and connecting all tourismstakeholders, including governments, startups and SMEs, private investors (Business and Super BusinessAngels, Venture Capital, etc.), Academia and business supporters (Accelerators, Incubators, etc).

The EU Tourism Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem will have three main objectives, namely:

21

1. Keeping up with the digitalisation of the tourism industry for SMEs, Governments and Destinations;

2. Improving the tourism business environment in the EU, including access to finance; and

3. Boosting innovation in tourism.

Action Plan:

The 12 months pilot project to develop the EU Tourism Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem will beimplemented as follows:

1. In the first phase of the project (M1-M6), a European Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship inTourism will be organised. This summit will bring together all relevant players of tourism in the EU,providing unique opportunities for networking, building new business opportunities, training andmultidisciplinary debates about the most pressing challenges of the sector.

The 2-day programme will include:

Multi-stakeholders panel discussions on relevant topics such as Smart Tourism, Investments in Tourism(traditional and non-traditional via ventures) and New Business Models, which will allow the sharing ofgood practices;

Bootcamp Programmes on Digitalization and Entrepreneurship in Tourism (intensive trainings forStartups and SMEs on digital marketing skills, business formation, strategy and scalability, etc.)

Tourism SMEs challenges (topic to be chosen at a later stage, e.g. ‘Jobs of the Future’) and;

Startups Pitch Competitions to attract capital, build investor and advisor networks and raise visibility inthe market

Launch of call for Tourism Innovation Leaders, which will constitute a community of innovative,socially-committed leaders working as a force for the sustainable growth of tourism in the EU.

2. In a second phase, the Digital Platform of the EU Tourism Innovation Ecosystem will be developedthrough the identification and mapping of all players. This online platform will connect permanently allthe actors of the ecosystem (M6-12) and would be sustainable in the way we can ask for a fee membershipfor all the actors.

In addition, we will still working with the different Governments in order to foster the regional tourismecosystem via:

Sharing best practices

Specialised Working Groups (SME´s/startups, investors, corporations) in order to connect, train andsupport them actively.

Working Group with the Tourism Innovation Leaders for the development of recommendations/policypapers.

3. In a third and last phase (M12), a Forum will be organized in which the Digital Platform of the EUTourism Innovation Ecosystem will be presented, along with the policy recommendations for the EUinstitutions in terms of digitalisation and innovation of the tourism sector.

4. The platform would be established on a membership fee for each category and depending on theservices that each user wants to develop. (startup connection, investors connection, databases, etc..)

5. Finally, our last deliverable would be a Policy Paper focused on how to foster a Paneuropean TourismInnovation Ecosystem.


Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the

22

general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:In 2015, there was a successful implementation of a preparatory action with UNESCO. Following thisprocedure there is not any legal problem to work with another UN institution. As the Commission has notmentioned any other reasons why the project could not be supported, it has been re-tabled in the same form.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 40 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Measuring Sustainable Tourism (MST) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


European countries tend to be at the forefront of statistical developments. With generally solid and highlyadvanced statistical systems, European countries are usually very well placed to pioneer and test innovateactions.

In the area of tourism measurement, a recent workshop co-organized between the Directorate-General forInternal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European CommissionEuropean Commission and UNWTO on ‘Measuring the economic impact of tourism in Europe: theTourism Satellite Account (TSA)’ (November 2017 in Brussels, Belgium) demonstrated the strongexpertise and enthusiasm in the region for the measurement of tourism. It was acknowledged that tourismmeasurement is beyond a technical exercise, very much a strategic endeavor for the tourism sector; andthat the tourism sector needs the credibility that statistics can provide.

These lessons are once again becoming evident as part of advancing Measuring Sustainable Tourism(MST). And indeed, European countries comprise the majority of the pioneering countries leading thedevelopment of MST, in conceptual, practical and institutional terms.

The focus on decision making for sustainability is well aligned with the priorities of the EuropeanParliament. Out of the 4 areas where the pilot projects could be allocated to, work on MST fits well underarea 1 ‘Smart and inclusive growth’ and area 2 ‘Sustainable growth’.

Supporting European Union Member States in better measuring Sustainable Tourism.

In this proposal, UNWTO would support a selected number of European countries to developcomprehensive pilot studies on Measuring Sustainable Tourism that guide the development of anintegrated information base on sustainable tourism for that country and includes the testing of keyindicators for sustainable tourism for assessing the SDGs. MST Pilot studies support the development ofthe framework by providing valuable insights on the relevance to stakeholders and by demonstrating thefeasibility of implementation. In turn, MST Pilot Studies help countries uncover an array of useful and

23

robust information to feed decisions and policies.

Pilot studies of varying degrees of complexity and focus have been carried out in: Austria, Canada, Italy,Fiji, Mexico, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Wales in the UK. More are underway, including inMalaysia and the Philippines, and other countries have expressed their interest.

The selection of countries could be done on the basis of a Call for expressions of interest. The specificfocus of each of the pilot studies will depend on country priorities and countries will be selected to ensurea balance across the environmental and social dimensions of the MST. Topics of primary focus mayrelate to:

– The social dimension of tourism: issues like employment and decent work, visitor pressure (sometimesreferred to as ‘overtourism’), etc.;

– The environmental dimension: issues such as energy and climate change, water use, biodiversity andprotected areas;

– Regional and subnational perspectives on sustainable tourism – e.g. city tourism;

– Measuring the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The project will build upon the important progress of previous relevant initiatives such as ETIS in thespace of tourism indicators for subnational regions.



Justification:In 2015, there was a successful implementation of a preparatory action with UNESCO. Following thisprocedure there is not any legal problem to work with another UN institution. As the Commission has notmentioned any other reasons why the project could not be supported, it has been re-tabled in the same form.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 41 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project —Program of debureaucratization and support to micro, small and medium enterprises


This pilot project will have the following objectives:

24

1. A characterization of the sector, with the identification of the constraints and threats it currently facesat the bureaucratic level;

2. Definition of proposals for solutions that promote the de-bureaucratization of the sector;

3. The identification of EU instruments that can be directly or indirectly used by the sector;

4. The characterization of the use of the instruments / actions / measures / financing available by thesector;

5. Assessing the adequacy of existing instruments to the needs of SMEs and drawing up proposals fortheir possible adaptation, in line with the evaluation carried out;

6. The implementation of concrete actions to support SMEs.



Justification:According to the testimony of many micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, there has not yet been asignificant economic recovery, especially in trade, catering and services. The monopolistic dominion overstrategic sectors - energy, communications, credit, etc. - and the fiscal burden imposed on MSMEs, unequalto economic groups, are factors that remain unavoidable for the resuscitation capacity of the economy.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 41 2 500 000 1 250 000 2 500 000 1 250 000

Reserve

Total 2 500 000 1 250 000 2 500 000 1 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Open innovation platform to boost digitalisation and safety for tourism in Europe


A lot of existing data in the tourism sector are either scattered or commercially exploited by few and oftennon-EU private firms; this prevents EU SMEs and start-ups to have access to tourism data, develop newbusiness applications and benefit from the new trends and technological solutions developed, for instance,in the area of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, safety constitutes a key challenge for the tourismindustry requiring a horizontal strategy as safety and quality are the two main unique selling points ofDestination Europe to compete globally.

Developing a European Open Innovation Platform to facilitate and accelerate i) the take up of newopportunities offered today by the use of big data and artificial intelligence solutions in the tourism sector

25

ii) the provision of a safe environment for the tourism industry, destinations and visitors. The platformwill be used especially by European SMEs and start-ups willing to test, validate and develop new businessapplications in this area.

The pilot action will i) identify possible sources of open data available at regional, national and Europeandata that are related to tourism, which could be used for developing business applications; ii) identify EUand national R&I projects developing such applications and assess their challenges related to theaccessibility and use of big data and the use of new technological solutions for the purpose of decisionmaking and at the service of the visitors’ experience; iii) identify EU, national and regional technologicaland social-innovation-based solutions to reinforce the safety and resilience of destinations, e.g qualitywelcome of visitors capacity building, mentoring eco-system actors and institutional players to be able toadapt to new phenomena and new business environment to enhance the resilience of the tourismindustry; iv) develop a pilot version of a European Open Innovation Platform (website, database, etc.) andencourage European SMEs to use it. Partially finance the initial work of some SMEs as a proof ofconcept.

This action will be embedded into the work and further exploited by the interregional partnership onDigitalisation and Safety currently developed under the Smart Specialisation Platform for IndustrialModernisation.



Justification:This action will contribute building up a smarter and safer environment for the development of tourismbusinesses and activities in Europe. The availability of the right information, skills and technology forsupporting the decisions of both private and public stakeholders will diminish the risks and, therefore,provide the right setting for bringing growth and jobs in Europe through tourism.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 02 77 42 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Enhanced Tourism Cooperation between EU and India


Over the last decades, tourism has become one of the fastest and largest growing economic sectors in theworld. International tourist arrivals have risen from 278 million in 1980 to 1 035 million in 2012 and

26

are expected to grow by 3,3% a year on average by 2030. Europe remains the world’s number one touristdestination, accounting for half of all international tourist arrivals worldwide – with three-quarters ofthese in European Union (EU) countries. However, its position is being challenged by new touristdestinations in emerging economies.

As a continuation of the successful World Bridge Tourism project related to China, India - one of theother very important emerging countries - has an increasing importance in inbound and outboundtourism flow as well. However, due to the lack of available information, a preparatory study or researchshould be prepared. We simply lack data.

That is why the main aim of this pilot project is:

– getting some senior industry figures active on the Indian outbound (or European inbound from India)tourism market;

– concerning the new legislation of the European Commission on VISA Code, widen the ‘visas +promoting Europe in long-haul markets’ discussion;

– with the scope on India as a potential source market, carrying out a market study

– organisation of events and focus groups to discuss and disseminate the results of the study

– setting up a dedicated website as an EU-wide source of information with different versions fordifferent audiences;



Justification:As a continuation of the successful World Bridge Tourism project related to China, with the scope of India -one of the other very important emerging countries - has an increasing importance in inbound and outboundtourism flow as well. However, due to the lack of available information, a preparatory market study orresearch should be prepared to have a detailed picture on the tourism flow.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Indrek Tarand, Committee on Budgets, Tilly Metz

-------------------------------


Item 02 03 77 07 — Pilot project — Independent on-road real-driving emissions (RDE) testing to ensurebroad information and transparency for better market surveillance



02 03 77 07 1 600 000 800 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 1 600 000 800 000 1 600 000 800 000

Reserve

Total 1 600 000 800 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 1 600 000 800 000 1 600 000 800 000

Justification:COM forget to add appropriations for 2019, which are required for the successful implementation of this

27

important pilot project that only started in 2018.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Inese Vaidere, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------


Item 02 03 77 08 — Pilot project — Assessing alleged differences in the quality of products sold in thesingle market



02 03 77 08 800 000 400 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 900 000 300 000 900 000 700 000

Reserve

Total 800 000 400 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 900 000 300 000 900 000 700 000

Remarks:After paragraph:

At the end of the pilot project, the Commission will .......... Representations and Members of the EuropeanParliament.

Add following text:

In the second phase of this pilot project starting from 2019 actions should focus on:

- developing further the relevant consumer and market-related research on dual quality of food productsincluding impact of ingredients pricing, what influences consumer behaviour and their expectationsrelated to brands;

- developing instructions for competent authorities on how to apply current and future legislationaddressing dual quality/unfair trading practices in a transparent and uniform way in all MS;

- conducting various policy-focus analysis of the data developed by JRC with aim to enable competentauthorities to apply legislation in the most effective manner;

- setting up a Steering Committee that will oversee this pilot project; Members of the EuropeanParliament together with other relevant stakeholders should play an active role in identifying workingpriorities for the second phase of the pilot project;

- strengthening the multistakeholder dialogue with an active role of the Members of the EuropeanParliament;- expanding the scope to non-food products (ex. detergents, cosmetics, toiletries, babiesproducts) in order to compare their qualitative characteristics when they are sold under the same brand,packaging and with the use of other marketing texts.

Justification:There is a need to deepen the analysis of what the results obtained from the JRC testing mean for consumersand producers, and how the legislation should be applied by competent authorities effectively and in uniformway in the Single Market. At the same time there is an urgent need to expand the scope of the study andexamine also non-food products, as there may be also differences in qualitative characteristics. It is alsoimportant that the European Parliament is playing more prominent role.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



28

-------------------------------


Item 02 03 77 08 — Pilot project — Assessing alleged differences in the quality of products sold in thesingle market



02 03 77 08 800 000 400 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 900 000 700 000 900 000 1 100 000

Reserve

Total 800 000 400 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 900 000 700 000 900 000 1 100 000

Remarks:Before paragraph:

This appropriation is intended to cover commitments .......... settled from previous years under the pilotproject.

Add following text:

In the second phase of this pilot project starting from 2019 actions should focus on:

- continuing testing campaign, which consists of a series of market researches among several categoriesof consumer products in different Member States

- expanding the scope to non-food products (ex. detergents, cosmetics, toiletries, babies products) in orderto compare their qualitative characteristics when they are sold under the same brand, packaging and withthe use of other marketing texts. This includes adapting EU harmonised testing methodology to non-foodproducts.

- developing further the relevant consumer and market-related research on dual quality of food productsincluding impact of ingredients pricing, what influences consumer behaviour and their expectationsrelated to brands;

- setting up a Steering Committee (previously called taskforce) that will oversee this pilot project;Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee togetherwith other relevant stakeholders should take part in all proceedings of this Committee and play an activerole in identifying working priorities for the second phase of the pilot project; In particular in definingselection, sampling and testing of products as well sensory analysis;

- strengthening the multistakeholder dialogue with an active role of the Members of the EuropeanParliament and preparing final report that will be presented in Member States;

Justification:In its resolution on a new agenda for European Consumer Policy of 11 June 2013, the EP emphasised that,according to the findings of various surveys, consumers are concerned on a long-term basis about possibledifferences in the quality of products with the same brand and packaging which are distributed in the singlemarket. There is a need to continue the pilot project started in 2018 to assess the situation of food productsand to expand the scope of the study also to non-food products as envisaged in PP from 2018. It is alsoimportant that the EP plays more prominent role in this process.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Bendt Bendtsen, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Peter Liese, Jiří Pospíšil, Ivo Belet, Seán Kelly, LuděkNiedermayer, Siegfried Mureşan, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Theresa Griffin, Martina Werner, Jude Kirton-Darling, Clare Moody, Pavel Poc, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Morten Helveg Petersen, Anneli Jäätteenmäki,Florent Marcellesi, Jakop Dalunde, Bart Staes, Benedek Jávor, Keith Taylor, Jean Lambert, Reinhard

29

Bütikofer, Margrete Auken

-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000

Reserve

Total 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000

Heading:Pilot project — Mending data gaps and paving the way for pan-European fire safety efforts


Europe has, over the recent decades, achieved substantial improvements in fire safety thanks to thecontinuous adjustments of regulations and implementation of national fire safety measures. The rate offire fatalities has dropped by 65% in EU Member States between 1979 and 2007, but with significantdisparities across Member States. A better understanding of these differences will help identify bestpractices. According to statistics, fire fatalities represent about 2% of accidental deaths in the EU.(Commission study regarding Regulation 305/2011/EU on the toxicity of smoke produced by constructionproducts in fires).

The Commission’s study revealed an important data gap in the coverage of statistical information on firesafety and fire casualties in buildings across Europe. In addition, the nature and format of data collectedvaries greatly across Member States, which poses an obstacle to data comparison and thereby toeffectively assessing potential best practices and successful safety approaches.

Furthermore, recent tragic events have rightly triggered renewed attention on how to improve fire safetyin buildings in Europe. One example is the revised Directive for Energy Performance in Buildingsadopted in April 2018 (Directive 2018/844/EU), where the Council and the European Parliament giveemphasis to the importance of fire safety, in particular in the renovation of existing buildings in Europe.

The planned enhanced renovation efforts of the building stock in Europe present an added opportunity tofurther improve fire safety, while recognising that the issue of fire safety and prevention remains relevantin a context spanning further than renovations. Electrical safety is another key aspect and might beinfluenced by the increased deployment of infrastructure for electric vehicles in buildings as well asenhanced interactions between buildings and the grid.

The authors therefore propose a pilot project that aims to mend the data gap in Europe on fire safetycasualties, fire safety measures and fire prevention measures.

The pilot project should take into account and make use of any initiatives by the newly established FireInformation Exchange Platform (FIEP) by the European Commission. The results of this project shouldalso support the FIEP work.

The pilot project would fund an EU wide analysis and assessment of available fire safety data as well asidentify data gaps, concluding in recommendations for

a) EU-level actions to support enhanced data collection and data streamlining in statistics regarding firecasualties, fire safety and fire prevention (mending data gaps)

b) EU-level actions to support fire safety and fire prevention efforts of Member States into the domesticenvironment, including in relation to renovation of buildings (Pan-European fire safety awarenesscampaign)

30

The pilot project could lead to a potential subsequent preparatory action to launch EU-level actions andinitiatives to support Member States' efforts for fire safety and fire prevention, including in their buildingrenovation efforts, thereby supporting safety for Europeans as well as sustainable growth and job creationin Europe.

The pilot project would be implemented by the European Commission with possible assistance by externalcontractors, research facilities and relevant stakeholders.



Justification:The project will assess the data availability and seek to mend data gaps in the field of fire prevention andsafety. Efforts to enhance energy renovation of existing buildings in Europe through Directive 2018/844/EUpresents an opportunity to enhance fire safety in the process. Increased data availability will allow foreffective assessing and sharing of best practices between Member States, paving the way for pan-Europeanfire safety efforts to the benefit of Europeans.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Răzvan Popa, Andrey Kovatchev

-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Observatory of Digital Trends and Disruptive Technologies


Technology specialists claim that we have entered in the era of the Fourth industrial revolution or theSecond Machine Age. This era is characterized by the leading role of digital technologies like ArtificialIntelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Super Computers anddisruptive manufacturing technologies like 3D printing. The equation becomes more complicated with theaddition of the rapid developments in the biotechnology, like genes editing.

The new era brings significant and unparalleled opportunities, but also significant challenges. Theexploration of those opportunities and challenges is fragmented, within the thematic silos of the scientistsand analysts, and thus leads to overlaps and gaps. It is paramount to bring together specialists of thediverse fields and create a coherent view that will bring specific qualitative and quantitative results aimingto give responses to major ethical, governance and regulatory challenges.

The future is already here. It is only necessary to distribute the benefits of the future evenly to everybody.

31

The strategy to achieving this end can be based on the creation of an Observatory of Digital Trends andDisruptive Technologies that will work in two levels. In the first level, the central, the Observatory willbring together, the European Institutions, other government agencies, policy makers, scientists, firms,politicians the civil society and the academia to work together in a multi-dimensional level. Thereafter,the Observatory will distribute this knowledge and policy recommendations to regional hubs andecosystems, designed and developed in less technologically developed regions of the EU so as to engagelocal communities and entrepreneurial, educational and regional clusters

The pilot project can create the infrastructure of the central Observatory and three to four regional hubscreated in an experimental framework. The success of the scheme will determine the expansion of theproject to more regions.



Justification:The challenges that the new digital trends and disruptive technologies bring, change rapidly the political,business, educational and social environment. A coherent and balanced approach is necessary. AnObservatory that brings together the leading stakeholders and makes them work in a multidisciplinaryenvironment and then transmit this knowledge to remote hubs and ecosystems designed in lesstechnologically developed areas can work as an agile and strategy that increases equity.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 152 === ITRE/6385 ===

Tabled by Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000

Reserve

Total 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000

Heading:Pilot project — Mending data gaps and paving the way for pan-European fire safety efforts


Europe has, over the recent decades, achieved substantial improvements in fire safety thanks to thecontinuous adjustments of regulations and implementation of national fire safety measures. The rate offire fatalities has dropped by 65% in EU Member States between 1979 and 2007, but with significantdisparities across Member States. A better understanding of these differences will help identify bestpractices. According to statistics, fire fatalities represent about 2% of accidental deaths in the EU.(Commission study regarding Regulation 305/2011/EU on the toxicity of smoke produced by constructionproducts in fires).

The Commission’s study revealed an important data gap in the coverage of statistical information

32

on fire safety and fire casualties in buildings across Europe. In addition, the nature and format of datacollected varies greatly across Member States, which poses an obstacle to data comparison and thereby toeffectively assessing potential best practices and successful safety approaches.

Furthermore, recent tragic events have rightly triggered renewed attention on how to improve fire safetyin buildings in Europe. One example is the revised Directive for Energy Performance in Buildingsadopted in April 2018 (revised Directive 2010/31/EU), where the Council and the European Parliamentgive emphasis to the importance of fire safety, in particular in the renovation of existing buildings inEurope.

The planned enhanced renovation efforts of the building stock in Europe present an added opportunity tofurther improve fire safety, while recognising that the issue of fire safety and prevention remains relevantin a context spanning further than renovations. Electrical safety is another key aspect and might beinfluenced by the increased deployment of infrastructure for electric vehicles in buildings as well asenhanced interactions between buildings and the grid.

The authors therefore propose a pilot project that aims to mend the data gap in Europe on fire safetycasualties, fire safety measures and fire prevention measures.

The pilot project should take into account and make use of any initiatives by the newly established FireInformation Exchange Platform (FIEP) by the European Commission. The results of this project shouldalso support the FIEP work.

The pilot project would fund an EU wide analysis and assessment of available fire safety data as well asidentify data gaps, concluding in recommendations for

a) EU-level actions to support enhanced data collection and data streamlining in statistics regarding firecasualties, fire safety and fire prevention (mending data gaps)

b) EU-level actions to support fire safety and fire prevention efforts of Member States into the domesticenvironment, including in relation to renovation of buildings (Pan-European fire safety awarenesscampaign)

The pilot project could lead to a potential subsequent preparatory action to launch EU-level actions andinitiatives to support Member States' efforts for fire safety and fire prevention, including in their buildingrenovation efforts, thereby supporting safety for Europeans as well as sustainable growth and job creationin Europe.

The pilot project would be implemented by the European Commission with possible assistance by externalcontractors, research facilities and relevant stakeholders.



Justification:The project will assess the data availability and seek to mend data gaps in the field of fire prevention andsafety. Efforts to enhance energy renovation of existing buildings in Europe through Directive 2010/31/EUas amended presents an opportunity to enhance fire safety in the process. Increased data availability willallow for effective assessing and sharing of best practices between Member States, paving the way for pan-European fire safety efforts to the benefit of Europeans.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


33


-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) Observatory of the European Commission


Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is a pioneering source of funding for start-ups which uses the blockchaintechnology to distribute tokens in exchange of fiat money or cryptocurrencies. When the token is designedas a security (claim in a future cash flow or equity) the existing financial regulations apply. However, thevast majority of those tokens do not qualify as securities. These are classified as utility tokens.

In the case of utility tokens the ICOs gives wider flexibility for the start-ups. This flexibility, have as aresult the creation of wide range of ICO designs, characteristics, options and technical dimensions. Tosome extent this is beneficial but the legal certainty is limited if not completely absent. Consequently, wehave excellent cases of projects that cannot access funding and many seemingly excellent projects end upbeing frauds. In any case, the lack of legal certainty contributes to a volatility that does not necessarilyreflect the fundamentals of the underlying project. the absence of clear economic and legal criteria

It is of paramount importance, in order to capitalize on the benefits that utility tokens can bring totechnology transfer and innovation funding, to mitigate uncertainty, clarify best practices, and identifycriteria that distinguish a good use case from the bad. This can be achieved by the creation of an ICOObservatory under the responsibility of the European Commission and with the participation of therelated stakeholders from the market, regulatory authorities, consumer protection bodies, associationsand the academia, which will delve into the taxonomy, characteristics, secondary market design,prospectus elements, and best practices of the ICOs that do not qualify as securities, as well as theexamination of borderline cases of hybrid tokens.

This will be beneficial because it will give a set of criteria that will increase investors’ protection, give adirection to start-ups on which practices to choose and which to avoid, and will serve as a guideline for aregulatory framework that will allow the convergence of the regulations of the Member States.



Justification:EU needs to find innovative financial methods to channel funding to pioneering SMEs and start-ups andaccelerate technology transfer. ICOs have a strong potential in funding innovation but also great regulatorychallenges. An ICOs Observatory will be a suitable tool in mapping the utility tokens regulations of theMember States, their taxonomy, characteristics, sources of volatility and best practices, and it will also create

34

a pool of cases that will be beneficial for the market participants.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) Observatory of the European Commission


Add following text:

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is a pioneering source of funding for start-ups which uses the blockchaintechnology to distribute tokens in exchange of fiat money or cryptocurrencies. When the token is designedas a security (claim in a future cash flow or equity) the existing financial regulations apply. However, thevast majority of those tokens do not qualify as securities. These are classified as utility tokens.

In the case of utility tokens the ICOs gives wider flexibility for the start-ups. This flexibility, have as aresult the creation of wide range of ICO designs, characteristics, options and technical dimensions. Tosome extent this is beneficial but the legal certainty is limited if not completely absent. Consequently, wehave excellent cases of projects that cannot access funding and many seemingly excellent projects end upbeing frauds. In any case, the lack of legal certainty contributes to a volatility that does not necessarilyreflect the fundamentals of the underlying project. the absence of clear economic and legal criteria

It is of paramount importance, in order to capitalize on the benefits that utility tokens can bring totechnology transfer and innovation funding, to mitigate uncertainty, clarify best practices, and identifycriteria that distinguish a good use case from the bad. This can be achieved by the creation of an ICOObservatory under the responsibility of the European Commission and with the participation of therelated stakeholders from the market, regulatory authorities, consumer protection bodies, associationsand the academia, which will delve into the taxonomy, characteristics, secondary market design,prospectus elements, and best practices of the ICOs that do not qualify as securities, as well as theexamination of borderline cases of hybrid tokens.

This will be beneficial because it will give a set of criteria that will increase investors’ protection, give adirection to start-ups on which practices to choose and which to avoid, and will serve as a guideline for aregulatory framework that will allow the convergence of the regulations of the Member States.



35

Justification:EU needs to find innovative financial methods to channel funding to pioneering SMEs and start-ups andaccelerate technology transfer. ICOs have a strong potential in funding innovation but also great regulatorychallenges. An ICOs Observatory will be a suitable tool in mapping the utility tokens regulations of theMember States, their taxonomy, characteristics, sources of volatility and best practices, and it will also createa pool of cases that will be beneficial for the market participants.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 03 77 09 600 000 600 000 600 000 600 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 600 000 600 000 600 000

Heading:Pilot project — Quality of service in tourism


Tourism is a key sector for economic development and job creation in Europe. Tourism bodies have anever-ending dispute over a unified hotel classification system (hotels, restaurants & other facilities inEurope). As the needs and expectation of the clients evolved, stimulating the development of the hotelsupply, the need for regulation of the activity domain became essential, by adopting measures forprotecting the rights and interests of final consumers.

Their perceptions often do not match with what they receive for the sake of insufficient and ineffectivecommunication.

The purpose of this project is to elaborate:

– A framework for a comprehensive mapping of the existing public and private initiatives (star systems,certifications schemes, etc.) for tourism that would harmonise the classification system in terms ofaccuracy and up-to-date data and would aim at bringing transparency and consistency to the servicequality evaluation and performance;

– A framework for the content of the information provided by the travel agencies, tour operators, e-booking and review sites; the information provided to the clients should be examined, compared andcompatible with the EU level of the criteria of the identified initiatives;

– A framework regarding the trans-national cooperation among public authorities and industries inorder to improve the content of the "terms conditions" and assure a fair "agreement" between theservice provider and the tourist; the agreement should specify, among others, the payment conditionsand the rights of the tourist especially for those in case of non-compliance with the contractedservices;

– The feasibility of establishing EU - level principles on tourism service quality, including EUcompetence, added value and technical viability;

Legal basis:

36

Add following text:


Justification:The relation between tourist and service providers must be fair and transparent. Tourists could benefit fromthis in such a way that they could make easier decisions for hotel selection and find accommodation moresuitable to their needs. It would assist tourist to prevent misperceptions. This would satisfy customerexpectations on a higher level and also yield time and financial merits. Tourism is also an importantinstrument for strengthening Europe's image in the world.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Stanisław Żółtek

-------------------------------


Item 02 04 77 03 — Preparatory action on defence research



02 04 77 03 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.


This appropriation is intended to cover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years under thepreparatory action.

Europe faces today an increasingly deteriorating security situation with the emergence of new or existingthreats; the financial crisis has put constant pressure on national defence budgets and since 2006, the budgetspent on defence R&D in Europe decreased by 30 %. In this context, Member States and public opinion lookto the Union for greater involvement in security and defence.

The main objective of the preparatory action is to prepare and test mechanisms for conducting Union-fundeddefence research, including a mechanism of cooperation with the European Defence Agency, with a view toprepare, organise and deliver a variety of defence research activities. The final aim of these activities is tofoster the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the defence industry throughout the Union. It needs toproduce visible and timely results for the decision making in view of the discussion on a possible defenceresearch programme within the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

The research & technology programme of the preparatory action will be implemented by annual workprogrammes, mainly through calls for proposals for research projects and procurement. Tasks related to theimplementation of the work programmes will be delegated to the European Defence Agency. Thepreparatory action will cover all needed expenses to prepare and test mechanisms for conducting Union-funded defence research, including expenditure related to information and publications, dissemination,technical and administrative assistance, consultancy, studies and expert groups.

In 2019, this appropriation would cover funding for a number of research projects, inter alia, on criticaldefence technologies on electronic protection, radar and advanced communication as well as future

37

disruptive technologies. The precise scope of the topics will be defined in consultation with the MemberStates and the defence-related R&D stakeholders, and assistance from experts.

Any revenue from contributions from third countries entered in Item 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue willgive rise to the provision of additional appropriations to be entered in this item in accordance with theFinancial Regulation.

Justification:Defence budget matters should remain a Member State competence.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------



Amend figures, remarks, legal basis and reference acts as follows:Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


02 04 77 03 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.





The research & technology programme of the preparatory action will be implemented by annual workprogrammes, mainly through calls for proposals for research projects and procurement. Tasks related to theimplementation of the work programmes will be delegated to the European Defence Agency. Thepreparatory action will cover all needed expenses to prepare and test mechanisms for conducting Union-funded defence research, including expenditure related to information and publications, dissemination,technical and administrative assistance, consultancy, studies and expert groups.

In 2019, this appropriation would cover funding for a number of research projects, inter alia, on criticaldefence technologies on electronic protection, radar and advanced communication as well as futuredisruptive technologies. The precise scope of the topics will be defined in consultation with the MemberStates and the defence-related R&D stakeholders, and assistance from experts.

Any revenue from contributions from third countries entered in Item 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue willgive rise to the provision of additional appropriations to be entered in this item in accordance with the

38

Financial Regulation.

Legal basis:Delete following text:

Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the generalbudget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012,p. 1).

Reference acts:Delete following text:

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic andSocial Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 7 June 2017 ‘Launching the European DefenceFund’ (COM(2017) 295 final).

Justification:Defense should be State-only issue.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 717 === ENF//8101 ===

Tabled by Europe of Nations and Freedom

-------------------------------



Amend figures, remarks, legal basis and reference acts as follows:Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


02 04 77 03 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.





The research & technology programme of the preparatory action will be implemented by annual workprogrammes, mainly through calls for proposals for research projects and procurement. Tasks related to theimplementation of the work programmes will be delegated to the European Defence Agency. The

39

preparatory action will cover all needed expenses to prepare and test mechanisms for conducting Union-funded defence research, including expenditure related to information and publications, dissemination,technical and administrative assistance, consultancy, studies and expert groups.

In 2019, this appropriation would cover funding for a number of research projects, inter alia, on criticaldefence technologies on electronic protection, radar and advanced communication as well as futuredisruptive technologies. The precise scope of the topics will be defined in consultation with the MemberStates and the defence-related R&D stakeholders, and assistance from experts.

Any revenue from contributions from third countries entered in Item 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue willgive rise to the provision of additional appropriations to be entered in this item in accordance with theFinancial Regulation.

Legal basis:Delete following text:

Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the generalbudget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012,p. 1).

Reference acts:Delete following text:

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic andSocial Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 7 June 2017 ‘Launching the European DefenceFund’ (COM(2017) 295 final).

Justification:We don’t need any EU centralised initiative in this field.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------





02 04 77 03 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.

Reserve

Total 40 000 000 28 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 25 000 000 29 000 000 -25 000 000 -29 000 000 p.m. p.m.

Justification:According to Article 41(2) TEU funding for military or defence is not admissible. Therefor the preparatoryaction on defence research shall be terminated. Strongly rejects any involvement or financing from EU-budget for military, civil-military or security research in general and the development of remotely pilotedaircraft systems (RPAS) and autonomous weapons in particular.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



40

-------------------------------




02 04 77 05 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Benchmark study to define a “fair” public health return and help ensure a fair return onEU medical R&D investments


The European Commission (EC) invests in biomedical R&D through its Research FrameworkProgramme, Horizon 2020 under Societal Challenge 1 on health, demographic change, and wellbeing,which has the primary objective of ‘improving the lifelong health and well-being of all’. However, the ECbiomedical R&D policy has been criticised for failing to ensure a fair public return on its investments:both the Council (See: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/06/17-epsco-conclusions-balance-pharmaceutical-system/) and the European Parliament (See:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=&reference=2016/2057(INI)) havestressed the need to ensure that public R&D investments yield a fair return to ensure that the medicalinnovations supported by public investment focus on public health interests and the unmet medical needsof patients.

In order to ensure that public bio-medical R&D investments deliver Horizon 2020’s above-mentionedobjectives and ensure a fair return, it is crucial that a corresponding monitoring mechanism to measuresocio-economic impact be put in place. However, it is widely acknowledged that there is a huge time lag(estimated 17 years) before health research evidence reaches clinical practice, let alone generatesmeasureable health impacts. It is therefore of upmost importance to define, what the notion of a ‘fairreturn on public investment’ implies for EU biomedical investments, especially for EU financed public-private partnerships, in terms of directly observable/measurable indicators. With such benchmarks andmetrics to quantify ‘fair return’ developed, the social impact of medical R&D projects would be thought atthe stage where the projects are being scoped out and decisions are being made on the allocation ofresources, which in its turn would help to ensure the desired social impact of the EU medical R&Dprojects and guarantee a fair return on public investments.

The proposed pilot project would seek to address the above-mentioned concerns of the European publicand EU institutions, by creating a benchmark of a ‘fair return’. With actual health impacts decades away,and the adequate monitoring mechanisms not yet in place, a benchmark for a ‘fair return’ on the EU’spublic investment is urgently needed. To this effect, this benchmark will define what a ‘fair’ public returnfor the EU’s public investments implies foro The priority setting for the allocation of R&D funding,

o The design of projects, including the expected health and other socio-economic impacts



41

26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:Such a benchmark can serve to inform funding priorities and project designs in the EU Research FP, byproviding the necessary guidance and directions to lay the foundation for future impact. This would alsohave broader implications for EU policies and be especially important for the implementation of the SDGs inthe European policy framework and Commission priorities. It would help to improve and adapt the currentEU better regulation agenda by transitioning it from a standard cost-benefit analysis.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 04 77 05 40 000 000 10 000 000 40 000 000 10 000 000

Reserve

Total 40 000 000 10 000 000 40 000 000 10 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Preparation of the new EU GOVSATCOM program


The Preparatory Action will support a series of preparatory activities which are indispensable for thesuccessful start of the operational program from 2021 onwards such as:

- industrial systems-studies for the GOVSATCOM "Hub", the new ground infrastructure to seamlesslyinterconnect users and providers;

- development and prototyping of GOVSATCOM Hub and services elements;

- establishment and demonstration of various civilian application scenarios in crisis management, civilprotection, surveillance and key infrastructures management;

- other preparatory activities, including the analysis of the GOVSATCOM supply and demand beyond themid-2020's.



Justification:The Preparatory Action (PA) is linked to the Regulation for the establishment of an EU GOVSATCOMProgram, which the Commission proposes in the framework of the MFF 2021-2027.

This PA has a total budget of 40 million EUR, with payments spread over three years, 2019-2021.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

42



-------------------------------




02 04 77 05 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Measuring the Cultural and Creative Industries in the EU


There are about 3 million enterprises in the CCI in Europe (EU) today. They generate 1.5 billion eurosturnover and employ 12 million people. The creation of gross value added in the cultural and creativeindustries amounts to 508 billion euros (year 2013) which is on par with traditional sectors like themechanical engineering industry and car industry with a combined turnover of 490 billion euros in 2015(Eurostat 2017).

A multi-year effort by Eurostat, the central statistical agency of the EU Commission, has made availableto us an extensive database of basic data on the cultural sector. This work can be used as starting point inthe development of a statistical model to capture the culture and creative sectors. The relevant unit atEurostat has published important methodical foundations regarding this work.

The following foundational work has been made available by Eurostat:

Eurostat (2000). Cultural Statistics in the EU. Final report of the Leadership Group, Eurostat Workingpaper, EU Commission

Working Group European Statistical System Network on Culture (2012). ESSnet-Culture Final report,Ministry of Culture Luxembourg (Project coordinator), Eurostat

Eurostat Working Group Culture Statistics. Revision work on culture definition 2018

The following statistical databases have been made available by Eurostat:

Eurostat (annual data). Statistics on cultural employment

Eurostat (annual data). Statistics on enterprises in cultural sectors

Eurostat (annual data). Statistics on international trade in cultural goods and services

Eurostat (2007). Cultural Statistics in Europe, Pocketbook, EU Commission

Eurostat (2011). Cultural Statistics. 2011 Edition Pocketbooks, EU Commission

Eurostat (2016). Cultural Statistics. 2016 Edition Statistical Books, EU Commission

Starting from Eurostat’s work, a research model shall be developed that we intend to extend to acomprehensive statistical model.

– Rather than a singular analysis, this statistical model enables an ongoing, regular statistical analysisof the economic, cultural and social potential of the CCI in Europe

– The statistical model is to be developed on three levels: on the level of the EU at large, on the level ofthe individual Member States and on the level of regions inside the member states (NUTS-2)

43

– It will be assessed in the scope of a two year pilot project and can be extended to a regular monitoringof the CCI

– Using this statistical model and the successive monitoring, a regular coverage of the economicdevelopment of the CCI will be provided

The statistical model encompasses the following parts:

Core definition

The conceptual definition of the CCI comprises the cultural and creative industries as well as the arts andcrafts, fashion and high-end industries. All sectors will be linked to fixed lists of economic andoccupational branches (NACE/ISCO-classification) in order to create an overall statistical framework ofthe CCI. This list of branches can be varied in a modular fashion if need be.

The development of the conceptual definition for this pilot project begins with the foundational statisticalmodel of definitions of the cultural sector that was developed by Eurostat and the EU member states aspart of the “ESSnet Culture Final Report 2012“.This model achieves a broad capturing of cultural and creative activities. It includes all the importantdefinitions in the EU in the statistical model.

The uniqueness of this new definition lies in the modular structure of the individual statistical branches.This makes it possible to compile customised analyses based on different perspectives on the CCI. Ananalysis focused on cultural policy could exclude the software industries while one focusing oninnovation policy could include design, advertisement and software/games.

Core indicators

The selection of the indicators follows the methodological guidelines of UNESCO, OECD and Eurostatand includes the following core indicators

– Enterprises

– Turnover and value added

– Employees and persons employed

– Independent artists, cultural workers and creatives

Data sources

Only official statistical sources (Eurostat, national statistics offices) will be drawn from, no commercialeconomic data bases will be used.

The following statistical sources, already published by Eurostat, will be of foundational importance.

Statistics on enterprises in cultural sectors

Source: Structural Business Statistics and Business Demography

Statistics on cultural enterprises cover industry, construction, trade and service enterprises classifiedaccording to the Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE Rev.2). This classification allows for a detailed sectoral breakdown of business activities (up to four-digitlevel). SBS provide information on the number of enterprises and many other economic indicators, e.g.value added, turnover, personnel costs.

Statistics on cultural employment

Source: Labour Force Survey

Statistics on cultural employment relate to the number of workers (employees and self-employed) in thecultural field. The concept of cultural employment includes all individuals working in a culture-relatedeconomic activity, as well as all individuals with a culture-related occupation.

44

Statistics on international trade in cultural goods and services

Source: COMEXT and Balance of Payments

Statistics on international trade in cultural goods enable to measure the value of cultural goods tradedbetween EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and between Member States and non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). Such statistics provide a picture of culture related products in the international trade and givesome idea of the impact of the culture on the economy.

In addition to sources made available by Eurostat, additional work is required to close an important datagap.

There are certain cultural activities for which Eurostat lacks authorization to gather data for thecorresponding economic branches (such as NACE rev.2, code 90 and code 91). These gaps will be filledby direct inquiry at the national statistics offices of the member states.

All data included in the statistical model will be made publicly available to guarantee transparency andraise trust in its validity.

Geographic delineation

In the pilot project, the following three geographic level will be considered:

– The European level (EU)

– The national level (Member States)

– The regional level (NUTS-2 level) as data availability allows

Empirical results

All results generated with the statistical model will be presented along four dimensions, followingUNESCO

– Economic relevance (turnover, value added, enterprises)

– Social relevance (Employment, self-employment)

– Cultural relevance (artist, cultural workers and creatives)

– Regional relevance (regional profiles of NUTS-regions)

Implementation of the statistical model:

Start of the pilot project:

2019 Start of pilot project

2020 Follow-on pilot project

Project management

Setup of a project office with project leader, research staff and administrative staff

Synopsis of all definitions of cultural and creative industries

Survey of all studies on cultural and creative industries on EU level, member states level and regionallevel

Collection and synopsis of all definitions of cultural and creative industries

EU Commission, EU Parliament, Council of Europe

All member states (source: “Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe")Cooperation with research units and departments having produced relevant studies in the past

Statistical definition

45

Preparation of a statistical definition of cultural and creative industries according to classificationsystems NACE rev.2 and ISCO-08

Preparation of a proposal for a harmonised European model, including individual country classifications

Data collection

Data collection at Eurostat and national statistics offices

Data processing and evaluation of EU data and national data

Consultation with relevant experts and filling-in missing data

Analysis and processing of empirical findings

Milestones

Pilot project: 12 months

Development for Europe (EU), collection and processing of Eurostat data

Selection of EU member states, collection and processing of data on national basis and EU basis (AT,DE, EE, FR, HR, PL, PT, RO)

Follow-on project: 12 months

Selection of all EU member states

Network

Development of a circle of experts from the member countries (these will mainly be researchers whoalready produced relevant studies on the topic for national governments and young researchers.

Stakeholder

The statistical model will be presented to and discussed with the stakeholders in high-level-workshops tobe held twice yearly. The following groups of stakeholders will be invited to these workshops:

EU Commission (Eurostat, DGs), EU Parliament,

European CCI associations

National ministries for culture, economic affairs and innovation, national statistics offices

European research networks, national research groups

Outcome

After a pilot phase of two years, a statistical model will exist with which the economic importance of theCCI on the EU level, the national level and the regional level can be demonstrated. An extension into aregular, yearly monitoring will be considered after a final evaluation.

The model will reveal current trends on the situation of the CCI as an economically strong and relevantindustry on par with other, more established industries. It will provide meaningful indicators that can beincluded in public and political debates on an ongoing basis.



Justification:This project aims to create a prototype of a statistical model to enable a regular monitoring of the CCI in the

46

EU. It highlights the economic, cultural and social relevance of the European CCI. It is based on officialstatistics and offers a valid basis for rational decision making. It serves as a reference model for all memberstates in setting national and regional policies. The US Federal Government recently initiated a long termmonitoring of the arts and cultural production in the USA.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




02 04 77 05 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Benchmark study to define a “fair” public health return and help ensure a fair return onEU medical R&D investments


Before paragraph:

Cultural diversity and identification of the proper .......... evolution of the production paradigms ofIndustry 4.0.

Amend text as follows:

These appropriations areThis appropriation is intended to continue the pilot project in its second year, aswell as cover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years.years under the pilot project.



Justification:Such a benchmark can serve to inform funding priorities and project designs in the EU Research FP, byproviding the necessary guidance and directions to lay the foundation for future impact. This would alsohave broader implications for EU policies and be especially important for the implementation of the SDGs inthe European policy framework and Commission priorities. It would help to improve and adapt the currentEU better regulation agenda by transitioning it from a standard cost-benefit analysis.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------

47




02 04 77 05 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Space Traffic Management


Europe depends more and more on space technologies as the satellite sector provides new applications inboth civilian and military domain. The risk of interferences of space actors and space objects isincreasing. The need of a Space Traffic Management (STM) is evident in order to: ensure safe conduct ofspace activities (exploration and utilisation of space, space applications and services) and to shape theevolution of the legal and regulatory framework for space activities. The legal foundation is provided bythe international space law treaties. The Space Situational Awareness (SSA) could be used as aprerequisite for the STM.

STM could comprise the following actions:

1. interdisciplinary research;

2. opinion building;

3. advancing technical prerequisites and international cooperation;

4. preparation in UNCOPUOS, ITU, ICAO and inter-governmental forums;

5. raising public awareness.

What could be achieved through a STM :

1. guarantee the prosperity and advancement of future generations through keeping spaceflight safe andthe exploration and use sustainable;

2. deal with the problems and promises of spaceflight by addressing all phases of traffic to enter outerspace, operate in outer space and return from outer space;

3. tackle the ongoing safety and sustainability deterioration by tying existing technologies, infrastructuresand legal instruments together.



Justification:The number of satellites in orbit in 2015 amounted to 1265 satellites, therefore capturing technical andregulatory aspects of the satellites constellations is needed. This pilot project could tackle: application ofspace law, completion the Outer Space Traffic Rules, enabling the interoperability of space systems throughan OST Technical standards regime. The proposal for this pilot project has also received support from theDG GROW.

48

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 04 03 77 25 — Preparatory action — Child Guarantee Scheme / Establishing a European childguarantee and financial support



04 03 77 25 900 000 450 000 p.m. 1 450 000 p.m. 1 450 000 15 000 000 7 000 000 15 000 000 8 450 000

Reserve

Total 900 000 450 000 p.m. 1 450 000 p.m. 1 450 000 15 000 000 7 000 000 15 000 000 8 450 000


To make the child guarantee a successful instrument .......... the implementing framework for the childguarantee:

Delete following text:



Inequalities are considered to be a cause of macroeconomic destabilisation and to reduce growth. ThereforeEuropean and national action to correct inequalities affecting children can be seen as a long-term policy formacroeconomic stabilisation and growth. Opening up opportunities can spur stronger economic performanceand improve living standards.

Fighting poverty and social exclusion is one of the Europe 2020 targets: to reduce by at least 20 million thenumber of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion. However, between 2008 and 2014, thenumber of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU-27 increased from 116 million to 121million; almost every fourth person in the EU-27 is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Amongst thisgroup, child poverty is alarming. In 2014, more than 26 million children in the Union were at risk of povertyand more than nine million suffered from severe material deprivation. If no measures are taken to correctthis situation, they will be at greater risk of failing in the education system (Europe 2020 target foreducation) and will have the most difficulties in entering the labour market (Europe 2020 target foremployment). The child guarantee is an integrated approach to tackling child poverty, aiming at fullyimplementing the Commission’s ‘Investing in Children’ recommendation, to ensure that every child inEurope at risk of poverty (including refugees) has access to free health care, free education, free childcare,decent housing and adequate nutrition. Covering these five areas of action through European and nationalaction plans would ensure that the living conditions and opportunities of millions of children in Europeimprove considerably and with a long-term perspective. The child guarantee is a key horizontal policy andshould be regarded as an investment in the stability and prosperity of the Union, which is necessary forpreserving the Union’s growth potential.

After paragraph:

This will be achieved through independent research .......... Ombudspersons for Children) and technicalworkshops.

Add following text:

49

The first two years of this preparatory action are being dedicated to mapping child poverty in Europe, itsmechanisms and causes and the feasibility and conditions for the Child Guarantee to be implemented,notably by analysing four specific groups of vulnerable children that are known to be particularly at risk(children in precarious families, children residing in institutions, children of recent migrants andrefugees and disabled children and other children with special needs).

The third year of the preparatory action should be dedicated to developing experimental project/s wherethe results of the previous analysis will be put in practice to test that a child guarantee scheme couldprovide a new approach to reducing child poverty in a sustainable way. It should be used to determinewhether a child guarantee scheme can better support vulnerable children, improve their education,health, housing, nutrition and the labour market integration of the parents when relevant.

Two to four groups of eligible applicants should be identified as well as the areas of action that will becovered by the child guarantee scheme (education, childcare, healthcare, housing and nutrition) in thespecific community (mainly municipalities). The pilot scheme should cover them during a period of 6 to12 months.

The results of the experimental project should be evaluated by a group of experts representinginstitutions, local authorities, agencies and stakeholders, including civil society organization. This groupshould also examine the feasibility of the so-called comprehensive or integrated approach whose ultimateaim would be to provide a child guarantee scheme to all children.

The results should serve as a basis for drafting the proposal for Establishing the European childguarantee and its financial support.

Justification:European and national action to correct inequalities is a long term policy of macroeconomic stabilization andgrowth. The Child Guarantee is an integrated approach to tackling child poverty that places children at thecenter of poverty alleviation policies. Policies providing income support must be combined with others thatpromote and increase access to quality services, such as education, childcare, health, housing and nutrition.It will help to reach EU2020 targets and SDGs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 04 03 77 27 — Pilot project — Promotion of domestic worker cooperatives and service voucherschemes



04 03 77 27 700 000 350 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 1 500 000 400 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 700 000 350 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 1 500 000 400 000 1 500 000 750 000




In the personal and household services sector (PHS), a sector with high potential for job creation, there are

50

successful experiences through the implementation of Service Voucher system, as in France orBelgium.experience with implementing service voucher schemes, such as in France or Belgium, has beenpositive. Most of the workers in the PHS sector are women, howeverworkers in the PHS sector are women;however, 60% of them are migrants and many are cross-border workers, thereforeand consequently there areimportant loopholes, lack of organization of the workers through trade unions and cooperativesloopholesand limited or fragmented access to information about the rights and the obligations of the workers in thissector. In Member States like France or Belgium, the development ofobligations of workers in this sector.In Member States such as France and Belgium, a dedicated socio-fiscaltax framework has allowed theregularization of the activity of the sector and addressingbeen developed to regularise activities in thesector and address the issue of undeclared work. In order to increase the number of Member States puttingin placeapplying a policy on PHS and to support decent working conditions and representation of workersin this sector the Pilot Project will continue implementing thework in this sector, the pilot project will havetwo objectives in place, which are:main objectives: (1) to help Member States develop service voucherschemes (or in an initial phase trial them in certain municipalities; and (2) to introduce an effective socialdialogue in this sector.

1) Help Member States to develop, or firstly to experiment in some municipalities, service voucherschemes and also to help workers in this sector to improve the quality of their jobs and services via, forexample, collaborative platforms and professional training;This pilot project will provide advice, technicalassistance and a range of tailored guidance activities and recommendations to Member States interested indeveloping the PHS sector, and will support the exchange of good practices among key stakeholders,national public administrations (municipalities/local administrations in the case of a trial introduction) andorganisations of domestic workers, carers and employers.

Add following text:

2) and put in place an effective social dialogue in this sector.


Therefore the goal will be the creation of grassroots cooperatives at local level, the establishment of legalguidance and advice on worker's rights and obligations as well as pursuit the regularization andprotection of these workers through the implementation of the voucher system in target municipalities ormember states. In that sense, a "self-directed" platform (in the form of a worker’s cooperative, forexample) with in addition to its role asRegarding the social dialogue and decent working conditions, theproject will facilitate the professionalisation of these jobs, the dissemination of information on the rights andobligations of workers and employers and the creation and development of an intermediary, the possibilityto provide a network of exchanges between workers about their rights and duties, to ensure the defence ofthe workers, to propose a salary grid and to propose the use of a legal status should be put inplace.effective social dialogue.

Thus, with this Pilot project we request an extension of the previous project approved last year, to deepenin its results, given the positive feedback of the Commission, and double the investment with 1.5 millionfor implementation during a period of 24 months, as some challenging achievements have been met butfurther could be accomplished. This pilot project will continue to need to be supported by the principalEuropean stakeholders in the PHS sector.

Justification:Women who work in the domestic sector have to normally face various disadvantageous situations. Thesefactors affect the social protection of these women, and decrease the expected social contributions to thesocial security and tax regime. In addition, isolation and lack of information in the cross-border activity is anadditional risk for labour conditions abuse. In order to guide the stakeholders to guarantee theaccomplishment of rights and legal obligations, this PP should be extended.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


51


-------------------------------


Item 04 03 77 27 — Pilot project — Promotion of domestic worker cooperatives and service voucherschemes



04 03 77 27 700 000 350 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 1 500 000 400 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 700 000 350 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 1 500 000 400 000 1 500 000 750 000


This pilot project will need to be supported by the principal European stakeholders in the PHS sector.




In the personal and household services sector (PHS), a sector with high potential for job creation, there aresuccessful experiences through the implementation of Service Voucher system, as in France orBelgium.experience with implementing service voucher schemes, such as in France or Belgium, has beenpositive. Most of the workers in the PHS sector are women, howeverworkers in the PHS sector are women;however, 60% of them are migrants and many are cross-border workers, thereforeand consequently there areimportant loopholes, lack of organization of the workers through trade unions and cooperativesloopholesand limited or fragmented access to information about the rights and the obligations of the workers in thissector. In Member States like France or Belgium, the development ofobligations of workers in this sector.In Member States such as France and Belgium, a dedicated socio-fiscaltax framework has allowed theregularization of the activity of the sector and addressingbeen developed to regularise activities in thesector and address the issue of undeclared work. In order to increase the number of Member States puttingin placeapplying a policy on PHS and to support decent working conditions and representation of workersin this sector the Pilot Project will continue implementing thework in this sector, the pilot project will havetwo objectives in place, which are:main objectives: (1) to help Member States develop service voucherschemes (or in an initial phase trial them in certain municipalities; and (2) to introduce an effective socialdialogue in this sector.

1) Help Member States to develop, or firstly to experiment in some municipalities, service voucherschemes and also to help workers in this sector to improve the quality of their jobs and services via, forexample, collaborative platforms and professional training;This pilot project will provide advice, technicalassistance and a range of tailored guidance activities and recommendations to Member States interested indeveloping the PHS sector, and will support the exchange of good practices among key stakeholders,national public administrations (municipalities/local administrations in the case of a trial introduction) andorganisations of domestic workers, carers and employers.

Add following text:

2) and to put in place an effective social dialogue in this sector. Therefore the goal will be the creation ofgrassroots cooperatives at local level, the establishment of legal guidance and advice on worker's rightsand obligations as well as pursuit the regularization and protection of these workers through theimplementation of the voucher system in target municipalities or member states. In that sense, a "self-directed" platform (in the form of a worker’s cooperative, for example) with in addition to its role as an

52

intermediary, the possibility to provide a network of exchanges between workers about their rights andduties, to ensure the defence of the workers, to propose a salary grid and to propose the use of a legalstatus should be put in place.


Thus, with this Pilot project we requestRegarding the social dialogue and decent working conditions, theproject will facilitate the professionalisation of these jobs, the dissemination of information on the rights andobligations of workers and employers and the creation and development of an extension of the previousproject approved last year, to deepen in its results, given the positive feedback of the Commission, anddouble the investment with 1.5 million for implementation during a period of 24 months, as somechallenging achievements have been met but further could be accomplished. This pilot project willcontinue to need to be supported by the principal European stakeholders in the PHS sector.effective socialdialogue.

Justification:Women who work in the domestic sector have to normally face various disadvantageous situations. Thesefactors affect the social protection of these women, and decrease the expected social contributions to thesocial security and tax regime. In addition, isolation and lack of information in the cross-border activity is anadditional risk for labour conditions abuse. In order to guide the stakeholders to guarantee theaccomplishment of rights and legal obligations, this PP should be extended.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Implementation of the research methodology "Multidimensional Inequality Framework"to the European Union


The differences among social groups based on age, origin or income have been increasing in manyEuropean countries over the last few decades. Moreover, the economic crisis has accelerated certainmacroeconomics trends and recovery has been uneven. Sluggish economic growth since the crisis hascontributed to stagnant, or even falling, standards of living in many European households. Althoughinequality is predominately measured in terms of economic variables, such as earnings, income or wealth,there is a growing recognition that inequality is multidimensional, experienced across a number of lifedomains, such as health, physical security and participation. Oxfam Intermon and the London School ofEconomic, combining academic expertise with practitioner knowledge, have developed a systematicapproach to conceptualising and measuring multidimensional inequality. We will also developing thiswork with the advisor support of Eurofound or other possible partners. The Multidimensional InequalityFramework (MIF) developed through this collaboration is theoretically grounded on Amartya Sen’scapability approach and facilitates a systematic assessment of inequalities.

53

The Framework has been developed to allow for the measurement of inequality between groups (age,gender, ethnicity, disability status, etc.), sometimes referred to as ‘horizontal inequality’ (for example,inequality in the experience of physical violence or loneliness) and overall measures of inequality,sometimes referred to as ‘vertical inequality’ (for example, inequality in educational attainment orwealth), which can also be expressed in terms of social gradients. Through the identification of drivers,the Framework also recognises the interconnections between dimensions; inequalities in one domain canbe seen to drive inequalities in another domain.

The Multidimensional Inequality Framework not only offers European leaders a solid path to understandinequalities and their interconnections in seven life domains but also to identify drivers and potentialsolutions to fight inequalities at EU level and in each of the Member States. The seven life domainsaround which MIF is structured are:

1. Life and health: Inequality in the capability to be alive and to live a healthy life

2. Personal safety and security: Inequality in the capability to live in physical safety and legal security

3. Education and learning: Inequality in the capability to be knowledgeable, to understand and reason,and to have the skills to participate in society

4. Financial security and dignified work: Inequality in the capability to achieve financial independenceand security, enjoy dignified and fair work, and recognition of unpaid work and care

5. Comfortable, independent and secure living conditions: Inequality in the capability to enjoycomfortable, independent and secure living conditions

6. Participation, influence and voice: Inequality in the capability to participate in decision-making, have avoice and influence

7. Individual, family and social life: Inequality in the capability to enjoy individual, family and social life,to express yourself and to have self-respect

The flexibility of Framework means that it can be applied to a variety of situations: to assess currentlevels of inequalities; to make comparisons between countries; to examine trends over time.

This Pilot Project will use this multidimensional approach to develop a rich understanding of inequalitiesand identify drivers and potential solutions for decision makers to take steps to reduce inequalities withinthe European Union at three levels: (1) within the European Union, treated as one population; (2) withineach of the Member States and (3) between Member States for a selected range of comparable inequalityindicators. In the future it would be possible to examine trends over time and to assess the impact ofmacro-level shocks such as the financial crisis.



Justification:The financial crisis, sluggish economic growth and uneven recovery have impacted on the lives ofEuropeans in a variety of ways. We know that this has been unequal and have seen the negative impact onsocial cohesion, how less advantaged groups are disengaging with mainstream politics, and how the natureof work is changing. The use of the Multidimensional Inequality Framework will allow policy makers at EUlevel to identify main drivers and potential solutions to reduce inequality and poverty.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 225 === FEMM/6004 ===

54

Tabled by Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Pilot project — Promoting European inclusive workplaces by supporting Muslim women’s access toemployment


Several international, European and national reports have highlighted the high rates of Muslim women,especially those who are visibly Muslims. In this sense, discrimination against Muslims has beendescribed by many researchers and advocates as an extreme form of gendered discrimination. Wearingthe headscarf is a key obstacle in finding or keeping a job. This is best exemplified by the fact that the firsttwo cases on religious discrimination brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union wereabout dismissals on the basis of the wearing of the headscarf by two Muslim women, one case in Franceand another in Belgium.

Objectives

1. Promote the development of inclusive workplaces across Europe

2. Document employers’ practices related to neutrality rules and bans on religious dresses

3. Strengthen and build capacities of Muslim women to access their rights and access to employment

4. Support a correct implementation of the Equality Employment Directive and its recent case law in frontof the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Key actions

a. Commission a study on European companies’ practices related to neutrality and religious diversity.This would help to understand the extent to which companies have introduced neutrality rules thatprohibit or allow religious dresses. This study could also show if there has been any impact of the Achbitaand Bougnaoui cases on employers’ diversity and neutrality policies.b. Develop a third-party reporting mechanism that would allow Muslim women to anonymously reportany perceived abuses regarding religious dress restrictions at work and in higher education (in 5identified countries). A body will be charged to check the legality of reported cases.

c. Develop an awareness-raising campaign promoting inclusive workplaces and Muslim women’s agencyand informing about reporting mechanism (in 5 identified countries).

d. Organise an EU high-level forum with public and private employers, NGOs, trade unions, diversitytrainers, etc. from across Europe and North America to share positive practices of religious diversity andhighlight key solutions to main obstacles. This high-level forum would include a specific workshop onhow to deal with the implications of the Achbita and Bougnaoui cases for both employers and employees.


55


Justification:This project will support the development and sharing of inclusive diversity practices across Europe and thefull inclusion of all women, including Muslim women, to access the labour market and be economicallyindependent.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Improving working conditions for homecare service workers


Home care service is the service provided by professional carers to give support to people with supportneeds, such as persons with disabilities or dependant (due to a physical or mental problem or agecondition) in their homes. This sector is mainly filled almost exclusively by women working in difficultand precarious conditions. This work is physically and psychologically very demanding and manyunrecognised occupational illnesses happen as a result of lack of special health and safety provisions andappropriate training.

This two year pilot project aims at carrying out four actions to assess the situation of these workers andimplement measures to improve their working conditions at European level. The four actions that thisproject requires are the following:

1) Monitor and evaluate the situation of home care workers within the EU and to carry out a study inorder to produce recommendations on better working conditions in the Member States.

2) A research and guidance on the current health and safety provisions in the sector to prevent the highnumber of physical and psychological illnesses at work in coordination with stakeholders (especially tradeunions).

3) Implementation of a comprehensive vocational training itinerary in the sector for workers in the homecare service that includes legal advice and guidance on labour rights and health and safety at theworkplace.

4) Assess the feasibility of introducing a EU-wide network of these workers in cooperation with localmunicipalities to exchange best practices to improve the quality of service and the wellbeing of theseworkers.

This 2- year pilot project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, would have a total budget of 1,

56

500,000 euros.



Justification:Home care services are the services provided by professional carer to give support to people with disabilitiesor dependant persons (due to a physical or mental problem or age condition) in their homes. This sector ismainly filled almost exclusively by women working in difficult & precarious conditions. This work isphysically and psychologically very demanding and many unrecognised occupational illnesses happen as aresult of lack of special health& safety provisions and appropriate training.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project —Working conditions of hotel cleaning staff


Hotel cleaning staff are responsible for general cleaning and the tidiness of rooms, positions filled almostexclusively by women working in very poor conditions. This work is physically very demanding, healthand safety provisions are lacking and appropriate training is lacking.

This two year pilot project aims at enhancing four actions to assess the situation of these workers andimplement measures to improve at European level their working conditions.

The four actions that this project requires are the following:

1) Monitor and evaluate the situation of hotel cleaning staff workers within the EU and to carry out astudy in order to make recommendations on better working conditions for hotel cleaning staff in theMember States.

2) A research and guidance on the current health and safety provisions in the sector to prevent the highnumber of accidents at work in coordination with stakeholders (especially trade unions).

3) Implementation of a comprehensive vocational training itinerary in the sector for workers in the hotelcleaning sector that includes legal advice and guidance on labour rights and health and safety at theworkplace.

4) Assess the feasibility of introducing an EU-wide rating scheme which will provide information about

57

the level of working conditions alongside the quality of service and cleanliness.

This 2- year pilot project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, would have a total budget of 1,500,000 euros



Justification:Hotel cleaning staff are responsible for general cleaning and the tidiness of rooms. The hotel cleaning sectoris largely outsourced, with positions filled almost exclusively by women. Compensation for such work canbe low, even though it is physically demanding. Training, where available, is of poor quality and this,combined with few health and safety provisions, leads to a high number of accidents at work. Measures toencourage improvements in the safety and health of workers are needed.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —The impact of precarious employment in the safety and health of all workers


This study is to verify the extent in which precarious employment in its many forms affects the safety andhealth of all workers. EUROFOUND expertise should coordinate this issue, having in consideration theraising of precariousness models of work, labour and social insecurity, the decreasing of public servicesof social support, and the raising of poverty.



Justification:The economic and social crisis in the EU and the imposed austerity policies, caused high levels of

58

unemployment and a deterioration of working conditions, with strong growth of precariousness ofemployment relationships, the proliferation of atypical employment relationships (service, work the pieceand the journeyman, outsourcing, temporary work), increase in working hours, the reduction in rest periodsand the intensification of work rhythms

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —Health and Safety Impacts of Working Conditions to airplane cabin crews


In the last three decades cabin crews have gone from flying 50/55 hours/month to 95/100 hours/month.During the same period, cabin crews have gone working 3 long-haul flights to 6. On the other hand,commercial aviation changed in a way that cabin crews are more exposed to ionising radiation, adeplorable air quality inside the planes. This assessment, coordinated by EU-OSHA, involving thecompanies and the Unions and the worker's representative, should contribute to a real improvement ofcabin crews working conditions; to improve safety on-board, both crew and passengers; to raise the sectorcapacity in terms of employment and reliability.



Justification:These changes needs to be properly assessed on the impact on health, on family life and safety conditions.The increased numbers of cabin crew members with cancer, infertility and teratogenicity (defects inoffspring), sleep disorders or social isolation shows that changes (labour and technical) in aviation degradedworking conditions, but also the safety of passengers (namely frequent passengers).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------

59




04 03 77 28 15 000 000 8 450 000 15 000 000 8 450 000

Reserve

Total 15 000 000 8 450 000 15 000 000 8 450 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Child Guarantee Scheme / Establishing a European child guarantee and financialsupport


Before paragraph:

To make the child guarantee a successful instrument .......... the implementing framework for the childguarantee:


This appropriation is intended to cover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years underthe preparatory action.


Inequalities are considered to be a cause of macroeconomic destabilisation and to reduce growth.Therefore European and national action to correct inequalities affecting children can be seen as a long-term policy for macroeconomic stabilisation and growth. Opening up opportunities can spur strongereconomic performance and improve living standards.

Fighting poverty and social exclusion is one of the Europe 2020 targets: to reduce by at least 20 millionthe number of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion. However, between 2008 and 2014, thenumber of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU-27 increased from 116 million to 121million; almost every fourth person in the EU-27 is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Amongst thisgroup, child poverty is alarming. In 2014, more than 26 million children in the Union were at risk ofpoverty and more than nine million suffered from severe material deprivation. If no measures are taken tocorrect this situation, they will be at greater risk of failing in the education system (Europe 2020 target foreducation) and will have the most difficulties in entering the labour market (Europe 2020 target foremployment). The child guarantee is an integrated approach to tackling child poverty, aiming at fullyimplementing the Commission’s ‘Investing in Children’ recommendation, to ensure that every child inEurope at risk of poverty (including refugees) has access to free health care, free education, freechildcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition. Covering these five areas of action through Europeanand national action plans would ensure that the living conditions and opportunities of millions ofchildren in Europe improve considerably and with a long-term perspective. The child guarantee is a keyhorizontal policy and should be regarded as an investment in the stability and prosperity of the Union,which is necessary for preserving the Union’s growth potential.After paragraph:

This will be achieved through independent research .......... Ombudspersons for Children) and technicalworkshops.

Add following text:

The first two years of this preparatory action are being dedicated to mapping child poverty in Europe, itsmechanisms and causes and the feasibility and conditions for the Child Guarantee to be implemented,notably by analysing four specific groups of vulnerable children that are known to be particularly at risk

60

(children in precarious families, children residing in institutions, children of recent migrants andrefugees and disabled children and other children with special needs).

The third year of the preparatory action should be dedicated to developing experimental project/s wherethe results of the previous analysis will be put in practice to test that a child guarantee scheme couldprovide a new approach to reducing child poverty in a sustainable way. It should be used to determinewhether a child guarantee scheme can better support vulnerable children, improve their education,health, housing, nutrition and the labour market integration of the parents when relevant.

Two to four groups of eligible applicants should be identified as well as the areas of action that will becovered by the child guarantee scheme (education, childcare, healthcare, housing and nutrition) in thespecific community (mainly municipalities). The pilot scheme should cover them during a period of 6 to12 months.

The results of the experimental project should be evaluated by a group of experts representinginstitutions, local authorities, agencies and stakeholders, including civil society organization. This groupshould also examine the feasibility of the so-called comprehensive or integrated approach whose ultimateaim would be to provide a child guarantee scheme to all children.

The results should serve as a basis for drafting the proposal for Establishing the European childguarantee and its financial support. "



Justification:European and national action to correct inequalities is a long term policy of macroeconomic stabilization andgrowth. The Child Guarantee is an integrated approach to tackling child poverty that places children at thecentre of poverty alleviation policies. Policies providing income support must be combined with others thatpromote and increase access to quality services, such as education, childcare, health, housing and nutrition.It will help to reach EU2020 targets and SDGs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Committee on Budgets, Javi López, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto

-------------------------------




04 03 77 28 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Implementation of the research methodology “Multidimensional Inequality Framework”to the European Union

Remarks:

61

Add following text:


The Framework has been developed to allow for the measurement of inequality between groups (age,gender, ethnicity, disability status, etc.), sometimes referred to as ‘horizontal inequality’ (for example,inequality in the experience of physical violence or loneliness) and overall measures of inequality,sometimes referred to as ‘vertical inequality’ (for example, inequality in educational attainment orwealth), which can also be expressed in terms of social gradients. Through the identification of drivers,the Framework also recognises the interconnections between dimensions; inequalities in one domain canbe seen to drive inequalities in another domain.












62



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 29 200 000 100 000 200 000 100 000

Reserve

Total 200 000 100 000 200 000 100 000

Heading:Pilot project — Young carers in Europe: Who are they and what support do they need?


There is very limited data on young (adult) carers in EU Member States. Limited national statistics showthat approximately 6-7% of carers in EU Member States including Sweden and the Netherlands areyoung carers under the age of 17. The 2016 census in Ireland revealed that children under 15 provided2,2 million hours of care per year. In Italy there are thought to be close to 170,000 young people (15-24years) with caring responsibilities. Young carers (under 18 years olds) and young adult carers (aged 18-24) provide care, assistance or support to another family member – a parent, sibling or other relative whois disabled, has a chronic illness, mental health problem or other condition with a need for care, supportor supervision. According to EIGE, five times as many young women aged 15-24 are engaged in carework (including care for elderly, people with disabilities, and in this research also care for children,which is not part of informal care) as young men in this age group.

These young carers carry out significant caring tasks and assume a responsibility that would usually beassociated with an adult. Their education, health, development and well-being is effected by this work.

Juggling overlapping responsibilities, young carers and young adult carers find it challenging to attendand complete education. This goes against the Europe2020 strategy target of reducing the rate of earlyschool leaving. Young carers' roles may be a source of overwhelming pressure, increasing risks formental health problems, that further make it difficult to enter education or employment.

Currently, young carers do not feature in EU Member States' or European policy agendas. There is littleawareness of their experiences and needs, few targeted policies or interventions, and no targeted legalprovisions that address young carers.

Much more needs to be done accross Europe to: 1) research and identify young (adult) carers and know

63

their numbers; 2) based on consultations with young (adult) carers, understand how their roles as carersaffect their well-being. Specific research should be taken to identify the impact on the health andeducation of young carers, and how this may impact their further social exclusion and ability to secureemployment. Research should provide information on what support young carers and adult carers wouldwant to have available; 3) determine how instruments such as the European Semester, ESIF, EuropeanPlatform for Investing in Children, Youth Guarantee and Open Method of Coordination can be used topromote the development of integrated approaches for the identification, support and social integration ofyoung (adult) carers across Europe; and 4) raise awareness, disseminate and make visible good practiceswith regards to identification, recognition and assessment and provision of support services for young(adult) carers.

The pilot project is based on Article 153 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),which foresees in Article 153(1) (i) that “(W)ith a view to achieving the objectives of Article 151, theUnion shall support and complement the activities of the Member States in the following fields: (…)(i) equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and treatment at work;"



Justification:Investing in children and young people is a social investment. We must ensure that rights of young (adult)carers are fulfilled, including the right to education, to highest attainable standard of health and to leisure andplay.

The research from this project will support the further development of the European Social Pillar and high-quality implementation, for young (adult) carers, of its key principles, including the principles of equalopportunities, work-life balance and support to children.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 29 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project —Consequences of reductions in welfare benefits


This pilot project aims to develop studies on the consequences of the reduction of social policies (familyallowance, unemployment social subsidy, complement sickness allowance, social inclusion income) in

64

increasing poverty, social inequality and inequalities between men and women. As EU policies tends tofollow the continuing of austerity measures, it is important to distinguish, based on social indicators,models such EUROMOD and on all the EUROFUND expertise, the impacts of financial crisis and theloss of social transfers to the social structure of the Member-States.



Justification:The so-called austerity policies imposed on Member-States have resulted in rising unemployment andwidespread low wages, pensions and social benefits. It is fundamental, to the consequent development ofsocial policies, to assess the responsibility of growing inequalities and poverty: centred on the loss of "socialbenefits".

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 29 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Implementation of the research methodology "Multidimensional Inequality Framework"to the European Union


Add following text:


The Framework has been developed to allow for the measurement of inequality between groups (age,

65

gender, ethnicity, disability status, etc.), sometimes referred to as ‘horizontal inequality’ (for example,inequality in the experience of physical violence or loneliness) and overall measures of inequality,sometimes referred to as ‘vertical inequality’ (for example, inequality in educational attainment orwealth), which can also be expressed in terms of social gradients. Through the identification of drivers,the Framework also recognises the interconnections between dimensions; inequalities in one domain canbe seen to drive inequalities in another domain.














=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


66


-------------------------------




04 03 77 30 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Effects on families and on the exercise of parenting phenomena such as increased poverty


This pilot project is intended to conduct a study on the effects of phenomena such as increased poverty,unemployment and insecurity and in the exercise of parenting



Justification:Rising unemployment, instability and precariousness in employment, household debt, lack of socialinfrastructure to support children and young people, the health system weaknesses and the reduction ofsocial benefits have effects on families and the exercise of parenting and on reconciling professional,personal and family life.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 30 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Artificial intelligence (AI) at work


"Add following text:

67

The objectives of the pilot project are to:

- Examine the diffusion and use of artificial intelligence (AI) at work. This will be assessed with anintegrated framework of analysis combining job quality and AI specific challenges and societal concernsas identified in the Commission AI Communication of 25th of April , the European Parliament recentwork on AI and Civil Law rules on robotics , and the European Economic Social Committee position onAi . It is only with such a systematic and concrete study of AI as introduced in workplaces that thebroader societal implications can be credibly addressed. This will focus not only on traditional workinglife issues in the context of AI but also the more recent and emerging ethical issues such as privacy andalgorithmic transparency.

- Analyse how the introduction of AI in the workplace interacts with other trends and changes in theworld of work. This includes how the AI induced transformation of the labour process impacts uponoccupations in the labour market, not least as regards potential job destruction and job creation and thecontractual form of employment relationships. Both the direct impact of AI on the labour process and theensuing labour market adjustments to these processes shape the main policy perspectives. This will framethe analysis of the policy discussions in Europe and other parts of the world on this topic and thedevelopment of information systems to inform policy actors on AI at work

- Suggest policy options for shaping the use of AI at work and examine the feasibility of key Europeanpolicy instruments supporting a positive use of AI at work and adaptation to the change. The project willexamine the potential of a dedicated instrument to facilitate the anticipation and management of theimpending structural change in Europe. In addition a concrete toolkit will be developed to facilitate, atcompany level, the introduction of AI related technologies and business models. It will also includeoptions to promote the adaptation of social protection systems to this challenge.

It is highly likely that recent developments in technology, not least artificial intelligence, will have aprofound impact on the world of work. While it may be possible to identify many of the jobs that willchange or disappear it is very difficult to predict what type of new jobs will emerge both in terms of whatis to be produced and the means by which this work will be performed. However, it should be clear that itwill lead to radical change in the world of work. Adaption to this change can be both long and difficultand so it is vital that various actors in society mobilise to facilitate this impending change and guide ittowards profitable, socially beneficial and equitable outcomes.

AI raises numerous policy discussions and challenges which are extensively discussed in Europe andother parts of the world, notably in the United States and China. Capturing and capitalising on thesediscussions will help to develop options for a European answer. This could include the development ofspecific European instruments such as an AI fund, a tool box to manage the changes in companies andan approach that would adapt artificial intelligence at work to workers, i.e. develop a ‘human -centricapproach to AI at work’ (EPSC strategic note, issue 29: The age of Artificial Intelligence: towards aEuropean strategy for Human-Centric Machines).

This is a rapidly growing field of policy in Europe. The European Commission put forward a Europeanapproach to artificial intelligence and robotics on 25 April . The approach to AI described in thedocument deals with technological, ethical, legal and socio-economic aspects to boost EU's research andindustrial capacity and to put AI at the service of European citizens and economy.

The work of the European Commission is supported by a variety of actors, for example the high levelgroup on artificial intelligence and observatories (for example expert groups on the online platformeconomy) and research for example , the European Commission, within the context of the Internet ofThings and autonomous systems, commissioned a study on Cross-cutting business models for Internet ofThings (IoT), which shows that the growth of IoT will result in changes in social and workingenvironments. Demand for jobs in hybrid verticals and for vacancies in new jobs but in traditionalverticals will rise. In contrast, traditional jobs in traditional verticals might face difficult times withdeclining numbers of jobs. Challenges with regard to coping with this evolution is that the total number ofjobs might decrease because of higher outputs per worker and such these job evolutions will require

68

workers to be reskilled and repositioned..

Through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Commission isfollowing the impact of technology-induced changes in the world of work on social security, and furtherexamining how systems of social security can best be adapted to these changes.

The European Parliament through its EP's INI Legislative report on Civil Law Rules on Robotics and EPpublic consultation on the Future of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, asked the EuropeanCommission to start monitoring medium- and long-term job trends more closely, with a special focus onthe creation, displacement and loss of jobs in the different fields/areas of qualification, as well as theconsequences on the viability of the social security systems of the Member States. It also called upon theCommission to provide significant support for the development of digital abilities as a first step towardsbetter aligning labour market shortages and demand.

Similarly, the EP STOA study on The impact of new technologies on the labour market and the socialeconomy) shows that policy has many options to influence and steer the process, by investing ineducation, infrastructure, and R&D, and adapting labour legislation and tax and social security policiesto digitalisation. Perhaps most important is to think of digitalisation not as a threat, but as a chance toincrease welfare, opportunities and social cohesion for all European citizens.

The EESC opinion on Artificial Intelligence, building on the work of European civil societyrepresentatives identifies 11 areas where AI posed societal challenges and calls inter alia, for a ‘human-in-command approach’.

This pilot project proposes three integrated work-packages

1) How does AI change the world of work?

Building on the analysis of actual developments in AI and new technologies (scientific research papers,documentation and interviews with companies engaged in AI and AI investment funds, social media data)together with original research based on European datasets and case studies showcasing AI at work, adetailed analysis of the role of AI in workplaces will be carried out.

- Changes in occupational structure: some occupations are predicted to disappear while others are new,emerging and expected to increase, not all of them requiring very high skills (AI trainer, data janitor,content moderator, data scientist, data miner, social media community manager, drone operator etc. )

- Changes within occupation: 32% of jobs could face substantial changes in how they are carried out dueto job automation (OECD: 2018 ‘automation, skills use and training’). For example, the job of truckdrivers and other agents involved in logistics have been profoundly transformed by AI systems. Otheroccupations which are changing dramatically include journalists, taxi drivers, administrative employees,teachers, home helpers, cleaners, security guards, plant and machine operators, cashiers, secretaries etc.Others are predicted to change in the near future such as managers, legal professionals, healthprofessionals, personal service workers etc.

- AI at work - emerging risks and resources: recent technological developments lead to increasedconcerns over a number of ethical issues such as discrimination, data privacy (including personal datacollected outside the workplace), surveillance (see for example the EP study on The use of chip implantsfor workers), increased isolation at the workplace (Cooper and Kurland, 2002 ‘Telecommuting,Professional isolation and employee development in public and private organisations’, Journal oforganisational behaviour) and biological risks associated with the introduction of new products on health.On the upside, trackers and sensors can improve the safety and efficiency of deliveries and provideincreased protection to workers in isolated places. Virtual reality can provide a safe environment fortraining on health and safety risks.

- AI may impact upon social inequality, whether automation of certain jobs would reduce the possibilityfor social mobility and benefit the wealthiest, or whether AI holds great potential to redistribute wealthand that the wealth concentration scenario can be avoided.

69

- New business models for staff hiring and resource allocation: AI has allowed the development of digitalplatforms which can be used as a tool to match tasks / work /jobs / unused goods with co-workers/ internalstaff / citizens.

- AI as a tool to manage workers which can, in some cases, ‘manipulate’ them, through the use of nudges( e.g. Uber – AINow 2017 report ) but could also empower them. In this context algorithmic transparencyis an important emerging issue

- AI as a tool for scheduling : just-in- time scheduling but a different design might make it possible tobetter match work with workers preferences and circumstances

- AI to monitor job performance and individual task performance but also ‘good employers’: Thepersonal relationship with a known hierarchical superior for discussing job/task performance may becomplemented or replaced by input from data analysts or a team of engineers who may not even be in theworkplace. AI could be deployed at work with an efficiency focus mostly. This would affect therelationship and balance of power between employer and employee. However, also the rating ofcompanies by their employees through a number of online platforms (e.g. Kununu) has emerged.

- AI in recruitment and HR: AI at work has a huge potential to reduce costs in recruitments as marginalcost would be lower than that of a human based psychological assessment. The potential of such toolsneeds to be assessed against potential biases in the training datasets and adherence to the principles ofethics and fairness that current psychological assessments abide by.

- AI to assist in tasks and augment human expertise: hybrid jobs and tasks are created by adding newcharacteristics or decreasing exposure to dull, dangerous, and dirty jobs and tasks. These changes need tobe assessed against job crafting, job enrichment and the (need for) development of new competencies,according to work organisation features

- AI as a tool facilitating coproduction of tools and goods by users and the creation of new products andservices The ‘work of the crowd’ raises concerns around remuneration, ownership, and liabilities.

2) How does AI interact with other changes in the world of work?

AI at work interacts with other changes in the world of work and has direct and indirect effects on thequantitative and qualitative performance of labour markets. This work package will assess, through, howthese changes will interact with other trends at work with a view to estimate the impact on key social andemployment issues. The topics below will be analysed in a gender mainstreamed way

- AI at work : Employment and work

– The frontiers between work and (paid ) employment, New forms of employment and employment status,Multi-activity

– Job creation and job destruction, fair and inclusive labour markets: own analysis of European datasetsand monitoring of research on the issue. This will provide a quantitative scenario building on datacollected at micro level on real and specific use(s) of AI at work to anticipate the changes on the labourmarket and inform decision-making at EU, national and local levels. It will also address the maintenanceor acquisition of digital.

- AI at work : Job quality:

– New and emerging risks.

– AI and recent technological developments will also affect every dimension of job quality: physicalenvironment, work intensity, working time quality, social environment, skills and discretion, prospectsand pay with various effects according to work organisation and implementation mechanisms at theworkplace.

- AI at work: Working lives of different groups of workers: Assessments of the mechanisms and net effectof AI in work on the work life balance, skills development and employability, motivation, careerdevelopment, the experience of meaningful work, health and well-being, financial security, transition

70

between employment, and management of multiple employment of different groups of workers (highskilled and low skilled, at different life stages etc.) will be carried out.

- AI at work - Workplace practices, change mechanisms, companies performance:

– New business models, new markets, restructuring in value chains: the role that AI has; it also has thepotential to increase practices leading to the ‘fissured workplace” (D. Weil, Harvard University press2014) such as outsourcing, franchising, supply chain management.

– Change management, introduction of new technology, (virtual) team management, (virtual, social andphysical) places of work, performance monitoring and reward policies, staff development, workersparticipation, work allocation

– Impact on cooperation, trust and collaboration at the workplace, the innovation and performance ofcompanies.

- AI at work - overall assessment: impact on labour market performance, gender equality, winners andlosers, inequalities, mobile, fair and inclusive labour markets, transitions

This package will build on literature reviews, secondary analysis of existing datasets (for exampleEurostat module ‘ICT at work, working conditions and learning digital skills’, European and nationalworking conditions survey and European company surveys), and qualitative interviews with workers andcompany representatives, management and workers representatives, (possibly) ad hoc surveys and focusgroups.

3) Policy options and feasibility of policy instruments

The final work package will focus on developing policy options for shaping the use of AI at work. It willexamine the feasibility of using European policy instruments to support a positive use of AI and newtechnology at work and adaptation to the change. This could include the implementation of an AI fund,the development of a toolkit to manage change in companies and ensure that the use of AI at work isadapted to workers.

More specifically, this work package will:

– Build upon the detailed analysis of how AI is impacting upon workplaces in Europe as set out in thepreceding sections

– Monitor international, European and national policy discussions on AI at work in Europe and otherparts of the world. This will include monitoring policy discussion on related field e.g. block chain andleverage technology, online platforms economy as well as following discussion on suggested policyinstruments such as for example, the legal personality of algorithms, ways to address the acceptability anda fair use of AI at work such as AI tax, collective working time reduction, and more universal forms ofsocial protection income

– Examine the feasibility of European policy instruments and, supporting a positive use of AI and newtechnology at work and adaptation to the change such as:

– creation of or extending the scope of existing funds (i.e. ESF or EGF) to support the transition ofworkers and adaptation of companies.

– development of a toolkit to manage changes in companies and adapt AI at work to workers, which couldinclude ethical code(s) to regulate the social, environmental and human health impact of robotics and AIat work.

– other instruments such as ethical codes and guidelines.

– Based on the examination of the impact of AI at work, develop policy options to ensure the adaptationof social protection systems to this challenge and making them future proof.

This pilot project will be carried out by Eurofound and developed in collaboration with EuropeanInstitutions, other EU agencies, international organisations, social partners, civil society and Member

71

States /regions, potentially also including actors in the United States and China. It will be developed withthe support and under the guidance of the stakeholder and interdisciplinary scientific committees andcould feed to the broad multi-stakeholder platform, the European AI Alliance, that work on all aspects ofAI.



Justification:Eurofound has the capacity to reach out to tripartite stakeholders in the world of work, key institutions andacademic experts. The success of the PP on the Future of Manufacturing demonstrates the capacity ofEurofound to successfully deliver such programs. The Commission can delegate to Eurofound to carry outthis pilot project under the rule of indirect management: Art 58 (1) (c) (iv) on Methods of implementation ofthe budget in the financial regulation.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 31 1 600 000 800 000 1 600 000 800 000

Reserve

Total 1 600 000 800 000 1 600 000 800 000

Heading:Pilot project — Increasing access of informal carers to the labour market through the validation of theskills gained during periods of caring


Informal carers, most of which are women, provide care on an unpaid basis to family member or personwith chronic illness, disability or other long lasting health or care need, outside a professional or formalemployment framework. The content and value of caring is often insufficiently acknowledged and therealso exists an increased poverty rate among carers.

The aim of this project is to increase access to the labour market for informal carers through thevalidation of the skills and knowledge they have gained during periods of caring (e.g. interpersonal andorganisational skills; day-today caring; health care knowledge and advocacy). A special focus should begiven to parents and informal careers of special needs children as they are usually more disadvantagedwhen seeking to access the labour market. However, such recognition of skills would need to be supportedby appropriate guidance and flexible personalised counselling.

This PP could be carried out via a call for tenders or a call for proposals.

Phases of the project:

72

Phase 1: The Mapping of existing initiatives in the Member States, such as initiatives aimed at theempowerment of informal carers, mechanisms for recognition of carers’ skills, and active inclusionmeasures in the labour market. The goal will be to find existing policy frameworks and initiatives that canbe used for effective outreach to the groups of informal carers with the aim of getting their skills formallyrecognised. Areas to survey: governmental policies, healthcare and social support systems helpingparents, parental and carers’ organisations initiatives, non-governmental initiatives. On the basis of thismapping exercise, a few EU regions would be selected, in which phase 2 and 3 will be carried out.

Phase 2: Reaching out to parents who are traditionally difficult-toidentify and difficult-to- engage with.It will focus on the role of public employment services and non-governmental organisations working withinformal carers to find ways to reach out to the informal carers and identify the best mediators in theprocess. The development and validation of the skills of informal carers gained during the periods ofcaring can be a successful way to reintegrate them into the labour market, increase their well-being, self-esteem and financial independence.

Phase 3: Development of a skills validation scheme. This would be a key element of the project and isaimed at developing a modular skills validation package reflecting the existing skills, competences andknowledge acquired by informal carers which is key for their integration into the labour market.

Building on the experiences from the initial phase of the project (mapping) and building on initiativessuch as the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass, this project should contain the following elements:

- negotiation with social partners (employers and employee organisations) and experts reflecting the

relevance of the skills needed;

- preparatory programme for validation to support the structuring and synthesis of knowledge, skills andcompetences;

- assessment and certification procedure; to be offered by e.g. chambers of commerce and/or employmentservices in cooperation with the schools, community learning centres and relevant local organisations;

- guiding and individual counselling on access to further qualifications and job-searching

This 2- year pilot project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, would have a total budget of1,600,000 euros.



Justification:Informal carers possess skills in high demand in the labour market. After spending long periods of timecaring, carers often find themselves suffering from a lack of self-esteem and awareness about the skillsacquired. Such skills can include condition-specific and medical knowledge, administrative andorganisational skills. This project increases access to the labour market for informal carers through thevalidation of the skills and knowledge they have gained during periods of caring.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


73



04 03 77 31 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Guarantee of equality between men and women by increasing public network ofnurseries, kinder gartens and public service of leisure activities for children


This project aims to conduct a study to compare the levels of development and social integration ofchildren who have access to preschool education and support in leisure compared with children who donot enjoy these services.



Justification:Pre-school education is fundamental to the development of children and equality education has impacts onself-esteem, ability to participate in social life.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 31 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project —Guarantee of equality between men and women by increasing public network of nurseries,kinder gartens and public service of leisure activities for children


This project aims to conduct a study to compare the levels of development and social integration ofchildren who have access to preschool education and support in leisure compared with children who donot enjoy these services

Legal basis:

74

Add following text:


Justification:Pre-school education is fundamental to the development of children and equality education has impacts onself-esteem, ability to participate in social life

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 32 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Development of day-care centers for children and their parents on leave to enhanceequality between women and men


The proposal should operate in the framework of the new legislative package on work life balance thataims at addressing the difficulties parents and in particular, women face, including greater take up forleave by male parents. The project would aim at developing day-care centres for small children, where allchildren could receive care by appointed parents as well as where all parents could meet and exchangetheir experience, including incentives encouraging men to engage more profoundly into raising a childand taking up more paternity leave. The implementation should start in different geographical areas(Highest EU GDP per capita, average EU GDP per capita and low GDP per capita, i.e.Luxembourg/Sweden, Italy/Poland and Romania/Bulgaria) in order to assess where it would be moreeffective and pertinent. Finally, every center should count on a responsible and qualified person whoshould define targets and assess results to see if this project could be done on an extended term andrange.



Justification:Most of the time it is the women who takes the leave (maternity and parental leaves), which has impact notonly on her condition on the labour market, but also her well-being. The new legislative package on work

75

life balance aims at changing this situation, including greater take up for leave by male parents. It’s then inthe framework of this package that this pilot project should operate.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 32 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project —Effects on families and on the exercise of parenting phenomena such as increased poverty


This project-pilote is intended to conduct a study on the effects of phenomena such as increased poverty,unemployment and insecurity and in the exercise of parenting



Justification:Rising unemployment, instability and precariousness in employment, household debt, lack of socialinfrastructure to support children and young people, the health system weakenesses and the reduction ofsocial benefits have effects on families and the exercise of parenting and on reconciling professional,personal and family life.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 33 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:

76

Pilot project — Working conditions of hotel cleaning staff


Hotel cleaning staff are responsible for general cleaning and the tidiness of rooms, positions filled almostexclusively by women working in very poor conditions. This work is physically very demanding, healthand safety provisions are lacking and appropriate training is lacking.

This two year pilot project aims at enhancing four actions to assess the situation of these workers andimplement measures to improve at European level their working conditions.

The four actions that this project requires are the following:

1) Monitor and evaluate the situation of hotel cleaning staff workers within the EU and to carry out astudy in order to make recommendations on better working conditions for hotel cleaning staff in theMember States.

2) A research and guidance on the current health and safety provisions in the sector to prevent the highnumber of accidents at work in coordination with stakeholders (especially trade unions).

3) Implementation of a comprehensive vocational training itinerary in the sector for workers in the hotelcleaning sector that includes legal advice and guidance on labour rights and health and safety at theworkplace.

4) Assess the feasibility of introducing an EU-wide rating scheme which will provide information aboutthe level of working conditions alongside the quality of service and cleanliness.

This 2- year pilot project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, would have a total budget of 1,500,000 euros



Justification:Hotel cleaning staff are responsible for general cleaning and the tidiness of rooms. The hotel cleaning sectoris largely outsourced, with positions filled almost exclusively by women. Compensation for such work canbe low, even though it is physically demanding. Training, where available, is of poor quality and this,combined with few health and safety provisions, leads to a high number of accidents at work. Measures toencourage improvements in the safety and health of workers are needed.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 34 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

77



Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:

Pilot project — Artificial intelligence (AI) at work


The objectives of the pilot project are to:

- Examine the diffusion and use of artificial intelligence (AI) at work. This will be assessed with anintegrated framework of analysis combining job quality and AI specific challenges and societal concernsas identified in the Commission AI Communication of 25th of April , the European Parliament recentwork on AI and Civil Law rules on robotics , and the European Economic Social Committee position onAi . It is only with such a systematic and concrete study of AI as introduced in workplaces that thebroader societal implications can be credibly addressed. This will focus not only on traditional workinglife issues in the context of AI but also the more recent and emerging ethical issues such as privacy andalgorithmic transparency.

- Analyse how the introduction of AI in the workplace interacts with other trends and changes in theworld of work. This includes how the AI induced transformation of the labour process impacts uponoccupations in the labour market, not least as regards potential job destruction and job creation and thecontractual form of employment relationships. Both the direct impact of AI on the labour process and theensuing labour market adjustments to these processes shape the main policy perspectives. This will framethe analysis of the policy discussions in Europe and other parts of the world on this topic and thedevelopment of information systems to inform policy actors on AI at work

- Suggest policy options for shaping the use of AI at work and examine the feasibility of key Europeanpolicy instruments supporting a positive use of AI at work and adaptation to the change. The project willexamine the potential of a dedicated instrument to facilitate the anticipation and management of theimpending structural change in Europe. In addition a concrete toolkit will be developed to facilitate, atcompany level, the introduction of AI related technologies and business models. It will also includeoptions to promote the adaptation of social protection systems to this challenge.

It is highly likely that recent developments in technology, not least artificial intelligence, will have aprofound impact on the world of work. While it may be possible to identify many of the jobs that willchange or disappear it is very difficult to predict what type of new jobs will emerge both in terms of whatis to be produced and the means by which this work will be performed. However, it should be clear that itwill lead to radical change in the world of work. Adaption to this change can be both long and difficultand so it is vital that various actors in society mobilise to facilitate this impending change and guide ittowards profitable, socially beneficial and equitable outcomes.

AI raises numerous policy discussions and challenges which are extensively discussed in Europe andother parts of the world, notably in the United States and China. Capturing and capitalising on thesediscussions will help to develop options for a European answer. This could include the development ofspecific European instruments such as an AI fund, a tool box to manage the changes in companies andan approach that would adapt artificial intelligence at work to workers, i.e. develop a ‘human -centricapproach to AI at work’ (EPSC strategic note, issue 29: The age of Artificial Intelligence: towards aEuropean strategy for Human-Centric Machines).

This is a rapidly growing field of policy in Europe. The European Commission put forward a Europeanapproach to artificial intelligence and robotics on 25 April . The approach to AI described in thedocument deals with technological, ethical, legal and socio-economic aspects to boost EU's research andindustrial capacity and to put AI at the service of European citizens and economy.

78

The work of the European Commission is supported by a variety of actors, for example the high levelgroup on artificial intelligence and observatories (for example expert groups on the online platformeconomy) and research for example , the European Commission, within the context of the Internet ofThings and autonomous systems, commissioned a study on Cross-cutting business models for Internet ofThings (IoT), which shows that the growth of IoT will result in changes in social and workingenvironments. Demand for jobs in hybrid verticals and for vacancies in new jobs but in traditionalverticals will rise. In contrast, traditional jobs in traditional verticals might face difficult times withdeclining numbers of jobs. Challenges with regard to coping with this evolution is that the total number ofjobs might decrease because of higher outputs per worker and such these job evolutions will requireworkers to be reskilled and repositioned..

Through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Commission isfollowing the impact of technology-induced changes in the world of work on social security, and furtherexamining how systems of social security can best be adapted to these changes.

The European Parliament through its EP's INI Legislative report on Civil Law Rules on Robotics and EPpublic consultation on the Future of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, asked the EuropeanCommission to start monitoring medium- and long-term job trends more closely, with a special focus onthe creation, displacement and loss of jobs in the different fields/areas of qualification, as well as theconsequences on the viability of the social security systems of the Member States. It also called upon theCommission to provide significant support for the development of digital abilities as a first step towardsbetter aligning labour market shortages and demand.

Similarly, the EP STOA study on The impact of new technologies on the labour market and the socialeconomy) shows that policy has many options to influence and steer the process, by investing ineducation, infrastructure, and R&D, and adapting labour legislation and tax and social security policiesto digitalisation. Perhaps most important is to think of digitalisation not as a threat, but as a chance toincrease welfare, opportunities and social cohesion for all European citizens.

The EESC opinion on Artificial Intelligence, building on the work of European civil societyrepresentatives identifies 11 areas where AI posed societal challenges and calls inter alia, for a ‘human-in-command approach’.

This pilot project proposes three integrated work-packages

1) How does AI change the world of work?

Building on the analysis of actual developments in AI and new technologies (scientific research papers,documentation and interviews with companies engaged in AI and AI investment funds, social media data)together with original research based on European datasets and case studies showcasing AI at work, adetailed analysis of the role of AI in workplaces will be carried out.

- Changes in occupational structure: some occupations are predicted to disappear while others are new,emerging and expected to increase, not all of them requiring very high skills (AI trainer, data janitor,content moderator, data scientist, data miner, social media community manager, drone operator etc. )

- Changes within occupation: 32% of jobs could face substantial changes in how they are carried out dueto job automation (OECD: 2018 ‘automation, skills use and training’). For example, the job of truckdrivers and other agents involved in logistics have been profoundly transformed by AI systems. Otheroccupations which are changing dramatically include journalists, taxi drivers, administrative employees,teachers, home helpers, cleaners, security guards, plant and machine operators, cashiers, secretaries etc.Others are predicted to change in the near future such as managers, legal professionals, healthprofessionals, personal service workers etc.

- AI at work - emerging risks and resources: recent technological developments lead to increasedconcerns over a number of ethical issues such as discrimination, data privacy (including personal datacollected outside the workplace), surveillance (see for example the EP study on The use of chip implantsfor workers), increased isolation at the workplace (Cooper and Kurland, 2002 ‘Telecommuting,

79

Professional isolation and employee development in public and private organisations’, Journal oforganisational behaviour) and biological risks associated with the introduction of new products on health.On the upside, trackers and sensors can improve the safety and efficiency of deliveries and provideincreased protection to workers in isolated places. Virtual reality can provide a safe environment fortraining on health and safety risks.

- AI may impact upon social inequality, whether automation of certain jobs would reduce the possibilityfor social mobility and benefit the wealthiest, or whether AI holds great potential to redistribute wealthand that the wealth concentration scenario can be avoided.

- New business models for staff hiring and resource allocation: AI has allowed the development of digitalplatforms which can be used as a tool to match tasks / work /jobs / unused goods with co-workers/ internalstaff / citizens.

- AI as a tool to manage workers which can, in some cases, ‘manipulate’ them, through the use of nudges( e.g. Uber – AINow 2017 report ) but could also empower them. In this context algorithmic transparencyis an important emerging issue

- AI as a tool for scheduling : just-in- time scheduling but a different design might make it possible tobetter match work with workers preferences and circumstances

- AI to monitor job performance and individual task performance but also ‘good employers’: Thepersonal relationship with a known hierarchical superior for discussing job/task performance may becomplemented or replaced by input from data analysts or a team of engineers who may not even be in theworkplace. AI could be deployed at work with an efficiency focus mostly. This would affect therelationship and balance of power between employer and employee. However, also the rating ofcompanies by their employees through a number of online platforms (e.g. Kununu) has emerged.

- AI in recruitment and HR: AI at work has a huge potential to reduce costs in recruitments as marginalcost would be lower than that of a human based psychological assessment. The potential of such toolsneeds to be assessed against potential biases in the training datasets and adherence to the principles ofethics and fairness that current psychological assessments abide by.

- AI to assist in tasks and augment human expertise: hybrid jobs and tasks are created by adding newcharacteristics or decreasing exposure to dull, dangerous, and dirty jobs and tasks. These changes need tobe assessed against job crafting, job enrichment and the (need for) development of new competencies,according to work organisation features

- AI as a tool facilitating coproduction of tools and goods by users and the creation of new products andservices The ‘work of the crowd’ raises concerns around remuneration, ownership, and liabilities.

2) How does AI interact with other changes in the world of work?

AI at work interacts with other changes in the world of work and has direct and indirect effects on thequantitative and qualitative performance of labour markets. This work package will assess, through, howthese changes will interact with other trends at work with a view to estimate the impact on key social andemployment issues. The topics below will be analysed in a gender mainstreamed way

- AI at work : Employment and work

– The frontiers between work and (paid ) employment, New forms of employment and employmentstatus, Multi-activity

– Job creation and job destruction, fair and inclusive labour markets: own analysis of Europeandatasets and monitoring of research on the issue. This will provide a quantitative scenario building ondata collected at micro level on real and specific use(s) of AI at work to anticipate the changes on thelabour market and inform decision-making at EU, national and local levels. It will also address themaintenance or acquisition of digital.

- AI at work : Job quality:

80

– New and emerging risks.

– AI and recent technological developments will also affect every dimension of job quality: physicalenvironment, work intensity, working time quality, social environment, skills and discretion, prospectsand pay with various effects according to work organisation and implementation mechanisms at theworkplace.

- AI at work: Working lives of different groups of workers: Assessments of the mechanisms and net effectof AI in work on the work life balance, skills development and employability, motivation, careerdevelopment, the experience of meaningful work, health and well-being, financial security, transitionbetween employment, and management of multiple employment of different groups of workers (highskilled and low skilled, at different life stages etc.) will be carried out.

- AI at work - Workplace practices, change mechanisms, companies performance:

– New business models, new markets, restructuring in value chains: the role that AI has; it also has thepotential to increase practices leading to the ‘fissured workplace” (D. Weil, Harvard University press2014) such as outsourcing, franchising, supply chain management.

– Change management, introduction of new technology, (virtual) team management, (virtual, social andphysical) places of work, performance monitoring and reward policies, staff development, workersparticipation, work allocation

– Impact on cooperation, trust and collaboration at the workplace, the innovation and performance ofcompanies.

- AI at work - overall assessment: impact on labour market performance, gender equality, winners andlosers, inequalities, mobile, fair and inclusive labour markets, transitions

This package will build on literature reviews, secondary analysis of existing datasets (for exampleEurostat module ‘ICT at work, working conditions and learning digital skills’, European and nationalworking conditions survey and European company surveys), and qualitative interviews with workers andcompany representatives, management and workers representatives, (possibly) ad hoc surveys and focusgroups.

3) Policy options and feasibility of policy instruments

The final work package will focus on developing policy options for shaping the use of AI at work. It willexamine the feasibility of using European policy instruments to support a positive use of AI and newtechnology at work and adaptation to the change. This could include the implementation of an AI fund,the development of a toolkit to manage change in companies and ensure that the use of AI at work isadapted to workers.

More specifically, this work package will:

– Build upon the detailed analysis of how AI is impacting upon workplaces in Europe as set out in thepreceding sections

– Monitor international, European and national policy discussions on AI at work in Europe and otherparts of the world. This will include monitoring policy discussion on related field e.g. block chain andleverage technology, online platforms economy as well as following discussion on suggested policyinstruments such as for example, the legal personality of algorithms, ways to address the acceptabilityand a fair use of AI at work such as AI tax, collective working time reduction, and more universalforms of social protection income

– Examine the feasibility of European policy instruments and, supporting a positive use of AI and newtechnology at work and adaptation to the change such as:

– creation of or extending the scope of existing funds (i.e. ESF or EGF) to support the transition ofworkers and adaptation of companies.

– development of a toolkit to manage changes in companies and adapt AI at work to workers,

81

which could include ethical code(s) to regulate the social, environmental and human health impact ofrobotics and AI at work.

– other instruments such as ethical codes and guidelines.

– Based on the examination of the impact of AI at work, develop policy options to ensure the adaptationof social protection systems to this challenge and making them future proof.

This pilot project will be carried out by Eurofound and developed in collaboration with EuropeanInstitutions, other EU agencies, international organisations, social partners, civil society and MemberStates /regions, potentially also including actors in the United States and China. It will be developed withthe support and under the guidance of the stakeholder and interdisciplinary scientific committees andcould feed to the broad multi-stakeholder platform, the European AI Alliance, that work on all aspects ofAI.



Justification:Eurofound has the capacity to reach out to tripartite stakeholders in the world of work, key institutions andacademic experts. The success of the PP on the Future of Manufacturing demonstrates the capacity ofEurofound to successfully deliver such programs. The Commission can delegate to Eurofound to carry outthis pilot project under the rule of indirect management: Art 58 (1) (c) (iv) on Methods of implementation ofthe budget in the financial regulation.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




04 03 77 37 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Metastatic cancer and the workplace: tackling the lack of data


Objective: The proposed pilot project aims to tackle the lack of data on the employment status of peoplewith metastatic cancer. This lack of data has been acknowledged by the European Commission (seebelow). Better data on this issue is needed to improve policy design, service provision, and fightdiscrimination for this neglected group.

As a pilot project, this should focus on a tumour type in which comparatively longer survival of patientswith metastatic cancer makes employment a pressing issue, such as breast cancer. The pilot project would

82

draw on data available through some of the registries in the European Network of Cancer Registries(ENCR); separate sources of data on employment would also be required. The methodology developed inthe pilot project can then be applied to other tumour types.

The pilot project would involve 1) selection of tumour type(s), based on length of survival with metastaticcancer and number of patients affected; 2) the collection of available data on the incidence andprevalence of metastatic cancer within that tumour type in a number of selected countries or regions; 3)analysis of existing models for estimating workforce participation of patients living with other diseases; 4)the development of a model which can estimate workforce participation of people with metastatic cancerin the specified tumour type.

While the project may be limited by the data currently available, it should result in comparable analysisacross as many European countries as possible. It should also serve as a stimulus for the increasingintegration of data collection on metastatic cancer into existing cancer registries.

Rationale: Cancer incidence is rising in Europe, and cancer has already become the leading cause ofdeath in some member states. Tens of thousands of Europeans are currently living with metastatic cancer,which has spread to other parts of the body and remains incurable. But a metastatic cancer diagnosis isnot necessarily an immediate death sentence: in metastatic breast cancer, for example, half of patientswill live with the disease for longer than two to four years. During this time, metastatic cancer patientsmust deal with complex legal situations regarding their health, social care and employment rights. Formany, remaining in the workplace is a personal or economic imperative. Additionally, employment canprovide stimulation, dignity, and a sense of continuing to be a useful member of society, which is anelement central to a patient’s overall quality of life.However, there is a serious lack of data that can help contribute to better policy at European and nationallevel. A lack of data on the incidence and prevalence of metastatic cancer is one obstacle: reliable figuresor realistic estimates are available for overall cancer incidence and cancer mortality, but data on theprogression to and/or de novo incidence of metastatic cancer remains scattered. There is a bigdiscrepancy in the available data in the cancer registries among the member states. Beyond this, data isvery scarce on the employment status of people with metastatic cancer.

As a pilot project, , we recommend this analysis be conducted in one or a small number of tumour typesand in a specified number of countries or regions, based on the availability of relevant data. The length oftime a patient lives with metastatic cancer can vary considerably depending on the tumour type. Lungcancer, for example, often progresses quickly. Therefore, this information may be most relevant to collectin a tumour type where survival with metastatic cancer for a number of years is increasingly a reality,such as in breast cancer.

A quantitative understanding of the employment status of people with metastatic cancer would provide thebasis for complementary future work, comparable across European countries. This could includemapping how European, national and local policies affect the employment situation of people withmetastatic cancer around Europe, and comparable qualitative analysis of workplace experiences of peoplewith metastatic cancer.

Current EU work: The EU supports both the provision of data on cancer, and analysis of the situation ofcancer patients in the workplace. However, the EU is not supporting work looking at the specific needs ofmetastatic cancer patients in the workplace.

All EU Member States have in place a cancer data and information system. The European Commission’sJoint Research Centre supports the ENCR, which promotes collaboration between cancer registries,defines data collection standards, and regularly disseminates information on incidence and mortalityfrom cancer in the European Union and Europe. The ENCR also forms the basis for the recently-launched European Cancer Information System – which does not include data on metastatic cancer.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU OSHA) is currently engaged in an extensiveproject on rehabilitation and return to work of cancer patients. However, this project does not provide anyspecific analysis of the situation facing metastatic cancer patients in the workplace. The challenges posed

83

by cancer survivorship have been explored by the European Commission through the Cancer ControlJoint Action (CANCON JA). The eighth work package of CANCON JA 2014-2017 developed specificrecommendations on survivorship and rehabilitation, with a special focus on employment.

It is crucial to understand that the experience of patients with early cancer and those with metastaticcancer are very different, and metastatic cancer patients experience considerable stigma and inequalities.This includes their situation in the workplace.

In March 2016, MEPs Bonafè, Caputo, Dalli and Buşoi submitted a written question to the Commissionstressing that ‘Reliable and comparable data on the employment situation of patients with terminaldiagnoses [such as metastatic cancer] should therefore help inform and shape policies in this area.’ TheEuropean Commission acknowledged that no specific data exists in Europe on the employment ofmetastatic cancer patients or persons with a terminal diagnosis. The proposed pilot project would helpaddress this regrettable situation.



Justification:The PP aims to tackle the lack of data on the employment status of people with metastatic cancer. Cancerincidence is rising across EU - it is the leading cause of death in some MS. Metastatic cancer remainsincurable, but survival is increasing in many tumour types. Yet specific data on metastatic cancer isscattered. Working status is an important issue for patients. Better data, comparable across MS, is needed toimprove policy design, service provision, and fight discrimination.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 298 === AGRI/5852 ===

Tabled by Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

-------------------------------


Item 05 08 77 16 — Preparatory action — Smart rural areas in the 21st century



05 08 77 16 3 300 000 1 650 000 p.m. 990 000 p.m. 990 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 990 000

Reserve

Total 3 300 000 1 650 000 p.m. 990 000 p.m. 990 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 990 000


This appropriation is intended to cover commitments .......... from previous years under the preparatoryaction.


The purpose of the action is to prepare the implementation of the CAP post 2020 and toThis action willcomplement the previous Smartearlier smart villages pilot project (Smart Eco Social Villages pilot project(2016) and the Smart rural areas in the 21st century preparatory action (2018). This PA will help inform

84

and improve the development and implementation of CAP Strategic Plans for which the notion of "SmartVillages" is included in a result indicator. Complementing the PP on Smart Eco-Social Villages and thePA on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st century, this PAVillages, 2016) and act on considerations stemmingfrom that pilot project as well as other lessons learned and knowledge obtained from actions and initiativesunder the EU Action for Smart Villages. This preparatory action will provide knowledge, know-how and aframework methodology for developing support schemes for Smart Villages in a wider range of socio-economic contexts. It will use the lessons learned and knowledge obtained from initiatives foreseen in theEU Action for Smart Villages (https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/rural-development-2014-2020/looking-ahead/rur-dev-small-villages_en.pdf ). As the new CAP is meant to increasesubsidiarity, such work will be a fundamental prerequisite to ensure an appropriate implementation ofthis aspect of rural development. The goal of the PA is to implement successful practices in a number ofMember States across the EU, including in the field of ICT and online methods such as the setting up ofdigital hubs and other good examples. It would alsothe necessary tools and budget to set up a network ofsample villages (and people dealing with smart villages) in order toplans and help create a coherentmethodological framework for EU support for Smart Villages. This concept is closely linked to the DigitalSingle Market, digital platforms, urban-rural links, sharing and collaborative economy and bioeconomy(innovation, precision farming, environmental management, renewable energies, supply chain, services,local food), improving quality of life, education and employment, taking account of the importance ofwomen and young people. It could also help inform the implementation of other ESI-funds; in particularunder the policy objective for local initiatives.smart villages under real-life conditions.


This preparatory action will implement successful practices and ICT/online methods, such as setting updigital hubs involving up to 10 villages and other good examples operating throughout the Union. This ideais closely bound up with the Digital Single Market, digital platforms, urban-rural links, the sharing andcollaborative economy and the bioeconomy (innovation, precision farming, environmental management,renewable energies, supply chains, services, local food), and improving quality of life, education andemployment, taking account of the importance of women and young people.


This action will enhance the ability to exchange and share agricultural machinery, including precisionfarming tools, in order to maximize output from scarce resources. These goals are fully in line with the CorkDeclaration 2.0, as well as the Bled declaration, which recognizewhich recognises the importance ofenablinggiving farms access to appropriate technologies and solutions, in order to deliver economic, socialand environmental benefits.

The action will focus on developing a method to promote growth and jobs in rural areas through concreteactions. Based on selected villages with common features: infrastructure, various resources, services,access to markets, it will develop methods for offering solutions in the fields of:the following specificmeasures:

– the Digital Single Market,selecting villages in the Union with common features: infrastructure, variousresources, services, access to markets, and

– urban-rural links,

– bioeconomy and circular economy (innovation, precision farming, environmental management, localrenewable energies, supply chain, services, local food),

– sharing and collaborative economy (such as new rural mobility solutions like car sharing, ridesharing; new paradigms in tourism; sharing and exchange of agricultural machinery and services,....),

– technology (such as IoT, big data collection, drones, electric vehicles, next generation mobilebroadband connections, ...),

85

– social aspects,

– new full-time and part-time jobs which will grow in mentioned economies.

offering solutions concerning:

– the Digital Single Market,

– urban-rural links,

– the bioeconomy and circular economy (innovation, precision farming, environmental management,local renewable energies, supply chains, services, local food),

– the sharing and collaborative economy (new rural mobility solutions, such as car sharing, ridesharing; new paradigms in tourism; sharing and exchange of agricultural machinery and services,etc.),

– technology (the Internet of Things, big data collection, drones, electric vehicles, next generationmobile broadband connections, etc.),

– social aspects (home care and outpatient care instead of hospitalisation),

– new full-time and part-time jobs created in the above-mentioned economies.

This preparatory action will be well documented through online platforms in order to disseminate theresults. As an important outcome, it will give lighthouse examples which will ensure better and moreeffective programming of EU funds in rural areas. The action will be documented on film and in othermedia in order to show how it progresses. It will identify the regulatory and legislative obstacles at local,Member State and Union level to the establishment of new business models and access to various Unionfunding sources. One important outcome will be to propose regulatory changes enabling these new businessmodels to be adopted and at the same time protecting the rights of all stakeholders.

Justification:The action will improve quality of life and employment of famers and other people living in rural areas, incl.young people. It will pave the way for better implementation of Union funds and policies, in particularthrough the CAP Strategic Plans. It will provide a thorough methodology at EU level which takes intoaccount the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for growth in rural Europe. It will create a networkfor the villages and for those dealing with Smart Villages, enhancing EU added-value.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Developing a tool box for farmers of integrated Pest Management Practices from acrossthe EU


86

While EU legislation has been developed over the years to allow for a sustainable use of pesticides, thereare still many gaps in its implementation at Member State level and farmers say that replacing pesticidesis difficult, costly and that alternatives do not exist.

Based on the findings of the recent European Commission evaluation (COM(2017) 587 final), theproposed study would assess Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures taken in each of the MS,including on the agricultural land managed under IPM and possibly classifying them by type of crops. Itwill collect evidence of pesticide use reduction and gather practices applied. This project will develop atool box to enable farmers and farmers’ advisors to accomplish the policy aim of significant reduction inpesticide dependency. The toolbox should describe, for a wide number of crops, the protocols to be appliedfor IPM, including the alternatives to chemical pesticides. The study will identify and propose effectiveapproaches, beginning with the modification of farming practices, using rotation wherever possible,followed by introduction where appropriate of resilient and resistant crop varieties, use of beneficialinsects, use of alternative pesticides, etc. The alternatives should be differentiated and adapted to localconditions.

The project, costing an estimated EUR 1 500 000 over 2 years, should take into account inter alia theexperiences collected from work done by the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC),International Biocontrol Manufacturer Association (IBMA) and organisations working on differentagronomic approaches and IPM with farmers.

The study will contain an analysis of how well the CAP tools are promoting IPM among farmers. Itshould also propose how to scale up practices throughout Europe, with the help of the post 2020 CAPinstruments (e.g. Farm Advisory Services being able to inform farmers of how to apply IPM) and itsGreen architecture to encourage farmers to apply the principles of IPM.

The study would also investigate the obstacles (real or perceived) seen by farmers and experts that limitdiffusion and uptake of IPM in the field.

The EU Directive 2009/128/EC on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (SUD) foresees in article 14 that‘Member States shall take all necessary measures to promote low pesticide-input pest management, givingwherever possible priority to non-chemical methods, so that professional users of pesticides switch topractices and products with the lowest risk to human health and the environment among those availablefor the same pest problem.’

The European Commission’s evaluation on the implementation of the SUD (COM(2017) 587 final)specifies: ‘Integrated Pest Management is a cornerstone of the Directive, and it is therefore of particularconcern that Member States have not yet set clear targets and ensured their implementation, including forthe more widespread use of land management techniques such as crop rotation.’

And also: ‘Member States need to develop clearly defined criteria so that they can assess systematicallywhether the eight principles of IPM are implemented, and take appropriate enforcement measures if thisis not the case. Such tools could confirm that the intended outcome of IPM as specified in the Directive, areduction of the dependency on pesticide use, is being achieved.’

Both the EU Council on Agriculture (on 6 November 2017) and the European Parliament (on 13November 2017) have discussed the findings in the Commission’s report and both have confirmed theirengagement towards ensuring deeper and meaningful implementation in the future.

This project will help farmers and Member States to start coherently applying IPM, and reducingfarmers’ dependency on pesticides.As indicated by the European Commission, a budget of at least EUR 1 500 000 is necessary in order toimplement the project successfully. The pilot project´s results may be incorporated into the researchproject Stepping up integrated pest management. It can contribute to gathering information on thecurrent application of the IPM on the ground and be useful for the Member States in order to design theirCAP plans.

87



Justification:A toolkit of successful integrated pest management measures will be developed to help farmers and FASadvisors across the EU tackle the problem of pest resistance and increase input autonomy, so they can betterchoose measures tailored to their own agronomic and economic situations. This will help to bring about thesustainable use of pesticides as intended by Directive 2009/128/EC. The project will also identify obstaclesto uptake and implementation in the field and suggest possible solutions.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Răzvan Popa, Committee on Budgets, Maria Gabriela Zoană

-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Pilot project — Promoting traditional East European products for a healthy life


The pilot project envisages activities that consist of actions to promote agri-food products by conductingpublic campaigns in order to raise the awareness of the economic and health importance of theconsumption of domestic, traditional products from the surrounding areas.



Justification:Traditional products in Eastern Europe risk to disappear due to globalisation leaving many small farmerswithout a market to sell their products.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 337 === ENVI/5252 ===

Tabled by Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

88

-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Developing a tool-box for farmers of Integrated Pest Management practices from acrossthe EU


While EU legislation has been developed over the years to allow for a sustainable use of pesticides, thereare still many gaps in its implementation at Member State level and farmers say that replacing pesticidesis difficult, costly and that alternatives do not exist.

Based on the findings of the recent European Commission evaluation (COM(2017) 587 final), theproposed study would assess Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures taken in each of the MS,including on the agricultural land managed under IPM and possibly classifying by type of crops. It willcollect evidence of pesticide use reduction and gather practices applied. This project will develop a toolbox to enable farmers and farmers’ advisors to accomplish the policy aim of significant reduction inpesticide dependency. The toolbox should describe, for a wide number of crops, the protocols to be appliedfor IPM, including the alternatives to chemical pesticides. The study will identify and propose effectiveapproaches, beginning with the modification of farming practices, using rotation wherever possible,followed by introduction where appropriate of resilient and resistant crop varieties, use of beneficialinsects, use of alternative pesticides, etc. The alternatives should be differentiated and adapted to localconditions.

The project, costing an estimated EUR 1.500.000 over 2 years, should take into account inter alia theexperiences collected from work done by the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC),International Biocontrol Manufacturer Association (IBMA) and organisations working on differentagronomic approaches and IPM with farmers.




The European Commission’s evaluation on the implementation of the SUD (COM(2017) 587 final)specifies: ‘Integrated Pest Management is a cornerstone of the Directive, and it is therefore of particularconcern that Member States have not yet set clear targets and ensured their implementation, including forthe more widespread use of land management techniques such as crop rotation.’

And also: ‘Member States need to develop clearly defined criteria so that they can assess systematically

89

whether the eight principles of IPM are implemented, and take appropriate enforcement measures if thisis not the case. Such tools could confirm that the intended outcome of IPM as specified in the Directive, areduction of the dependency on pesticide use, is being achieved.’


This project will help farmers and Member States to start coherently applying IPM, and reducingfarmers’ dependency on pesticides.As indicated by the European Commission, a budget of at least EUR 1.500.000 is necessary in order toimplement the project successfully. The pilot project´s results may be incorporated into the researchproject Stepping up integrated pest management. It can contribute to gathering information on thecurrent application of the IPM on the ground and be useful for the Member States in order to design theirCAP plans.




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —Impact assessment of land grabbing practices in the EU


It is therefore proposed a study that:

– Quantifies the transfer of farms and arable land for large economic groups and investment funds;

– Characterize the distribution of property in Europe;

90

– Study the access to arable land to young farmers;

– Study the impact on the ownership by third parties in the land tenure system of each member state;

– Study of protection measures for small and medium agriculture and land tenure systems of eachmember state



Justification:In the last decade, more than 33 million hectares of land worldwide, an area the size of Portugal, have beensold to foreign investors. As this phenomenon known as Land Grabbing. They are often land deals that takeplace without the prior, free and informed consent of the communities that often result in the expulsion offarmers and families from their homes. Moreover it can endanger the sovereignty and land tenure of States.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —Impact Assessment of the concentration of the retail sector retail in the income ofagricultural and agricultural producers.


It is therefore proposed that a study that:

-quantified the distribution of agricultural value added along the production and distribution chain;

-characterize the market structure at the retail level on a dynamic basis in order to identify theevolutionary trend of this sector, particularly in terms of market functioning and competition laws inforce in the EU;

- Propose intervention mechanisms that limit the margins on each link in the production and distributionchain, ensuring a fair return to farmers and competitive prices to the consumer.



91


Justification:The large distribution responsibility in crushing prices paid to production is widely recognized. This studyaims to quantify this impact in aggregate and simultaneously to study measures that could prevent suchpractices and ensure a fair income for European farmers.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 17 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —Mapping the global threat of antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals


A deeper study on the prescription and use of antimicrobial drugs in the European livestock production,since the lack of concrete data impede the persecution of measures and preparation of national controlplans against this problem.

The data collected in this study will have knowledge regarding the evolution of antibiotic consumptionand prevalence of multidrug resistance to antibiotics, in addition to serve as a basis for further studies,notably on the influence to the serious problem of the increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics inhumans.



Justification:The plans of action against the growing threat that is antimicrobial resistance have not been enough to halt orreverse, so data are needed regarding the use of antimicrobials.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


92



05 08 77 17 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000

Reserve

Total 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000 8 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Smart rural areas in the 21st century


This PA will give lighthouse examples which will ensure the implementation of smart villages and helpinform and improve the development and the implementation of CAP Strategic Plans.



Justification:The action will improve quality of life and employment of farmers and other people living in rural areas andprovide a thorough methodology at EU level

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 18 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Prospects for the development of the energy crop production sector in order to generateunconventional energy


Objective of the project:

- Designing economically viable agricultural farm modules, capable of producing raw materials forbiofuel production (rapeseed, sunflower and corn).

- Designing systems and mechanisms that are supposed to be used for the development of the energy cropproduction sector.

93



Justification:New methods of obtaining green energy should be put in place as soon as possible.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 18 1 500 000 150 000 1 500 000 150 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 150 000 1 500 000 150 000

Heading:Pilot project —Study of supply regulation mechanisms following the pig sector crisis


This pilot project shall permit to study:

The consequences of the rising cost of production factors and prices paid to production in the pigproduction sector and market liberalization scenario

Instruments for effective regulation of production and "marketing" and establishment of principles suchas the "national preference" in relation to imports from EU countries and third countries;

Alternative mechanisms of supply regulation as a way to combat volatility;

Regulatory instruments to ensure the improvement of the income of small and medium farmers;

Mechanisms to ensure food sovereignty and security in the Member States and ensure the sustainedgrowth of the agro-food production in more deficit;

Programs and permanent and exceptional measures to support insular regional economies;

The specificities of each country and region and the value to the economy, as well as the characteristicsand needs of small and medium agriculture;

Alternatives to safeguard the regulatory mechanisms of these markets;



94

26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:This pilot project is intended to study the impact on small and medium pig farmers of market regulationmeasures following the pig sector crisis.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 19 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — The use of household waste in agriculture


Specific objectives of the project

- Monitoring, collecting and recycling / processing of household waste produced in rural households, tobe used as compost for the fertilization of agricultural crops.

- the receipt of household waste produced by commercial units for further processing.



Justification:Fruits and vegetables can easily be repurposed as compost. This use benefits the environment in severalways and reduces landfill waste.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 19 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

95



Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project —Support for beekeeping in the framework of the greening of the CAP


The environmental component now occupies a key place within the CAP. The underlying logic is theremuneration of environmental services produced by farmers in the preservation of landscape, soil andbiodiversity. It happens that beekeepers provide no less important service to the greening of the CAP.However, this service goes far beyond the surface occupied by apiaries. As such, the environmentalcomponent of payments per hectare does not fit apiculture.

In this respect, a study is required to create a remuneration analogous to that received by all farmers, butadapted to beekeeping and reflecting their just contribution to the sustainability of agriculture.



Justification:The environmental component now occupies a key place within the CAP. The underlying logic is theremuneration of environmental services produced by farmers in the preservation of landscape, soil andbiodiversity. It happens that beekeepers provide no less important service to the greening of the CAP.However, this service goes far beyond the surface occupied by apiaries. As such, the environmentalcomponent of payments per hectare does not fit apiculture.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 19 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Developing a tool-box for farmers of Integrated Pest Management practices from acrossthe EU


96

"While EU legislation has been developed over the years to allow for a sustainable use of pesticides, thereare still many gaps in its implementation at Member State level and farmers say that replacing pesticidesis difficult, costly and that alternatives do not exist.

Based on the findings of the recent European Commission evaluation (COM(2017) 587 final), theproposed study would assess Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures taken in each of the MS,including on the agricultural land managed under IPM and possibly classifying by type of crops. It willcollect evidence of pesticide use reduction and gather practices applied. This project will develop a toolbox to enable farmers and farmers’ advisors to accomplish the policy aim of significant reduction inpesticide dependency. The toolbox should describe, for a wide number of crops, the protocols to be appliedfor IPM, including the alternatives to chemical pesticides. The study will identify and propose effectiveapproaches, beginning with the modification of farming practices, using rotation wherever possible,followed by introduction where appropriate of resilient and resistant crop varieties, use of beneficialinsects, use of alternative pesticides, etc. The alternatives should be differentiated and adapted to localconditions.

The project, costing an estimated EUR 1.500.000 over 2 years, should take into account inter alia theexperiences collected from work done by the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC),International Biocontrol Manufacturer Association (IBMA) and organisations working on differentagronomic approaches and IPM with farmers.




The European Commission’s evaluation on the implementation of the SUD (COM(2017) 587 final)specifies: ‘Integrated Pest Management is a cornerstone of the Directive, and it is therefore of particularconcern that Member States have not yet set clear targets and ensured their implementation, including forthe more widespread use of land management techniques such as crop rotation.’ And also: ‘MemberStates need to develop clearly defined criteria so that they can assess systematically whether the eightprinciples of IPM are implemented, and take appropriate enforcement measures if this is not the case.Such tools could confirm that the intended outcome of IPM as specified in the Directive, a reduction ofthe dependency on pesticide use, is being achieved.’


This project will help farmers and Member States to start coherently applying IPM, and reducingfarmers’ dependency on pesticides.As indicated by the European Commission, a budget of at least EUR 1.500.000 is necessary in order toimplement the project successfully. The pilot project´s results may be incorporated into the researchproject Stepping up integrated pest management. It can contribute to gathering information on thecurrent application of the IPM on the ground and be useful for the Member States in order to design theirCAP plans.

"

97




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 20 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project - Establishing an operational programme for the beef sector: structuring the agri-foodsectors to safeguard the handing-on of family farms and the sustainability of local agriculture


– General objective

This pilot project aims to establish an operational programme which will create added value and beadapted to livestock sectors, particularly the milk and beef sectors, in order to deal with issues concerninglocal and family agriculture.

As with existing operational programmes in the fruit and vegetable sector, it aims to improve thestructuring, competitiveness and resilience of these sectors by guaranteeing farmers a fair, stable incomeirrespective of the distribution of production, rising production costs and price fluctuations.

The pilot project is needed in order to counter the alarming reduction in the number of farms beinghanded on, which is putting local and family agriculture in jeopardy. Such small-scale farms have lowprofitability, which makes banks unwilling to support projects for handing on farms because of a lack offinancial visibility.

The pilot project has three main objectives:

Objective 1: Structuring of the sector:

– By increasing producers' level of organisation and strengthening their position in theinterprofessional chain through financing projects to improve production planning;

98

– By improving the quality, commercial exploitation and promotion of products through structureddialogue with those downstream of the sector;

– By supporting the modernisation of businesses, fast product adaptation, innovation in productionmethods and crisis prevention;

– By supporting environmental protection measures and environmentally-friendly production methods(organic farming).

Objective 2 - Income stabilisation:

By creating a creative sectoral approach through the introduction of two tools available under thecommon agricultural policy:

– a contractual mechanism for sharing added value, and

– the development of a financial stabilisation instrument for producer income.

The aim is to enable producers to overcome price volatility and be assured a fair, stable income which willboost the sustainability of their undertakings.

Objective 3 - Creation of a fund for future financing:

Some of the added value created at sector level can be reinvested - alongside the public support received -in establishing an innovative fund aimed at guaranteeing the long-term financing necessary for setting upor handing on farms;

– The approach adopted

The approach taken by the pilot project aims to improve coherence between various European measuresby establishing a sectoral operational programme and follows the approach of more result-oriented publicpolicies.

The project aims to strengthen the cohesion between the upstream and downstream parts of the sector andto promote new synergies through structured dialogue among all elements of the sector by enhancingproduction value by means of a list of specifications aimed at optimising the added value when productsare placed on the market, by the management of price volatility and by guaranteeing supplies throughgenerational renewal.

The momentum to sustain farms will no longer rely only on individual producers but on a commonapproach which will help create positive market momentum. The pilot project will therefore generatemomentum, beyond the milk and meat sectors, which can be transferred to other local sectors as part ofthe collective economic development strategy of the regions.

It will act as a driver for regional development and the convergence of challenges in the area ofeconomics (breeder revenues and increased value of local products), society (job creation, making familyfarms sustainable), the environment (production conditions), land-use planning (handing on farms,territorial development) and tourism (short supply chains).

– Assessment

An assessment will be carried out after two years to determine:

(1) The added value and effectiveness of the sectoral operational programme in terms of the objectives;

(2) The interprofessional dynamics at work and their possible extension to other agri-food sectors in thearea;

(3) The benefit of experience gained in coordinating CAP tools within an operational programme and theadded value derived by small family farms from land facing similar problems;

(4) The relevance of sustaining the pilot project by means of preparatory action with the aim of adopting asimilar tool under the common agricultural policy.

99

The pilot period will run for 2 years and has a total budget of EUR 1.5 million.



Justification:The reduction in the number of farms being handed on is jeopardising local agriculture. The objective, byconcentrating public support in an operational fund at operational programme level rather than just atproducer level, is to create conditions which will lead to an increase in added value in the milk and beefsectors which can be reinvested with public support in funds to fight price volatility and finance innovativemeasures to boost the establishment and handing-on of farms.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Jean Arthuis, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




05 08 77 20 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Setting up an operational programme for the bovine sector: structuring of agro-foodchains to ensure the transmission of agricultural family enterprises and the sustainability of localagriculture


I- Objectif général

Le présent projet-pilote vise à mettre en place un Programme Opérationnel, créateur de valeur ajoutée etadapté aux filières d’élevage, en particulier les filières laitières et de viande bovine, afin de répondre auxproblématiques d’une agriculture locale et familiale.

Sur le modèle des programmes opérationnels existant dans le secteur des fruits et légumes, il vise àaméliorer la structuration, la compétitivité et la résilience de ces filières tout en assurant pourl’agriculteur un revenu équitable et stable en dépit des contraintes d’écoulement de sa production, del’évolution des coûts de production et des variations de prix.Ce projet-pilote est nécessaire pour contrecarrer la diminution alarmante du nombre de reprisesd’exploitations agricoles, qui met péril l’agriculture locale et familiale. Ces exploitations de petite taillesont peu rentables et les banques sont donc réticentes à accompagner des projets de reprisesd’exploitation par manque de visibilité financière.II- Ce projet-pilote poursuit donc trois objectifs spécifiques :

100

Objectif n°1 - Structuration de la filière :

En augmentant le degré d’organisation des producteurs et en renforçant leur position au sein de lachaine interprofessionnelle, grâce au financement d’actions pour mieux planifier la production ;

En améliorant la qualité des produits, leur mise en valeur commerciale et leur promotion par undialogue structuré avec l’aval de la filière ;En accompagnant la modernisation des entreprises, l’adaptation rapide des produits, l’innovation dansles méthodes de production et la prévention des crises ;

En soutenant des mesures en faveur de l’environnement et des méthodes de production respectantl’environnement (agriculture biologique).Objectif n°2 – Stabilisation des revenus :

En créant une démarche collective de filière par la mise en place de deux outils disponibles dans le cadrede la Politique Agricole Commune :

un mécanisme contractuel de partage de la valeur ajoutée et

le développement d’un instrument financier de stabilisation des revenus du producteur.

Le but est de permettre au producteur de surmonter la volatilité des prix et de lui assurer des revenuséquitables et stables qui favoriseront la pérennité de son activité.

Objectif n°3 - Création d’un fonds de financement d’avenir :Une partie de la valeur ajoutée créée au niveau de la filière pourra être réinvestie, parallèlement ausoutien public sollicité, dans la mise en place d’un fonds innovant visant à garantir le financement à longterme, nécessaire à l’installation ou à la reprise d’exploitations agricoles ;III- Démarche poursuivie

La démarche de ce projet-pilote vise à améliorer la cohérence entre différentes mesures européennes, viala mise en place d’un programme opérationnel sectoriel et s’inscrit dans la logique de politiquespubliques davantage axées sur les résultats.

Ce projet vise à renforcer la cohésion entre l’amont et l’aval de la filière et à favoriser de nouvellessynergies grâce au dialogue structuré entre tous les maillons de la filière grâce à la valorisation de laproduction via un cahier des charges, pour optimiser la valeur ajoutée au moment de la mise en marché,à la gestion de la volatilité des prix et à la sécurisation de l’approvisionnement via le renouvellementgénérationnel.

La dynamique pour pérenniser les entreprises agricoles ne reposera plus seulement sur les producteursindividuellement, mais bien sur une démarche commune, permettant de créer une dynamique de marchépositive. Ainsi, ce projet-pilote est destiné, au-delà des filières du lait et de la viande, à créer unedynamique reproductible à d’autres filières locales dans la stratégie collective de développementéconomique du territoire.

Enfin, ce projet-pilote aura un rôle moteur pour le développement du territoire et la convergence desenjeux économiques (revenus des éleveurs et valorisations des produits locaux), sociaux (créationd’emplois, pérennisation d’exploitations familiales), environnementaux (conditions de production),d’aménagement du territoire (transmission d’exploitation, développement territorial) et touristiques(circuits courts).

IV- Evaluation

À l’issue d’une période de deux ans, une évaluation sera réalisée afin de déterminer :1) La valeur ajoutée et l’efficacité de ce programme opérationnel sectoriel par rapport aux objectifsidentifiés ;

2) La dynamique interprofessionnelle enclenchée et sa possible extension aux autres filières

101

agroalimentaires de la zone ;

3) Les retours sur expérience relatifs à l’articulation des outils de la PAC dans le cadre d’un programmeopérationnel et à la plus-value retirée pour les petites exploitations agricoles familiales des territoiresconcernés confrontées à des problématiques similaires ;

4) La pertinence du maintien du projet-pilote via une action préparatoire en vue de l’adoption d’un teloutil dans le cadre de la politique agricole commune.

Ce projet pilote s’étendra sur une période de 2 ans et représente un budget total de 1.5 million d’euros.



Justification:La baisse des reprises d’exploitations agricoles met en péril l’agriculture locale. En concentrant le soutienpublic dans le cadre d’un fond opérationnel au niveau d’une OP et non plus seulement au niveau desproducteurs, l’objectif est de créer les conditions pour générer une augmentation de valeur ajoutée au sein dela filière lait et viande bovine, qui pourrait être réinvestis avec soutien public sollicité dans la mise en placede fonds visant à lutter contre la volatilité des prix et à financer des mesures innovantes en faveur del’installation et de transmission d’entreprises.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 21 1 024 000 680 000 1 024 000 680 000

Reserve

Total 1 024 000 680 000 1 024 000 680 000

Heading:Pilot project — The New viticulture: Assessing digital/smart farming techniques to ensure the "Tripleperformance" of the EU wine sector


I. General context

Europe's agricultural and agri-food sectors face a triple challenge simultaneously: (i) the ‘economic’challenge of renewed competitiveness on both European and international markets, (ii) the‘environmental’ challenge of increased sustainability in order to face climate change impacts, and tobecome part of the solution, (iii) the ‘societal’ challenge that combines an effective response to theexpectations of consumers of healthy, quality products and to citizens’ demands for exemplarymanagement of rural territories.

102

The future of these sectors lies strongly in their ability to respond to these three challenges at the sametime and in the most efficient way. Yet, the efficiency of public policies will be increasingly appreciated inview of their capacity to be the driver for this transition of the European agriculture and agri-food sectorstowards this triple performance.

This envisaged evolution of the European agri-food sectors suggests a wise development of productionmethods and of organizational procedures as well, in order to make their management systems innovative,which in turn could make it possible to ensure economic gains and increase the environmental efficiencyof their actions.

The challenge for the agricultural sectors is therefore to speed up the diffusion of innovative techniquesfor a rapid transition and thus to avoid widening gaps between the European Union and its globalcompetitors.

Three main obstacles are to be found in:

– the cost of investments to be made by the sector,

– the knowledge gap to be filled by economic actors, and

– the risk element related to any transition from one model to another and related to the learningprocess. Specifically, this element has a dual component: economic (financial impact on incomeduring the acquisition phase) and psychological (fear leading to a possible overestimation of risk andtherefore a block in view of a change).

Therefore, the capacity of the European policy framework (namely the CAP) to encourage and supporttransitions of EU agriculture toward more sustainable and efficient models is a key milestone to bedelivered for the future. In that context, the Pilot Project ‘The New viticulture: Assessing digital/smartfarming techniques to ensure the Triple performance of the EU wine sector’ is presented.

II. Aim and operation of the pilot project:

The proposed Pilot Project has been structured to benefit EU wine grape producers from variousEuropean countries, which will be able to optimize current production of quality wine grapes in anefficient and sustainable way by implementing digital and smart farming techniques. The pilot projectproposes an experimental triple performance transition scheme for the farming sector offering a resultbased scheme at farm level.

In more concrete terms, the project will propose to organizations bringing together wine producers fromdifferent Member States to test the conditions for a fast transition from conventional to innovativemanagement viticulture practices, which are able to achieve a triple performance (economic,environmental and social) and how incentives at EU level are likely to facilitate this ambitious shift.

The idea is to propose a ‘transition scheme’ which could be recognized and therefore supported in thefuture at larger scale via a renewed CAP by experimenting how to accompany this transition of thenouvelle viticulture while demonstrating at the same time the capacity of precision & digital farming tooffer environmental & economic benefits.

The involved organizations will outline specific operational details: (1) technical specifications, i.e.practices related to smart or precision farming. In particular, (i) the most adapted to the environment(economic, natural environment, social link), (ii) available to date and not yet implemented (or onlyconfined), (iii) whose implementation on the perimeter of the producers will be the subject of the pilotproject. (2) the necessary conditions for their implementation (investment/training/risk managementtransition/agronomy support/technical advices) and, (3) monitoring and measurement of implementationand economic and environmental performance related to the adoption of these practices. Performancemeasurement will be multi-parametric, including the reduction of the impact on the environment(reduction of treatments by reasoned agriculture, limitation of waste and waste control of energyconsumption, increased efficiency of natural resources used – i.e. irrigation water, soil nutrients).

EU viticulture and grape production involving precision farming and digital agriculture techniques will

103

be at the heart of this project which aims to measure not only the economic and environmental benefitsderived from this transition, but in particular the interest of a public subsidy (CAP) of incentive to thetransition in front of the moral and economic hazard that can represent such a move and finally theimportance of prioritizing support for training, advice and innovative investment on farms.

Through the implementation of this PP, the actors involved, will be able to: (i) evaluate the need for a toolto facilitate this transition and its effectiveness, i.e. the provision of tools that support not only thecompliance with CAP but also assist the adoption and implementation of Smart Farming practices, (ii)show the economic benefits for farmers to engage into the transition towards precision and digitalfarming, (iii) demonstrate, the ‘impacts’ of farmers’ transition from conventional to digital/smarttechniques and (iv) measure specific tangible benefits (in line with future CAP demands for fewercontrols, streamlined adoption of technology).

Finally, it is relevant to specify what this project is not. It differs from a research or a developmentproject, since it is meant to be rather a field application of techniques, which are certainly innovative butavailable and barely used and whose effects can be measured along the process. The peculiarity lays inthe project’s aim to provide a clear and substantiated view on the implementation potential of a tripleperformance transition scheme, like the one proposed, in order to integrate the financial aspect of anincentive with the risk aversion and farmers’ ‘reluctance to change’ dimension.



Justification:EU viticulture and grape production involving precision farming and digital agriculture techniques will be atthe heart of this project which aims to measure: the economic and environmental benefits derived from thistransition, the interest of a public subsidy (CAP) of incentive to the triple performance transition in front ofthe moral and economic hazard that can represent such a shift, and finally the importance of prioritizingsupport for training, advice and innovative investment on farms.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 21 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Reserve

Total 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Heading:Pilot project — Improving agricultural productivity by planting forestry curtains


The purpose of the pilot project is to contribute to scientific and technical substantiation of the role

104

and beneficial effects of forest protection curtains on areas affected by desertification, wind and droughterosion processes and yields on agricultural crops and complex influences on maintaining a clean andhealthy environment.

The technical and scientific research objectives are:

– Documenting, analyzing and presenting the functionality of forest protection curtains on: reducingthe speed of wind at ground level, limiting desertification and aridization processes, protecting cropsand increasing yields.

– Determining the influence of forest protection curtains on agricultural and forestry productions, windspeeds and desertification phenomena.



Justification:The project aims at researching ways of improving agricultural productivity.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 22 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Urban agriculture


The aim of the project is to encourage and financially support kindergartens, gymnasiums and highschools in cities by setting up a garden where children can learn plant cultivation technologies.

The project should also allow support for agriculture on the virgin or abandoned land of the cities, whichare often full of rubbish.



105

Justification:The project will introduce young people to agriculture and have also a positive impact on the environment.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




05 08 77 23 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Computer applications to improve the traceability of agri-food products at the storage anddelivery stage


Given the increasingly developed IT technologies and their applicability in most important areas,applications can be used for the route that an agri-food product is taking from the primary production tothe industrial one. Thus, not only will the user of the information system know where his food productsare, but he will also be able to follow certain parameters (humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure) inwhich the products are preserved, in order to ensure and maintain their quality.



Justification:With the interactive use of a dynamic information system, information could be accessed on the specificproduct market, on trends and habits of consumption by area, on market prices and others, as well as onlegislation and specific opportunities, depending on the needs of the user.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Committee on Budgets, Inés Ayala Sender

-------------------------------




06 02 77 23 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

106



Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Pilot project: EU App(lication) for Road Transport Enforcement


In the context of the negotiations of the Mobility Package I, it has been concluded that a solid and correctenforcement of rules is crucial for the sake of a uniform and good functioning of the EU road transportsector and the improvement of road safety. In May 2017, the European Commission recognised in theirCommunication ‘Europe on the Move’ the importance to ensure a more effective enforcement and legalcertainty and put an end to a non-homogenous implementation across the EU in order to provideprotection for all workers in the transport sector across the European Union. For instance roadsidechecks, among others, have showed the unequal practices on enforcement among MS, as well as the risksit poses to the physical integrity of drivers and control authorities and eventually road safety.



This EU application shall give and have direct and real time access to the necessary and pertinent data inorder to improve checks by control authorities on posting, cabotage and letterbox companies, amongothers. In consequence, the EC should ensure direct and real time access to the following already existingdatabases and communication tools:

– Information on posting declarations via direct access to the public interface of the Internal MarketInformation System (IMI). IMI is already used for administrative cooperation between nationalauthorities in the area of posting of workers, but not for sending declarations. During the ongoingdebates on the Mobility Package I, the idea of developing a parallel public interface in IMI to whichoperators would have access to send the posting declaration to the host Member State, has gainedsolid support. Furthermore, although IMI is a communication tool, it has storage capacity. This directand real time access would simplify and facilitate the checking of posting requirements by thepertinent authorities in the MS;

– Data from the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) to check informationcontained in national electronic registers (including: name, address, community licence, legalrepresentative, transport manager of the undertakings + serious infringements + information on riskrating)

107

– Data from e-CMR to facilitate control and checking of cabotage.





=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 23 1 200 000 1 200 000 1 200 000 1 200 000

Reserve

Total 1 200 000 1 200 000 1 200 000 1 200 000

Heading:Pilot project — Development of a European label for Ultra Low Polluting Vehicles (ULPV) certified tomeet emission limit values under real use conditions


The problems that the pilot project aims to address are threefold:

1) On-the-road tests done with PEMS (Emission Analytics) or remote sensing (CONOX – program) showthat Euro5 and Euro6 cars are still emitting much more NOx than allowed. Only since Euro6d (from 1September 2017 onwards) a RDE test is used for the type approval of new types of cars. Testing byEmission Analytics shows that the dirtiest Euro 6 diesels are around three times worse than the cleanestEuro 3/4 vehicles, last of which were type-approved in 2009(https://mailchi.mp/emissionsanalytics/cutting-pollution-and-improving-public-health). That means thatfor reducing NOx, Low Emission Zones (LEZ) restrictions based on solely Euro-classification havetherefore a questionable effectiveness.

2) For European motorists driving in different cities and/or EU member states (with different modalitiesfor clean air zones) the different restrictions and urban access policies in cities create an increasinglyconfusing and possibly costly situation (motorists need comply with different rules and need to acquire

108

different labels or certificates for each city).

3) Depending on the design and implementation of the clean air zones, cities have difficulties to ensurecompliance with LEZ policies of vehicles registered in other Member States.

The pilot project aims to explore a solution for these problems by:

1. Testing the effectiveness of different retrofit options available on the market to determine whichtechnolgies under which conditions are able to meet the Euro 6 emission limit values (ELV) in realdriving conditions.

2. To establish a voluntary Ultra-Low Polluting Vehicle (ULPV) label for cars that meet the Euro6 ELVsunder normal use and that will be assigned to cars tested with PEMS in the RDE test during type approval(Euro6d) or certified after retrofit.

3. To establish a voluntary certification and monitoring scheme for the vehicles with an ULPV label.

4. To establish a voluntary European information exchange system (coupled to the Eucaris exchangeplatform) including a database with all registered ULPV cars. The information exchange system would beavailable for cities for the implementation of LEZ policies.

Possible partners:

1. Research institutes in the field of vehicle emissions (TNO, JRC,...)

2. Motorist organisations (such as ADAC)

3. Retrofit industry associations (such as CLEPA or ERECA

4. Vehicle inspection centers (via CITA)

5. Cities or umbrella organisations of cities (such as Eurocities)



Justification:The European Parliament called for the introduction of a label for ULPVs that meet emission limit values inreal driving conditions (§69, 2016/2908(RSP)). Considering the numerous infringements of EU air qualitystandards for NO2 (21 MS with exceedances, more than 130 cities) and the increasing variance of LEZschemes developed by cities, there is a need for a voluntary ULPV label and a related information exchangesystem that cities can use to establish a LEZ certified to work in real driving.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 23 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Reserve

109



Total 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Heading:

Pilot project — TachogrApp: feasibility study and cost analysis of developing a certified application to beused as a Tachograph


"The tachograph is at the corner stone of the implementation of the legislations in the road transport andhas been mandatory since 1985, in particular to monitor the speed of the vehicle, the distance travelledand the drivers' working and resting times. In the recent years, technological progress led to theconsecutive development of different generations of tachographs, each time with new features whichgradually allowed more efficient checks and fraud prevention. The latest tachograph - the so-called""smart tachograph"" - is expected to deliver real-time information by connecting satellite navigationsystems and enforcement authorities.

According to a study commissioned by the European Parliament in 2018, retro-fitting smart tachographsin all heavy-duty vehicles by 2020 is estimated to cost between €6.4 and €15.9 bn only for the purchase ofthe device and the labour associated with the retrofitting service.

Taking into account the wide-spread use of smartphones and the continuous expansion of theirfunctionalities, as well as the deployment of Galileo and the opportunities it offers in terms of real timelocalisation which many mobile already use, the pilot project should explore the possibility of developingand certifying a mobile application offering the same benefits as the smart tachograph and the associatedcosts.

The feasibility study should be structured as follows:

1. Identify, in accordance with the revised Regulation (EU) 165/2014, the data the application shouldcollect to ultimately perform as a smart-tachograph;

2. Assess the technical feasibility for an application to collect these data, possibly thanks to Galileo orthrough a direct connection with the vehicle and the technical requirements for a real-time transmissionof the data to the authorities;

3. Assess the risk of fraud and the eventual cybersecurity threat linked with this application;

4. Assess the hardware and software security measures to be implemented in the smartphone in order todownplay the risks identified in point 3.

5. Give an estimate of the cost of the development and certification of such an application;"



Justification:In light of the revision of road transport legislations, the smart tachograph is the most appropriate device fora proper implementation of the legislations. However, the cost of a smart tachograph and the fact that itsproduction has not started are barriers to a needed fast deployment in all vehicles. Taking into account thewide-spread use of smartphones, a certified application could considerably fasten the use of a smart-

110

tachograph-like device as well as lower the cost of its deployment.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 24 700 000 700 000 700 000 700 000

Reserve

Total 700 000 700 000 700 000 700 000

Heading:Pilot project — Developing a voluntary Ultra-Low Polluting Vehicle (ULPV) label


Over the last years, an increasing number of EU cities and regions has been developing andimplementing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) policies for vehicles. Often the LEZ policies are based on theEURO-classification or the year of type-approval of vehicles. The LEZ policies generally have threeimplementation problems:

Firstly, LEZ policies based solely on EURO-classification or the type approval date have a questionableenvironmental effectiveness. Testing by independent parties shows that the most polluting EURO 6 dieselshave higher NOx emission than some Euro 4 or 5 vehicles.

Vehicle emissions tests using PEMS (Emission Analytics) or remote sensing (CONOX – program) showthat EURO 5 and pre-RDE EURO 6 vehicles are still emitting significantly more NOx under normalconditions compared to test results in the laboratory. Only since EURO 6d (from 1 September 2017onwards), the RDE test is used for the type approval of new vehicle types, which is expected tosignificantly reduce the discrepancy between type approved and real world emissions.

Secondly, for European motorists driving in different cities and/or EU member states the different LEZrestrictions and urban access policies create an increasingly confusing and possibly costly situation(motorists need comply with different rules and need to acquire different labels or permits for each zone).

Thirdly, depending on the design and implementation of the LEZ policies, cities have difficulties to ensurecompliance of vehicles registered in other Member States.

A possible solution for the abovementioned problems is the development of an Ultra-Low PollutingVehicle (ULPV) scheme, which identifies vehicles with a good performance in terms of NOx emissions(and possibly other pollutants). Such a scheme would allow Member States, regions and cities to developand fine-tune LEZ restrictions beyond the Euro-classifications and type approval date. The ULPV couldprovide Member States, regions and cities access to a harmonised system.

The pilot project would have the following goals:

1. To assess options for a Ultra-Low Polluting Vehicle (ULPV) scheme (including the possibility of alabel) for cars that meet the Euro6 ELVs under normal use, tested with PEMS in the RDE test alsoincluding those during type approval (Euro6d-TEMP or later) or certified to that level after retrofit.

2. To assess options for the certification and monitoring of such vehicles.

3. To assess options for the establishment of a European information exchange system (e.g. coupled to the

111

Eucaris exchange platform) including a database with all registered ULPV cars. The informationexchange system would be available for cities, regions and Member States for the implementation of LEZpolicies or incentives.

Possible partners:

1. research institutes in the field of vehicle emissions (TNO, JRC, others);

2. motorist organisations (e.g. ADAC, ANWB);

3. retrofit industry associations (e.g. CLEPA, ERECA);

4. vehicle inspection centres (e.g. CITA);

5. cities and urban regions or umbrella organisations of cities (e.g. Eurocities).



Justification:The European Parliament called for the introduction of a label for ULPVs that meet emission limit values inreal driving conditions (§69, 2016/2908(RSP)). Considering the infringements of EU air quality standardsfor NO2 (21 Member States with exceedances, more than 130 cities) and the increasing variance of LowEmission Zone policies developed by cities, there is a need for more consistency across such approaches, forthe benefit of citizens, and an information exchange system for relevant authorities.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 24 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Userfriendly information tool on urban and regional vehicle access regulationschemes


The preparatory action is aimed at developing a user-friendly tool (online/app) enabling motorists (cardrivers, professional drivers) to be fully informed about urban and regional access regulation schemes.

The information should include : geographical scope, access conditions (vehicle type, time (incltemporary restrictions with links to real-time information sources) etc.), tariffs (prices and validity),payment options, enforcement policies, penalties and appeal procedures etc., both for own and foreign

112

nationals, with possibility for information pushes at the users' request

Also the inclusion of accompanying measures such as park and ride facilities, freight consolidation etc.could be considered.

The tool should primarily be targeted at private users (in parallel with existing platforms with informationon passengers 'rights), but it could also include specific information for professional users (e.g. roadhaulage companies) and links to navigation and routing platforms.



Justification:To improve air quality in cities, more than 225 Urban Vehicle Access Regulation schemes (UVARs) havebeen established in 14 EU Member States leading to a patchwork of more than 200 different vignettes,emission standards and monitoring tools. The current information portal (http://urbanaccessregulations.eu/)provides basic functionalities but there is a need for a more accessible and comprehensive information toolto avoid confusion among drivers in the EU.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 25 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000



"In the context of the negotiations of the Mobility Package I, it has been concluded that a solid andcorrect enforcement of rules is crucial for the sake of a uniform and good functioning of the EU roadtransport sector and the improvement of road safety. In May 2017, the European Commission recognisedin their Communication ‘Europe on the Move’ the importance to ensure a more effective enforcementand legal certainty and put an end to a non-homogenous implementation across the EU in order toprovide protection for all workers in the transport sector across the European Union. For instanceroadside checks, among others, have showed the unequal practices on enforcement among MS, as well asthe risks it poses to the physical integrity of drivers and control authorities and eventually road safety.

To ensure efficient and coherent enforcement of rules in the road transport sector, a harmonisation ofquality data is of utmost importance. In consequence, two elements are crucial to guarantee comparabilityof information through the EU: the expansions and harmonisation of risk rating systems and the

113

harmonisation of a software used by enforcement authorities to analyse the tachograph data. On the onehand, the expansion and harmonisation of risk rating systems should be done by: a) including in thecalculation of risk rating also infringements of road transport rules which are recorded in nationalregisters of road transport undertakings and exchanged via ERRU; b) establishing a common EUformula for determining a risk rating of undertakings based on the same factors and coefficients. On theother hand, the harmonisation of the software used among the corresponding authorities in the EU isessential since nowadays the analysis of same tachograph data can throw different results in terms ofascertaining infringement depending on the software used by those authorities.



Information on posting declarations via direct access to the public interface of the Internal MarketInformation System (IMI). IMI is already used for administrative cooperation between nationalauthorities in the area of posting of workers, but not for sending declarations. During the ongoingdebates on the Mobility Package I, the idea of developing a parallel public interface in IMI to whichoperators would have access to send the posting declaration to the host Member State, has gained solidsupport. Furthermore, although IMI is a communication tool, it has storage capacity. This direct and realtime access would simplify and facilitate the checking of posting requirements by the pertinent authoritiesin the MS;

Data from the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) to check informationcontained in national electronic registers (including: name, address, community licence, legalrepresentative, transport manager of the undertakings + serious infringements + information on riskrating)

Data from e-CMR to facilitate control and checking of cabotage.

The access to this information, as well as future needed data, in the context of an effective enforcement ofrules and mutual assistance between Member States shall comply with the rules on personal dataprotection laid down in Regulation 2016/679."




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

114



-------------------------------




06 02 77 26 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000



"In the context of the negotiations of the Mobility Package I, it has been concluded that a solid andcorrect enforcement of rules is crucial for the sake of a uniform and good functioning of the EU roadtransport sector and the improvement of road safety. In May 2017, the European Commission recognisedin their Communication ‘Europe on the Move’ the importance to ensure a more effective enforcementand legal certainty and put an end to a non-homogenous implementation across the EU in order toprovide protection for all workers in the transport sector across the European Union. For instanceroadside checks, among others, have showed the unequal practices on enforcement among MS, as well asthe risks it poses to the physical integrity of drivers and control authorities and eventually road safety.




? Information on posting declarations via direct access to the public interface of the Internal MarketInformation System (IMI). IMI is already used for administrative cooperation between nationalauthorities in the area of posting of workers, but not for sending declarations. During the ongoingdebates on the Mobility Package I, the idea of developing a parallel public interface in IMI to whichoperators would have access to send the posting declaration to the host Member State, has gained solid

115

support. Furthermore, although IMI is a communication tool, it has storage capacity. This direct and realtime access would simplify and facilitate the checking of posting requirements by the pertinent authoritiesin the MS;

? Data from the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) to check informationcontained in national electronic registers (including: name, address, community licence, legalrepresentative, transport manager of the undertakings + serious infringements + information on riskrating)

? Data from e-CMR to facilitate control and checking of cabotage.


"




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




06 02 77 26 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Reserve

Total 800 000 400 000 800 000 400 000

Heading:Pilot project — TachogrApp: feasibility study and cost analysis of developing a certified application to beused as a Tachograph


The tachograph is at the corner stone of the implementation of the legislations in the road transport andhas been mandatory since 1985, in particular to monitor the speed of the vehicle, the distance travelledand the drivers' working and resting times. In the recent years, technological progress led to theconsecutive development of different generations of tachographs, each time with new features which

116

gradually allowed more efficient checks and fraud prevention. The latest tachograph - the so-called"smart tachograph" - is expected to deliver real-time information by connecting satellite navigationsystems and enforcement authorities.

According to a study commissioned by the European Parliament in 2018, retro-fitting smart tachographsin all heavy-duty vehicles by 2020 is estimated to cost between €6.4 and €15.9 bn only for the purchase ofthe device and the labour associated with the retrofitting service.

Taking into account the wide-spread use of smartphones and the continuous expansion of theirfunctionalities, as well as the deployment of Galileo and the opportunities it offers in terms of real timelocalisation which many mobile already use, the pilot project should explore the possibility of developingand certifying a mobile application offering the same benefits as the smart tachograph and the associatedcosts.

The feasibility study should be structured as follows:

1. Identify, in accordance with the revised Regulation (EU) 165/2014, the data the application shouldcollect to ultimately perform as a smart-tachograph;

2. Assess the technical feasibility for an application to collect these data, possibly thanks to Galileo orthrough a direct connection with the vehicle and the technical requirements for a real-time transmissionof the data to the authorities;

3. Assess the risk of fraud and the eventual cybersecurity threat linked with this application;

4. Assess the hardware and software security measures to be implemented in the smartphone in order todownplay the risks identified in point 3.

5. Give an estimate of the cost of the development and certification of such an application;



Justification:In light of the revision of road transport legislations, the smart tachograph is the most appropriate device fora proper implementation of the legislations. However, the cost of a smart tachograph and the fact that itsproduction has not started are barriers to a needed fast deployment in all vehicles. Taking into account thewide-spread use of smartphones, a certified application could considerably fasten the use of a smart-tachograph-like device as well as lower the cost of its deployment.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 07 02 77 41 — Pilot project — Promoting alternatives to animal testing



07 02 77 41 p.m. 300 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 600 000 p.m. 1 000 000

Reserve

117



Total p.m. 300 000 p.m. 400 000 p.m. 400 000 600 000 p.m. 1 000 000

Justification:This is a good project for an important issue.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, José Manuel Fernandes, Committee on Budgets, Inés Ayala Sender,Pilar Ayuso, José Blanco López, Francisco José Millán Mon

-------------------------------


Item 07 02 77 44 — Pilot project — Map of solutions, best practices and remedies for Lindane pesticidewaste decontamination in the Union



07 02 77 44 600 000 300 000 p.m. 300 000 p.m. 300 000 2 000 000 700 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 p.m. 300 000 p.m. 300 000 2 000 000 700 000 2 000 000 1 000 000


Its agricultural use began to be restricted in the .......... of Lindane have concluded that it may cause cancer.


Although Lindane has been banned as a crop pesticide since 2000, old production and dumping sites for thishighly toxic pesticide still exist throughout the Union (e.g. in Slovenia, Germany, Romania and Spain), andwhile there is extensive knowledge about other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) there is no clear pictureof the scale of Lindane-contaminated sites in the Union, and the volume of HCH which can enter thewaste/water regime via contaminated construction and demolition waste from historical production andstorage sites is unknown. Lindane may also evaporate and affect human health by inhalation. Accordingto several reports made by the European Parliament and United Nations, high concentrations of Lindanecan be found in several Member States (France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italyand Luxembourg).

Although the Union has a comprehensive legal framework as regards production and waste management ofPOPs and a fairly well developed system for authorising or reauthorising the introduction of new pesticides,there are no rules or remedies in connection with existing Lindane sites, decontamination techniques and theregeneration of industrial sites. There is also a variety of techniques, ranging from incineration and chemicalreaction to the use of genetically modified plants and sealed confinement to incineration and chemicalreaction and the use of genetically modified plants.confinement, etc.

After paragraph:

(5) drawing up guidelines on a sustainable and environmentally-friendly .......... redevelopment forregional/national/local administrations.

Add following text:

This pilot project was supported by the European Parliament and Council in 2017 and was allocated EUR600 000 in commitment appropriations in the 2018 Budget. This figure should be significantly increasedin 2019 to respond to the needs of the project and the interest it has raised among national, regional, local

118

and EU institutions.

Justification:Although the EU has a comprehensive legal framework as regards production of POP and a quite developedauthorisation system for pesticides which allows to react to NEW pesticides that want to be introduced orreauthorised, there is a lack of rules and remedy means for existing lindane sites, decontaminationtechniques and regeneration of industrial sites. There is also a variety of different techniques fromincineration, chemical reaction, genetically modified plants, sealed confinement, etc.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 07 02 77 44 — Pilot project — Map of solutions, best practices and remedies for Lindane pesticidewaste decontamination in the Union



07 02 77 44 600 000 300 000 p.m. 300 000 p.m. 300 000 2 000 000 700 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 p.m. 300 000 p.m. 300 000 2 000 000 700 000 2 000 000 1 000 000


Its agricultural use began to be restricted in the .......... of Lindane have concluded that it may cause cancer.


Although Lindane has been banned as a crop pesticide since 2000, old production and dumping sites for thishighly toxic pesticide still exist throughout the Union (e.g. in Slovenia, Germany, Romania and Spain), andwhile there is extensive knowledge about other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) there is no clear pictureof the scale of Lindane-contaminated sites in the Union, and the volume of HCH which can enter thewaste/water regime via contaminated construction and demolition waste from historical production andstorage sites is unknown. Lindane may also evaporate and affect human health by inhalation. Accordingto several reports made by the European Parliament and United Nations, high concentrations of Lindanecan be found in several Member States (France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italyand Luxembourg).

Although the Union has a comprehensive legal framework as regards production and waste management ofPOPs and a fairly well developed system for authorising or reauthorising the introduction of new pesticides,there are no rules or remedies in connection with existing Lindane sites, decontamination techniques and theregeneration of industrial sites. There is also a variety of techniques, ranging from incineration and chemicalreaction to the use of genetically modified plants and sealed confinement to incineration and chemicalreaction and the use of genetically modified plants.confinement, etc.

After paragraph:

(5) drawing up guidelines on a sustainable and environmentally-friendly .......... redevelopment forregional/national/local administrations.

Add following text:

This pilot project was supported by the European Parliament and Council in 2017 and was allocated EUR

119

600 000 in commitment appropriations in the 2018 Budget. This figure should be significantly increasedin 2019 to respond to the needs of the project and the interest it has raised among national, regional, localand EU institutions.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 07 02 77 45 — Preparatory action — Operationalising capacity building for programmaticdevelopment and mapping objectives in the field of environmental taxation and budgetary reform



07 02 77 45 750 000 375 000 p.m. 225 000 p.m. 225 000 450 000 225 000 450 000 450 000

Reserve

Total 750 000 375 000 p.m. 225 000 p.m. 225 000 450 000 225 000 450 000 450 000


Building on the successful 2015 pilot project (operational .......... policy-making processes at both nationaland Union level.



Justification:This PA was first included in the 2018 budget and should be included again in the 2019 budget with bothcommitment and with payment appropriations. The 2015 PP created a network of civil society actors withincreased capacity to get involved in decision-making processes in the field of environmental taxes. This PAaims at building on the existing skills and networks to enhance the further development and use ofenvironmental taxes and budgetary reform in the area of environmental policy to 2030.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




120



07 02 77 49 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Reserve

Total 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Heading:Pilot project — Invasive Alien Species: Improvement of understanding and communication


The overall objective of this Pilot Project is to pilot novel methods to prevent the establishment and spreadof invasive alien species (IAS) in the EU, in support of the EU's Regulation on Invasive Alien Species1143/2014 and Target 5 of the EU's 2020 Biodiversity Strategy.

It is widely recognised that preventing invasive alien species from establishing (i.e. effective IAS bio-security measures) is far more cost-effective than managing and eradicating invasive alien species oncethey become established. However, two significant barriers have been identified which prevent effectiveIAS bio-security measures from being implemented: i) a lack of understanding by stakeholders of theimportance of IAS bio-security, and ii) a lack of understanding among natural resource managers andregulators of how to communicate the need for effective IAS biosecurity measures across differentstakeholder groups.

This Pilot Project proposes a series of activities which seek to: i) improve understanding amongstakeholders on the importance of effective IAS bio-security measures, and ii) improve communicationamong managers, regulators and stakeholders in regards with developing and implementing effective IASbio-security measures.

The Pilot Project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, will provide €1 250 000 of funding,equally split over two years, to raise awareness of the need to implement effective bio-security measuresacross the following stakeholder groups: farmers, landowners and land managers, environmental NGOs,the horticulture industry, the exotic pet trade, recreational freshwater users (anglers and boaters) andmarine users (recreational boating and industrial shipping), transport infrastructure authorities (canals,railway sidings, motorway verges), and local authorities. These stakeholder groups having been identifiedas representing the most significant pathways for invasive alien species in Europe.

Invasive alien species bio-security is a topic of which stakeholders generally have a low understanding,but simultaneously have a high anxiety about due to perceived negative impacts to their interests. ThePilot Project will build a platform to facilitate constructive communication within and between sectors onthe need for, and benefits of, effective IAS bio-security measures, as well as to share best practice for thecommunication, development and implementation of such measures.

Specifically, the Pilot Project will appoint officers to begin and lead dialogue within each of the identifiedstakeholder groups. As the existing level of understanding among many stakeholder groups about IASbiosecurity issues is low, the officers will initially determine the level of understanding and concernwithin each of the stakeholder groups. Once the perception of each of the stakeholder groups isdetermined, the officers will then initiate a series of events, workshops and conferences, and produceaccessible sector-specific material, to promote understanding and the exchange of knowledge about theissue within each sector. A secretariat function will manage and oversee the work of the officers, as wellas collate and develop the sector-specific dialogues to identify common problems and identify commonsolutions across sectors.

By undertaking the above engagement activities, it is anticipated that the level of concern, conflict andmisunderstanding around IAS bio-security will be reduced. The novelty in this project lies in its proactivenature, as there have been no previous attempts to constructively engage specific sectors at a pan-European scale on IAS bio-security, and in its collaborative nature, as it simultaneously addresses IAS

121

bio-security across related but divergent European sectors.



Justification:IAS are the second greatest driver of extinction globally and are estimated to cost the EU €12 500 000 000annually in damages & management. They are a factor that significantly contributes to further degradation ofNatura 2000 sites and other habitats in/around rural and agricultural areas. This project will support theimplementation of EU Reg. 1143/2014 on IAS & activities towards achieving Target 5 of the EU 2020Biodiversity Strategy and contribute towards achieving 10 out of the 17 SDGs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Soledad Cabezón Ruiz

-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000

Reserve

Total 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000

Heading:Pilot project — Identification of existing solutions and best practices in the decontamination andenvironmental regeneration of marshlands affected by phosphogypsum contamination


Durante más de cuatro décadas, la producción de ácido fosfórico en la provincia de Huelva haocasionado la generación de fosfoyesos, un residuo contaminante que, junto con otros subproductosindustriales, se deposita en balsas cuya superficie ocupa más de 1.200 hectáreas. En 1968, dos empresasafincadas en el Polo Químico de Huelva, Fertiberia y Foret, obtuvieron la concesión administrativa paraverter estos residuos, alcanzando los 120 millones de toneladas en unos apilamientos que se encuentran atan sólo 500 metros de las viviendas de la barriada de Pérez Cubillas. A raíz de un cambio en lalegislación europea y nacional, una sentencia de la Audiencia Nacional puso freno judicial a estosvertidos en diciembre de 2010 y obligó a Fertiberia a presentar y ejecutar un plan de regeneraciónambiental. Dicho plan se circunscribe a una extensión de 420 ha que deben excluirse de la zona deactuación del futuro proyecto piloto que se solicita. Sin embargo, se entiende imprescindible que laComisión Europea vigile el proyecto global de la zona para asegurar una actuación integral, coherente yefectiva; dicha función de supervisión estaría también en línea con el procedimiento de infraccióniniciado contra España (nº 20072448).

Casi medio siglo de vertidos de fosfoyesos a la marisma del Tinto, colindantes con el casco urbano deHuelva, han generado un grave y complejo problema medioambiental. El vertido de residuos haprovocado una grave contaminación del río, incluyendo aceite y depósito de metales pesados, así como

122

otros tipos de residuos tóxicos, lo que constituye un innegable desastre medioambiental. Además, lacercanía a la ciudad de Huelva y los riesgos de contaminación que los vertidos representan para lapoblación local, en especial a través de los arroyos y acuíferos, suscitan una grave preocupación por lasposibles consecuencias para la salud en general. Se precisa, por tanto, una estrategia a largo plazo conlas máximas garantías para la regeneración del territorio y la salud de la población, solución que nopuede alcanzarse únicamente desde el ámbito municipal.

Por esta razón, el ayuntamiento ha impulsado la creación de la Mesa de Participación de los Fosfoyesos,un foro del que forman parte todos los niveles administrativos implicados: los grupos políticosmunicipales (municipal), la Delegación del Gobierno de la Junta de Andalucía (regional) y el Ministeriode Medio Ambiente a través de la Subdelegación del Gobierno de España (estatal); así como las partesinteresadas relevantes: la Autoridad Portuaria, la Federación Onubense de Empresarios, la Cámara deComercio, los sindicatos UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores) y CCOO (Comisiones Obreras), laUniversidad de Huelva y las Federaciones y asociaciones vecinales y ecologistas.

Por otro lado, un Comité de Expertos designado por la Universidad de Huelva ha alertado sobre lainestabilidad y la permeabilidad del terrero. Según el informe emitido analizando la estructura del suelode la marisma bajo las balsas de fosfoyeso, la sobrepresión provocada por los residuos ha provocado queel fluido presente en las capas de la marisma escape hacia otras zonas, de la misma forma que el aguasale de una esponja al apretarla. El riesgo es que esa migración de fluidos origine una pérdida de presión,haciendo que colapse la estructura que sostiene el apilamiento, lo que podría provocar un deslizamientode parte de los fosfoyesos hacia el canal del río Tinto. Revelaciones de esta índole inciden aún más en lapreocupación de la ciudadanía y en el carácter prioritario de este desastre medioambiental.

El estudio propuesto por este proyecto piloto proporcionaría la cobertura científica y económica necesariapara identificar las soluciones existentes a nivel europeo que se hayan desarrollado en sitios similares(Rieme - BE, Kavala - GR, Engis - BE, Salónica - GR, Grand Quevilly - FR, Siilinjarvi - FI, Police - PL,Boleslawice - PL, Kedainiai - LT). Tras identificarlas, el estudio permitiría comparar estas solucionespara determinar las mejores prácticas para la descontaminación y regeneración de las zonas afectadas,así como para la revalorización y nuevos usos de los vertidos de fosfoyesos, por ejemplo, como material deconstrucción. La dimensión europea es fundamental para que buenas prácticas, que ya están en marchaen países como Bélgica (Proyecto Terranova), sean identificadas y comparadas con vistas a su utilizacióntanto en Huelva como en casos similares dentro de la Unión.



Justification:Es imprescindible elaborar un estudio que identifique soluciones y buenas prácticas existentes y replicablesen Europa relativas a la descontaminación y regeneración medioambiental de marismas afectadas por lacontaminación proveniente de vertidos de fosfoyesos, residuo de la producción de fertilizantes, así comopara la revalorización de dicho subproducto para nuevos usos. El proyecto precisa la cuantía de 1,2 M€ parasu implementación en el periodo 2014-20, con posibilidad de n+1, 2 o 3.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Kathleen Van Brempt, Nils Torvalds, Christine Revault d'AllonnesBonnefoy, Matthijs van Miltenburg, Tiemo Wölken

-------------------------------

123




07 02 77 49 700 000 700 000 700 000 700 000

Reserve

Total 700 000 700 000 700 000 700 000

Heading:Pilot project — Developing a voluntary Ultra-Low Polluting Vehicle (ULPV) label


Over the last years, an increasing number of EU cities and regions has been developing andimplementing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) policies for vehicles. Often the LEZ policies are based on theEURO-classification or the year of type-approval of vehicles. The LEZ policies generally have threeimplementation problems:

Firstly, LEZ policies based solely on EURO-classification or the type approval date have a questionableenvironmental effectiveness. Testing by independent parties shows that the most polluting EURO 6 dieselshave higher NOx emission than some Euro 4 or 5 vehicles.

Vehicle emissions tests using PEMS (Emission Analytics) or remote sensing (CONOX – program) showthat EURO 5 and pre-RDE EURO 6 vehicles are still emitting significantly more NOx under normalconditions compared to test results in the laboratory. Only since EURO 6d (from 1 September 2017onwards), the RDE test is used for the type approval of new vehicle types, which is expected tosignificantly reduce the discrepancy between type approved and real world emissions.

Secondly, for European motorists driving in different cities and/or EU member states the different LEZrestrictions and urban access policies create an increasingly confusing and possibly costly situation(motorists need comply with different rules and need to acquire different labels or permits for each zone).

Thirdly, depending on the design and implementation of the LEZ policies, cities have difficulties to ensurecompliance of vehicles registered in other Member States.

A possible solution for the abovementioned problems is the development of an Ultra-Low PollutingVehicle (ULPV) scheme, which identifies vehicles with a good performance in terms of NOx emissions(and possibly other pollutants). Such a scheme would allow Member States, regions and cities to developand fine-tune LEZ restrictions beyond the Euro-classifications and type approval date. The ULPV couldprovide Member States, regions and cities access to a harmonised system.


1. To assess options for a Ultra-Low Polluting Vehicle (ULPV) scheme (including the possibility of alabel) for cars that meet the Euro6 ELVs under normal use, tested with PEMS in the RDE test alsoincluding those during type approval (Euro6d-TEMP or later) or certified to that level after retrofit.

2. To assess options for the certification and monitoring of such vehicles.

3. To assess options for the establishment of a European information exchange system (e.g. coupled to theEucaris exchange platform) including a database with all registered ULPV cars. The informationexchange system would be available for cities, regions and Member States for the implementation of LEZpolicies or incentives.

Possible partners:

1. research institutes in the field of vehicle emissions (TNO, JRC, others);

2. motorist organisations (e.g. ADAC, ANWB);

124

3. retrofit industry associations (e.g. CLEPA, ERECA);

4. vehicle inspection centres (e.g. CITA);

5. cities and urban regions or umbrella organisations of cities (e.g. Eurocities).



Justification:The European Parliament called for the introduction of a label for ULPVs that meet emission limit values inreal driving conditions (§69, 2016/2908(RSP)). Considering the infringements of EU air quality standardsfor NO2 (21 Member States with exceedances, more than 130 cities) and the increasing variance of LowEmission Zone policies developed by cities, there is a need for more consistency across such approaches, forthe benefit of citizens, and an information exchange system for relevant authorities.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Kathleen Van Brempt, Nils Torvalds, Christine Revault d'AllonnesBonnefoy, Matthijs van Miltenburg, Tiemo Wölken

-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Testing retrofit technologies


Vehicle emissions tests using PEMS or remote sensing show that some EURO 5 and EURO 6 vehicles stillemit significantly more NOx under real world conditions compared to test results in the laboratory. Onlysince the introduction of the Real Driving Emission (RDE) test with EURO 6d (from 1 September 2017onwards), the discrepancy between type approved and real world emissions is reduced.

In order to improve the real world environmental performance of already type approved EURO 5 andEURO 6 vehicles (before the introduction of RDE) retrofitting of vehicles is required.

On 16 April 2018, the European Commission awarded the Horizon Prize on Engine Retrofit for CleanAir. The prize demonstrated the effectiveness of retrofits and the relatively low costs, and spurred thedevelopment of new technologies that can be applied to recent EURO 5 and EURO 6 diesel engines.

Further work to assess the effectiveness of retrofit options, building on the Horizon Prize on EngineRetrofit for Clean Air, is required. A broad range of technologies should be assessed on a variety ofengine technologies of various EURO classes, including Gasoline Particle Filters retrofit options.

125

Moreover, possible certification schemes for retrofit solutions should be assessed, in order to provide clearinformation to consumers and enhance trust in the effectiveness of retrofit options.


- To perform a broad testing campaign, testing the effectiveness of different retrofit options to determinewhich technologies under which conditions are able to meet the Euro 6 emission limit values (ELV) andthe relevant access requirements for Low Emission Zones (LEZ), using laboratory and the real drivingemissions test, covering a broad range of driving conditions, engine technologies and EURO classes.

- To assess a variety of possible certification schemes for retrofit solutions.

The project builds upon the work already performed by the Commission in the context of the ‘HorizonPrize’ on retrofits (see http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizonprize/index.cfm?prize=engine-retrofit).



Justification:Considering the numerous infringements of EU air quality standards for NO2 (21 Member States withexceedances, more than 130 cities) and the low environmental performance of many EURO 5 and EURO 6vehicles under real world conditions, retrofits of already type approved vehicles are required. However,retrofit technologies have not been adequately tested and an appropriate certification scheme is currentlymissing.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Răzvan Popa, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Solutions for a better environment - Raising awareness about the correct disposal ofunwanted or expired medicine


In countries of Eastern Europe, tons of drugs per country are wrongfully disposed annually. These reachthe national landfills every year and affect the ecosystem and the health of people. Over time, weatheringdestroys the packaging and the chemical substances present in the drugs are washed away by rainwater,reaching the leachate. In case of landfills that do not comply with new ecological requirements, nothaving a sewage treatment plant or a geomembrane, the leachate can reach the groundwater. There is arisk that this water will be then consumed by the population or other stakeholders of the ecosystem

126

directly without being treated in advance. Unusable drugs are classified as hazardous waste and must bedisposed of under very strict conditions, following legal restrictions. Expired drugs have to be taken topharmacies, which need to have a pharmaceutical take-back program implemented in order to offer asafe and environmentally conscious way to dispose unwanted medicines.

The overall objective of this pilot project is to support the education and to raise awareness throughoutthe communities of different East European countries about the danger that comes with not disposingexpired drugs correctly. Most of the populations of different Member States are not aware of this disposalprogram and throw the expired or unwanted drugs directly to the public disposal site. The program willprovide trans-national experience throughout the eastern european Member States, by connectingexperienced professionals with communities of different states. The program includes informationsessions like direct contact with persons from different communities and information leaflets. Theseinformation sessions should include an overview over the dangers the practice of wrongful disposal ofunwanted medicine implies and should provide with best practice scenarios of correct clearence.



Justification:Latest forecast show that around 1500 tons of unwanted or expired medicine per country are improperdisposed annually. This practice is very harmful for the whole ecosystem affecting not only humans but alsothe environment.

This pilot project should increase the awereness and provide communities in Eastern Europe with thenecessary information for the correct disposal of the hazardous medicine.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Correct reforestation - giving nature back


Reforestation does not fight climate change unless it is done right. The action of reforestation is theconcept of planting trees to recreate missing forests or to strengthen existing ones.

There are, however, problems when it comes to reforestation. Recent studies have shown that 85% offorests on the continent are managed by humans. In the last years, they preferred to plant more

127

commercially valuable and fast-growing species of trees. The most planted type of tree is conifer andusually people use conifers to also reforest other areas that were once populated by broad-leaved trees.The conifer type does not offer the same advantages, as do leaved trees. The leaves of trees reflect thesolar radiation back up while the needles absorb more of it. Going further, planting the wrong trees canharm the environment, by heating a cold area or by cooling a hot area.

In conclusion, correct reforestation could lead to an improved solution to combat climate change.

The project will consist of workshops with stakeholders such as the administrators of forests, professors ofenvironmental sciences and governments’ officials. In these workshops, there will be sessions on correctreforestation according to the area of application and on stopping deforestation. These trainings shouldnot take more than 2-3 days per community. At the end of the workshop the stakeholders should have aclear overview of the dangers incorrect reforestation has on the environment and should also have a bestpractice scenario to start with.



Justification:Reforestation is an effective mitigation strategy to fight global warming. Studies have shown that correctreforestation has a positive impact on the environment while incorrect reforestation could lead toacceleration of climate change. Planting wrongfully could lead to hot areas becomming cold and vice-versa.This could also have an impact on people living in those areas and it has the potential to perserve endangeredspecies from extinction.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — The dying bee sector - a helping hand for know-how improvement


Bees are considered critically important for the environment and agriculture by pollinating more than80% of crops and other wild plants.

The countries of Eastern Europe, formerly a leading pioneer in the field of apiculture, have a sufferingbee sector which is very alarming for the environment. The world beekeeping sector is facing a number ofproblems, such as abnormal bee mortality, lack of food, falsification of honey, unfavourable climatic

128

factors, worm contamination but also the use of pesticides or other harmful substances on cropsnowadays. In the European Union there are around 16 million bee hives and 600.000 beekeepers.

The overall objective of this pilot project is to support the beekeepers by raising an awareness of whichfactors increase the mortality of bees. In addition, the project will also raise the awareness of farmers touse pesticides that do not harm bees. At the end of the project farmers need to understand the need thatboth fields have to survive because they depend one of the other.

The program should develop a platform at EU level on which beekeepers can identify in which regionsfarmers do not use harmful pesticides. This is done by creating an interactive map of the European Unionwith information about what pesticides each farmer uses. The information should be collected, centralizedand afterwards implemented into the platform.



Justification:Honeybees across Europe are being poisoned by up to 57 different pesticides. The five Member States withthe largest numbers of beehives are mainly located in the South of the EU: Spain, France, Greece, Romaniaand Italy. The number of EU beekeepers has been decreasing. Many beekeepers who leave the sector forreasons of age are not replaced by newcomers.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Smart rooftop crops


Urban rooftop gardens are gardens on top of buildings that may provide food, temperature control,hydrological benefits, arhitectural enhancement, wildlife habitats and coridors, recreational opportunitiesand ecological benefits.

The program should provide training in urban agriculture so that people suffering from burnout orexhaustion can boost their confidence and find greater peace and tranquillity. The trainings should takeplace in the most polluted EU cities.

Urban rooftop gardens might represent a solution to pollution in urban regions.

129

Specific activities carried out under this pilot project would be defined after a consultation process amongMember States and stakeholders in the concerned fields.



Justification:In 2017 for a brief period, pollution levels in some Member States were worse than those in China or India.Outdoor air pollution has grown around 9% globally in the past years. Urban rooftop gardens mightrepresent a solution to persons suffering from burnout or exhaustion.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Micro-plastic particles in bottled water


New studies show that micro-plastic particles have been discovered in bottled water. Tests have been runin several countries and they demonstrate that plastic bottles could have damaging effects on our bodies.The tests have been carried out on several large water-producing brands, and the result is that almost allof these contain small plastic particles. In the largest such experiment, 250 bottles of water wereexamined, which were purchased from 9 different countries. Water-branding companies that have beentested have declared that their bottling plants are working at the highest of standards. At this point, thereis no clear evidence to show that the integration of very small plastic particles could cause seriousdamage, but scientists are still trying to understand the potential results. Many studies show that onceplastic enters the animal body, it generally remains in the body under the same form until their death.

The first objective of this pilot project is to initiate studies and experiments - both by the Europeaninstitutions and by the Member States - on the negative effects of plastic micro-particles in bottled wateron the body. A second objective is to inform the public about the potential effects of micro-particles.



130


Justification:Researches revealed that, on average, 10 plastic micro-particles were found per liter, each being higher thanthe thickness of the human hair.

Traces of a synthetic chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) can be found in more than 80% of teenagers.

The implementation of the project will involve an exchange of view between representatives of memberstates to determine solutions for regulation and standards for water plastic recipients.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — The vertical gardens - the solution to pollution


The aim of this pilot project is to try to combat the pollution and consequently the air quality of everydaylife in cities. Pollution is a greater threat than many other diseases. In 2017 for a brief period, pollutionlevels in some Member States were worse than those in China or India. Outdoor air pollution has grownaround 9% globally in the past years. As air quality declines, risks of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer,and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, increases for people who live in such areas. Carbon dioxide, agreenhouse gas, is the main pollutant that is hazardous for the air quality.

This is done by planting vertical gardens on pillars of highways that cross through cities, on noise-cancelling panels and on other different adjacent traffic constructions. The entire vertical garden ismeant to produce oxygen, suck up harmful gases and capture dust. Furthermore, the whole projectshould be watered through channels that collect rainwater in order to save up on drinkable water.

This project is intended to decrease air pollution primarily derived from traffic in all of the major cities inthe European Union.



Justification:There are Member States where the statistics are alarming. In countries of Eastern Europe such as Romania,

131

28.000 people die per year from certain problems caused by polluted air and about of 1.000.000 other sufferfrom respiratory problems. Only in 2014 half a million people in Europe died prematurely because of low airquality. Transport, beside others, is the main factor for the air pollution in all the Member States.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Younous Omarjee, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Promoting alternatives to animal testing


The Pilot Project, aiming at promoting and developing alternative methods to animal testing, allowedvarious actions (to develop education and training but also to improve information and communicationon alternative methods) that were identified in the three pillars of actions proposed by the Commission forthis pilot project in its 'Interim report on the implementation of Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions2017' (Ref. Ares(2017)1094287 - 01/03/2017) and carried out by the European Commission in 2018.

In order to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of those successful actions, the pilot project should becontinued as a Preparatory Action.



Justification:The pilot project on promoting alternatives to animal testing was successful and should be continued as aPreparatory Action.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




132



07 02 77 49 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Promoting and activating the civil society in knowledge sharing and collecting bestpractises of green cities and green urban environments


Bringing nature into cities and greening our neighbourhoods is one of the biggest underutilisedpossibilities to increase the quality of life of European citizens. Today 72% of the European populationlive in cities, towns and suburbs, and the share of the urban population continues to grow. As cities facean array of challenges, ranging from their impact on residents’ health to environmental concerns, greeninfrastructure has huge potential to offer solutions to many of these problems.

The goal is to present the green as a tool to solve problems and to make the value of the green betterunderstood. It is increasingly important to look ahead and develop a vision of the cities of tomorrowwhere green infrastructure plays a crucial role.

To provide for scientific knowledge and knowledge sharing, tools, methods and innovating approaches toenhance biodiversity and planning and implementing green infrastructure (including green roofs andwalls and sustainable urban agriculture) in cities and improve civil society’s participatory approach indecision-making. This includes as well building together a vision on the green city of tomorrow.

A truly participatory approach involves policymakers, citizens, civil society, including as well elderlypeople and children. Each of these stakeholders has different needs (recreation, mitigation of urbanheath island impacts, improvement of air quality, improved human health, sustainable soft mobility,improved social cohesion, etc.). Therefore the scientific component of the project could co-develop thescience that is needed to support local initiatives which enhance urban green infrastructure, to the benefitof cities’ inhabitants and the improvement of their quality of life.This preparatory action will create and collect material, best practises and guidelines. Distribute thematerial created to the cities, municipalities and administrators to help the mayors to start projects toimprove and increase green infrastructure in cities and urban areas.

The aims of this preparatory action are:

1. To raise awareness of the benefits of green spaces in the built environment

2. To increase the quantity and quality of research and development of new innovations

3. To encourage citizens to act and improve their own neighbourhoods

4. To create a culture of appreciation of the green spaces

5. To increase the number of green infrastructure projects

6. To connect existing initiatives and share best practices across the Member States

7. To create a roadmap of greening the European cities by 2030

8. To prepare for the European year of greener cities 2020


Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the

133


Justification:Green infrastructure, building with nature, has multiple benefits for us. Plants from moss to giant trees canbe incorporated in the built environment in ways that enhance not only the attractiveness of ourneighbourhoods, but have also substantial positive effects on people’s health and well-being, bolster thefight against climate change, and protect biodiversity. Including citizens in the planning processes enables usto create more inclusive and accessible green urban environments.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 3 000 000 2 000 000 3 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 3 000 000 2 000 000 3 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:European fund for the outermost regions and overseas countries and territories for adaptation to climatechange challenges


European islands, outermost regions (ORs) and overseas countries and territories (OCTs) face the sameclimate change challenges as some of the least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developingstates (SIDS). The EU has set up a mechanism for financing adaptation to climate change in the LDCsand SIDS through the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA +).

The establishment of a similar European fund for ORs and OCTs for adaptation to climate changechallenges would help make up for their ineligibility for GCCA + funding and mitigate the impact ofclimate change on them.



Justification:The purpose of this new budget heading is to accommodate a specific European fund for islands, ORs andOCTs for adaptation to climate change so as to offset their ineligibility for European support under theGlobal Climate Change Alliance (GCCA +).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


134


-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action —Promoting alternatives to animal testing







=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Mitigating infectious diseases to counteract loss of European biodiversity asrequired by the Habitats Directive

135


This Preparatory Action is a successor of an earlier Pilot Project, implemented in 2016-2018, but is aimedat adoption of future EU action in this field.

The Pilot project (PP) "Mitigating infectous diseases to counteract loss of European biodiversity asrequired by the habitat directive" has established a Europe wide early warning system for the OIE listeddisease chytridiomycosis in salamanders, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal). Addressing this threat is imposed by both the Habitats Directive and the EU Decision 2018/320.Bsal is currently expanding its range and continues causing mortality in affected ecosystems, causingpopulation extirpations. The passive surveillance system has been shown to be highly efficient in detectingBsal cases. It is therefore of primary importance to extend the project into a Preparatory Action with asfirst aim to maintain this system of passive surveillance for natural populations, and expand it to includepopulations in captivity. The latter have recently been demonstrated to constitute an important reservoirof Bsal. The second aim is to optimize Bsal treatments that should enable proper implementation ofDecision 2018/320. Current treatments are either inappropriate for several salamander species (poor heattolerance) or use antimicrobial compounds that should be prioritized for use in humans as last resortdrugs (voriconazole, colistin). Third, it is crucial for the success of any Bsal abatement plan to eliminatedisease reservoirs. These reservoirs are currently not known but have enabled persistent salamanderdeclines in affected ecosystems for at least 10 years. Identifying reservoirs is therefore key to improvesuccess rates of in situ conservation measures to preserve European salamander diversity. The budget forthis PA is requested for a period of three years.



Justification:The PA aims at counteracting the loss of European biodiversity as required by the Habitats Directive and theEU decision 2018/320. This project cannot be funded by HORIZON2020, the LIFE programme or anotherEuropean programme, which forms the justification for evolving into a preparatory action. The scope of thecurrent proposal is beyond the range of the EU MS and involves the international scientific community.Implementation of this PA's results may be done under eg LIFE programme.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Reserve

Total 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Heading:

136

Pilot project — Invasive Alien Species: Improvement of understanding and communication


Add the following text:


It is widely recognised that preventing invasive alien species from establishing (i.e. effective IASbiosecurity measures) is far more cost-effective than managing and eradicating invasive alien speciesonce they become established. However, two significant barriers have been identified which preventeffective IAS bio-security measures from being implemented: i) a lack of understanding by stakeholdersof the importance of IAS bio-security, and ii) a lack of understanding among natural resource managersand regulators of how to communicate the need for effective IAS biosecurity measures across differentstakeholder groups.


The Pilot Project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, will provide €1.25 million of funding,equally split over two years, to raise awareness of the need to implement effective bio-security measuresacross the following stakeholder groups: farmers, landowners and land managers, environmental NGOs,the horticulture industry, the exotic pet trade, recreational freshwater users (anglers and boaters) andmarine users (recreational boating and industrial shipping), and transport infrastructure authorities(canals, railway sidings, motorway verges), and local authorities. These stakeholder groups having beenidentified as representing the most significant pathways for invasive alien species in Europe.


Specifically, the Pilot Project will appoint officers to begin and lead dialogue within each of the identifiedstakeholder groups. As the existing level of understanding among many stakeholder groups about IASbiosecurity issues is low, the officers will initially determine the level of understanding and concernwithin each of the stakeholder groups. Once the perception of each of the stakeholder groups isdetermined, the officers will then initiate a series of events, workshops and conferences, and produceaccessible sector-specific material, to promote understanding and the exchange of knowledge about theissue within each sector. A secretariat function will manage and oversee the work of the officers, as wellas collate and develop the sector-specific dialogues to identify common problems and identify commonsolutions across sectors.

By undertaking the above engagement activities, it is anticipated that the level of concern, conflict andmisunderstanding around IAS bio-security will be reduced. The novelty in this project lies in its proactivenature, as there have been no previous attempts to constructively engage specific sectors at a pan-European scale on IAS bio-security, and in its collaborative nature, as it simultaneously addresses IASbio-security across related but divergent European sectors.


Pilot project within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the

137

European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to thegeneral budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:IAS are the second greatest driver of extinction globally and are estimated to cost the EU €12,5 bil. annuallyin damages & management. They are a factor that significantly contributes to further degradation of Natura2000 sites and other habitats in/around rural and agricultural areas. This project will support theimplementation of EU Reg. 1143/2014 on IAS & activities towards achieving Target 5 of the EU 2020Biodiversity Strategy and contribute towards achieving 10 out of the 17 SDGs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 49 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Pilot project — Development of a European label for Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV)


The problems that the pilot project aims to address are threefold:

1) On-the-road tests done with PEMS (Emission Analytics) or remote sensing (CONOX – program) showthat Euro5 and Euro6 cars are still emitting much more NOx than allowed. Only since Euro6d (from 1September 2017 onwards) a RDE test is used for the type approval of new types of cars. Testing byEmission Analytics shows that the dirtiest Euro 6 diesels are around three times worse than the cleanestEuro 3/4 vehicles, last of which were type-approved in 2009(https://mailchi.mp/emissionsanalytics/cutting-pollution-and-improving-public-health). That means thatfor reducing NOx, Low Emission Zones (LEZ) restrictions based on solely Euro-classification havetherefore a questionable effectiveness.

2) For European motorists driving in different cities and/or EU member states (with different modalitiesfor clean air zones) the different restrictions and urban access policies in cities create an increasinglyconfusing and possibly costly situation (motorists need comply with different rules and need to acquiredifferent labels or certificates for each city).

3) Depending on the design and implementation of the clean air zones, cities have difficulties to ensurecompliance with LEZ policies of vehicles registered in other Member States.

The pilot project aims to explore a solution for these problems by:

1. Establishing a voluntary Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) label for cars that meet the Euro6ELVs under normal use and that will be assigned to cars tested with PEMS in the RDE test during typeapproval (Euro6d) or certified (under RDE testing) after retrofit.

3. Establishing a voluntary certification and monitoring scheme for the vehicles with an ULEV label.

138

4. Establishing a voluntary European information exchange system (coupled to the Eucaris exchangeplatform) including a digital database with all registered ULEV cars. The information exchange systemwould be available for local authorities for the implementation of LEZ policies.

Possible partners:

1. Research institutes in the field of vehicle emissions (TNO, JRC,...)

2. Motorist organisations (such as ADAC)

3. Retrofit industry associations (such as CLEPA or ERECA)

4. Cities of umbrella organisations of cities (such as Eurocities)



Justification:The European Parliament called for the introduction of a label for ULEVs that meet emission limit values inreal driving conditions (§69, 2016/2908(RSP)). Considering the numerous infringements of EU air qualitystandards for NO2 (21 MS with excedences, more than 130 cities) and the increasing variance of LEZschemes developed by cities, there is a need for a voluntary ULEV label and a related information exchangesystem that cities can use to establish a LEZ certified to work in real driving.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 50 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Pilot project — Feasibility study on a common open platform on chemical safety data


"The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provideindependent scientific advice to decision makers to regulate chemical and food safety in Europe. Throughtheir respective mandates, they collect large amounts of scientific data on substances and their hazardousproperties. At the same time, industry and the academic research community are creating a wealth ofinformation on such topics as well.

However, due to legal, technical, resource or other constraints these vast scientific data collections are notalways fully shared or made accessible to a wider audience and thus not yet reaching their full potential.Therefore, ECHA and EFSA have a vision to increase and simplify access to the vast scientific data

139

collections they hold, enriched with other public data and data fed by external sources.

This could be achieved through a portal including both structured and unstructured data provided byregulatory agencies, industry, academia and other parties with an interest in chemical safety. The portalshould uniquely identify studies and support critical appraisal of studies, text mining, data visualisation,analysis and knowledge sharing.

The goal is to facilitate seamless sharing of data between authorities and provide public access toresearchers, regulators, industry and the citizen at large. This will promote: a) transparency and trust inEU decision making, b) research and data analytics, c) innovation d) less animal testing & morepredictive toxicology, and e) better regulatory decision making and informed consumer choices.

A common portal could provide:

* A registry of toxicological studies for chemical substances and regulated products. Industry-sponsored12 studies are available for regulatory assessment by the respective authority, but they are currently notalways available to other authorities, industrial actors, the research community or the public at large.

* A repository for research and scientific data. Peer-reviewed studies are not always used to the extentthat they could be in regulatory assessments as searching for, and getting access to, studies is resourcedemanding. Scientists as well as publishers of their studies lack the fundamental interest to share datawith the aim to address regulatory questions.

* A platform for data analytics, predictive toxicology (i.e. avoidance of animal testing), betterenvironmental monitoring, better study design, development of artificial intelligence and machinelearning applications.

The proposed project would take the form of a feasibility study which would explore the opportunities forsuch a common platform to deliver valuable benefits to the four identified key stakeholder groups(regulators, academia, industry and the citizens at large).

The first phase of the study would focus on feasibility analysis and the development of use cases. Thefollowing research questions would have to be tackled:

- Regulators, academia, industry and citizens are identified as the key stakeholders but what would betheir roles be and how would they benefit from the common portal?

- Can we learn from existing systems, e.g. EU Clinical Trials Register, Master Record Identifiers systemof the EPA, EU Open Data Portal, IPCheM, OECD eChemPortal, a potential future OECD GlobalChemicals Knowledge Base, ECHA Dissemination Portal, OpenAire, European Open Science Cloud -could any of these systems provide some or all of the portal functionalities.

- How can data owners share information but maintain their intellectual property rights and protection ofconfidential business information/trade secrets?

- How can participants be persuaded to use a common international structured data format forinformation exchange?

- Can information exchange be automated with laboratory systems sharing information via web services?

- How can quality control processes and critical appraisal tools be integrated within the platform?

- What could be the incentives for participation in the portal?

- How could a common platform stimulate new or improved studies and methods for chemical safetyassessment?

- How could a common platform inform the EU research agenda?

The second phase of the study shall develop recommendations for the EU legislator and for EU policydevelopment in this area, based on the identified opportunities and threats.

- What basic provisions would be needed to govern a central EU platform across regulations and EU

140

institutions?

- What are the legal barriers and can legislation act as a driver for participation and imposing a commonformat for delivering the results?

- What would be the resource requirements for adaptation/development and maintenance of a commonportal?

- What are the funding options for the adaptation/development and maintenance of a common portal?

If judged appropriate, the implementation of the pilot project can be delegated to the agencies."



Justification:ECHA and EFSA face restrictions to sharing more data and studies with the general public than they alreadydo, due to business confidentiality and IPR. In addition, the full potential of peer-reviewed studies byindependent researchers may not be realised if they are not available in a structured format. Therefore,ECHA and EFSA have a vision to increase and simplify access to the vast scientific data collections theyhold, enriched with other public data and data fed by external sources.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 50 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Promoting alternatives to animal testing




Legal basis:

141

Add following text:



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 50 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Testing retrofit technologies


"Vehicle emissions tests using PEMS or remote sensing show that some EURO 5 and EURO 6 vehiclesstill emit significantly more NOx under real world conditions compared to test results in the laboratory.Only since the introduction of the Real Driving Emission (RDE) test with EURO 6d (from 1 September2017 onwards), the discrepancy between type approved and real world emissions is reduced.

In order to improve the real world environmental performance of already type approved EURO 5 andEURO 6 vehicles (before the introduction of RDE) retrofitting of vehicles is required.

On 16 April 2018, the European Commission awarded the Horizon Prize on Engine Retrofit for CleanAir. The prize demonstrated the effectiveness of retrofits and the relatively low costs, and spurred thedevelopment of new technologies that can be applied to recent EURO 5 and EURO 6 diesel engines.

Further work to assess the effectiveness of retrofit options, building on the Horizon Prize on EngineRetrofit for Clean Air, is required. A broad range of technologies should be assessed on a variety ofengine technologies of various EURO classes, including Gasoline Particle Filters retrofit options.Moreover, possible certification schemes for retrofit solutions should be assessed, in order to provide clearinformation to consumers and enhance trust in the effectiveness of retrofit options.


- To perform a broad testing campaign, testing the effectiveness of different retrofit options to determinewhich technologies under which conditions are able to meet the Euro 6 emission limit values (ELV) andthe relevant access requirements for Low Emission Zones (LEZ), using laboratory and the real drivingemissions test, covering a broad range of driving conditions, engine technologies and EURO classes.

- To assess a variety of possible certification schemes for retrofit solutions.

142

The project builds upon the work already performed by the Commission in the context of the ‘HorizonPrize’ on retrofits (see http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizonprize/index.cfm?prize=engine-retrofit)"



Justification:Considering the numerous infringements of EU air quality standards for NO2 (21 Member States withexceedances, more than 130 cities) and the low environmental performance of many EURO 5 and EURO 6vehicles under real world conditions, retrofits of already type approved vehicles are required. However,retrofit technologies have not been adequately tested and an appropriate certification scheme is currentlymissing.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 51 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Pilot project — Feasibility study on a common open platform on chemical safety data


The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provideindependent scientific advice to decision makers to regulate chemical and food safety in Europe. Throughtheir respective mandates, they collect large amounts of scientific data on substances and their hazardousproperties. At the same time, industry and the academic research community are creating a wealth ofinformation on such topics as well.

However, due to legal, technical, resource or other constraints these vast scientific data collections are notalways fully shared or made accessible to a wider audience and thus not yet reaching their full potential.Therefore, ECHA and EFSA have a vision to increase and simplify access to the vast scientific datacollections they hold, enriched with other public data and data fed by external sources.

This could be achieved through a portal including both structured and unstructured data provided byregulatory agencies, industry, academia and other parties with an interest in chemical safety. The portalshould uniquely identify studies and support critical appraisal of studies, text mining, data visualisation,analysis and knowledge sharing.

The goal is to facilitate seamless sharing of data between authorities and provide public access toresearchers, regulators, industry and the citizen at large. This will promote: a) transparency and trust in

143

EU decision making, b) research and data analytics, c) innovation d) less animal testing & morepredictive toxicology, and e) better regulatory decision making and informed consumer choices.

A common portal could provide:

* A registry of toxicological studies for chemical substances and regulated products. Industry-sponsoredstudies are available for regulatory assessment by the respective authority, but they are currently notalways available to other authorities, industrial actors, the research community or the public at large.

* A repository for research and scientific data. Peer-reviewed studies are not always used to the extentthat they could be in regulatory assessments as searching for, and getting access to, studies is resourcedemanding. Scientists as well as publishers of their studies lack the fundamental interest to share datawith the aim to address regulatory questions.

* A platform for data analytics, predictive toxicology (i.e. avoidance of animal testing), betterenvironmental monitoring, better study design, development of artificial intelligence and machinelearning applications.

The proposed project would take the form of a feasibility study which would explore the opportunities forsuch a common platform to deliver valuable benefits to the four identified key stakeholder groups(regulators, academia, industry and the citizens at large).

The first phase of the study would focus on feasibility analysis and the development of use cases. Thefollowing research questions would have to be tackled:

- Regulators, academia, industry and citizens are identified as the key stakeholders but what would betheir roles be and how would they benefit from the common portal?

- Can we learn from existing systems, e.g. EU Clinical Trials Register, Master Record Identifiers systemof the EPA, EU Open Data Portal, IPCheM, OECD eChemPortal, a potential future OECD GlobalChemicals Knowledge Base, ECHA Dissemination Portal, OpenAire, European Open Science Cloud -could any of these systems provide some or all of the portal functionalities

- How can data owners share information but maintain their intellectual property rights and protection ofconfidential business information/trade secrets?

- How can participants be persuaded to use a common international structured data format forinformation exchange?

- Can information exchange be automated with laboratory systems sharing information via web services?

- How can quality control processes and critical appraisal tools be integrated within the platform?

- What could be the incentives for participation in the portal?

- How could a common platform stimulate new or improved studies and methods for chemical safetyassessment?

- How could a common platform inform the EU research agenda?

The second phase of the study shall develop recommendations for the EU legislator and for EU policydevelopment in this area, based on the identified opportunities and threats.

- What basic provisions would be needed to govern a central EU platform across regulations and EUinstitutions?

- What are the legal barriers and can legislation act as a driver for participation and imposing a commonformat for delivering the results?

- What would be the resource requirements for adaptation/development and maintenance of a commonportal?

- What are the funding options for the adaptation/development and maintenance of a common portal?

144

If judged appropriate, the implementation of the pilot project can be delegated to the agencies.



Justification:ECHA and EFSA face restrictions to sharing more data and studies with the general public than they alreadydo, due to business confidentiality and IPR. In addition, the full potential of peer-reviewed studies byindependent researchers may not be realised if they are not available in a structured format. Therefore,ECHA and EFSA have a vision to increase and simplify access to the vast scientific data collections theyhold, enriched with other public data and data fed by external sources.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 51 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Map of solutions, best practices and remedies for Lindane pesticide wastedecontamination in the Union


γ-HCH, commonly known as Lindane, was widely used from the early 1940s as an insecticide inagriculture, in households and in wood and textile protection.

Its agricultural use began to be restricted in the 1970s due to concerns over its effects on human healthand the environment and it was finally banned in the Union in 2000. Finally in 2009, the production andagricultural use of Lindane was also banned internationally under the Stockholm Convention onpersistent organic pollutants. Lindane can harm the nervous system, producing a range of symptoms fromheadache and dizziness to seizures, convulsions and, more rarely, death. Based primarily on evidencefrom animal studies, most evaluations of Lindane have concluded that it may cause cancer.

Although Lindane has been banned as a crop pesticide since 2000, old production and dumping sites forthis highly toxic pesticide still exist throughout the Union (e.g. in Slovenia, Germany, Romania andSpain), and while there is extensive knowledge about other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) there isno clear picture of the scale of Lindane- contaminated sites in the Union, and the volume of HCH whichcan enter the waste/water regime via contaminated construction and demolition waste from historicalproduction and storage sites is unknown. Lindane may also evaporate and affect human health byinhalation. According to several reports made by the European Parliament and United Nations, highconcentrations of Lindane can be found in several Member States (France, Portugal, Spain,

145

Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg).

Although the Union has a comprehensive legal framework as regards production and waste managementof POPs and a fairly well developed system for authorising or reauthorising the introduction of newpesticides, there are no rules or remedies in connection with existing Lindane sites, decontaminationtechniques and the regeneration of industrial sites. There is also a variety of techniques, ranging fromsealed confinement to incineration and chemical reaction to and the use of genetically modified plantsand sealed confinement, etc.

National, regional and local authorities sometimes are given no assistance with addressing negativeeffects on the environment and health as regards decontaminating industrial production sites, including alack of Union funding possibilities. In order to deal with this and taking into account the new Unionopportunities under the circular economy proposals, this pilot project has the following objectives:

(1) identifying and mapping Lindane waste sites in the Union and cataloguing the actions taken by thevarious administrations to decontaminate Lindane waste sites and to assess the effectiveness of theactions carried out and the public investments made. This project will identify the strengths andweaknesses of POP and other pesticide decontamination as part of the endocrine disruptors debate;

(2) facilitating the exchange of knowledge, best practices and technological transfer involved in HCH andLindane decontamination actions throughout the Union so that this knowledge can be transferred toother regions with similar problems. This project will also disseminate the results of specific actionsfinanced under previous LIFE and Horizon 2020 projects;

(3) identifying possible additional Union funding for decontamination of sites in the Union and bestpractices in connection with projects to regenerate former industrial sites, in particular specific projects tobe financed under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in close cooperation with theEFSI hub;

(4) identifying research needs for developing further additional methods for more efficient and safe HCHand Lindane waste decontamination;

(5) drawing up guidelines on a sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to site redevelopmentfor regional/ national/local administrations.

This pilot project was supported by the European Parliament and Council in 2017 and was allocated EUR600 000 in commitment appropriations in the 2018 Budget. This figure should be significantly increasedin 2019 to respond to the needs of the project and the interest it has raised among national, regional, localand EU institutions.




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


146


-------------------------------




07 02 77 52 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Reserve

Total 1 250 000 625 000 1 250 000 625 000

Heading:Pilot project — Invasive Alien Species: Improvement of understanding and communication



It is widely recognised that preventing invasive alien species from establishing (i.e. effective IAS bio-security measures) is far more cost-effective than managing and eradicating invasive alien species oncethey become established. However, two significant barriers have been identified which prevent effectiveIAS bio-security measures from being implemented: i) a lack of understanding by stakeholders of theimportance of IAS bio-security, and ii) a lack of understanding among natural resource managers andregulators of how to communicate the need for effective IAS biosecurity measures across differentstakeholder groups.


The Pilot Project, with a view to becoming a preparatory action, will provide €1.25 million of funding,equally split over two years, to raise awareness of the need to implement effective bio-security measuresacross the following stakeholder groups: farmers, landowners and land managers, environmental NGOs,the horticulture industry, the exotic pet trade, recreational freshwater users (anglers and boaters) andmarine users (recreational boating and industrial shipping), and transport infrastructure authorities(canals, railway sidings, motorway verges), and local authorities. These stakeholder groups having beenidentified as representing the most significant pathways for invasive alien species in Europe.


Specifically, the Pilot Project will appoint officers to begin and lead dialogue within each of the identifiedstakeholder groups. As the existing level of understanding among many stakeholder groups about IASbiosecurity issues is low, the officers will initially determine the level of understanding and concernwithin each of the stakeholder groups. Once the perception of each of the stakeholder groups isdetermined, the officers will then initiate a series of events, workshops and conferences, and produceaccessible sector-specific material, to promote understanding and the exchange of knowledge about theissue within each sector. A secretariat function will manage and oversee the work of the officers, as wellas collate and develop the sector-specific dialogues to identify common problems and identify common

147

solutions across sectors.

By undertaking the above engagement activities, it is anticipated that the level of concern, conflict andmisunderstanding around IAS bio-security will be reduced. The novelty in this project lies in its proactivenature, as there have been no previous attempts to constructively engage specific sectors at a pan-European scale on IAS bio-security, and in its collaborative nature, as it simultaneously addresses IASbio-security across related but divergent European sectors.



Justification:IAS are the second greatest driver of extinction globally and are estimated to cost the EU €12,5 bil. annuallyin damages & management. They are a factor that significantly contributes to further degradation of Natura2000 sites and other habitats in/around rural and agricultural areas. This project will support theimplementation of EU Reg. 1143/2014 on IAS & activities towards achieving Target 5 of the EU 2020Biodiversity Strategy and contribute towards achieving 10 out of the 17 SDGs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 53 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000

Reserve

Total 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000



For more than four decades, the production of phosphoric acid in the province of Huelva has led to theformation of phosphogypsum - a polluting residue that, together with other industrial by-products, isdeposited in ponds with a surface area of more than 1 200 hectares. In 1968, two firms in the Huelvachemical industry development zone - Fertiberia and Foret - obtained an administrative licence to dumpthat waste product, 120 million tonnes of which are contained in stacks only 500 metres away from homesin the district of Pérez Cubillas. As a result of a change in European and national legislation, a NationalHigh Court judgment put a curb on dumping in December 2010 and required Fertiberia to submit andimplement an environmental regeneration plan. The plan applies to 420 hectares only; that section mustbe excluded from the scope of this pilot project. It is nonetheless essential that the Commission monitorthe overall project for the area so to ensure that comprehensive, coherent and effective action is taken.That supervisory function would also be in line with the infringement proceedings that have been brought

148

against Spain (ref. 20072448).

Almost half a century of phosphogypsums dumping into the Tinto marshes adjoining the town of Huelvahas created a serious and complex environmental problem. The dumping of waste, including oil, heavy-metal deposits and other toxic waste products, has seriously polluted the river; that is undeniably anenvironmental disaster. Furthermore, proximity to Huelva and the risks of contamination that dumpingposes for the local population, especially in watercourses and aquifers, raise serious concerns aboutpossible consequences for health in general. Therefore, a long-term strategy is needed with maximumguarantees for territorial regeneration and the health of the population - a solution that cannot beprovided at municipal level only.

Accordingly, the city council has promoted the setting up of the Phosphogypsum Platform, which is aforum involving all administrative levels - the city council's political groups (municipal level), theAndalucía Government Representation (regional level) and the Ministry of the Environment through theSpanish Government Representation (state level) - together with the relevant stakeholders: the PortAuthority, the Huelva Employers Federation, the Chamber of Commerce, the trade unions UGT (GeneralUnion of Workers) and CCOO (Federation of Workers' Commissions), Huelva University, and residents'and environment federations and associations.

A committee of experts appointed by Huelva University has issued warnings about the instability andpermeability of the land. According to the report that has been published, which analyses the soilstructure of the marshland beneath the phosphogypsum ponds, the overpressure caused by the waste hasresulted in fluid leaks from marshland layers to other areas in the same way that water is pushed out of asponge when it is squeezed. The risk is that, because of pressure loss caused by fluid migration, thestructure supporting the stacks will collapse, as a result of which part of the phosphogypsum depositmight flow towards the Tinto river channel. Such revelations heighten public concern even further andmake tackling this environmental disaster even more of a priority.

The study to be carried out under this pilot project will provide the necessary scientific and economicbasis for identifying existing solutions at European level that have been developed in similarcircumstances elsewhere (Rieme in Belgium, Kavala in Greece, Engis in Belgium, Thessaloniki inGreece, Grand-Quevilly in France, Siilinjarvi in Finland, Police in Poland, Bolesławice in Poland, andKėdainiai in Lithuania). After identifying the solutions, the study will make it possible to compare them soas to determine best practices for decontamination and regeneration of the areas affected, as well as forrecycling phosphogypsum waste and finding new uses for it, e.g. as construction material. The Europeandimension is essential so that good practices that are already being followed in, for instance, Belgium(Terranova project) are identified and compared with a view to applying them both in Huelva and insimilar circumstances elsewhere in the EU.



Justification:It is essential to carry out a study that identifies existing and replicable solutions and good practices inEurope for the decontamination and environmental regeneration of marshland polluted by phosphogypsumwaste, which is a by-product of fertiliser production, as well as recycling it for new applications. EUR 1.2million is required for project implementation during the 2014-2020 funding period (with the possibility of n+ 1, 2 or 3).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

149



-------------------------------




07 02 77 53 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000

Reserve

Total 1 200 000 600 000 1 200 000 600 000



For more than four decades, the production of phosphoric acid in the province of Huelva has led to theformation of phosphogypsum - a polluting residue that, together with other industrial by-products, isdeposited in ponds with a surface area of more than 1 200 hectares. In 1968, two firms in the Huelvachemical industry development zone - Fertiberia and Foret - obtained an administrative licence to dumpthat waste product, 120 million tonnes of which are contained in stacks only 500 metres away from homesin the district of Pérez Cubillas. As a result of a change in European and national legislation, a NationalHigh Court judgment put a curb on dumping in December 2010 and required Fertiberia to submit andimplement an environmental regeneration plan. The plan applies to 420 hectares only; that section mustbe excluded from the scope of this pilot project. It is nonetheless essential that the Commission monitorthe overall project for the area so as to ensure that comprehensive, coherent and effective action is taken.That supervisory function would also be in line with the infringement proceedings that have been broughtagainst Spain (ref. 20072448).

Almost half a century of phosphogypsum dumping into the Tinto marshes adjoining the town of Huelvahas created a serious and complex environmental problem. The dumping of waste, including oil, heavy-metal deposits and other toxic waste products, has seriously polluted the river; that is undeniably anenvironmental disaster. Furthermore, proximity to Huelva and the risks of contamination that dumpingposes for the local population, especially in watercourses and aquifers, raise serious concerns aboutpossible consequences for health in general. Therefore, a long-term strategy is needed with maximumguarantees for territorial regeneration and the health of the population - a solution that cannot beprovided at municipal level only.

Accordingly, the citycouncil has promoted the setting up of the Phosphogypsum Platform, which isaforum involving all administrative levels - the city council's political groups (municipal level), theAndalucía Government Representation (regional level) and the Ministry of the Environment through theSpanish Government Representation (state level) - together with therelevant stakeholders: the PortAuthority, the Huelva Employers Federation, the Chamber of Commerce, the trade unions UGT (GeneralUnion of Workers) and CCOO (Federation of Workers' Commissions), Huelva University, and residents'and environment federations and associations.

A committee of experts appointed by Huelva University has issued warnings about the instability andpermeability of the land. According to the report that has been published, which analyses the soilstructure of the marshland beneath the phosphogypsum ponds, the overpressure caused by the waste hasresulted in fluid leaks from marshland layers to other areas in the same way that water is pushed out of asponge when it is squeezed. The risk is that, because of pressure loss caused by fluid migration, the

150

structure supporting the stacks will collapse, as a result of which part of the phosphogypsum depositmight flow towards the Tinto river channel. Such revelations heighten public concern even further andmake tackling this environmental disaster even more of a priority.

The study to be carried out under this pilot project will provide the necessary scientific and economicbasis for identifying existing solutions at European level that have been developed in similarcircumstances elsewhere (Rieme in Belgium, Kavala in Greece, Engis in Belgium, Thessaloniki inGreece, Grand-Quevilly in France, Siilinjarvi in Finland, Police in Poland, Bolesławice in Poland, andKėdainiai in Lithuania). After identifying the solutions, the study will make it possible to compare them soas to determine best practices for decontamination and regeneration of the areas affected, as well as forrecycling phosphogypsum waste and finding new uses for it, e.g. as construction material. The Europeandimension is essential so that good practices that are already being followed in, for instance, Belgium(Terranova project) are identified and compared with a view to applying them both in Huelva and insimilar circumstances elsewhere in the EU.

"



Justification:It is essential to carry out a study that identifies existing and replicable solutions and good practices inEurope for the decontamination and environmental regeneration of marshland polluted by phosphogypsumwaste, which is a by-product of fertiliser production, as well as recycling it for new applications. EUR 1.2million is required for project implementation during the 2014-2020 funding period (with the possibility of n+ 1, 2 or 3).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




07 02 77 53 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Correct reforestation - giving nature back


"Reforestation does not fight climate change unless it is done right. The action of reforestation is theconcept of planting trees to recreate missing forests or to strengthen existing ones.

There are, however, problems when it comes to reforestation. Recent studies have shown that 85% of

151

forests on the continent are managed by humans. In the last years, they preferred to plant morecommercially valuable and fast-growing species of trees. The most planted type of tree is conifer andusually people use conifers to also reforest other areas that were once populated by broad-leaved trees.The conifer type does not offer the same advantages, as do leaved trees. The leaves of trees reflect thesolar radiation back up while the needles absorb more of it. Going further, planting the wrong trees canharm the environment, by heating a cold area or by cooling a hot area.

In conclusion, correct reforestation could lead to an improved solution to combat climate change.

The project will consist of workshops with stakeholders such as the administrators of forests, professors ofenvironmental sciences and governments’ officials. In these workshops, there will be sessions on correctreforestation according to the area of application and on stopping deforestation. These trainings shouldnot take more than 2-3 days per community. At the end of the workshop the stakeholders should have aclear overview of the dangers incorrect reforestation has on the environment and should also have a bestpractice scenario to start with.

"



Justification:Reforestation is an effective mitigation strategy to fight global warming. Studies have shown that correctreforestation has a positive impact on the environment while incorrect reforestation could lead toacceleration of climate change. Planting wrongfully could lead to hot areas becoming cold and vice-versa.This could also have an impact on people living in those areas and it has the potential to preserve endangeredspecies from extinction.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




08 02 77 07 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Advancing industry decarbonisation through an assessment of the use of renewableenergies in industrial processes


The aim of the pilot project is to create a study to analyse the present and future potential demand ofrenewable energy of industrial sectors and processes, and to make a comparative analysis of their

152

ambitions, efficiency in reducing CO2-emissions, technology needs, and investment needs, to be able toidentify priorities in direct and indirect electrification of industrial processes, which is essential todecarbonise our industries.

Such a comparison should look at the following issues:

1. CO2-emissions saved in industrial processes through direct or indirect electrification;

2. Value created through direct or indirect electrification (i.e. what is the value added of usingdecarbonised electricity or hydrogen in a specific sector or process compared to other means ofdecarbonisation);

3. The impact of the (direct or indirect) electrification on the energy system, in particular in terms ofdemand flexibility to contribute to grid supply/demand balance, sector coupling and electricity storage(i.e. apart from the impact on electricity demand, can the electrification of a sector or industrial processcontribute to making the energy system more flexible, stable and secure, for example via demandresponse, long-term storage, or via reducing or re-using waste-heat);

The project should focus on as many industrial sectors as possible, in particular on the key industrialCO2-emitters as well as on intermediate products that enable the creation of a more sustainable supplychain, and on industrial processes with high added value. The project should include a methodology toprioritise sectors and industries.

The project needs to include a few case studies with industrial partners to test the analysis in practicalbusiness cases.



Justification:Industrial processes account for a great share of the EU's greenhouse-gas and other emissions. Decarbonisingthe industry will require the use of more renewable energy sources. The industry therefore looks atelectrification, either direct or indirect. A major challenge will be the integration and flexibility of theselarge electricity consumers in the energy system to ensure a stable energy supply. Hence, a study onindustrial sector prioritisation and impact on the energy system is crucial.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




08 02 77 07 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 750 000 750 000 750 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Advancing industry decarbonisation through an assessment of the use of renewable

153

energies in industrial processes


"The aim of the pilot project is to create a study to analyse the present and future potential demand ofrenewable energy of industrial sectors and processes, and to make a comparative analysis of theirambitions, efficiency in reducing CO2-emissions, technology needs, and investment needs, to be able toidentify priorities in direct and indirect electrification of industrial processes, which is essential todecarbonise our industries.

Such a comparison should look at the following issues:

1. CO2-emissions saved in industrial processes through direct or indirect electrification;

2. Value created through direct or indirect electrification (i.e. what is the value added of usingdecarbonised electricity or hydrogen in a specific sector or process compared to other means ofdecarbonisation);

3. The impact of the (direct or indirect) electrification on the energy system, in particular in terms ofdemand flexibility to contribute to grid supply/demand balance, sector coupling and electricity storage(i.e. apart from the impact on electricity demand, can the electrification of a sector or industrial processcontribute to making the energy system more flexible, stable and secure, for example via demandresponse, long-term storage, or via reducing or re-using waste-heat);

The project should focus on as many industrial sectors as possible, in particular on the key industrialCO2-emitters as well as on intermediate products that enable the creation of a more sustainable supplychain, and on industrial processes with high added value. The project should include a methodology toprioritise sectors and industries.

The project needs to include a few case studies with industrial partners to test the analysis in practicalbusiness cases."



Justification:Industrial processes account for a great share of the EU's greenhouse-gas and other emissions. Decarbonisingthe industry will require the use of more renewable energy sources. The industry therefore looks atelectrification, either direct or indirect. A major challenge will be the integration and flexibility of theselarge electricity consumers in the energy system to ensure a stable energy supply. Hence, a study onindustrial sector prioritisation and impact on the energy system is crucial.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------



154


08 02 77 07 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — The development of regional institutional capacity to support strategic planning in bioeconomy


The pilot project envisages the creation of extensive operational networks (research, education, farmers,representatives of local and regional government) in order to increase the involvement of relevantstakeholders in developing a coherent approach to bio-economy related to unused resources in agri- fromthe farm gate to the consumer.



Justification:The creation of these complex partnerships will contribute to raising public awareness of the challenges andopportunities of the bio-economy in the region under consideration.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Add: 08 05 03Budget 2018 Draft budget 2019 Council's position 2019 Difference New amount


08 05 03 2 000 000 1 750 000 2 000 000 1 750 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 750 000 2 000 000 1 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Research on reduction of C02 emissions in steel production


This proposed PP aims at providing financial support to EU research on the most promising andenvironmentally friendly steelmaking technology which almost completely removes C02 emissions byreplacing Carbon with Hydrogen, and by capturing, storing and processing any remaining produced C02through more advanced and cost-efficient standard industrial techniques, and the deployment of cuttingedge bio-industrial technologies, such as biosequestration and integrated C02 bio-refineries. Theproposed holistic approach aims at achieving zero C02 emissions in steel production through the

155

maximization of the complementarity of advanced versions of these technologies.

The first step, aiming at identifying technical barriers for upscaling carbon direct avoidance techniques(via hydrogen and electric steelmaking) and smart carbon usage (via process integration and carboncapture utilisation) has been initiated under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) as a feasibilitystudy which may lead in 2020 to a wider European innovation initiative.

The proposed PP will explore synergies between the RFCS, Horizon 2020, the EU Innovation Fund(Climate), FCH-JU, BBI-JU, as well as other relevant EU funding instruments in order to promote theestablishment of an industrial steelmaking pilot plant with zero C02 emissions, including its potentiallinkage to an integrated C02 bio-refinery.



Justification:The steel industry contributes to the C02 emissions. Several research projects haven been carried out in thesteel sector providing solutions for process optimisation and new production processes to reduceincrementally energy consumption and C02 emissions. The EU long-term energy and environment targets(80-95% C02 reductions by 2050) can only be met through breakthrough technologies which require largeinvestments in research. Long-term sustainability requires replacing coal and coke.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

Draft amendment 3 === CULT/5757 ===

Tabled by Committee on Culture and Education

-------------------------------


Item 09 02 77 06 — Pilot project — Media councils in the digital era



09 02 77 06 500 000 250 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 500 000 150 000 500 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 p.m. 350 000 p.m. 350 000 500 000 150 000 500 000 500 000

Justification:The rise of fake news has sent a strong signal to traditional media around the world testifying to anunprecedented crisis faced by journalism in our democracies. Media self-regulation and bodies are crucial inpromoting respect for ethical standards in the media, guaranteeing media accountability and restoring trust inthe sector. The renewal of the project for another year will enable the promising work so far to continue.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Siegfried Mureşan, Jean Arthuis, Jerzy Buzek, Danuta Maria Hübner, Alain Lamassoure, MortenLøkkegaard, Mercedes Bresso, Sylvie Guillaume, Jo Leinen, Silvia Costa, Benedek Jávor, Helga Trüpel,Eva Maydell, Monika Hohlmeier, Elmar Brok

-------------------------------

156


Item 09 02 77 07 — Pilot project — Exchange of media ‘rising stars’ to speed up innovation and increasecross-border coverage (‘Stars4media’)



09 02 77 07 1 200 000 600 000 p.m. 600 000 p.m. 600 000 3 000 000 1 500 000 3 000 000 2 100 000

Reserve

Total 1 200 000 600 000 p.m. 600 000 p.m. 600 000 3 000 000 1 500 000 3 000 000 2 100 000




Supporting promising media professionals to support democracyMedia innovations are called for bypolitical and economic developments.

Democracy requires quality news, and qualitynews and the media needs innovation to survive economicallyand address online disinformation and low quality news coverage recently witnessed.need innovations. Asplatforms dominate, the risk increases of a ‘post-truth’ era where online mis-/disinformation, politicalpolarisation‘fake news’ and populism prosper. This risk is increased in the run-up to the 2019 Europeanelections.flourish. The recent white paper on ‘The Future of Europe’ states: ‘We want to live in a democracywith a diversity of views and a critical, independent and free press’.

In fact, outsideThe number of journalists and news outlets is shrinking (apart from broadcasting, which islargely publicly funded, both the number of journalists and of news outlets is shrinking.funded).Subsidising endangered models is not the solution. Innovation requires cross-border cooperation, mobilityand faster careers for promising newcomers.‘fresh blood’. An ‘Erasmus for media professionals’ —financing cross-border exchanges between media professionals under whatever project name — should bepiloted.

Spreading knowledge and skills through an exchange programme of media professionalsThis pilot projectfits policy trends and is widely called for by the media. It focuses not only on mobility of mediaprofessionals, content exchanges and journalism quality, but also on media innovation and sustainablebusiness models. Moreover, it includes a ‘reciprocal exchange’ for journalists and other media professionals,with all participating media both hosting and sending candidates. This will ensure the quality of training andmaximise the ‘return on investment’ for the sending media. The pilot project will be organised in thematicwaves. It will involve not only journalists, but also communication, marketing and IT professionals. Asteering committee will be set up and involve media stakeholders.

Participants from selected pairs spend 1 to 3 months at each other’s location, plus initial training anddebrief / follow-ups, ensuring cooperation for nearly a year within each ‘thematic wave’. The thematicwaves are set up in cooperation with relevant media associations, in order to match like-minded mediaand quality ideas. Thematic waves of exchange are organised by sub-sector (business media, centre-right,centre-left, liberal, green, associative radios etc.), by innovation area (data journalism, light video, mobile,etc.) or by editorial approach or topic (e.g. investigation, EU elections, migrations, developmentetc.).Several policy trends lead to this media skills pilot project. First, consideration is being given to makingskills programmes more sector-specific under the post 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework,complementing education programmes such as Erasmus+ and Erasmus Pro without affecting their budgets.Secondly, the digital single market is currently only a horizontal concept; its pending review could lead to‘vertical’ media sector initiatives. Thirdly, the media sector is seen by the Union chiefly as a communicationchannel or an area for press freedom issues, and not as an economic sector in crisis. The Union’s R&D

157

programmes are mostly unrelated to this sector. This pilot project will test a concept suited to a strategicindustry in crisis, with low risks and high impact. Finally, the project will build on the results of the earlierCommission feasibility study on ‘Erasmus for Journalists’ (2011).

Young professionals - communication, marketing, and IT professionals -, not only journalists, are pairedbetween like-minded media from different countries, and work at each other’s media on joint projectideas. As media professionals are more mobile, innovative and credible when they have 5 to 10 years workexperience, the core target is 25 to 30 year-old professionals, on average.Interviews with 30 editors andpublishers in the #Media4EU series provided the basis for this project. All this translates into strong supportin media and political circles (project findings and support list to be available). Fifty media organisations,experts and associations already back this project, as do a number of MEPs from several groups. (A fullerlist of those providing moral support, including 14 MEPs, is available online under ‘Yes, rising stars formedia innovation’ (Eramus4media, provisional name).)

Add following text:

The project does not focus only on mobility of media professionals, content exchanges and journalismquality. It also promotes media innovation and sustainable business models. Moreover, it involves a‘reciprocal exchange’ of journalists and other media professionals, with all participating media bothhosting and sending candidates. This ensures the quality of the training and maximises the ‘Return onInvestment’ for media outlets sharing staff.

The PP will be organised around thematic waves. A process is suggested for media independence, impactfor participants, and effectiveness. A Steering committee will be set up and involve media stakeholders. Itwill help ensure the quality control of the project and allow partners to learn from the results of the firstyear before setting the priorities for the second. In order to ensure editorial reach and businessinnovation, this pilot project stems from media professionals, which should make up most of the projectsteering committee.

This pilot project bridges the gap between initial trainings and large R&D projects. It pioneers skill sectorprogrammes envisaged under MFF after 2020. Extracts from the Commission draft communication onhow to tackle disinformation indicate: ‘Under the next MFF, the Commission will propose to scale upinitiatives to support media freedom and pluralism, quality news media and journalism, including skills,collaboration, monitoring, data-driven platforms, new technologies, and training for journalists’.

Year 2 - Building on experience

Building on the first year of implementation, the renewed project will enhance and extend the pilotproject’s activities. Additional financing is therefore requested to ensure continuity and the achievementof the project’s main goals.In particular, the project will focus in its second year on increasing the number of participants and onadding new thematic waves. Outreach effort will be increased in order to increase the project’sattractiveness among participating media and media professionals.

The project will take into account recent EU policy developments, notably initiatives to tacklemisinformation and disinformation, as well as a possible European strategy for the media sector for 2019-2024, all leading to more sustainable media. This present pilot project (PP) also fits the latest policy needsreinforced by the focus on online disinformation:

1. A stronger sector orientation of skill programmes is considered, and envisaged for the MFF after 2020,complementing initial education programmes like Erasmus Plus and Erasmus Pro not affecting theirbudgets.

2. The Digital Single Market is till now only horizontal: its further review could lead to ‘vertical’ mediasector initiatives.

3. The media sector is addressed by the EU chiefly as a communications channel or as an area for pressfreedom issues, not really as an economic sector in crisis. This PP is testing a concept suited for a

158

strategic industry in crisis, with low risks and high impact. This fits with the Commission draftcommunication on how to tackle disinformation: ‘There is a need to take action to further supportEurope’s quality media in the digital environment, reinforce the key societal and democratic role ofquality journalism, and encourage quality news media to explore innovative forms of journalism.’

4. Finally this project takes into account the results of the European Commission’s earlier feasibilitystudy on ‘ERASMUS for Journalists’ (2011).

Media professionals call for the continuation of the pilot project


The project is widely called for by the media. The rationale for this proposal is indeed based on interviewswith 30 editors and publishers in the #Media4EU series, as well as the results of the first year of the pilotproject. All this translates into strong support in media and political circles (the project’s findings andsupport list are available). 50 media, experts and associations already back this proposal, as well as anumber of MEP’s from several groups. To ensure innovation:To ensure innovation, the principles ofindependence and effectiveness principles should be respected.


Several elements have been taken into account — previous attempts based chiefly on exchanging content,training journalists and good external inspirations — focusing on sustainable media innovations, and not juston coverage of European topics. Indeed, there are several ways of furthering media coverage at Europeanlevel, but typically they are not sustainable after the Union support ends.


Based on these interviews, several elements have been taken into account: previous attempts based chieflyon exchanging content, training journalists, and external benchmarking. This project focuses onsustainable media innovations, not just coverage of European topics. Indeed, several ways of helpingmedia coverage exist at European level, however they are typically not sustainable once EU support isremoved.Media professionals are most mobile, innovative and credible when they have between five and 10years of professional experience. Hence, the core target group will be around 25 to 30 years old, but therewill be exceptions.

High return on investmentThe thematic waves will be set up in cooperation with relevant mediaassociations in order to match like-minded media and quality ideas. Topics for calls for proposals (notexhaustive) could be broken down by sub-sector (business media, centre-right, centre-left, green, communityradio, etc.), by innovation area (data journalism, light video, mobile, etc.) or by editorial angle (investigation,European elections, migration, development, etc.). Participants from selected pairs will swap locations forone to three months, as well as taking part in initial training and debriefing/follow-up sessions, ensuringcooperation for nearly a year within each ‘thematic wave’.

The project will provide great cost-efficiency and impact. The project promotion and pre-selection ofcandidates will take into account not only individual profiles but also the project ideas they wish toexplore, ensuringbe very cost-effective and have a major impact. Project promotion and preselection ofcandidates will take into account not only individual profiles but also the project ideas they wish to explore(ensuring a good return on investment, in terms of time and pay by their employers.pay, for theiremployers).

Depending on the available budget, up to several hundred ‘rising stars’ and media organisations could beconnected. The project will not pay for participants’ wages, but only mobility costs and related trainings(in addition to promotion, selection, administration). Therefore the cost per participant is strictlycontrolled, ensuring real results and a good multiplier effect. Based on the initiators’ experience, manymore applications will be received than places available. Therefore, selection willbudget available, up toseveral hundred ‘rising stars’ and media organisations could be linked up. The project will not payparticipants’ salaries, only travel and training expenses (in addition to promotion, selection andadministration). Therefore the cost per participant will be reasonable; there will be real results and a good

159

budget multiplier effect. Experience suggests that many more applications will be received than there areplaces available. Selection will therefore be strict, providing a boost to participants’ careers and a good‘brand’.


A process is suggested for media independence, impact for participants and effectiveness. To ensureeditorial reach and business innovation, this pilot project originates with media professionals, who shouldmake up most of the project steering committee.

To also ensure a focus on young professionals (not students) and on sector-specific skills, the rightCommission department should be involved. The project could be administered either by DG GROW (a‘sectoral leg’ of its ‘Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’ programme), or by DG CONNECT (a new mediadirectorate complementing its R&D-originated actions with innovation-enabling skills). Different proceduresexist, from open calls to restricted selection, in order to ensure prompt select of a good ‘managingorganisation’.

Justification:Attacks on democracy, disinformation and other challenges to the media all call for cooperation acrossmedia, countries and functions. Exchanging media ‘rising stars’ is an efficient way of speeding mediainnovation and change up. In this light, the ‘Erasmus for media professionals’, funding cross-borderexchanges and innovation projects, should be renewed and strengthened.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


Item 09 02 77 08 — Preparatory action — Monitoring media pluralism in the digital era



09 02 77 08 750 000 375 000 p.m. 562 500 p.m. 562 500 1 000 000 750 000 1 000 000 1 312 500

Reserve

Total 750 000 375 000 p.m. 562 500 p.m. 562 500 1 000 000 750 000 1 000 000 1 312 500


New technologies are dramatically and constantly changing .......... may lead to a limiting of freedom ofexpression too.


These appropriations areThis appropriation is intended to continue the preparatory action for a secondyear, in addition to coveringcover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years under thepreparatory action.

Justification:[Existing PA] The Treaties establish obligations for the EU to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights,including freedom of expression and media pluralism. Proper assessment of the reality on the ground isneeded. The media pluralism instrument provides a methodology to measure the risk for media pluralism,updated to consider the dynamics of online information. This existing PA enables the Commission toprovide evidence to define actions to improve media pluralism within the EU.

160

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Pina Picierno, Committee on Budgets, Renato Soru

-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Blockchain for real estate


The administrative cost of purchasing a house in Europe strongly varies depending on the country wherethe purchase takes place and the breakdown of these costs varies as well. Such charges average is above5% and comprises both taxes and other fixed costs, included those related to notarial deed fees and to theproperty transfer. The need to ensure trust and transparency creates transaction costs in governmentservices, real estate and land registers are a prime and comprehensible example.

Transaction costs represent a disincentive to use, inflate prices and reduces the transparency ofpurchases, creating information asymmetries.

Blockchain technologies have already reached a development state in which they can be used to ensuretrustless, high latency/high security/high value transactions.

The possibility to ensure trust using technology is an opportunity for the EU. To ensure technologicalcoordination and avoid the creation of competing standards, it should be developed at a European level asa mean to further the development of the Single Market.

A blockchain project to develop services for governments, focusing on applications with lower scalabilityneeds such as real estate would create the foundation for a wider application in this sector, allowing thecreation of a European skill set in developing and exchanging tokens compliant with present regulations.In order to do so, the pilot project will consist in two steps:

1. Commissioning a study to define the best areas and technical solutions to implement the project and toidentify European countries in which national legislation would allow the use of this technology or thecreation of a regulatory sandbox.

2. Once these areas of application and priorities are identified, the project would select a number of smalland medium sized cities/stakeholdes to implement and test the consequences of this application.



Justification:

161

The possibility to use the blockchain in a sector like real estate has been explored in various countries suchas the US and is often cited as a topical example of a sector that would benefit from its characteristics. Theuse of blockchain would reduce transaction time and costs, both avoiding the use of intermediaries andcombatting the risk of information asimmetries producing clear benefits for citizens and publicadministrations.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Andrey Novakov, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 2 500 000 2 500 000 2 500 000 2 500 000

Reserve

Total 2 500 000 2 500 000 2 500 000 2 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU grants for small-sized online media: supporting high-quality news products andtackling fake news


The PP represents dedicated EU grants for small-sized online media wishing to develop fact-checkingcapabilities and to fact checkers for development and dissemination of innovative solutions includingfostering the collaboration between fact checkers and media. The support shall not interfere with theindependence of the fact-checkers.

The pilot project (PP) will support Commission efforts in tackling online disinformation and promotingmedia innovation in the wider context of the Digital Single Market. The project will facilitate andcomplement the objectives and the actions foreseen in the Communication on "Tackling onlinedisinformation: a European Approach", including the independent European network of fact-checkers.The PP will also complement Commission’s support for the development of Code of Practice, building onthe Key Principles proposed by the High Level Expert Group. This will include enabling fact-checkers,while maintaining their independence, to develop traceability, accountability, reliable indicators forsource transparency, continuously monitor the scale techniques, tools, nature, and impact ofdisinformation. Moreover, the project will support the development and testing of emerging technologiesincluding artificial intelligence identifying disinformation, technologies enabling customisable onlineexperience, which could provide users with tools to identify and to report disinformation.

The PP will serve as a follow-up to the Public consultation on fake news and online disinformation and itwill complement the work of the High Level Group, and their report. The actions supported by the PP willbuild on the pilot project on Media Literacy for All by complementing it and focusing not on the citizensbut on the media actors. The project will support the Commission’s initiatives on promoting mediafreedom and pluralism, quality news media and journalism.



162

26.10.2012, p. 1).

Justification:There is a demand for action on fake news in fragile media regions and countries without fact-checkingmechanisms.The PP will fill this gap by providing grants to small-sized online media wishing to developthese capabilities and to fact checkers for development and dissemination of innovative solutions, whileclosely preserving their independence. The action is meant to facilitate the Communication on ‘Tacklingonline disinformation: a European Approach’ and the European fact-checkers network.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Isabelle Thomas, Răzvan Popa, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 750 000 1 500 000 750 000

Heading:Pilot project — Tax Observatory


Creating a Tax Observatory. An European NGO that works in the field of corporate taxation, an institutethat investigates developments, looks into best practices in the member states and briefs Europeanpolicymakers and the general public on these matters.



Justification:Corporate tax reform and tax avoidance is on the top of the policy agenda in Europe. Since this is a nationalcompetence, bringing together the available knowledge and expertise from the member states is essential.An NGO that is dedicated to such a matter, would be able to issue reports, invite specialists on it´s eventsand will have the ability to add to an informed debate within (and outside) the EU institutions how to dealwith corporate taxation in Europe.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


163



09 02 77 09 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU search engine - EUGO


The creation of a free internet search engine that emphasizes protecting EU searchers' privacy andavoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results. This search engine should keep private historytracking, block advertising trackers and enable users to take control of their own personal data. Theprogram should provide an alternative for EU internet users to dominating search engines with a specialfocus towards data protection.

EU users of the search engine will be protected against the collection of personally identifiableinformation.

Several brainstorming sessions should be organized involving freeware and open source companieswhose primary focus in the promotion of software is on promoting free software, as well as all otherconcerned actors to determine the best way to develop this program.



Justification:Over 90% of Europeans citizens state that they want data protection rights across the EU regardless of wheretheir data is processed. Following numerous scandals and questions around data protection, this programshould act as a base for the first major European search engine whilst setting a benchmark on data protectionfor other search engines. Europe needs to fit the digital age.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU online rural market place

164


The creation of a EU-level online rural market place platform will help farmers cope with the uncertaintyof climate, market volatility and other risks, facilitating their access to the Single Market.

The platform should act as an online market place where farmers across the EU can post for sale theirdifferent crops and livestock. The platform should be divided into sectors such as type of crops, types oflivestock and regions.

Several brainstorming sessions should be organized involving all concerned actors from all MemberStates to determine the best way to develop this program for a sustainable agricultural production,including health, nutrition, food waste and animal welfare.

The market place should have a special focus towards small and medium size farmers and bringing theirlocal products to European Citizens.

Increasing numbers of EU citizens residing in another EU Member State than their own have made wayfor a demand of their local products across the EU.

Complex methods of shipping should be analyzed in order to provide the most sustainable and costefficient method to bring the product as fresh as possible to the consumer.



Justification:East European farmers are faced these days with low demand for their supply at local level, one of the majorreasons being globalization, whilst they are lacking the tools to enable them direct access to the SingleMarket.

This program will encourage the use of modern technologies to support farmers on the ground and providegreater market transparency and certainty whilst encouraging young people to take up farming.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Răzvan Popa, Committee on Budgets, Andrey Kovatchev

-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Disrupt the Disruptors: Disruption with a positive societal impact

Remarks:

165

Add following text:

In the era of digital innovation a lot of incumbent industries and traditional business models have beendisrupted by new innovative ideas. Over the last years people need to retrain and acquire new skills so asto be able to be competitive in this everchanging professional environment. At the same time corporationsare taking advantage of private data with close to zero accountability. These changes happened withminimal regard to the citizen and the leaving millions unprotected and ill prepared.

To counter this situation we need to be able to disrrupt the disruptor. This Pilot Project will be aninitiative that will set up a Future lab that explores ideas that will lead to disruptions with a positve impactto society. In order to do so the set up of a forum focusing on law during the digital era, the governance ofdata and the impact of the digital revolution on the future of work.

This activity will focus on sectors that have been mostly affected by the advancement of new technologiesthat undermines the rights of the citizens and the creators alike.

The pilot project could use blockchain powered solutions and explore the incentivisation of the creation ofEuropean Blockhain Platforms that will instantly reward the participants for their data, giving them atthe same time control over it.

Additionally, It could also foresee a platform that, using blockchain technology would manage copyrightclearing, rewarding creators for their work and content created and viewed online and setting the basisfor an audiovisual licences distributions system.

Another potential implementation could be the re-inclusion of segments of the workforce that have beenousted from the labor market. This re-inclusion will be achieved through a blockchain application thatwill reward citizens, that perform voluntary service for the society, by assisting them in covering theirbasic everyday needs.

The project will foresee the creation of a Future lab that explores innovative solutions for complicatedproblems. As part of its course of action it will make a call of Idea papers on the implications ofDisruptive Trends looking at possible key uncertainties surrounding the future of work and resulting inconcrete guidelines for policy makers and questions to reflect upon. Additionally it will set up workshopsthat will provide the tools to young people to create a more sustainable model of disruption, andincentivize the creation of blockchain platforms to balance the injustices amplified by the digitalrevolution.



Justification:The European Union is considered to be a haven of values and citizens rights. In light of the recentrevelations of the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook scandal, the value gap in copyright management andthe need for an innovative response to unemployment, it is imperative to set up an initiative that will map anew approach towards the challenges that the digital age presents.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------


166



09 02 77 09 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — A pan-European rapid response mechanism on violations of press and media freedom


With the deterioration of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries showinga worrying trend, this pan-European rapid response mechanism on violations of media freedom shouldprovide concrete protection to journalists including fact-finding, advocacy, monitoring, informing theEuropean public and awareness raising.

Under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of expression. Recentdevelopments show that this value needs to be strongly defended to protect democracy, strengthen publicdiscourse and guarantee an enabling environment for investigative and independent journalists. Hence, itis crucial to set up a pan-European response mechanism on violations of press and media freedom.

This pilot project will enable the establishment of a pan-European rapid response mechanism to makeviolations visible and to provide practical help to journalists under threat, in collaboration with European,regional and local stakeholders in the field of media freedom. The practical help must encompass tools toprotect journalists under threat, providing direct advice and legal support as well as offering shelter andassistance so they can continue their profession. Delegates will be sent to affected countries and advocacywill support fighting impunity. Monitoring of the situation provides reliable and comprehensiveinformation to the public as well as European authorities. This promotes awareness-raising and allowsearly warnings. Instruments will be adjusted according to individual needs on a case-by-case basis. Thisunique toolkit contained in the rapid response mechanism will prevent further violations and will improvepress and media freedom, while also providing journalists under threat with advice, legal support and/orshelter.

The pilot project will also operate as an early warning system for the European Parliament.



Justification:EU Treaties establish obligations to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights, including freedom ofexpression and media pluralism, while a number of Member States fail to guarantee a safe enablingenvironment for journalists. The mechanism is designed to support journalists under threat to continue theirprofession. The instrument is adjustable to individual needs case-by-case after a rapid professional analysisof their current situation. It is an appropriate measure to reduce dangerous situations especially forinvestigative journalists.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


167


-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — A pan-European rapid response mechanism on violations of press and media freedom


Add following text:

With the deterioration of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries showinga worrying trend, this pan-European rapid response mechanism on violations of media freedom shouldprovide concrete protection to journalists including fact-finding, advocacy, monitoring, informing theEuropean public and awareness raising.

Under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of expression. Recentdevelopments show that this value needs to be strongly defended to protect democracy, strengthen publicdiscourse and guarantee an enabling environment for investigative and independent journalists. Hence, itis crucial to set up a pan-European response mechanism on violations of press and media freedom.

This pilot project will enable the establishment of a pan-European rapid response mechanism to makeviolations visible and to provide practical help to journalists under threat, in collaboration with European,regional and local stakeholders in the field of media freedom. The practical help must encompass tools toprotect journalists under threat, providing direct advice and legal support as well as offering shelter andassistance so they can continue their profession. Delegates will be sent to affected countries and advocacywill support fighting impunity. Monitoring of the situation provides reliable and comprehensiveinformation to the public as well as European authorities. This promotes awareness-raising and allowsearly warnings. Instruments will be adjusted according to individual needs on a case-by-case basis. Thisunique toolkit contained in the rapid response mechanism will prevent further violations and will improvepress and media freedom, while also providing journalists under threat with advice, legal support and/orshelter.

The pilot project will also operate as an early warning system for the European Parliament.



Justification:EU Treaties establish obligations to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights, including freedom ofexpression and media pluralism, while a number of Member States fail to guarantee a safe enablingenvironment for journalists. The mechanism is designed to support journalists under threat to continue theirprofession. The instrument is adjustable to individual needs case-by-case after a rapid professional analysis

168

of their current situation. It is an appropriate measure to reduce dangerous situations especially forinvestigative journalists.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 02 77 09 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Disrupt the Disruptors: Disruption with a positive societal impact


"In the era of digital innovation a lot of incumbent industries and traditional business models have beendisrupted by new innovative ideas. Over the last years people need to retrain and acquire new skills so asto be able to be competitive in this everchanging professional environment. At the same time corporationsare taking advantage of private data with close to zero accountability. These changes happened withminimal regard to the citizen and the leaving millions unprotected and ill prepared.

To counter this situation we need to be able to disrrupt the disruptor. This Pilot Project will be aninitiative that will set up a Future lab that explores ideas that will lead to disruptions with a positve impactto society. In order to do so the set up of a forum focusing on law during the digital era, the governance ofdata and the impact of the digital revolution on the future of work.

This activity will focus on sectors that have been mostly affected by the advancement of new technologiesthat undermines the rights of the citizens and the creators alike.

The pilot project could use blockchain powered solutions and explore the incentivisation of the creation ofEuropean Blockhain Platforms that will instantly reward the participants for their data, giving them atthe same time control over it.

Additionally, It could also foresee a platform that, using blockchain technology would manage copyrightclearing, rewarding creators for their work and content created and viewed online and setting the basisfor an audiovisual licences distributions system.

Another potential implementation could be the re-inclusion of segments of the workforce that have beenousted from the labor market. This re-inclusion will be achieved through a blockchain application thatwill reward citizens, that perform voluntary service for the society, by assisting them in covering theirbasic everyday needs.

The project will foresee the creation of a Future lab that explores innovative solutions for complicatedproblems. As part of its course of action it will make a call of Idea papers on the implications ofDisruptive Trends looking at possible key uncertainties surrounding the future of work and resulting inconcrete guidelines for policy makers and questions to reflect upon. Additionally it will set up workshopsthat will provide the tools to young people to create a more sustainable model of disruption, andincentivize the creation of blockchain platforms to balance the injustices amplified by the digitalrevolution.

169

"



Justification:The European Union is considered to be a haven of values and citizens rights. In light of the recentrevelations of the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook scandal, the value gap in copyright management andthe need for an innovative response to unemployment, it is imperative to set up an initiative that will map anew approach towards the challenges that the digital age presents.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 02 77 10 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 2 000 000 1 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Cross-border investigative journalism fund


This Preparatory Action will build on the experimental project "European research grants for journalisticinvestigations, #IJ4EU". Maintaining quality journalism and especially investigative journalism, which isa particularly resource-intensive genre, has become more difficult in the changing media landscape. Theproject aims to strengthen the European public sphere and to contribute towards the creation of aEuropean public discourse. In this context, the European Commission would do an open call forproposals for an independent body to implement consecutive rounds of grants supporting journalisticinvestigations involving journalists from at least two Member States to ensure maximum independenceand journalistic freedom. Results will be published in at least the Member States involved.

The murders of Daphne Caruana and Ján Kuciak show that the work of investigative journalists isbecoming increasingly difficult and in the current political context and amid the changing medialandscape not only political and legal support, but also continued financial support from the EU isessential.


Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the

170


Justification:The PA aims to continue the work started by Investigative Journalism for Europe #IJ4EU to set up a seriesof European research grants for journalistic investigations with a cross-border dimension in view of apermanent budget line in the next MFF in line with the Parliament Resolution on protection of investigativejournalists in Europe, which called for a permanent fund.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 02 77 10 1 000 000 1 312 500 1 000 000 1 312 500

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 312 500 1 000 000 1 312 500

Heading:Preparatory action — Monitoring media pluralism in the digital era


[Existing PA] The Treaties establish obligations for the EU to guarantee the respect of fundamentalrights, including freedom of expression and media pluralism. Proper assessment of the reality on theground is needed. The media pluralism instrument provides a methodology to measure the risk for mediapluralism, updated to consider the dynamics of online information. This existing PA enables theCommission to provide evidence to define actions to improve media pluralism within the EU.



Justification:[Existing PA] The Treaties establish obligations for the EU to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights,including freedom of expression and media pluralism. Proper assessment of the reality on the ground isneeded. The media pluralism instrument provides a methodology to measure the risk for media pluralism,updated to consider the dynamics of online information. This existing PA enables the Commission toprovide evidence to define actions to improve media pluralism within the EU.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



171

-------------------------------




09 02 77 11 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU network to support after-school media literacy study


In several Member States the work of media studies teachers in formal education is helped by networks,NGOs or other organisations providing information, making source materials available, answeringquestions regarding media education, building databases and organising events. The above-mentionedabundant sources of information are mostly available online. It would be a huge step forward if they weremade available at EU level in an organised and rational framework. In order to achieve this objective, itwould be necessary to set up a network of coordinating public institutes and NGOs to exchangeinformation and know-how. The EU network would support Member States in setting up a tool for after-school media literacy study for pupils through a range of initiatives and practices. The network wouldinvolve all the main actors: public education institutes, organisations, teachers, families and individualswho wish to develop actions in this sector and to develop their projects. The pilot project would build onand complement existing work in the field of media literacy, including under the cross-sectoral strand ofCreative Europe and through the existing Preparatory Action on "Media literacy for all". It will be also auseful platform for fact-checkers and civil society organisations to provide educational material to schoolsand educators and organise a European Week of Media Literacy.



Justification:The Paris Declaration states that it is crucial to strengthen children’s and young people’s ability to thinkcritically. The media have become a fundamental factor of socialisation and have, in part, taken over thisfunction from families and schools. It is crucial that education and training staff at all levels keep pace withrapid developments, providing learners with the competences needed to access, interpret, produce and usethe media content in a safe and responsible manner.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Michał Boni, Jan Olbrycht, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Seán Kelly, Isabella De Monte, Patrizia Toia,Michela Giuffrida, Carlos Zorrinho, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Pilar del Castillo Vera

-------------------------------


172

Add: 09 03 77

Heading:Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions

-------------------------------




09 03 77 01 1 400 000 1 400 000 1 400 000 1 400 000

Reserve

Total 1 400 000 1 400 000 1 400 000 1 400 000

Heading:Pilot project — Bringing Broadband Internet Access via Satellite for Educational Multimedia Contents toUnconnected Schools


One major objective of the EU Institutions is to improve coordinated policy at EU and Member Stateslevel to promote the use of ICT in education, training and learning systems. One of the pre-conditions tointegrate it is to increase availability and quality of connectivity to broadband Internet services for schoolsand classrooms, especially in rural and low population density areas, through the adoption of dedicatedpolicies.

The EU Commission has allocated resources in order to enhance school connectivity to the internetpushing the coordination of policies throughout different initiatives. One of this is the ECCommunication Opening up Education: Innovative teaching and learning for all through newTechnologies and Open Educational Resources where is clearly stated that ‘Enhancing local ICTinfrastructure (broadband, content, tools) is still needed in some parts of Europe...’ and that “MemberStates are investing in upgrading their national educational infrastructure (ICT, digital educationalresources, broadband) but fragmentation and incoherence among EU Member States persists. Onaverage, 93% of EU students access the internet at home, but only 72% have access to it at a place ofeducation, and sometimes not in the classroom.

Innovating in the education sector remain a key priority for the EU Commission and this it is clearlystated in the Communication ‘Connectivity for a Competitive Digital Single Market – Towards aEuropean Gigabit Society’ (COM(2016)0587). The EU Parliament, in the European Parliamentresolution of 1 June 2017 on internet connectivity for growth, competitiveness and cohesion: Europeangigabit society and 5G (2016/2305(INI)) welcomed the ambitious plan to provide ultra-fast internet inprimary and secondary schools, universities and libraries by 2025, in line with the principles ofsubsidiarity and proportionality. It also stressed that faster and better connectivity provides hugeopportunities to enhance teaching methods, to foster research and to develop high quality educationalservices online as well as to create better opportunities for distance learning.

The European Parliament also emphasized that, in order for the Gigabit target to have its full impact onour economy and not to miss opportunities, it is important to close the digital divide and prevent theopening of new divides, and to this end funding opportunities should be explored by Member States andthe Commission in support of the achievement for the main socio-economic drivers (schools, universities,public administrations).

In 2016 many schools in the EU still lack broadband access (especially in primary schools, 25% of whichhave no broadband access or even no Internet access at all). The main reasons behind this situation are:

173

· poor awareness among schools and local authorities of the technical options available to accessbroadband Internet;

· a limited number of dedicated, large national institutional support programmes;

· lack of knowledge of possible funding options, including voucher schemes, and how to implement them.

On 2015, the EU Commission published a call for tenders for a Feasibility Study on the provision ofSatellite Broadband for schools located in rural areas and not covered by any fixed wired or wirelessbroadband.

The study ‘Satellite broadband for schools: Feasibility study’ (SMART 2015/0061), was published inSeptember 2017. It confirmed that the use of satellite-based access and distribution is an efficient solutionto make broadband Internet and educational multimedia contents immediately available to schools thatare now unconnected or poorly connected, and may remain in this situation for a few years from now.

Objective of the Pilot Project

The objective of the proposed pilot project is to support the results of the feasibility study with field trialsin EU regions having schools in Digital Divide areas. In particular, the pilot project would contribute toassess the benefits of an immediate connectivity via satellite broadband the schools in digital divide, withthe support of regional or national public authority, as a precursor of the even larger benefits that theEuropean Gigabit Society will later made largely available.

Accordingly, the pilot project, meant to last two years, would:

i. identify some EU regions that have a large number of (primary) schools in long-term digital divide;

ii. implement and apply simple, efficient and cost-effective voucher schemes to subsidise the procurementof satellite broadband for access to and distribution of educational multimedia contents (e.g. creation ofdigital libraries), as recommended in the feasibility study, and

iii. foster outreach and communication (e.g. through workshops).

In execution of the above tasks, the pilot project is expected to involve relevant European stakeholders inthe ICT supply chain and ensure an adequate coordination with educational stakeholders (Ministries ofEducation, EU Commission, etc.).

It is foreseen that the pilot project will be implemented via a grant awarded without a call for proposals tothe Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies (‘NEREUS’) which is a dynamic platformto all European regions wishing to use space technologies to improve their public policies for the benefitof the European Regions’ citizens. The pilot project will be implemented in two years (2018- 2019) on thebasis of this grant.



Justification:It is envisaged to award a grant without call for proposals to the Network of European Regions Using SpaceTechnologies ("NEREUS") in accordance with Article 128 of the Financial Regulation (and Article190(1)(f)) of the Rules of Application) on account of the beneficiary's representative power, administrativeand technical competence. NEREUS voices the regional dimension of European space policies enhancingthe participation of businesses, universities and citizens to European collaborations.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=

174

Draft amendment 330 === AFCO/6230 ===

Tabled by Committee on Constitutional Affairs

-------------------------------




09 04 77 02 1 500 000 1 000 000 1 500 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 500 000 1 000 000 1 500 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — on the creation of a platform to fight Disinformation


The project intends to:

Create a Europe-wide platform before the European Parliament Elections, gathering together all actorsfighting disinformation in the context of these elections, i.e. content deliberately fabricated in a maliciousway in order to disrupt democratic processes

o Organising at least 5 workshops in at least 5 EU Member States, to gather different practices and meetwith relevant stakeholders

o Support the implementation steps with a set of guidelines to fight disinformation

Partner with monitoring platforms; social media platforms; media literacy actors; fact-checkers(journalist); analysts (academics)

Benefit citizens by creating the environment and infrastructure, to allow actors in the fight againstdisinformation to execute more effective and efficient responses, saving time, money and resources.

Background:

The rise of social media has led to a very important democratic breakthrough: the creation of content isno longer reserved only for journalists: anyone can publish anything. Among those publishing are someof the most radical people. However, we moved slowly from a militant interest to a diplomatic andpropagandist interest. Some global players have seized this opportunity, adding digital disinformation totheir hybrid destabilisation portfolio, many of them focusing on propagating an anti-EU narrative. Thiswas, for example, observed during the French and Italian electoral period or during the EU referendumin the United Kingdom.

In reaction to this crisis, numerous initiatives have emerged - ranging from local groups of enthusiasts,academics or journalists, to private companies, to Member States and European institutions creating unitsdedicated to the issue. Most recently, the European Commission High-Level Expert Group on Fake Newspresented a new report on the topic.

However, several flaws have been observed in the fight against disinformation.

First, the time period between the spread of misinformation and fact checking is still too slow.

Traditional fake news debunkers and fact-checkers focus on disproving the information, either bycountering it with opposing, factually correct information, or by conducting forensic analysis to provemanipulation. While crucial and highly effective, this process takes time and effort, requiring manualresearch or the use of forensic analysis tools. Regarding the example of ‘Macron Leaks’, which waspurposefully released only hours before the 48h electoral silence period, any traditional research would

175

likely bring results long after the silence period was put in place, thus rendering it ineffective.

Social network is blurring traditional borders therefore a European response is needed in the forecomingelections.

Second, the emergence of misinformation is not captured fast enough. Even if some civil societyorganisations have started to develop tools to identify fake news via machine learning, this will take along time before producing convincing results (if this is at all possible).

Developing fake news sourcing - unlike fact-checking and traditional debunking techniques - a semi-automated technique, means a piece of information can be disproved within minutes, well before itspreads to mainstream media.

This sourcing technique has already been battle-tested in the French presidential elections, during whichresearchers managed to source and disprove several pieces of disinformation, most notably the infamous‘Macron Leaks’ - seemingly damning information on the then-candidate, Emmanuel Macron. Developingsourcing strategies is a fundamental step in the fight against disinformation, in cooperation with manydifferent actors: from media literacy actions, to fact-checking initiatives, passing through journalists andprivate social networks. Every one of them has a particular role to play in the process.

This proposal intends to map initiatives from local structures and various stakeholders inside the EU, inorder to create a coherent platform, that will be able to assess threats and react fast to disinformation,especially during election periods when time is very much of the essence.

Such societal benefits will include all citizens and will have a direct positive impact.

It should be noted that the Pilot Project would be executed in close collaboration with the relevantCommission's stakeholders, who are currently looking at the spread of disinformation.



Justification:The European Commission is discussing with platforms, news media, research and civil societyorganisations in order to design solutions to address the spread of fake news. The aim is to define the actors'responsibilities, while respecting the freedom of expression, media pluralism, and the right of citizens todiverse and reliable information. This pilot project is a concrete contribution to this effort.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Christian Ehler, Carlos Zorrinho, Răzvan Popa, Eva Kaili

-------------------------------


Item 09 04 77 20 — Pilot project — Art and the digital: Unleashing creativity for European industry,regions and society



09 04 77 20 1 000 000 500 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Reserve

176



Total 1 000 000 500 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000 1 500 000

Justification:The European Union relies strongly in its ability to innovate. The continuation of this pilot projec allows usto take the next step, think more holistically and bring together more and more the creative industries, asector where the EU is a global champion and the hard sciences and technology, overcoming stereotypes thatdivide the sectors and impeded them from fulfilling their potential. This pilot project aims to continue andbuilt on the success of its predecessor.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Daniele Viotti, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Reading disability and document access, a possible approach


Reading disability is one of the most common neurological condition that affects European citizens.Dyslexia and other disorders are not related to intelligence or to the desire to learn of the child,nevertheless it’s sometime hard to find, develop and incorporate the right instruments in everyday life.This is especially true for the public institutions that, for they very own purpose, must be accessible andtransparent for everyone, including most vulnerable people.

The aim of this pilot project is to develop a European-wide system for the access to official documents forpeople with reading disabilities.

Proposed steps:

1. Assessment of the current technologies available, from typefaces (free fonts like openDyslexia, forexample) to supporting IT software;

2. Assessment of which documents/websites/publications should be at disposal with the highest priorityand then define a roadmap to implement a ‘reading disorder friendly’ environment for the EuropeanInstitutions;

3. Conversion of at least most recent official documents with an appropriate format and/or typeface;

4. Conversion of the full EU archive of acts, publications, online presence and texts in the previouslydefined format;

Estimation of costs:

Depending on which tech the relevant service decides to implement the cost of the PP may vary but, ingeneral, there is a great deal of products and instruments distributed under GNU/open sources licences.

177

In case it should be possible to even customize the technology in order to better serve the necessity of theinstitutions.

Eventually it would also be possible to launch a pan-european public procurement procedure in order tofind a company or start-up that could build the technology from scratch.

Once the practice is defined and well established, it could also be shared with national and localauthorities, in order to make an even wider quota of documents and official acts available.



Justification:Democratic institutions must be as open and transparent as possible for each and every citizen, even for thedisabled ones. Developing a european best practice in reading disability aid could be seen as a way toimprove the democratic accountability of the EU and it’s accessibility for all its citizens. In addition to that,this PP could have a very significant social impact with a relatively small investment, since most of thetechnology needed are free or open source.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=


Tabled by Monika Hohlmeier, Committee on Budgets

-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU-wide Programming Contest


Digitalisation represents one of our major current and future challenges in Europe. However, it does alsorepresents an opportunity for the creation of new job types. These require in many cases programmingskills, which should be further promoted among young people, since they are often not part of schoolscurriculums. The European Union should promote the interest and skills of young people on technologyand programming to prepare them for the future job market.

The organisation of a programming contest on an EU level would bring together the followingadvantages:

- promote interest and skills about programming and technologies;

- provide an incentive for young people to obtain programming skills in the form of game-based learning;

- promote the European idea by launching an EU-wide competition.

178

Framework of the programming contest:

- implementation in the context of the EU Code Week 2019 and 2020, with the objective of the EU toreach at least 50% of schools from the EU and Western Balkans until 2020; EU Code Week provides anexisting infrastructure and context;

- special initiative should be created, which could be called ‘createathon’ and invites pupils or youngpeople with special talent; students could receive a task, such as the development of an app;

- basic course in programming for interested students should be provided in the context of the initiative atMember State level;

- Cooperation with the industry to receive first-hand experience on programming activities.



Justification:In 2016, the European Commission launched the Digital European Industry Initiative (DEI) as part of thesingle market strategy. Pillar five aims to prepare Europeans for the digital transformation by adapting alsothe educational and learning system. The education on digital skills represents one of the main policy areasof the European Union in terms of digitalisation. In order to cover the high demand of the EU industry andenterprises it is important to support it is important to awaken the interest of students as early as possible.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 3 000 000 1 500 000 3 000 000 1 500 000

Reserve

Total 3 000 000 1 500 000 3 000 000 1 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — EU Cloud platform


The EU Cloud platform should provide European Citizens with access to a network of remote servershosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personalcomputer, whilst driving down costs and delivering increased operational efficiency, productivity, agilityand flexibility.

This program should provide EU citizens and businesses with access to a cloud platform that should offerstorage and access to application virtualization freeware such as a word processor, a powerfulspreadsheet, a multimedia presenter, a draw 3D illustrator, a database manipulator. A focus should also

179

be oriented towards desktop virtualization of open source operating systems with European pioneer, LinusTorvalds, creating one of the most important free operating system kernel of all time.

Several brainstorming sessions should be organized involving freeware and open source companieswhose primary focus in the promotion of software is on promoting free software, as well as all otherconcerned actors to determine the best way to develop this program.

Benefits are ranging from flexibility, disaster recovery and lost prevention, automatic software updates,cost savings, to increased collaboration, mobility, document control, security competitiveness, qualitycontrol and sustainability.



Justification:Taking into consideration that there is no major cloud computing company in the EU this program shouldenable EU citizens and businesses to continue taking advantage of the new digital era by providingdevelopers with tools so that they can continue to advance their work on European soil bringing benefits toall EU Member States.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 500 000 1 000 000 500 000

Heading:Pilot project — Digital skills for European children


The objective of this pilot project is to enhance digital education from an early age in all Europeancountries. Currently in most European countries the digital skills are developed mainly at high schoollevel even know it has been shown that children can and should be taught at an earlier level to reach aproficiency level and to understand the opportunities offered by these skills. Moreover, the exclusion ofchildren from vulnerable groups or of young girls can be reduced if the training starts at an earlier age.The aim of this project is to identify, assess and finance tools and networks capable of generating digitalskills training from a kindergarten level.

This pilot project aims at introducing young people aged seven to seventeen to coding, providing themwith the means necessary to learn to code, build a website, create an app or a game, and exploretechnology. The classes should be set-up in a bus entitled EU Code Bus, specially adapted for trainings

180

with 3 or 4 tables where different trainings and workshops could take place providing the young peoplewith the option to choose a specific short training or workshop on STEM education with different levelssuch as entry-level, medium, advanced, etc. The mobility of the EU Code Bus will provide trans-nationalexperience throughout all the Member States of the European Union, connecting young people interestedin coding with each other but also with important actors in the field across Europe, and presenting theachievements from training sessions and workshops that would take place across Europe. The classesshould not take more that 2-3 days, after which the Code Bus can move to the next region/country. Thetraining should also provide information about the available freware simple, and cheap alternatives foracquiring the technology needed for coding, such as the Raspberry Pi or other serious of small single-board computers specifically designed to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools. EUCode Bus should provide young people interested in coding and computer sciences with information fortheir possible involvement in EU Code Week.

The project will target especially the European regions and groups affected by low level of digital skills,will co-interest stakeholders and will contribute with policy proposals that can be implemented at local,national and European level.



Justification:The ICT sector in Europe is growing rapidly but we are lacking people with the required skills. There are upto 900 000 job vacancies in Europe in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Therefore, acommon assessment and policy is needed for the sector engaging all European actors and member states.

The pilot project should increase awareness and provide young people with the necessary information foracquiring the technology needed for coding, and grow the number of digitally skilled

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Reserve

Total 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Pilot project — Digital European Platform of quality content providers


It is time to reconsider our concept of freedom in the digital sphere. The current state of the digitaleconomy powerfully demonstrates the paradoxes of network freedom: internet giants benefit from anextraordinarily free, immensely profitable, dynamic market, yet their business models raise basic

181

questions about precisely this freedom in the digital sphere. Even though certain legislative actions inorder to regulate digital companies are already underway - in this regard the Commission proposalregarding a digital tax needs to be mentioned - these measures only partly tackle the problems with digitalmonopolies. The regulatory framework including the EU's new General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) and the EU Copyright Directive show that the EU plays is a leader in protecting the data of usersand securing cultural diversity by allowing fair remuneration of artists.

However, there is no European competition oversight of the mainly US-located digital monopolies that fartoo often use their market power to influence public opinion or legislators. Furthermore, they are basedon a dubious business model at best, as the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook scandal shows.

The Commission came up with similar considerations in its Communication on "Tackling on-linedisinformation: a European approach", issued in April 2018, stating the need for a more transparent,trustworthy and accountable online ecosystem. On the topic of fake news, it identifies that mechanismswhich "enable the creation, amplification and dissemination of disinformation rely upon a lack oftransparency and traceability in the existing platform ecosystem and on the impact of algorithms andonline advertising models. Therefore, it is necessary to promote adequate changes in platforms' conduct,a more accountable information ecosystem, enhanced fact-checking capabilities and collective knowledgeon disinformation, and the use of new technologies to improve the way information is produced anddisseminated online".

Further on, it states the need to improve transparency as to the origin and production of information,encourage diversity of information, and check on its credibility. In its fourth remarks, it seeks "to fashioninclusive solutions. Effective long-term solutions require awareness-raising, more media literacy, broadstakeholder involvement and the cooperation of public authorities, online platforms, advertisers, trustedflaggers, journalists and media groups"

In the same spirit, the aim of this pilot project is to create a new European digital platform in accordancewith a strong EU regulatory framework. The platform will work on a business model that isfundamentally different to the data trading model Facebook and Google use. The European alternativewill aim at providing quality content without restricting the freedom of linking. Instead, there must be alicensing regime that underpins high-quality journalism. A common European Platform, therefore, couldmean a joint action at European level against fake news and hate speech. The need to provide analternative is not only highlighted by the recent scandals but also by the fact that there are initiativeswithin the EU to launch alternative platforms, like Verimi.

Additionally, the pilot project would cover a broad range of objectives and policies, taking stock of thework done by the European Commission in the field. It is also part of its drive to create a Digital SingleMarket. The Commission aims at making EU rules more future-oriented and aligned with the rapidadvance of technological development.

The pilot project would be an additional tool to promote the digitisation of information published by listedcompanies in Europe, including the use of innovative technologies to interconnect national databases.Furthermore, the Pilot Project could link the existing platform of Europeana, which is already aEuropean Commission-run digital platform for cultural heritage. Through Europeana, citizens and theCultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) can access European culture for the widest possible variety ofpurposes. This new European Platform could be merged with Europeana in the future. Publicbroadcasters like ARTE, newspaper publishers, cultural institutions such as universities, theatres,museums and many others should participate.

The pilot project would be separated in two phases:

1. Phase: Getting an overview

The first phase will be about taking stock of initiatives connected to online platforms within the EU at alocal, regional and (inter)national level, be it private or public. Stakeholders and experts need to beconsulted and a study could be launched in order to obtain an overview about initiatives on all levels.Finally, these initiatives are analysed to assess to what extent and in which specific areas they are suitable

182

to help the construction of a European platform. Furthermore, an alternative business model to the tradeof data needs to be found.

2. Phase: Constructing the platform

In the second phase, the existing platforms have to be adjusted and linked together with the stakeholdersin order to provide a European platform covering all kinds of content, including journalism, videos andpictures. It would fit with the Commission’s plan to set up a platform on disinformation.



Justification:In times of public mass manipulation, we need to take decisive steps to regulate digital capitalism. As theCommission draws on an entire set of new legislation, we need to check on business models for the digitalworld that would work in an EU context in order to protect our fundamental rights and civil liberties whileunderpinning cultural diversity and our creative industries. A European digital platform ruled by smart andstrong EU legislation is an innovative initiative to reach these goals.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Reserve

Total 500 000 250 000 500 000 250 000

Heading:Pilot project — Girls 4 STEM in Europe


The Pilot Project ‘Girls 4 STEM in Europe’ is conceived to empower girls to learn and become leaders intech. It aims to promote and teach Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths subjects (STEM) to girls,thereby addressing the ongoing skills gap in the sector within the EU and especially the shortfall ofwomen & increasing STEM drop-out rates of girls. The Pilot Project includes two-week summer campsand measures to engage girls in (STEM) subjects in schools by creating a network to promote bestpractices:

EU Network for the exchange of best practices in promoting STEM 4 girls: A network between schools,universities, companies and CSOs to attract female STEM students and employees, to raise awareness ofstudents and academic staff regarding the full spectrum of education and training options. The networkserves as a platform for exchanging experiences and support for the advancement of girls in

183

STEM education and careers.

The main goals of the 'EU Summer STEM Camps for Girls' is to foster new profiles and combatstereotypes for girls when choosing their secondary education and/or career. Summer STEM camps canhelp young girls to gain interest in science, technology, engineering and maths. The camps featureexperiments, field trips and lab-based activities to show what it is like to work in science, technology,engineering and math careers. ICT companies, companies with technical departments and technicaltraining facilities, universities, and research centers are invited to cooperate and participate in the camps.

The no-cost two-week summer camps for 13-18 year-old girls are designed to introduce middle and highschool girls to software engineering principles and programming languages. The summer program willreach all EU countries , serving 1,000+ middle and high school girls, many of whom come fromunderrepresented backgrounds. The will learn how to code -- strengthening abilities, boosting confidenceand empowering each girl to create her own future, to achieve success in STEAM studies. The programinstructors will lead instruction and programming and teach the principles of software engineering andhow to code. In doing so, they will address important social issues surrounding the gender gap in STEMand foster community among scholars. The summer curriculum includes a focus on real tools (Ruby,Javascript, HTML, CSS) to empower the scholars on their educational journeys.



Justification:The tech industry struggles to boost female representation and gender equality. Women make an average of30% of workers in tech and the sector has been under fire for its relative lack of women in leadership roles.European students are less interested in STEM subjects and the EU is already running short of professionals.It is urgent to help MS since they are struggling to get students interested in STEM. A HackerRank survey(03/2018) found that female software developers older than 35 are 3,5 times more likely to hold juniorpositions, despite being just as capable as their male peers.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=



-------------------------------




09 04 77 22 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Reserve

Total 600 000 300 000 600 000 300 000

Heading:Preparatory action — Application of web accessibility requirements in web-authoring tools and platformsby default (Web Access By Default)


184

This appropriation is intended to cover commitments remaining to be settled from previous years underthe pilot project. This preparatory actions would continue to seek to directly encourage and support theadoption of the relevant accessibility requirements of the European Standard EN 301 549 v1.1.2 byawarding grants to firms, associations or other non-for-profit groupings which would incorporate settingsthat meet the requirements of this European Standard as the default option of their authoring tools orplatforms. A special priority would be given to open source or free-to-use tools and platforms. Thesegrants would also be open to Member States authorities who develop internal web authoring tools orplatforms for public sector websites and to hire users testing services.



Justification:The promotion of web-authoring tools and platforms for the easy application of web accessibilityrequirements is needed to encourage the adoption of web accessibility standards by public administrations,private companies and individuals. This is especially true in light of the Web accessibility Directive and theaccessibility act proposal. Even a limited funding could be effective in ensuring that the Union meets itscommitments as a signatory to the UN CRPD as well as the implementation of previous initiatives of theEU's research programmes, such as W3C Consortium projects.

· 3 draft amendment 562 === gue//7052 === tabled by confederal group of the european united left...

Documents