Training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training): extension until 2006

PURPOSE : to amend Decision 163/2001/EC and extend the MEDIA-Training Programme to 2006. CONTENT : the MEDIA Training programme was adopted by Decision 163/2001/EC to run from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005, with a budget of EUR 50 million. The MEDIA-Training programme is intended to give professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry, mainly through continuous vocational training, the necessary skills to allow them to take full advantage of the European and international dimension of the market and of the use of new technologies. The programme has now existed since 1991. During this period, the programme has supported numerous projects, which have had a positive impact on employment within the European audiovisual sector, imparting professional skills to allow professionals to benefit fully from the European and international dimension of the market for audiovisual programmes. This programme comes to an end at a time when there will be major changes for the future structure and functioning of the EU. These include enlargement, the Intergovernmental Conference based on the Convention for the future of Europe, the European Parliament elections and the appointment of a new European Commission. It is clear that the European audiovisual sector will also be affected by these changes, but it is not possible at the current time to predict accurately the extent of shape of these future modifications. Despite this situation, it is essential to ensure continuity of Community support for the sector, and to avoid any disruption of these mechanisms in support of Community objectives laid down in the Treaty. In addition, such actions involve a large number of professionals from the European audiovisual sector. In view of these circumstances, the European Commission proposes that the existing programme should be prolonged unchanged for 2006. It is necessary to assure a legal basis to enable the programme to be prolonged by one year. At the same time, the Commission will continue to explore all existing possibilities for action in this field, through preparatory actions, such as the i2i Audiovisual "growth and audiovisual" action, and through studies to establish which forms of training are needed for the sector. The European Commission intends to present a proposal for the establishment of a new European Community programme for support of the European audio-visual sector, before the end of 2003. This programme would begin in 2007. The Commission therefore proposes: - to prolong MEDIA-Training for 2006; - to adjust the overall budget of the MEDIA Training programme as prolonged to EUR 57.40 million.�