Equality women and men: promoting organisations active at European level, 2004-2005 action programme

The committee adopted the report by Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (PPE-DE, GR) amending the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. It called for the programme to last for 5 years rather than 2 years (ending on 31 December 2008 instead of 31 December 2005 as proposed) on the grounds that it is one of seven new programmes which should all have the same duration in order to make a mid-term assessment of needs. It also amended the programme's budget to reflect this longer period. On cofinancing, the committee amended the Commission's proposal that the grants awarded to not only the European Women's Lobby but also to other organisations active at European level in the field of equality between men and women should cover up to 80% of the organisation's total eligible expenditure for a given calendar year. Instead, it proposed that the European Women's Lobby - which is named in the proposal as a direct beneficiary of an operating grant - should receive financing of up to 90% and should not be subject to "degressivity" (the requirement that grants be progressively reduced from the third year onwards). Other organisations selected to receive grants following a call for proposals should be awarded funding of up to 80% of their eligible expenditure, but should be subject to degressivity in real terms at a maximum rate of 2.5%. With regard to reporting requirements, MEPs said that the Commission's assessment report should be based on an external assessment to be drawn up by the end of 2006 and should look at the "overall relevance and coherence of the programme, the effectiveness of its execution (preparation, selection and implementation of the measures) and the overall and individual effectiveness of the various measures......". Other amendments sought to ensure that the various activities funded should include: developing cooperation with women's organisations in the new Member States; gender mainstreaming in education, sport, health and social protection; fostering cooperation with women's organisations in non-EU countries and raising awareness of the situation of women worldwide; and combating violence as an obstacle to equality. Lastly, the committee wanted the Commission to inform Parliament of the criteria used (priority themes and types of activities) before it issued a call for proposals.�