Environment: promoting NGO primarily active in the field of environmental protection (Community action programme)

OBJECTIVE: to promote the activities of NGOs primarily active in the field of environmental protection at European level by helping to develop and apply Community environmental policy and legislation. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 97/872/EC on a Community action programme promoting non-governmental organizations primarily active in the field of environmental protection. SUBSTANCE: The programme to promote NGOs in the field of environmental protection covers the period 01.01.1998 to 31.12.2001. It is intended to provide financial support for activities of benefit to the Community which contribute to the implementation and development of Community environmental policy and legislation, respecting the basic principles of the 5th action programme in relation to the environment. The financial reference amount for 1998-2001 is ECU 10.6 m. The Decision particularly applies to independent and non-profit-making organizations primarily active in the field of environmental protection, with an environmental objective aimed at the public good. The aid particularly covers campaigns and activities to promote public awareness, information and documentation infrastructure, demonstration projects and measures to coordinate environmental protection NGOs originating with the organizations themselves. An annex to the Decision specifies the areas of activity eligible and the share of resources to be allocated to each. The activities are selected in the light of criteria stated in the Decision (a sound cost-benefit ratio, a multiplier effect, effective cooperation between partners and a multinational approach). The Community aid consists of a financial contribution towards activities of NGOs. A financial contribution to compensate for administrative costs will be considered only for organizations working at a European level in the context of their general working programme. In principle, contributions to the budgets of NGOs must not exceed 50% of the NGOs' budgeted activities and administrative costs. Unpaid work or donations in kind may be taken into account up to a level of 10% of total eligible costs. The Community assistance is for activities which are to take place in the current or subsequent year. The Commission will determine and select the projects to be financed, and will ensure that the projects undertaken are consistent with and complementary to Community action in the same field. A notice will be published in the Official Journal each year, outlining the priority activities to be financed and the selection criteria for the allocation of funds. There will be supervision and, in the event of any irregularities, penalties. Beneficiaries will be required to keep for 5 years all supporting documents concerning expenditure for which assistance has been provided. A list of the beneficiaries and activities financed is to be published in the Ofifcial Journal each year, together with the amounts allocated. By 31.12.2000 at the latest, the Commission will submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the first 3 years of the programme and any proposals for continuing or discontinuing it. A decision on the continuation of the programme may be taken only after 01.01.2002. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 01.01.1998 for a period of 4 years.�