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

In adopting the report by Mr Paul RÜBIG (PPE, A), Parliament approved the Community action programme promoting NGOs primarily active in the field of environmental protection. However, it called for the inclusion of European environmental umbrella organizations. The programme should also finance measures designed to strengthen cooperation between NGOs from different countries. Parliament also spelled out the criteria on the basis of which activities should be selected, inter alia: a sound cost-benefit ratio, a lasting multiplier effect, cross-border cooperation in Europe, particularly with Central and Eastern European organizations, and the participation of the public. It also stated the Community funding should not be granted to general education and information campaigns, measures which have already been completed or are underway, activities which can be supported under Community programmes, organizations against which an EC tribunal has delivered a judgment in the course of the preceding two years, or simple transfers of national measures. The EP proposed that Community assistance should be able to cover up to 60% of operational and administrative expenditures, whereas the Commission recommended a rate of assistance not exceeding 40%. Assistance would be limited to 30% of costs in the case of European umbrella organizations. Finally, the EP proposed changes to the allocation of funds. This would mean that analysis of environmental activities would receive 50% of the budget (instead of 40%) and cooperation between NGOs active at European level would qualify for 10% of the budget (instead of 20%). �