Active European citizenship: grants to civic participation actions, 2004-2008 action programme

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Heide RüHLE (Greens/EFA, D) and amended the proposal. The resolution was voted by 371 votes in favour, 62 against and 10 abstentions. The main amendments were as follows: - the general objective of the programme is to reduce the democratic deficit of the EU while increasing transparency; - the budget for the programme was increased to EUR 149.192.300 million; - the programme should be extended so as to provide a legal basis for Info Points, which recently had its grant cancelled. Commissioner Neil KINNOCK stated at the Plenary that the Commission does not approve amendments seeking to widen the scope of the programme. The Commission also rejects the amendment on Info Points.�