European social fund ESF: implementing innovative measures 2000-2006

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mrs Rodi KRATSA-TSAGROPOULOU (EPP-ED, GR) welcoming a Commission communication on the implementation of certain social programmes. It calls on the Commission to adopt the following fixed criteria to be taken into account in fixing support priorities for and selecting projects and to state them clearly in the calls for proposals: - the direct relevance to the European Employment Stategy; - innovative features as regards the planning and implementation of the measure; - the quality and viability of the measure; - the potential for the circulation and dissemination of the results within the framework of the ESF. On the other hand, it regrets that the Commission has set the thematic priorities for 2000-2002 without consulting the European Parliament. It reiterates its desire for a regular dialogue with the Commission and reserves the right to submit proposals for financial aid priorities within the framework of its resolution on budget guidelines to the Commission. Moreover, the Parliament calls on the Commission to redefine the thematic fields for 2002, giving particular attention to to matters directly relating to combating unemployment and promoting social cohesion, such as the mobility of workers, up-to-date vocational training and retraining. Lastly, it notes with great regret that the innovative measures of all Structural Funds during the 2000-2006 programming period exist only so far on paper and that the resources have been substantially reduced. It is therefore adamantly opposed to any attempt to make further cuts during the present programming period. �