EU Update – May 2005
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EU Constitution
Wounded but not fallen – the aftermath of the French non
Several metres of commentary have already been produced analysing the outcome of the no vote in the French referendum on the constitutional treaty on Sunday. Without wishing to add to the debate, the RST has two interesting documents available by e-mail on request:
The first is an excellent short (4 sides of A4) summary of the principal content of the constitutional treaty. For true devotees of arcane EU governance, a full copy of the constitutional treaty text is available by using the link below:
http://www.europa.eu.int/constitution/en/lstoc1_en.htm
The second is a detailed analysis of the impact of the French (and possible Dutch) refusal to ratify the treaty. Prepared by john Palmer of the European Policy Centre, it is a sober and realistic analysis of the way forward for an EU soon to comprise 27 member states
Both documents are available from Louisa or Ian at RST.
Common Agricultural Policy
Rural Development Regulations
The RST attended the latest 3 Shire’s Network where Caoimhe Treanor from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKREP) gave an overview of the state of progress of the negotiations in Council on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The main points of disagreement between member states and the Commission is on the question of minimum levels of spend per axis, this is opposed by many member states but the UK wants at least 50% on axis II although there is no support for this. The minimum for Leader may be reduced from the proposed 7% to 5% and the Leader performance reserve is not popular with Member States.
The Rural Regulation is likely to be finalised in June. Member States are likely to start bi-lateral negotiations in May. The UK is currently arguing for money to be allocated based on need rather than previous spend and want population involved in agriculture and proportion of land as criteria. National Strategies will then be developed and UK sub-regional strategies linked to RDAs. UKREP noted that the debate on the financial perspectives would hold up agreement on the EAFRD and the implementation steps unless agreement is reached in June.
Catherine White from the NWRDA gave an overview of the actions taken so far regarding the rural regulations which is being led by the East of England RDA.
UK Presidency
The UK will hold the EU Presidency from 1 st July to 31 st December 2005 , from June 27 th 2005 an official website will be available at www.eu2005.gov.uk. Up until then information can be found at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage
&cid=1056723959549&a=Page
Transnational projects
Leonardo – vocational training across the EU
Leonardo is the EU’s principal programme for supporting a European dimension in vocational training. There are two upcoming calls for proposals:
Projects under the Mobility strand of the programme, which supports placements for people undertaking vocational training in the UK , to study in another EU country, can submit by 10 June 2005 for projects taking place up to august 2006.
Pilot projects, which are trying out new forms of vocational training (new approaches, new client groups, new sectors), can submit by 30 September 2005 .
Details for all Leonardo projects can be found at www.leonardo.org.uk
L4R – a Leonardo project for Cumbria
Cumbria County Council successfully applied for Leonardo funds in the last bidding round. The L4R project will offer 18 placements, of one week each, for professionals working in the front line of regeneration and renewal projects, and who are in a position to transfer the learning from a Leonardo project to others within or outside of their organisation. The project links with 6 EU regions, demonstrating good practice is aspects of regeneration, and placements will take place between June 2005 and April 2006. For more details, contact Ian or Louisa at RST .
A simpler R&D programme
The european commission has put forward a 10-point programme for simplification of the new seventh framework for R&D (known as FP7). Organisations that may be interested in participating in FP7 will welcome the easier process for giving legal and financial information, better communication and a simpler financing model. For a full copy of the report, go to:
European Employment Strategy
The European Commission is inviting applications from projects which create a better understanding of the European Employment Strategy and disseminate information about its operation. Two types of activities will be supported:
- Short term follow up and information activities involving events and disseminating information about the strategy
- Longer term transnational networks set up to encourage closer cooperation between groups of partners
Applications should be submitted by public authorities or agencies responsible for labour market policy. Deadline 15 th September 2005.
More information at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/calls/2005/vp_2005_011/tender_en.htm
EUCLID CULTUR€URO
EUCLID has added 7 further dates to their current series of Cultur€uro seminars on EU funding opportunities for the cultural sector. The new dates and venues are as follows:
Wednesday 22 June in Edinburgh (Dance Base)
Thursday 23 June in Penrith (Hackthorpe Business Centre, nr. Penrith)
Tuesday 28 June in Exeter ( Exeter Phoenix )
Wednesday 29 June in Cardiff (Chapter Arts Centre)
Wednesday 6 July in Hull (the Deep Business Centre)
Wednesday 13 July in Norwich ( Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre)
Wednesday 20 July in London (Wigmore Hall)
The registration fee for the seminars is £66 (+ VAT) and they will run from 1:30pm – 5:00pm . Delegates will receive a full information pack including notes on the presentations and extensive contact details.
For further information on all dates and venues - including the 7 new dates, and to access the online booking form. Please visit the website at www.euclid.info/uk/seminars
If you have any enquiries, please contact the EUCLID Team on 0151 709 2564 or info@euclid.info
Twinning programme
The 2006 Twinning Programme will have 2 calls for proposals covering exchanges and conferences respectively. The exchange programme will be in 4 phases will a call expected in September. Deadlines are planned for November 2005, February, April and June 2006.
More information at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/towntwinning/index_en.html