52005DC0026

Brussels, 10.02.2005

COM(2005) 26 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Tempus report 2002 and 2003

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Tempus report 2002 and 2003

1. FOREWORD

The Tempus Programme focuses on the development of the higher education systems in the Partner Countries through co-operation with institutions from the Member States of the European Union. Higher education institutions are of particular importance for the social and economic transition process as well as for inter-cultural dialogue; they are also pools of expertise and of human resources and provide for the training of new generations of leaders.

A detailed description of the Tempus programme can be found at the following URL:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/tempus/index_en.html

The implementation of the programme in 2002 and 2003 was marked by the pursuit of the process of programme implementation reform, the successful launch and consolidation of the programme in the MEDA region, the introduction of a new type of project (Structural and Complementary Measures); and the final evaluation of Tempus II and the interim evaluation of Tempus III. These developments were launched in 2002 and materialised in 2003. For this reason the annual reports for 2002 and 2003 have been merged into a single document.

2. THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH AND CONSOLIDATION OF TEMPUS-MEDA

In June 2002 the Tempus programme was extended to the Mediterranean Partners[1] with a view to reinforcing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and as part of a wider strategy to strengthen dialogue between peoples and cultures in the European Union and around the Mediterranean. Eligible for funding under the programme are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia. Israel’s participation in the programme is possible on a self-funding basis only.

To prepare for the first deadline for applications (15 December 2002), the Commission carried out missions to the MEDA Partners, discussing start-up measures with the national authorities and providing information to potential applicants. In spite of the short time between the formal extension of the programme and the deadline for applications, there were a good number of proposals and projects selected (in 2003), which proved the preparedness and interest among EU and MEDA countries’ institutions for co-operation in higher education.

The one exception to the relatively good level of participation from partner countries is Algeria, for reasons connected with the period of unrest the country has gone through and its impact on international co-operation. By the end of 2003, however, the number of applications concerning that country had risen sharply.

Starting in 2002 and continuing throughout 2003, the Commission assisted the MEDA Partner Countries in establishing National Tempus Offices (NTOs). As in the CARDS and TACIS countries, these offices act as reference points, providing information, and helping participating institutions in Partner Countries as well as facilitating co-operation with the EU Member States. Negotiations with the national authorities led to the establishment of NTOs in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. An NTO is also operational in Algeria. The Ministries of Higher Education in the MEDA Partner Countries were also involved in the identification of national priorities for publication in the new Guide for Applicants.

In October 2003 a major conference was organised in Alexandria, Egypt to mark the launching of Tempus in the Mediterranean Region. More than 300 representatives of higher education institutions from Europe and the Mediterranean Partners attended. The Conference underlined the importance of educational co-operation and intercultural dialogue between Europe and its Mediterranean Neighbours.

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF TEMPUS IN THE CARDS AND TACIS REGIONS

Over the years Tempus has become well established in the Western Balkans as well as Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. Dialogue with national authorities and information missions took place throughout the year. The main developments in the period covered by this report concern the establishment of NTOs.

In the Western Balkans, a Local Tempus Office in Kosovo[2], as an independent branch under the supervision of the same international expert in charge of the National Tempus Office in Belgrade, was set up. This was a challenging process, but resulted in an agreement under the auspices of the UN authority in Kosovo.

In Russia, in close collaboration with the Russian authorities and following a selection process, the Centre for Vocational Training was chosen to become the National Tempus Office.

A Tempus Office was set up in Ukraine, and is hosted by the Delegation of the European Commission.

In Central Asia the Commission reinforced the dialogue with the countries concerned by including the Directors of the Coordination Units and the Ministers of Education. It was agreed to increase the dissemination of information on the programme in the region. It is worth noting that, following a long period when the implementation of Tempus in Tajikistan had been interrupted, it resumed in 2003.

4. FINAL EVALUATION OF TEMPUS II AND INTERIM EVALUATION OF TEMPUS III

In 2002 the Commission launched a call for tender regarding the interim evaluation of the current phase of the programme and in parallel an impact evaluation of Tempus II. The work was carried out by an external contractor over most of 2003. From a methodological point of view, the main sources of data for the analysis of the second phase of the programme were surveys, reports by independent experts and workshops held with stakeholders involved in Tempus. The main findings of the final evaluation on Tempus II may be summarised as follows:

- Tempus had a major indirect influence on convergence of higher education systems in the Partner Countries with those in Member States through legislative changes;

- Tempus had a major indirect influence on the adaptation of the higher education systems to the changing socio-economic needs in the Partner Countries;

- Tempus had a major direct influence on the introduction of reforms in Higher Education Institutions;

- Tempus had a major direct impact on curriculum development but a weaker influence on university management.

The findings confirm the relevance of the second phase of the Tempus Programme for the higher education system reform in the Partner Countries. They likewise confirm that the reorientation initiated by the Council Decisions on Tempus II contributed substantially to this increased impact.

The purpose of the Tempus III mid-term evaluation, as defined in the terms of reference, was to assess the design and implementation of Tempus III in the light of the changing socio-economic situation of the Partner Countries and lessons drawn from the previous phases, with a view to possible proposals for continuation of the programme after 2006. The same methodological approach was followed as for the Tempus II final evaluation. The main findings on the mid-term evaluation of Tempus III may be summarised as follows:

- Design and management of the programme are perceived as satisfactory;

- The Tempus multilateral co-operation approach offers a significant European added value compared with bilateral assistance from Member States;

- The dialogue on national priorities should be reinforced;

- Result dissemination should be reinforced.

The Commission will use the results of these two evaluations for any necessary reorientation of the programme in its current phase and as a basis for proposals to carry forward the achievements of Tempus actions after 2006.

5. STRUCTURAL MEASURES - REINFORCING THE TOP-DOWN APPROACH

In 2003 the Commission launched the Structural and Complementary Measures (SCMs), contained in the Annex to the Tempus decision. The main purpose of these measures is to provide a framework for targeted action with a view to increasing the programme’s impact on the reform of higher education in Partner Countries.

Structural and Complementary Measures are closely linked to national priorities, introducing a strong top-down approach and allowing support for a wide range of activities. The first deadline for applications was 15 October 2003. The results will be analysed in the Tempus Annual Report for 2004.

6. THE REFORM OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEMPUS III

In 2002, the Commission undertook a thorough review of the implementation of the programme with the aim of simplifying it and making it more user-friendly. In addition to changes in implementation the Commission reviewed the timing of the selection process in order to adapt it to the timing of the programming exercise under the CARDS and TACIS programmes (from which the programme draws its funding, alongside MEDA).

A reform of the project cycle was implemented in 2002 aimed at streamlining and updating the procedures. It consisted mainly of a detailed review of basic documents such as the Guide for Applicants, and the simplification of grant agreements and of procedures (the selection process was shortened considerably to reduce it to a maximum of six months between the deadline for applications and the final award decision).

7. PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION

In 2002 the Commission published a report entitled ‘Tempus @ 10 – A Decade of University Co-operation” which looked at the overall achievements of the programme in the candidate countries between 1990 and 2000. Another study was launched in 2002 focussing on the impact Tempus had in targeting higher education in the context of the EU accession process. The study, which addresses university reforms in management and teaching as well as support for institution building projects in Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania, was finalised and published on the Tempus website in 2003.

A report entitled ‘Tempus in the Western Balkans’ was published in 2002 and is based on the outcomes of three regional Tempus conferences which took place late 2000 and throughout 2001 in Sarajevo, Skopje and Tirana. The report provides a summary of the conference proceedings and the conclusions reached by the participants on topics such as higher education management, higher education and society, and regional co-operation and networking. Many of the conclusions were then fed back into the programme developments for the region and were reflected in the new Guide for Applicants.

Throughout 2003 the Commission participated in a series of Tempus Information Days taking place in Partner Countries as well as in Member States.

8. 2002- 2003 SELECTION

Detailed selection and financial information is provided in the Annex to this report.

9. MONITORING

Ongoing monitoring of running projects focussed on the reporting obligations, by assessing the performance of the project in terms of progress and/or outcomes. In addition, a field monitoring campaign was organised and carried out by external monitors. A total of 1,149 payments were issued for current Tempus projects following the approval and assessment of project reports (a total of 255 reports). Furthermore, support and advice was given to several hundred project consortia.

Organised by the European Commission, training on the use of grants agreements (preventive monitoring) for approximately 200 project representatives from newly selected CARDS, TACIS and MEDA Joint European Projects was provided at a meeting held in Rome in September 2003.

On the spot project monitoring also took place, in combination with information days in Partner Countries.

10. CONCLUSION

Clearly, the two parallel processes of reform and extension have given Tempus renewed vigour and potential. This is combined with a highly positive evaluation of the programme. There will now follow a period of consolidation. There is will clearly be a continued central role for the programme in the new geo-political circumstances of an enlarging European Union.

ANNEX

Financial overview |

Committed | CARDS | MEDA | TACIS |

JEP (1) | 2003 | 15.171.728,66 € | 13.225.199,49 € | 21.391.229,71 €(2) |

IMG | 2002 | 184.518,00 € | - | 216.227,00 € |

2003 | 367.090,00 € | 530.900,00 € | 687.140,00 € |

NTO | 2002 | 486.395,00 € | 0,00 € | 238.697,00 € |

2003 | 450.185,00 € | 188.035,00 € | 217.442,00 € |

ETF (3) | 2002 | 700.000,00 € | 0,00 € | 840.000,00 € |

2003 | 475.000,00 € | 550.000,00 € | 675.000,00 € |

Other | 2002 | - | - | - |

2003 | 110.876,18 € | 386.834,65 € | 163.592,25 € |

Total | 2002 (1) | 1.370.913,00 € | - | 1.294.924,00 € |

2003 | 16.574.879,84 € | 14.880.969,14 € | 23.134.403,96 € |

(1) The Annual Report 2001 included the amounts corresponding to JEPs selected in 2002 and therefore they are not included in the present report.

(2) The total funding for projects selected in 2003 was 22.385.129,71 €. However only 21.391.229,71 € was committed; 993.900 € corresponding to projects involving Belarusian institutions was not committed because a financing agreement with Belarus has not been signed.

(3) The European Training Foundation (Tempus Department) provides Technical Assistance for the implementation of the programme.

JEP selection |

The tables below reflect the selections carried out in June 2003, following the call for proposals launched in 2002 (deadline 15 December 2002).

Multi-country projects involve more than one partner country.. For each partner country, the number of multi-country applications indicates the number of applications in which institutions from this country are involved.

Total committed includes the amount committed for national projects as well as the amount committed on a pro-rata basis to cover the participation of a partner country’s institution/s in multi-country projects.

Type of JEP - CD: Curriculum development; TCIB: Training Courses for Institution Building; MP: Multiplier Project; UM: University Management.

Tempus – CARDS |

The tables below are the result of selections held in 2002 and 2003.

IMG Tempus – CARDS |

Partner Country | Total Received Applications | Total Funded Applications | Success Rate | Total committed (per country) |

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA | 59 | 42 | 78.0 % | 151.640,00 € |

ALBANIA | 103 | 48 | 51.5 % | 235.542,00 € |

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA | 28 | 14 | 46.4 % | 54.280,00 € |

CROATIA | 22 | 11 | 63.6 % | 25.236,00 € |

KOSOVO | 1 | 2 | - | 3.800,00 € |

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO | 62 | 29 | 62.9 % | 81.110,00 € |

IMG Tempus – MEDA |

Partner Country | Total Received Applications | Total Funded Applications | Success Rate | Total contracted (per country) |

ALGERIA | 91 | 15 | 30.8 % | 60.400,00 € |

EGYPT | 78 | 46 | 71.8 % | 128.500,00 € |

JORDAN | 13 | 4 | 30.8 % | 21.300,00 € |

LEBANON | 67 | 27 | 61.2 % | 83.800,00 € |

MAROCCO | 46 | 15 | 52.2 % | 32.900,00 € |

PALESTINE | 17 | 14 | 94.1 % | 47.800,00 € |

SYRIA | 108 | 22 | 28.7 % | 95.500,00 € |

TUNISIA | 29 | 13 | 55.2 % | 31.800,00 € |

IMG Tempus – TACIS |

Partner Country | Total Received Applications | Total Funded Applications | Success Rate | Total committed (per country) |

ARMENIA | 44 | 19 | 45.5 % | 53.806,00 € |

AZERBAIJAN | 8 | 3 | 75.0 % | 5.440,00 € |

BELARUS | 29 | 16 | 58.6 % | 49.580,00 € |

GEORGIA | 40 | 14 | 47.5 % | 36.520,00 € |

KAZAKHSTAN | 15 | 4 | 26.7 % | 9.500,00 € |

KYRGYZSTAN | 31 | 14 | 54.8 % | 47.380,00 € |

MONGOLIA | 26 | 13 | 53.8 % | 49.950,00 € |

MOLDOVA | 33 | 14 | 72.7 % | 41.800,00 € |

RUSSIAN FEDERATION | 165 | 111 | 75.8 % | 336.900,00 |

TURKMENISTAN | 10 | 10 | 70.0 % | 32.800,00 € |

UKRAINE | 64 | 40 | 68.8 % | 107.100,00 € |

UZBEKISTAN | 110 | 32 | 35.5 % | 136.991,00 € |

[1] Council Decision of 27 June 2002 amending Decision 1999/311/EC

[2] As defined by the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999