91998E3890

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3890/98

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Action aimed at young people in the Mediterranean area

In its reply to Written Question E-1253/98(1), which was put to it in April 1998, the Commission stated that, in connection with the Barcelona Conference, "a Euro-Mediterranean youth exchange programme should be established" and that "specific initiatives for youth will be put forward shortly."

Would the Commission say what measures it has launched thus far, given its statement to the effect that such activities might be introduced in 1998?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

On 27 October 1998 the Commission approved the setting-up of the Euro-Mediterranean youth action programme. This programme will receive EUR 6 million in MEDA funds over two years to finance youth exchanges, the integration of young people in social and professional life and the democratisation of civil society in the Mediterranean partner countries. It is also aimed at fostering citizenship among young people in their local communities and actively involving young people and their organisations in enhancing the employability of the young people concerned.

The thrust of the programme is two-fold: to promote multilateral youth exchanges and a number of voluntary service activities. There will also be some activities to provide incentives, kick-starting and assistance to improve the quality of both the exchanges and the levee of involvement of the young people concerned: short training courses, the provision of information, study visits, support for the setting-up of national youth councils, and cooperation on studies into the situation of young people.

The programme will draw on the experience gained through the Community programme Youth for Europe, with the assistance of the Socrates technical assistance office. National officers will be appointed in each of the 12 partner countries to promote and manage the programme in liaison with the European coordinating organisations, in particular the national Youth for Europe agencies in each of the Member States.

The programme was submitted to the Euro-Mediterranean Committee in Barcelona on 25 November 1998 and was endorsed by the 27 Euro-Mediterranean partners. It will become operational in early 1999. Since 1995, the Youth for Europe programme has supported projects involving young people in the Community and Mediterranean partner countries to the tune of some EUR 1 million annually; since 1996 it has funded a number of young European volunteers as part of the European Voluntary Service initiative.

(1) OJ C 386, 11.12.1998, p. 100.