91997E2756

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2756/97 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Euro-Info-Center at the Regensburg Chamber of Commerce

The EC advisory agency at the Regensburg Chamber of Commerce has existed for about 10 years. Indeed, it was one of the first EICs to be recognized by the Commission. In the latest evaluation by the Commission, however, the Regensburg EIC has been downgraded from blue to violet.

1. Why has this downgrading taken place? Can the Commission provide a full explanation?

2. What (formal and qualitative) criteria does the Commission apply when evaluating EICs?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (2 October 1997)

Individual performance appraisals of the Euro Info Centres (EICs) are aimed not only at ensuring that their commitments to the Commission are fulfilled, since these determine payment of the Community contribution, but also at promoting an increase in the quantitative impact of the network as a whole.

The Commission's basic information source for the assessment exercise is the quarterly progress reports forwarded by the EICs. The assessment methodology, which was agreed with the EICs, is based on objective criteria of both a qualitative and quantitative nature.

For the purposes of the assessment, the activities of the Euro Info Centres are analysed from five points of view: their provision of information and assistance/consultancy services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on Community matters; their activities to promote the network; their involvement in intra-network cooperation; the extent and quality of their relations with the Commission, and the conformity of the internal organisation of the Euro Info Centres with their remit. The EICs have been involved in preparing a uniform assessment form setting out the various aspects of these activities.

In applying these criteria, the Regensburg EIC was classified in the 'violet' zone for 1996. This decision does not affect payment of the Community contribution. Its aim is simply to alert the EIC to certain weak points in its internal organisation and in its integration into the network. These weaknesses were set out in a letter from the Commission to the host structure.

The procedure is motivated by the desire to further improve the services provided by the Regensburg EIC as well as those provided by the network as a whole.