92003E0344

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0344/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject: Women's organisations budget heading A-3046

In 2002, at the European Parliament's instigation, a new budget heading A-3046 was created and was allocated annual funding of EUR 300 000, intended to cover grants to women's organisations not covered by the European Women's Lobby. An identical entry appears in the 2003 budget which has now been adopted.

Since the budget heading in question is a new one, would the Commission answer the following questions?

In 2002, which women's organisations applied for funding under budget heading A-3046? Which of them were granted subsidies under that heading and how much money did they receive? Which had their applications rejected? What were the grounds for either accepting or rejecting applications? What lessons has the Commission drawn from budget heading A-3046's first year (2002) of operation?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Under new budget heading A-3046 entitled Women's Organisations to which the Honourable Member refers, the Commission launched an open call for proposals aimed at a consortium of women's organisations not covered by the European Women's Lobby, which assist women victims of trafficking across Europe. Such an initiative would complement the range of instruments currently available in the Union for combating trafficking, by developing an additional aspect, i.e. assistance on the ground for the female victims of trafficking.

The Commission published the text of the open call for proposals (VP/2002/014) and the guidelines for applicants on the Gender Equality Unit's website(1) in mid July 2002 and the deadline for the submission of proposals was set for 16 September 2002.

Two proposals were received in response to the call. A project submitted by Associazione IRENE (a non-governmental organisation (NGO) representing an Italian network of established NGOs) aiming to co-ordinate the action of local women's associations from Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Norway, which are active in the field of providing support and assistance to victims of trafficking, was selected for funding.

The main grounds for such a decision were related to transnationality and financial status of the project proposals evaluated.

As for the lessons drawn from the first year of operation of budget heading A-3046, the Commission considers that the response to its initiative has been positive and, therefore, intends to use the identical heading in the 2003 budget for the same type of activities.

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equ_opp/index_en.htm.