92003E0713

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0713/03

by Miguel Martínez Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Funding allocated to the programme El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista

In around December 1999 the Commission approved a programme co-financed with EAGGF funds entitled El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista (Village feeling: rural women as protagonists), which was promoted and implemented by the Spanish Federation of Rural Women (FEMUR).

Can the Commission say what amount of funding has been allocated to this programme and what stage has been reached in its implementation?

Does the Commission know whether the organisation FEMUR has received Community funding for any other of its programmes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

As the Honourable Member states, on 7 December 1999 the Commission approved the pilot project El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista under Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 4256/88(1) laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88(2), as regards the EAGGF Guidance Section, which includes pilot projects for promoting rural development.

The planned Community financial contribution was EUR 740 745 from the EAGGF Guidance Section, and the project was to last from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2001. The beneficiary was the federation of rural women in Spain (FEMUR). On 2 October 2001, the Commission approved an extension of the deadline for the project until 30 September 2002.

Two initial payments totalling EUR 518 521 were made for this project.

The Commission has recently received documents on the closure of the project, which it is considering.

When considering the pilot project prior to approval, the Commission asked FEMUR whether it was receiving other Community finance. FEMUR was receiving Community part-financing of ESP 35 782 425 (EUR 215 000) from the European Social Fund under the NOW programme for a project entitled GEA Employment initiatives for women in rural areas, which was to run from 12 January 1998 to 31 December 1999. The beneficiary gave details of the projects and undertakings that overlap would be avoided. When it considers the dossier for closure, the Commission will check that all the conditions for the eligibility of the pilot project have been complied with.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.

(2) OJ L 185, 15.7.1988.