92001E0443

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0443/01

by Georges Berthu (NI) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Activities of the Racine association

The French private-law association Racine (Network for the Support and Capitalisation of European Innovations) which is active in the areas of employment and professional training has as its aim helping to ensure that Community guidelines are given practical effect in the French context by providing technical assistance to project organisers. It receives considerable support from the ESF which seems to provide 90 % of its operating budget.

Is the Commission in a position to assess the contribution the association actually makes, which certainly does not appear to have a high profile among those active in social affairs? Are details of how it uses its funds and full accounts publicly available?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2001)

Racine (an association within the meaning of the 1901 Act on the creation of non-profit associations) makes an active contribution to the implementation of various employment and social policy programmes.

Its tasks include the following:

- work connected with the Community initiatives Adapt and Employment;

- operations under Objectives 3 and 4 of the Structural Funds;

- the surveys and analyses strand of the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci programme (1995-1999);

- for the French State: organisation of study visits under the Leonardo da Vinci programme managed by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP);

- strategic monitoring of new provisions;

- for the Délégation interministérielle de la ville (interdepartmental office for urban matters): specific activities targeting local committees;

- Racine is also involved in PHARE activities.

In connection with project monitoring, Racine is in regular contact with social players, who are also represented in one of the management board's three constituent groups (public institutions, social partners and qualified experts).

As Racine is an association under the 1901 Act, its accounts are subject to scrutiny by an auditor.

The association is also under state surveillance in that a financial controller appointed by the French Budget Ministry performs this function and attends meetings of the association's management board.