European Parliament decision of 16 January 2019 on the closure of the accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2016 (2018/2938(RSP))

P8_TA(2019)0015 B8-0052/2019

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2016,

–  having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2016, together with the Office’s reply(1),

–  having regard to the statement of assurance(2) as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2016, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 20 February 2018 on discharge to be given to the Office in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2016 (05941/2018 – C8-0087/2018),

–  having regard to its decision of 18 April 2018(3) postponing the discharge decision for the financial year 2016, and the reply from the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office,

–  having regard to its decision of 24 October 2018(4) refusing to grant the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office discharge for the financial year 2016,

–  having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002(5), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

–  having regard to Regulation (EU) No 439/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing a European Asylum Support Office(6), in particular Article 36 thereof,

–  having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council(7), and in particular Article 108 thereof,

–  having regard to Rule 94 of, and the second paragraph of Article 5(2)(a) of Annex IV to, its Rules of Procedure,

1.  Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2016;

2.  Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

(1) OJ C 417, 6.12.2017, p. 79. (2) OJ C 417, 6.12.2017, p. 79. (3) Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0140. (4) Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0406. (5) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1. (6) OJ L 132, 29.5.2010, p. 11. (7) OJ L 328, 7.12.2013, p. 42.

European Parliament non-legislative resolution of 16 January 2019 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (10593/2018 – C8-0463/2018 – 2018/0256M(NLE))

P8_TA(2019)0016 A8-0478/2018

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (10593/2018),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 207(4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(i), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C8-0463/2018),

–  having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part,

–  having regard to the Agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products, also referred to as the Liberalisation Agreement, which entered into force on 1 September 2013,

–  having regard to the General Court judgment (Case T-512/12) of 10 December 2015,

–  having regard to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgment (Case C-104/16 P) of 21 December 2016,

–  having regard to Commission staff working document SWD(2018)0346 of 11 June 2018, which accompanies the proposal for a Council decision,

–  having regard to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 23 May 1969 and its Articles 34 and 36,

–  having regard to the report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara to the United Nations Security Council (S/2018/277),

–  having regard to United Nations Security Council resolution 2414 (2018) on the situation concerning Western Sahara (S/RES/2414 (2018)),

–  having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular to its Article 73 in Chapter XI regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories,

–  having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular its Article 21 in Chapter 1, Title V,

–  having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in particular its Article 218(6)(a),

–  having regard to its legislative resolution of 16 January 2019(1) on the draft Council decision,

–  having regard to Rule 99(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on International Trade, the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Fisheries (A8-0478/2018),

A.  whereas the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco enjoy historical relations and maintain close cooperation developed through a broad partnership that covers political, economic and social aspects, as strengthened by the advanced status and the willingness of both parties to further develop it;

B.  whereas the Liberalisation Agreement between the EU and Morocco entered into force on 1 September 2013; whereas the Front Polisario referred the agreement to the CJEU on 19 November 2012 for violating international law in applying to the territory of Western Sahara;

C.  whereas on 10 December 2015 the first instance of the Court repealed the Council decision to conclude the Liberalisation Agreement; whereas the Council unanimously appealed this judgment on 19 February 2016;

D.  whereas the CJEU General Court in its judgment of 21 December 2016 determined that the Liberalisation Agreement did not provide a legal basis for Western Sahara to be included, and therefore could not apply to this territory;

E.  whereas paragraph 106 of the judgment states that the people of Western Sahara must be regarded as a ‘third party’ to the agreement – within the meaning of the principle of the relative effect of treaties – whose consent must be received for the implementation of the agreement to the territory; whereas, therefore, this agreement could not extend its application to the territory of Western Sahara in the absence of a further agreement;

F.  whereas operators can still export to the European Union from Western Sahara, but since 21 December 2016 tariff preferences do not apply to products originating from this territory;

G.  whereas there is insufficient information available that would enable the EU customs authorities to determine whether products exported from Morocco originate in Western Sahara, therefore preventing compliance with the CJEU ruling;

H.  whereas, following the CJEU judgment, the Council gave the Commission a mandate to modify protocols 1 and 4 of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement in order to allow for the inclusion of Western Saharan products; whereas their inclusion by definition necessitates some form of traceability to identify such products;

I.  whereas it is essential to ensure that the Agreement complies with the judgment of the CJEU of 21 December 2016 in Case C-104/16P;

J.  whereas the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) consulted, in Brussels and in Rabat, elected officials and several representatives and associations of civil society from the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara;

K.  whereas Parliament considered it necessary to go and assess the situation at first hand and gain an understanding of the different views of the people; whereas it recalled the conclusions of the fact-finding mission of its Committee on International Trade (INTA) to the territory on 2 and 3 September 2018;

L.  whereas the modification of the Liberalisation Agreement takes place within a broader political and geopolitical context;

M.  whereas, following the end of Spanish colonialisation of Western Sahara, the conflict in the area has lasted for more than forty years;

N.  whereas Western Sahara is considered by the United Nations as a non-decolonised territory;

O.  whereas United Nations Security Council resolution 2440 (2018) prolonged the MINURSO mandate for an additional six-month period;

P.  whereas the EU and its Member States do not recognise the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara; whereas the United Nations and the African Union recognise the Front Polisario as the representative of the people of Western Sahara;

Q.  whereas the United Nations lists Western Sahara as a Non-Self-Governing Territory for the purposes of Article 73 of its Charter;

1.  Recalls that Morocco is a privileged EU partner in the Southern Neighbourhood, with which the EU has built up a strong, strategic and long-lasting partnership that covers political, economic and social aspects, as well as security and migration; highlights that Morocco has been granted advanced status within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP);

2.  Stresses that it is important for this agreement to give guarantees regarding respect for international law, including human rights, and to comply with the relevant ruling by the CJEU;

3.  Recalls the obligation under Article 21 of the TEU for the EU and its Member States to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law; underlines, in this respect, that Article 1(2) of the UN Charter includes respect for the principle of the self-determination of peoples;

4.  Recalls that, according to Article 21 of the TEU, the Union’s action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law;

5.  Stresses that this agreement does not imply any form of recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, presently listed by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory, large parts of which are currently administered by the Kingdom of Morocco, and insists that the EU’s position remains that of supporting UN efforts to secure a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict in Western Sahara that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions; reiterates, therefore, its full support to the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr Horst Köhler, in helping to bring the parties back to the UN negotiation table in order to achieve this settlement; calls on the parties to resume these negotiations without preconditions and in good faith; emphasises that ratification of the amended Liberalisation Agreement between the EU and Morocco has to be strictly without prejudice to the outcome of the peace process over Western Sahara;

6.  Points out that a meeting of the parties involved in the conflict was held in Geneva in early December on the initiative of the UN and with the participation of Algeria and Mauritania, and hopes that meeting will help kick-start the peace process;

7.  Recognises the two conditions set in the CJEU judgment, to explicitly mention Western Sahara in the Agreement text and to obtain the consent of the people, as well as the third criterion added by the Council which is the need to ensure that it benefits the local population;

8.  Stresses, as stated in the Commission report, that all reasonable and feasible steps have been taken to inquire about the consent of the population concerned, through these inclusive consultations;

9.  Underlines that throughout the consultation process the Commission and the EEAS maintained regular contact with the team of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara;

10.  Takes note of the legitimate interests of the people in the territory and believes that a respected and accepted end to the ongoing conflict is required for the territory’s economic development; is, at the same time, convinced that the Sahrawi people has the right to develop while awaiting a political solution;

11.  Notes, in talks with various local actors and civil society representatives, that some parties express their support to the agreement by defending their right to economic development, while others consider that the settlement of the political conflict should precede the granting of trade preferences; notes that, during inclusive consultations led by the Commission and the EEAS with a range of Western Saharan organisations and other organisations and bodies, majority support was expressed, by the parties participating, for the socio-economic benefits the proposed tariff preferences would bring;

12.  Recalls that the CJEU did not specify in its judgment how the people’s consent has to be expressed and considers therefore that some uncertainty remains as regards this criterion;

13.  Recognises that the agreement can lead to the promotion of social and sustainable development which makes a key contribution to current economic, social and environmental development and to the potential creation of both low- and high-skilled local employment opportunities; notes that an estimated 59 000 or so jobs are dependent on exports, corresponding to roughly 10 % of the population living in the territory;

14.  Believes that the EU tariff preferences have had a positive impact on the agricultural and fisheries products sectors and their export levels in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara; calls, however, for caution in checking that these produce local value added, are locally re-invested, and provide decent work opportunities for the local population;

15.  Is convinced that, notwithstanding the outcome of the peace process, the local population will profit from economic development and the spill-over effects created in terms of investment in infrastructure, employment, health and education;

16.  Acknowledges the existing investment in several sectors, and the endeavours to develop green technologies such as renewables and the seawater desalination plant, but insists that further efforts are necessary to ensure increased inclusion in all parts of the local economy;

17.  Recognises business initiatives by Sahrawis, especially those coming from young people, many of whom are women, and highlights their need for extended export opportunities and legal certainty in order to allow for further investment in sectors with high employment demand, such as agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure;

18.  Recognises the strategic potential of Western Sahara as an investment hub for the rest of the African continent;

19.  Warns of the adverse effects of the non-application of tariff preferences on products from the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, and the message this sends to the younger generation investing or willing to invest in the territory and its potential to develop it; underlines the risk of activities being relocated to regions where they would benefit from the preferences; notes that, according to the Commission, the non-application of tariff preferences could worsen the economic and social situation of the local population in the territories concerned;

20.  Is convinced that an EU presence through, inter alia, this agreement is preferable to withdrawal when it comes to engagement in promoting and monitoring of human rights and individual freedoms, and demands a rigorous assessment and dialogue with Morocco on these issues;

21.  Recalls that other parts of the world that have a less ambitious approach to sustainable development, high labour and social standards and human rights are knocking on the door for new trade opportunities and will gain increased influence wherever the EU withdraws;

22.  Highlights that the EU’s ongoing engagement in the territory will have a positive leverage effect on its sustainable development;

23.  Underlines that legal certainty is essential to attract sustainable and long-term investment in the territory and hence for the dynamism and diversification of the local economy;

24.  Recalls that, since the CJEU judgment, Member States cannot legally apply trade preferences to products from the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara and that the legal uncertainty affecting economic operators has to come to an end;

25.  Is aware and very concerned that, until now, it has been extremely difficult to identify which products are exported from the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara;

26.  Emphasises that a key criterion for Parliament before giving its consent to the agreement is to ensure that a mechanism will be put in place for Member States’ customs authorities to have access to reliable information on products originating in Western Sahara and imported into the EU, in full compliance with EU customs legislation; emphasises that such a mechanism will make available detailed and disaggregated statistical data provided timely on such exports; regrets the fact that the Commission and Morocco took a long time to agree to such a mechanism and calls on the Commission to use all corrective measures available should the implementation of the agreement not be satisfactory; urges the Commission to present to Parliament an annual assessment of the conformity of this mechanism with EU customs legislation;

27.  Highlights that, without this agreement in force, including the mechanism allowing for the identification of products, it will be impossible to know whether, and how many, products originating in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara are entering the European market;

28.  Emphasises that the implementation of the provision agreed between the EU and Morocco on the annual mutual exchange of information and statistics concerning products covered by the Exchange of Letters is necessary to evaluate the scope of the Agreement and its impact on development and local populations;

29.  Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to closely monitor the implementation and result of the agreement and to regularly report their findings to Parliament;

30.  Calls on the Commission to explore ways in which trade preferences can be effectively granted in the future to the entirety of the people living in Western Sahara;

31.  Points out that the EU and Morocco have negotiated, as set out in the initial agreement concluded in 2012, an ambitious and comprehensive agreement on protecting the geographical indications and designations of origin of agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products that provides for the protection by Morocco of the full list of the EU’s geographical indications; points out, furthermore, that the procedure for concluding the agreement, which began in 2015, was suspended following the Court’s judgment of 21 December 2016; calls on the EU and Morocco to resume that procedure immediately and to return swiftly to the DCFTA negotiations;

32.  Emphasises that the preferential treatment granted for certain Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the EU under the agreement of 8 March 2012 concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products is a particularly sensitive matter for Europe’s horticulture industry;

33.  Emphasises that access to the EU’s internal market by all third countries should comply with EU sanitary, phytosanitary, traceability and environmental rules and standards;

34.  Asks the Commission to promote equivalency of measures and controls between Morocco and the European Union in the area of sanitary, phytosanitary, traceability and environmental standards as well as labelling of origin rules, in order to guarantee fair competition between the two markets;

35.  Recalls that the updated agreement does not alter the tariff rate quotas and the preferential import regime previously established, and only provides European producers with clarification on the geographical scope of the agreement;

36.  Draws attention to the fact that some of the fruit and vegetables exported preferentially to the EU under the terms of the agreement in question (including tomatoes and melons) come from the territory of Western Sahara, and points out that ambitious plans have been drawn up with a view to further developing such production and exports;

37.  Takes note, nevertheless, of the clarification that the new agreement provides, and hopes that it will be able henceforth to provide a clear, stable framework between the parties of this agreement and for the economic operators concerned on both sides of the Mediterranean;

38.  Notes that the monitoring of sensitive agricultural products and the strict application of quotas are fundamental to the balanced functioning of the agreement; points out that Article 7 of Protocol 1 to the 2012 Agreement contains a safeguard clause making it possible for appropriate steps to be taken where imports of large quantities of agricultural products classed as sensitive under the agreement cause serious market distortion and/or serious harm to the industry concerned; hopes that preferential imports into the EU of sensitive agricultural products from Morocco and Western Sahara will be subject to appropriate and broad monitoring by the Commission, and that the Commission will still be ready to activate immediately the aforementioned clause where an established need arises;

39.  Takes note of the fact that EU fishing vessels operating in the waters concerned are legally obliged to have a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and that it is mandatory to transmit the position of a vessel to the Moroccan authorities, making it fully possible to track the vessels and to record where their fishing activities take place;

40.  Calls on the EU to step up efforts to foster regional cooperation among the Maghreb countries, which can only have tremendous positive implications for the region and beyond;

41.  Points to the strategic need for the EU to engage more closely with the countries in the Maghreb region and develop its ties with them; views the extension of the Association Agreement in this context as a logical component of this strategy;

42.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service.

(1) Texts adopted, P8_TA(2019)0017.

European Parliament legislative resolution of 16 January 2019 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (10593/2018 – C8-0463/2018 – 2018/0256(NLE))

P8_TA(2019)0017 A8-0471/2018

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (10593/2018),

–  having regard to the draft agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro‑Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (10597/2018),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 207(4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(i), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C8-0463/2018),

–  having regard to its non-legislative resolution of 16 January 2019(1) on the draft decision,

–  having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4) and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade and the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A8-0471/2018),

1.  Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of Morocco.

(1) Texts adopted, P8_TA-PROV(2019)0016.

European Parliament legislative resolution of 16 January 2019 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the People's Republic of China in connection with DS492 European Union - Measures affecting Tariff Concessions on Certain Poultry Meat Products (10882/2018 – C8-0496/2018 – 2018/0281(NLE))

P8_TA(2019)0018 A8-0472/2018

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (10882/2018),

–  having regard to the draft Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Union and the People's Republic of China in connection with DS492 European Union - Measures affecting Tariff Concessions on Certain Poultry Meat Products (10883/2018),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with first subparagraph of Article 207(4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C8‑0496/2018),

–  having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4), and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade (A8-0472/2018),

1.  Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the People’s Republic of China.

European Parliament legislative resolution of 16 January 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) (COM(2018)0380 – C8-0231/2018 – 2018/0202(COD))

P8_TA(2019)0019 A8-0445/2018

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0380),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 175(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8-0231/2018),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 12 December 2018(1),

–  having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 5 December 2018(2),

–  having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the opinions of the Committee on International Trade, the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on Regional Development, and the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (A8-0445/2018),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 16 January 2019 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) .../... of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for Transition (EFT) [Am. 1. This amendment applies throughout the text]

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 175 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(3),

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(4),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(5),

Whereas:

(1)  Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on the European Union ('TEU') and in Article Articles 9 and 10 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 TEU should be respected in the implementation of the Funds, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In accordance with Article 8 TFEU, Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspective, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The objectives of the Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. [Am. 2]

(2)  On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights(6) was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union shall be made ready for the current and future challenges of globalisation and digitisation, making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies. The twenty key principles of the Pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The European Pillar of Social Rights shall act as an overarching guiding framework of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Transition (EGFEFT), allowing the Union to set the relevant principles into practice in the case of major restructuring events.

(3)  On 20 June 2017, the Council endorsed the Union response(7) to the ‘UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’(8) — a sustainable European future. The Council underlined the importance of achieving sustainable development across the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), in a balanced and integrated way. It is vital that sustainable development is mainstreamed in the European policy framework, and that the Union is ambitious in the policies it uses to address global challenges. The Council welcomed the Commission Communication on ‘Next steps for a sustainable European future’ of 22 November 2016 as a first step in mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals and applying sustainable development as an essential guiding principle for all Union policies, including through its financing instruments.

(4)  In February 2018, the Commission adopted its Communication on ‘A new, modern Multiannual Financial Framework for a European Union that delivers efficiently on its priorities post-2020’(9). The Communication stresses that the Union budget shall support Europe’s unique social market economy. Therefore, it will be of utmost importance to improve employment opportunities and to address the skills challenges, especially also those linked to digitisation, automatisation and a transition towards a resource-efficient economy, fully respecting the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change following the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Budgetary flexibility shall be a key principle in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Flexibility mechanisms shall remain in place to allow the Union to react in a more timely manner to unforeseen events, and to ensure that budgetary resources are used where most urgently needed. [Am. 3]

(5)  In its ‘White Paper on the Future of Europe’(10) the Commission expresses concerns regarding isolationist movements, growing doubts over the benefits of open trade and the Union’s social market economy in general.

(6)  In its ‘Reflection Paper on Harnessing Globalisation’(11) the Commission identifies the combination of trade related globalisation and technological change as the major drivers of an increased demand for skilled labour and a reduced number of jobs that require lower qualifications. Despite the overall tremendous advantages of more open trade and further integration of world economies, these While acknowledging the advantages of more open trade, appropriate means are needed to address related negative side effects need to be tackled. As the current benefits of globalisation are already unequally distributed among people and regions, causing a significant impact on those adversely affected, there is a danger that the ever faster evolving technological advances and environmental changes will further fuel these effects. Therefore, in line with the principles of solidarity and sustainability, it will be necessary to ensure that the benefits of globalisation will be are shared more fairly. Any simultaneous adverse effects of globalisation and technological and environmental transitions should be more widely anticipated by the relevant Union Structural Funds, such as the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), in order better to adapt the business world and workforces by reconciling economic opening growth and technological advance with adequate social protection and active support to accessing employment and self-employment opportunities. [Am. 4]

(7)  In its ‘Reflection Paper on the Future of Union Finances’(12) the Commission underlines the need to reduce economic and social divergences between and within Member States. Therefore, a key priority is to invest in sustainable development, equality, social inclusion, education and training as well as health. [Am. 5]

(8)  Globalisation Climate Change, globalisation and technological change is are likely to further increase the interconnectedness and interdependence of world economies. Labour reallocation is an integral and inevitable part of such economic change. If the benefits of change are to be distributed fairly, offering assistance to displaced workers and those threatened by displacement is of utmost importance. The main Union instruments to assist affected workers are ESF+, which is designed to offer assistance in an anticipatory way, and the EFT, which is designed to offer assistance in the case of major restructuring events in a reactive manner. The ‘EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring’(13), is the Union policy instrument that sets the framework of best practice for anticipating and dealing with corporate restructuring. It offers a comprehensive framework on how the challenges of economic adjustment and restructuring and their employment and social impact should be addressed by adequate policy means. It also calls upon Member States to use EU and national funding in a way to ensure that the social impact of restructuring, especially the adverse effects on employment, can be cushioned more effectively. The main Union instruments to assist workers affected are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which is designed to offer assistance in an anticipatory way, and the EGF, which is designed to offer assistance in the case of unexpected major restructuring events in a reactive manner. [Am. 6]

(9)  The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established by Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council(14) for the multiannual financial framework from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. The EGF has been set up to enable the Union to show solidarity towards workers who lost their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation.

(10)  The scope of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 was broadened in 2009 by Regulation (EC) No 546/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council(15) as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan to include workers who lost their jobs as a direct consequence of the global financial and economic crisis.

(11)  For the duration of the multiannual financial framework from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020, Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(16) extended the scope to cover not only job displacements resulting from a serious economic disruption caused by a continuation of the global financial and economic crisis addressed in Regulation (EC) No 546/2009, but also from any new global financial and economic crisis.

(11a)  The EFT programme should be visible and require more and better data, in order to allow a proper scientific evaluation of the EFT and avoid administrative constraints in the operation of the programme for trade adjustment assistance. [Am. 7]

(12)  The Commission carried out a mid-term evaluation of the EGF to assess how and to what extent the EGF achieves its objectives. The EGF proved to be effective, attaining a higher reintegration rate of displaced workers than in the previous programming period. The evaluation also found that the EGF generated European added value. This is particularly true in terms of its volume effects, meaning that EGF assistance not only increases the number and variety of services offered, but also their level of intensity. Moreover, EGF interventions have high visibility and demonstrate the EU added value of the intervention directly to the general public However, several challenges were identified. On the one hand, the mobilisation procedure was considered to be too long. Furthermore, many Member States reported problems putting together the extensive background analysis of the event that triggered the redundancies. The main reason that keeps Member States that would have had a potential EGF case from applying are financial and institutional capacity problems. On the one hand, it could simply be a lack of manpower — Member States currently can ask for technical assistance only if they implement an EGF case. Since redundancies can happen unexpectedly, it would be important that Member States are ready to react immediately and can submit an application without any delays. Furthermore, in certain Member States, more profound institutional capacity building efforts seem necessary in order to ensure an efficient and effective implementation of EGF cases. The threshold of 500 displaced jobs was criticized as being too high, especially in lesser populated regions(17).

(13)  The Commission underlines the continuing importance of the role of the EGF EFT as a flexible fund to support workers who lose their jobs in large-scale restructuring events and to help them to find another job as rapidly as possible. The Union should continue to provide specific, one-off support to facilitate the re-integration into equality and sustainable employment of displaced workers in areas, sectors, territories or labour markets suffering a shock of serious economic disruption. Considering the interplay and mutual effects of open trade, technological change, digitisation and automation or other factors like the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union or the transition to a low carbon economy, and therefore considering that it is increasingly difficult to single out a specific factor that causes job displacements, the mobilisation of the EGF shall EFT should in the future only be based on the significant impact of a restructuring event. Given its purpose, which is to provide support in situations of urgency and unexpected circumstances, complementing the more anticipatory assistance offered by the ESF+, the EGF shall EFT should remain a flexible and special instrument outside the budgetary ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework, as set out in the Commission's communication.' A Modern Budget for a Union that Protects, Empowers and Defends - The Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027' and its annex(18). [Ams 8 and 97]

(13a)  In its resolution of 30 May 2018 on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework and own resources, the European Parliament reconfirmed its firm position on the necessary level of funding for key Union policies in the 2021-2027 MFF, in order to enable them to fulfil their mission and objectives. It stressed in particular the call to double the specific MFF funding for SMEs and for tackling youth unemployment; welcomed several proposals that improve the current provisions, notably the increased allocations of special instruments; and stated its intention to negotiate additional improvements, wherever necessary. [Am. 9]

(14)  As stated, in order to maintain the European nature of the EGF EFT, an application for support should be triggered when a major restructuring event causes a significant impact on the local or regional economy. Such an impact should be defined by a minimum number of job displacements within a specific reference period. Taking into account the findings of the mid-term evaluation, the threshold shall be set at 250 200 jobs displacement within a the respective reference period of four months (or 6 months in sectoral cases) periods. Taking into account that waves of dismissals in different sectors but the same region have an equally significant impact on the local labour market, regional applications shall be possible as well. In small labour markets, such as small Member States or remote regions, including the outermost regions as referred in Article 349 of the TFEU, or in exceptional circumstances, it should be possible to submit applications could be submitted in the case of a lower number of job displacements. [Am. 10]

(14a)  While respecting the principle of subsidiarity, and taking into account the need for a significant impact of the restructuring event as a threshold for an EFT application, the EFT should strive to show solidarity with dismissed workers from all types of enterprises, regardless of their size. [Am. 11]

(14b)  The EFT should remain a special Union instrument reacting to situations that cause major restructuring events in the European labour market. However, the Union should continue efforts to find more sustainable ways of tackling the structural change and challenges that affect labour markets and lead to such events in the Member States. [Am. 12]

(15)  In order to express Union solidarity with displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased, the co-funding rate of the cost of the package of personalised services and its implementation should equal that of the ESF+ in the respective Member State concerned.

(16)  Part of the budget of the Union allocated to the EGF EFT should be implemented by the Commission under shared management with Member States within the meaning of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [number of the new Financial Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council(19) (the 'Financial Regulation'). Therefore, when implementing the EGF EFT under shared management, the Commission and the Member States should respect the principles referred to in the Financial Regulation, such as sound financial management, transparency and non-discrimination.

(17)  The European Monitoring Centre on Change, based in the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) in Dublin, assists the Commission and the Member States with qualitative and quantitative analyses in order to help in the assessment of trends of, such as in globalisation, technological and environmental changes, restructuring and in the use of the EGF EFT. Such analyses should include sufficient disaggregated data, particularly from a gender perspective, in order to combat gender inequalities more efficiently. [Am. 13]

(17a)  Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) monitors in real time the reporting of large-scale restructuring events throughout the Union, based on a network of national correspondents. The ERM is very relevant to the EFT and should assist its operation in particular by helping to identify potential intervention cases at an early stage. [Am. 14]

(18)  Displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased should have equal access to the EGF EFT independently of their type of employment contract or employment relationship. Therefore, displaced workers, regardless of the type and duration of their employment relationship, as well as self-employed persons whose activity has ceased should be regarded as possible EGF EFT beneficiaries for the purposes of this Regulation. [Am. 15]

(19)  Financial contributions from the EGF EFT should be primarily directed at active labour market measures and personalised services aimed at reintegrating beneficiaries rapidly into quality and sustainable employment in a future-oriented sector, either whether within or outside their initial sector of activity, but should also seek to promote self-employment and enterprise creation, including through the establishment of cooperatives. Measures should reflect the prospected prospective needs of the local or regional labour market. However, whenever relevant, the mobility of displaced workers should also be supported in order to help find new employment elsewhere. A particular focus shall should be laid on the dissemination of skills required in the digital age, and on overcoming gender stereotypes in employment, where appropriate. The inclusion of pecuniary allowances in a coordinated package of personalised services should be restricted. The financial contributions should complement and not replace any measures which are the responsibility of Member States and/or companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements. Companies could should be encouraged to participate in the national co-funding for the EGF EFT-supported measures. [Am. 16]

(19a)  When implementing and designing coordinated package of personalised services, aimed at facilitating the re-integration of the targeted beneficiaries, Member States should exploit and better target the aims of the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market Strategy with a view to addressing the serious gender gap within the ICT and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors by promoting re-training and re-qualification of women into ICT and STEM sectors. When implementing and designing coordinated package of personalised services, Member States should also avoid perpetuating the domination of one gender in those industries and sectors where this has traditionally been the case. Increasing the representation of the less represented gender in different sectors, such as finance, ICT and STEM, would contribute towards the reduction of gender pay and pension gap. [Am. 17]

(20)  When drawing up the coordinated package of active labour market policy measures, Member States should favour measures that will significantly contribute to the employability of the beneficiaries. Member States should strive towards the reintegration into quality and sustainable employment of the largest possible number of all beneficiaries participating in these measures as soon as possible within the sixseven-month period before the final report on the implementation of the financial contribution is due. The design of the coordinated package of personalised services should take into account the underlying reasons for the redundancies where relevant and anticipate future labour market perspectives and required skills. The coordinated package should be compatible with the shift towards a climate-friendly and resource-efficient economy. [Am. 18]

(21)  Member States should pay particular attention to disadvantaged beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, persons with dependent relatives, young and older unemployed persons, persons with a low level of qualifications, persons with a migrant background and those persons at risk of poverty, when designing the coordinated package of active labour market policy measures, given that those groups experience particular problems in re-entering the labour market. Notwithstanding, the principles of gender equality and of non-discrimination, which are among the Union’s core values and are enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights, should be respected and promoted when implementing the EGF EFT. [Am. 19]

(21a)  In the period between March 2007 and March 2017, the Commission received 148 applications for co-financing from the EGF from 21 Member States, for a total of almost EUR 600 million to help 138 888 displaced workers and 2 944 people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). [Am. 20]

(22)  In order to support beneficiaries effectively and rapidly, Member States should do their utmost to submit as a matter of urgency complete applications for a financial contribution from the EGF EFT and the Union institutions should do their utmost to assess them rapidly. In case the Commission requires further information for the assessment of an application, the provision of additional information should be limited in time. [Am. 21]

(22a)  To facilitate the implementation and the aims of this Regulation, more publicity should be given to the EFT and its possibilities, in particular at the level of the relevant authorities in the Member States. [Am. 22]

(22b)  The Commission should facilitate access to national and regional authorities through a dedicated helpdesk that would provide general information and explanations on procedures and on how to submit an application. That helpdesk should make available standard forms for statistics and further analysis. [Am. 23]

(23)  In the interest of beneficiaries and bodies responsible for implementation of the measures, the applicant Member State should keep all actors involved in the application process informed of the progress of the application and keep them engaged during the implementation process. [Am. 24]

(24)  In compliance with the principle of sound financial management, financial contributions from the EGF should not EFT cannot replace but rather should, where possible, complement support measures which are available for beneficiaries within the Union funds or other Union policies or programmes. Nor can the EFT’s financial contribution replace national measures or replace measures that are the responsibility of dismissing companies under national law or collective agreements and should instead create real European added value. [Am. 25]

(25)  Special provisions In light of the principle of equality, Member States should be included for ensure effective access to information about the EFT throughout their territory, including in rural areas. The Commission should, in particular, promote the dissemination of existing best practice, raise awareness of the EFT’s eligibility criteria and application procedures and do more to raise awareness of the EFT among Union citizens, in particular workers. Special provisions should be included for information and communication activities on EGF EFT cases and outcomes. [Am. 26]

(26)  To facilitate the implementation of this Regulation, expenditure should be eligible either from the date on which a Member State starts to provide personalised services or from the date on which a Member State incurs administrative expenditure for implementing the EGF EFT.

(27)  In order to cover the needs arising especially during the first months of each year, when the possibilities for transfers from other budget lines are particularly difficult, an adequate amount of payment appropriations should be made available on the EGF EFT budget line in the annual budgetary procedure.

(27a)  In order to cover the needs arising especially during the first months of each year, where the options for transfers from other budget lines are particularly limited, an adequate amount of payment appropriations should be made available on the EFT budget line in the annual budgetary procedure. [Am. 27]

(28)  [The Multiannual Financial Framework and the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of [future date] on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management(20) (‘the Interinstitutional Agreement’) determine the budgetary framework of the EGF EFT].

(29)  In the interest of the beneficiaries, assistance should be made available as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Member States and the Union institutions involved in the EGF EFT decision-making process should do their utmost to reduce processing time and simplify procedures so as to ensure the smooth and rapid adoption of decisions on the mobilisation of the EGF EFT. Therefore, the Budgetary Authority shall in the future decide on transfer requests submitted by the Commission, not requiring a Commission Proposal for the mobilisation of the EGF anymore. [separate vote]

(30)  In the event of an enterprise closing down, displaced workers may be helped to take over some or all of the activities of their former employer and the Member State in which the enterprise is located may advance the funds that are required urgently to make this possible. [Am. 29]

(31)  In order to enable political scrutiny by the European Parliament and continuous monitoring by the Commission of results obtained with EGF EFT assistance, Member States should submit a final report on the implementation of the EGF EFT which should respond to clear monitoring requirements and contain a follow up of the beneficiaries and a gender equality impact assessment. [Am. 30]

(32)  The Member States should remain responsible for the implementation of the financial contribution and for the management and control of the actions supported by Union funding, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the ‘Financial Regulation’)(21) or its successor Regulation. The Member States should justify the use made of the financial contribution received from the EGF EFT. In view of the short implementation period of EGF EFT operations, reporting obligations should reflect the particular nature of the EGFEFT interventions.

(32a)  The Member States should conduct effective communication activities in order to promote financial contributions from the EFT, emphasise that funding has come from the Union and raise the profile of activities financed by the Union under the EFT. [Am. 31]

(33)  Member States should also prevent, detect and deal effectively with any irregularities including fraud committed by beneficiaries. Moreover, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(22), and Council Regulations (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95(23) and No 2185/96(24), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939(25), the European Public Prosecutor's Office may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council(26) on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law. Member States should take the necessary measures so that any person or entity receiving Union funds fully cooperates in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, grants the necessary rights and access to the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and ensures that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights. Member States should report to the Commission on detected irregularities including fraud, and on their follow-up as well as on the follow-up of OLAF investigations.

(34)  In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013, Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95, Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371. In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights.

(35)  Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding.

(36)  Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Interinstitutional agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making(27), there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground.

(37)  Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives over the MFF 2021-2027 period, and an annual target of 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027. Relevant actions will be identified during the fund's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of its evaluation. [Am. 32]

(38)  Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, but can rather, by reason of their scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(39)  Considering the fact that the digital transformation of the economy requires a certain level of digital competence of the workforce, the dissemination of skills required in the digital age should be a mandatory horizontal element of any coordinated package of personalised services offered and should incorporate the aim of increasing the participation of women in STEM professions, [Am. 33]

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation establishes the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Transition (EGF EFT).

It lays down the objectives of the EGF EFT, the forms of Union funding and the rules and criteria for providing such funding, including applications by the Member States for financial contributions from the EGF EFT for measures targeting the beneficiaries referred to in Article 7. [Am. 34]

Article 2

Mission

The EGF shall contribute to a better distribution of the benefits of globalisation and technological advance The objective of the EFT shall be to support socio-economic transformations that are the result of globalisation and of technological and environmental changes by helping displaced workers adapt to structural change through the promotion of alternative, sustainable employment. The EFT shall be an emergency fund that operates reactively and contributes to a just transition. As such, the EGF EFT shall contribute to the implementation of the principles defined under the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhance social and economic cohesion among regions and Member States. [Am. 35]

Article 3

Objectives

1.  The general objective of the programme is to demonstrate solidarity with and offer financial support for re-employment measures with regard to displaced workers regardless of the type or duration of their employment relationship and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of unexpected major restructuring events, referred to in Article 5(1), (2) and (3). [Am. 36]

2.  The specific objective of the EGF EFT is to offer assistance and support to workers with regard to their reintegration into the labour market in the case of unexpected major restructuring events, particularly those caused by globalisation-related challenges, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, financial or economic crises, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the transition to a low-carbon economy or as a consequence of digitisation or automation, automatisation and technological change. Particular emphasis shall lie be placed on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups and on the promotion of gender equality. [Ams 37 and 98]

Article 4

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation,

(a)  'displaced worker' means a worker, regardless of the type or duration of his or her employment relationship, whose employment is ended prematurely by redundancy, or whose contract is not renewed, due to economic reasons; [Am. 38]

(b)  'self-employed person' means a person who employed fewer than 10 workers;

(c)  'beneficiary' means a person participating in EGF EFT co-funded measures;

(d)  'irregularity' means any breach of applicable law, resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator involved in the implementation of the EGF EFT, which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the budget of the Union by charging unjustified expenditure to that budget.

Article 5

Intervention criteria

1.  Member States may apply for financial contributions from the EGF EFT for measures targeting displaced workers and self-employed persons in accordance with the provisions laid down in this Article.

2.  A financial contribution from the EGF EFT shall be provided in major restructuring events that result in the following:

(a)  the cessation of activity of more than 250 at least 200 displaced workers or self-employed persons, over a reference period of four six months, in an enterprise in a Member State, including where that cessation applies in its suppliers or downstream producers; [Am. 39]

(b)  the cessation of activity of more than 250 at least 200 displaced workers or self-employed persons, over a reference period of six nine months, particularly in SMEs, where all operate in the same economic sector defined at NACE Revision 2 division level and located in one region or two contiguous regions defined at NUTS 2 level or in more than two contiguous regions defined at NUTS 2 level provided that there are more than 250 at least 200 workers or self-employed persons affected in two of the regions combined; [Am. 40]

(c)  the cessation of activity of more than 250 at least 200 displaced workers or self-employed persons, over a reference period of four nine months, particularly in SMEs, operating in the same or different economic sectors defined at NACE Revision 2 division level and located in the same region defined at NUTS 2 level. [Am. 41]

3.  In small labour markets or in exceptional circumstances, in particular with regard to including applications involving SMEs, where duly substantiated by the applicant Member State, an application for a financial contribution under this Article may be considered admissible even if the criteria laid down in points (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph 1 are not entirely met, when the redundancies have a serious impact on employment levels and the local, or regional or national economy. The applicant Member State shall specify which of the intervention criteria set out in points (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph 1 are not entirely met. The aggregated amount of contributions in exceptional circumstances may not exceed 15 % of the annual ceiling of the EGF EFT. [Am. 42]

4.  The EGF EFT may not be mobilised when workers are dismissed as a result of budget cuts taken by a Member State, which affect sectors that depend primarily on public financing. [Am. 43]

Article 6

Calculation of displacements and of cessation of activity

1.  The applicant Member State shall specify the method used for calculating the number of displaced workers and self-employed persons defined in Article 4 for the purpose of Article 5(1), (2) and (3). [Am. 44]

2.  The applicant Member State shall calculate the number referred to in paragraph 1 as it stands on one of the following dates:

(a)  the date on which the employer, in accordance with Article 3(1) of Council Directive 98/59/EC(28), notifies the competent public authority in writing of the projected collective redundancies;

(b)  the date of the employer’s individual notice to lay off or to terminate the contract of employment of the worker;

(c)  the date of the de facto termination of the contract of employment or its expiry;

(d)  the end of the assignment to the user undertaking; or

(e)  for a self-employed person, the date of cessation of the activities as determined in accordance with national law or administrative provisions.

In the cases referred to in point (a), the applicant Member State shall provide the Commission with additional information on the actual number of redundancies effected according to Article 5(1) of this Regulation, prior to the completion of the assessment by the Commission.

Article 7

Eligible beneficiaries

The applicant Member State may provide a coordinated package of personalised services in accordance with Article 8 co-financed by the EGF EFT to eligible beneficiaries, who may include:

(a)  displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased, calculated in accordance with Article 6, within the reference periods provided for in Article 5(1), (2) and (3); [Am. 45]

(b)  displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased, calculated in accordance with Article 6, outside the reference period provided for in Article 5; namely 6 months before the start of the reference period or between the end of the reference period and the last day before the date of the completion of the assessment by the Commission.

The workers and self-employed persons referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph shall be considered eligible provided that a clear causal link can be established with the event which triggered the redundancies during the reference period.

By way of derogation from Article 5, applicant Member States may provide personalised services co-financed by the EFT to up to a number of NEETs (not in employment, education or training) under the age of 25, or where Member States so decide under the age of 30, on the date of submission of the application, equal to the number of targeted beneficiaries, as a priority to persons made redundant or whose activity has ceased, provided that at least some of the redundancies occur in NUTS 2 level regions. [Am. 46]

Article 8

Eligible measures

1.  A financial contribution from the EGF EFT may be made for active labour market measures that form part of a coordinated package of personalised services, with the involvement of trade union organisations and/or worker representatives, designed to facilitate the re-integration of the targeted beneficiaries and, in particular, the most disadvantaged among the displaced workers, into quality and sustainable employment or self-employment. [Am. 47]

The dissemination of skills required in the digital industrial age as well as in a resource-efficient economy is a mandatory horizontal element of any package of personalised training and/or services offered. The level of training shall be adapted to the qualifications, skills and the specific needs of the respective beneficiary. [Am. 48]

The coordinated package of personalised services may include in particular:

(a)  tailor-made training and retraining, including in information and communication technology and other skills required in the digital age, certification of acquired experience, personalised job-search assistance, occupational guidance, advisory services, mentoring, outplacement assistance, entrepreneurship promotion, aid for self-employment, business start-ups and employee take-overs, and cooperation activities; [Am. 49]

(b)  special time-limited measures, such as job-search allowances, employers’ recruitment incentives, mobility allowances, childcare allowances, training or subsistence allowances, including allowances for carers and employers’ recruitment incentives including incentives to provide flexible working arrangements for displaced workers. [Am. 50]

The costs of the measures referred to in point (b) may shall not exceed 35 % of the total costs for the coordinated package of personalised services listed in this paragraph. [Am. 51]

The investments for self-employment, starting an own business including a cooperative or for employee take-overs may shall not exceed EUR 20 000 25 000 per displaced worker. [Am. 52]

The design of the coordinated package of personalised services shall anticipate future labour market perspectives and required skills. The coordinated package shall be compatible with the shift towards a resource-efficient and sustainable economy, and shall also focus on the dissemination of skills required in the digital industrial age and take into account the demand on the local labour market as well as the possibility of reintegrating workers into the occupational sector of their former employment, where a major restructuring event has created a need for new or supplementary skills, and where existing skills can be utilised most efficiently. [Am. 53]

2.  The following measures shall not be eligible for a financial contribution from the EGF EFT:

(a)  special time-limited measures referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1, which are not conditional on the active participation of the targeted beneficiaries in job-search or training activities;

(b)  measures which are the responsibility of enterprises by virtue of national law or collective agreements;

(ba)  measures to stimulate in particular the disadvantaged workers, those at the higher risk of poverty or older workers to remain in or return to the labour market; [Am. 54]

(bb)  measures for which Member States are responsible by virtue of national law or collective agreements. [Am. 55]

The measures supported by the EGF EFT shall not under any circumstances substitute passive social protection measures. [Am. 56]

3.  The coordinated package of services shall be drawn up in consultation with the targeted beneficiaries or their representatives, or and/or the social partners. [Am. 57]

4.  At the initiative of the applicant Member State, a financial contribution from the EGF EFT may be made for the preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities.

Article 9

Applications

1.  The applicant Member State shall submit an application to the Commission within 12 weeks of the date on which the criteria set out in Article 5(2) or (3) are met.

2.  Within 10 working days of the date of submission of the application, or, where applicable, of the date on which the Commission is in possession of the translation of the application, whichever is the later, the Commission shall acknowledge receipt of the application and inform the Member State of any additional information it requires in order to assess the application. [Am. 58]

3.  Where requested by the Member State, the Commission shall provide them with technical assistance at the early stages of the procedure. Where additional information is required by the Commission, the Member State shall reply within 10 working days of the date of the request. That deadline shall be extended by the Commission by 10 working days at the duly justified request of the Member State concerned. [Am. 59]

4.  On the basis of the information provided by the Member State, the Commission shall complete its assessment of the application’s compliance with the conditions for providing a financial contribution, within 60 40 working days of the receipt of the complete application or, where applicable, of the translation of the application. Where the Commission is unable, exceptionally, to comply, with that deadline, it shall provide may be extended by a further 20 working days, provided that the Commission gives a prior written explanation setting out the reasons for the its delay and submits that explanation to the Member State concerned. [Am. 60]

5.  An application shall contain the following information:

(a)  an assessment of the number of redundancies in accordance with Article 6, including the method of calculation;

(b)  the confirmation that, where the dismissing enterprise has continued its activities after the lay-offs, it has complied with all its legal obligations governing the redundancies and has provided for its workers accordingly; [Am. 61]

(ba)   a clear indication of the activities already undertaken by the Member States for the assistance of displaced workers and of the complementary nature of the requested funds from the EFT due to lack of resources available to national or regional authorities; [Am. 62]

(bb)   an overview of Union funds the dismissing enterprise already benefitted from in the five years preceding the collective redundancies; [Am. 63]

(c)  a brief description of the events that led to the displacement of workers;

(d)  the identification, where applicable, of the dismissing enterprises, suppliers or downstream producers, sectors, and the categories of targeted beneficiaries broken down by gender, age group and educational level;

(e)  the expected impact of the redundancies as regards the local, regional, or national or, where appropriate, cross-border economy and employment; [Am. 64]

(f)  a detailed description of the coordinated package of personalised services and related expenditure, including, in particular, any measures in support of employment initiatives for disadvantaged, low-skilled, older and young beneficiaries, and those from disadvantaged areas; [Am. 65]

(g)  an explanation to what extent the recommendations set out in the EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring were taken into account, and how the coordinated package of personalised services complements actions funded by other national or Union funds, including information on measures that are mandatory for the dismissing enterprises concerned by virtue of national law or pursuant to collective agreements;

(h)  the estimated budget for each of the components of the coordinated package of personalised services in support of the targeted beneficiaries and for any preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities;

(i)  for evaluation purposes, indicative case specific targets defined by the Member State regarding the re-employment rate of beneficiaries 6 months after the end of the implementation period;

(j)  the dates on which the personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries and the activities to implement the EGF EFT, as set out in Article 8, were started or are due to be started;

(k)  the procedures followed for consulting the targeted beneficiaries or their representatives or the social partners as well as local and regional authorities or other relevant stakeholders as applicable;

(l)  a statement of compliance of the requested EGF EFT support with the procedural and material Union rules on State aid as well as a statement outlining why the coordinated package of personalised services does not replace measures that are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements;

(m)  the sources of national pre-financing or co-funding and other co-funding if applicable;

(ma)   a statement that proposed actions will be complementary with actions funded by the Structural Funds and that any double financing will be prevented. [Am. 66]

Article 10

Complementarity, compliance and coordination

1.  A financial contribution from the EGF EFT shall not replace measures which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements.

2.  Support for targeted beneficiaries shall complement measures of the Member States at national, regional, and local and, where appropriate, cross-border level including those co-financed by Union funds and programmes, in line with the recommendations set out in the EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring. [Am. 67]

3.  The financial contribution from the EGF EFT shall be limited to what is necessary to show solidarity with, and provide temporary, one-off support to, for targeted beneficiaries. The measures supported by the EGF EFT shall comply with Union and national law, including State aid rules. [Am. 68]

4.  In accordance with their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the applicant Member State shall ensure the coordination of the assistance from Union funds and programmes. [Am. 69]

5.  The applicant Member State shall ensure that the specific measures receiving a financial contribution from the EGF EFT do not receive assistance from other Union financial instruments.

Article 11

Equality between men and women and non-discrimination

The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of the gender perspective are an integral part of, and are promoted during, the various all appropriate stages of the implementation of the financial contribution from the EGF EFT. [Am. 70]

The Commission and the Member States shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, gender identity, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in access to the EGF EFT and during the various stages of the implementation of the financial contribution.

Article 12

Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission

1.  At the initiative of the Commission, a maximum of 0,5 % of the annual ceiling of the EGF EFT may be used for to finance technical and administrative assistance for its implementation, such as preparatory, monitoring, data gathering, control, audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems, communication activities and those enhancing the EGF EFT's visibility and other administrative and technical assistance measures. Synergies with established monitoring systems of structural change, such as the ERM, shall be reinforced. Such measures may cover future and previous programming periods. [Am. 71]

2.  Subject to the ceiling set out in paragraph 1, the Commission shall submit a request for a transfer of appropriations for technical assistance to the relevant budgetary lines in accordance with Article 31 of the Financial Regulation.

3.  The Commission shall implement technical assistance at its own initiative under direct or indirect management in accordance with [points (a) and (c) of Article 62(1)] of the Financial Regulation.

Where the Commission implements technical assistance under indirect management, it shall ensure the transparency of the procedure for designating the third party responsible for carrying out the tasks assigned to it and shall inform all EFT stakeholders, including the European Parliament, of the sub-contractor selected for that purpose. [Am. 72]

4.  The Commission’s technical assistance shall include the provision of information and guidance to the Member States for using, monitoring and evaluating the EGF EFT, including the creation of a helpdesk. The Commission shall also provide information along with clear guidance on using the EGF EFT to the European and national social partners. Guidance measures may also include the creation of taskforces in cases of severe economic disruptions in a Member State. [Am. 73]

Article 13

Information, communication and publicity

1.  The Member States shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding by providing coherent, effective and targeted information to multiple audiences, including targeted information to beneficiaries, local and regional authorities, social partners, the media and the public. The Member States shall ensure that the Union added value of the funding is highlighted and that they assist the data gathering efforts of the Commission in order to enhance budgetary transparency. [Am. 74]

Member States shall use the EU emblem in accordance with [Annex VIII of the Common Provisions Regulation] together with a simple funding statement ("funded/co-funded by the European Union").

2.  The Commission shall maintain and update regularly an online presence, accessible in all official languages of the institutions of the Union, to provide updated information on the EGF EFT, guidance on the submission of applications and on eligible actions, regularly updated list of contacts in the Member States as well as information on accepted and rejected applications and on the role of the European Parliament and the Council in the budgetary procedure. [Am. 75]

3.  The Commission shall promote the dissemination of existing best practices in the area of communication, and implement information and communication activities on EGF EFT cases and outcomes based on its experience with the aim of raising improving the effectiveness profile of the EGF EFT, raising awareness of the EFT’s eligibility criteria and applications procedures, improving the EFT’s effectiveness and ensuring that Union citizens and workers know about the EGF EFT, including citizens and workers in rural areas with difficult access to information. [Am. 76]

The Member States shall ensure that all communication and visibility material is made available upon request to Union institutions, bodies or agencies and that a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable licence to use such material and any pre-existing rights attached to it is granted to the Union. The licence grants the following rights to the Union:

–  internal use i.e. right to reproduce, copy and make available the communication and visibility materials to EU and EU Member States' institutions and agencies and their employees;

–  reproduction of the communication and visibility materials by any means and in any form, in whole or in part;

–  communication to the public of the communication and visibility materials by using any and all means of communication;

–  distribution to the public of the communication and visibility materials (or copies thereof) in any and all forms;

–  storage and archiving of the communication and visibility materials;

–  sub-licensing of the rights on the communication and visibility materials to third parties.

Additional rights may be granted to the Union.

4.  The resources allocated to communication actions under this Regulation shall also contribute to covering the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union provided that they are related to the general objectives referred to in Article 3.

Article 14

Determination of the financial contribution

1.  The Commission shall, on the basis of the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 9 and in particular taking into account the number of targeted beneficiaries, the proposed measures and the estimated costs, evaluate and propose as quickly as possible within the deadline laid down in Article 9(4), the amount of a financial contribution from the EGF EFT, if any, that may be made within the limits of the resources available. [Am. 77]

2.  The co-financing rate of the EGF EFT for the measures offered shall be aligned with the highest co-financing rate of the ESF+ in the respective Member State.

3.  Where, on the basis of the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 9, the Commission concludes that the conditions for a financial contribution under this Regulation are met, it shall immediately initiate the procedure set out in Article 16 and shall notify the applicant Member State. [Am. 78]

4.  Where, on the basis of the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 9, the Commission concludes that the conditions for a financial contribution under this Regulation are not met, it shall immediately notify the applicant Member State as well as other concerned stakeholders, including the European Parliament. [Am. 79]

Article 15

Eligibility period

1.  Expenditure shall be eligible for a financial contribution from the EGF EFT from the dates set out in the application pursuant to point (j) of Article 9(5) on which the Member State concerned starts, or is due to start, providing the personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries or incurs the administrative expenditure to implement the EGF EFT, in accordance with Article 8(1) and (4).

2.  The Member State shall carry out the eligible measures set out in Article 8 as soon as possible. They shall, in any event, be implemented by six months after the date of entry into force of the decision on the financial contribution and carried out, and at the latest within 24 months after the date of entry into force of the decision on the financial contribution. [Am. 80]

3.  The implementation period is the period from the dates set out in the application pursuant to point (j) of Article 9(5) on which the Member State concerned starts the personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries and the activities to implement the EGF EFT, as set out in Article 8, and ends 24 months after the date of entry into force of the decision on the financial contribution.

4.  Where a beneficiary accesses an education or training course the duration of which is two years or more, the expenditure for such a course shall be eligible for EGF EFT co-funding up to the date when the final report referred to in Article 20(1) is due, provided that the relevant expenditure have been incurred before that date.

5.  Expenditure pursuant to Article 8(4) shall be eligible until the deadline for submission of the final report in accordance with Article 20(1).

Article 16

Budgetary procedure and implementation

1.  Where the Commission has concluded that the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the EGF EFT are met, it shall submit a request proposal to mobilise it. The decision to mobilise the EFT shall be taken jointly by the European Parliament and the Council within one month of the submission of the proposal to them. The Council shall act by a qualified majority and the European Parliament shall act by a majority of its component members and three fifths of the votes cast.

At the same time as it submits its proposal for a decision to mobilise the EFT, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a proposal for a transfer to the relevant budgetary lines. In the event of disagreement, a trilogue procedure shall be initiated.

Transfers related to the EFT shall be made in accordance with Article 31 of the Financial Regulation. [Am. 81]

2.  The transfer request needs to be accompanied by a summary of the examination of the eligibility of the application. [Am. 82]

3.  The Commission shall adopt a decision on a financial contribution, by means of an implementing act, which shall enter into force on the date the Commission is notified of the approval of the budgetary transfer by on which the European Parliament and the Council adopt the decision shall constitute a financing decision within the meaning of Article 110 of the Financial Regulation to mobilise the EFT. [Am. 83]

3a.  A proposal for a decision to mobilise the EFT pursuant to paragraph 1 shall include the following:

(a)  the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 9(4), together with a summary of the information on which that assessment is based;

(b)  evidence that the criteria laid down in Articles 5 and 10 have been met; and

(c)  the reasons justifying the amounts proposed. [Am. 84]

Article 16a

Exceptional cases

In exceptional cases and if the remaining financial resources available in the Fund in the year of the occurrence of the major restructuring event are not sufficient to cover the amount of assistance deemed necessary by the budgetary authority, the Commission may propose that the difference be financed through the next year's Fund. The annual budgetary ceiling of the Fund in the year of the occurrence of the major restructuring event and in the following year shall be respected under all circumstances. [Am. 85]

Article 17

Payment and use of the financial contribution

1.  Following the entry into force of a decision on a financial contribution in accordance with Article 16(3) the Commission shall pay the financial contribution to the Member State concerned in a single 100 % pre-financing payment, in principle within 15 working days. The pre-financing shall be cleared once the Member State submits the certified statement of expenditure in accordance with Article 20(1).The unspent amount shall be reimbursed to the Commission.

2.  The financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall be implemented under shared management in accordance with Article 63 of the Financial Regulation.

3.  Detailed technical terms of the financing shall be determined by the Commission in the decision on a financial contribution referred to in Article 16(3).

4.  When carrying out the measures contained in the coordinated package of personalised services, the Member State concerned may submit a proposal to the Commission to amend the actions included by adding other eligible measures listed in points (a) and (b) of Article 8(1), provided that such amendments are duly justified and the total does not exceed the financial contribution referred to in Article 16(3). The Commission shall assess the proposed amendments and, if it agrees, shall amend the decision on a financial contribution accordingly.

5.  The Member State concerned shall have the flexibility to re-allocate amounts between the budget items laid down in the decision on a financial contribution pursuant to Article 16(3). Should a reallocation exceed a 20 % increase for one or more of the items specified, the Member State shall notify the Commission beforehand.

Article 18

Use of the euro

Applications, decisions on financial contributions and reports under this Regulation, as well as any other related documents, shall express all amounts in euro.

Article 19

Indicators

1.  Indicators to report on progress of the Programme towards the achievement of the objectives established in Article 3 are set out in the Annex.

2.  The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on Member States.

3.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 25 to amend the indicators in the Annex where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of the use of the fund.

Article 19a

Model for the beneficiary survey

The beneficiary survey referred to in point (d) of Article 20(1) shall be based on the model established by the Commission by means of an implementing act. The Commission shall adopt that implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 26(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Article. [Am. 86]

Article 20

Final report and closure

1.  Not later than at the end of the seventh month after the expiry of the period specified in Article 15(3), the Member State concerned shall present a final report to the Commission on the implementation of the financial contribution, including information on:

(a)  the type of measures and main the results obtained, explaining the challenges, lessons learned, synergies and complementarities with other EU funds, particularly ESF+, and indicating, whenever possible, the complementarity of measures with those funded by other Union or national programmes in line with the EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring; [Am. 87]

(b)  the names of the bodies delivering the package of measures in the Member State;

(c)  the indicators set out in Article 19;

(d)  the results of a beneficiary survey conducted within six months after of the end of the implementation period, which shall cover the perceived change in the employability of beneficiaries, or for those who already found employment, more information on the quality and type of employment found, such as the change in working hours, level of responsibility or change of salary level in comparison to previous employment, and the sector in which the person found employment and break down this information by gender, age group and education level; [Am. 88]

(e)  whether the dismissing enterprise, with the exception of start-ups, micro enterprises and SMEs, has been a beneficiary of State aid or previous funding from Union cohesion or structural funds in the preceding five years; [Am. 89]

(f)  a statement justifying the expenditure.

2.  Not later than at the end of the nineteenth month after the expiry of the period specified in Article 15(3), the Member State concerned shall submit the complete and duly verified simple dataset informing on the longer-term result indicator specified in point (3) of the Annex. [Am. 90]

3.  No later than six months after the Commission has received all the information required in accordance with paragraph 1, it shall wind up the financial contribution by determining the final amount of the financial contribution from the EGF EFT and the balance due, if any, by the Member State concerned in accordance with Article 24. The winding-up shall be conditional on the provision of the longer-term result indicator in accordance with paragraph 2.

Article 21

Biennial report

1.  By 1 August 2021 and every two years thereafter, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council a comprehensive, quantitative and qualitative report on the activities under this Regulation and Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 in the previous two years. The report shall focus mainly on the results achieved by the EGF EFT and shall in particular contain information relating to applications submitted, speed of their processing and potential deficiencies in existing rules, decisions adopted, measures funded, including statistics on the indicators set out in the Annex, and the complementarity of such measures with measures funded by other Union funds, in particular ESF+, and information relating to the winding-up of financial contributions made and shall also document those applications that have been rejected or reduced owing to a lack of sufficient appropriations or to non-eligibility. [Am. 91]

2.  The report shall be transmitted for information to the Member States, the Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the social partners. [Am. 92]

Article 22

Evaluation

1.  Every four years the Commission shall carry out on its own initiative and in close cooperation with the Member States, an evaluation of the EGF EFT financial contributions including subsequent impact assessment of its application at national, regional and local levels.

For the purpose of evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the Member States shall collect all available data on EFT cases and assisted workers. [Am. 93]

2.  The results of the evaluations referred to in paragraph 1 shall be transmitted, for information, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the social partners. The recommendations of the evaluations shall be taken into account for the design of new programmes in the area of employment and social affairs or the further development of existing programmes.

3.  The evaluations referred to in paragraph 1 shall include relevant statistics on the financial contributions, broken down by sector and Member State. [Am. 94]

4.  To ensure effective assessment of progress of the EGF EFT towards the achievement of its objectives, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 25 to amend the Annex to review or complement the indicators where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Article 23

Management and financial control

1.  Without prejudice to the Commission’s responsibility for implementing the general budget of the Union, Member States shall take responsibility for the management of measures supported by the EGF EFT and the financial control of the measures. The steps they take shall include:

(a)  verifying that management and control arrangements have been set up and are being implemented in such a way as to ensure that Union funds are being used efficiently and correctly, in accordance with the principle of sound financial management;

(b)  ensuring that the delivery of monitoring data is a mandatory requirement in contracts with bodies delivering the coordinated package of personalised services;

(c)  verifying that the financed measures have been properly carried out;

(d)  ensuring that expenditure funded is based on verifiable supporting documents, and is legal and regular;

(e)  preventing, detecting and correcting irregularities including fraud and recovering amounts unduly paid together with interest on late payments where appropriate. The Member States shall report on irregularities including fraud to the Commission.

2.  For the purposes of Article [63(3)?] of the Financial Regulation, Member States shall identify bodies responsible for the management and control of the measures supported by the EGF EFT. Those bodies shall provide the Commission with the information set out in [Article 63(5), (6) and (7)?] of the Financial Regulation on the implementation of the financial contribution when submitting the final report referred to in Article 20(1) of this Regulation.

Where authorities designated in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 have provided sufficient guarantees that payments are legal and regular, and properly accounted for, the Member State concerned may notify to the Commission that these authorities are confirmed under this Regulation. In this case, the Member State concerned shall indicate which authorities are confirmed and which is their function.

3.  Member States shall make the financial corrections required where an irregularity is ascertained. The corrections made by the Member States shall consist in cancelling all or part of the financial contribution. The Member States shall recover any amount unduly paid as a result of an irregularity detected, repay it to the Commission and, where the amount is not repaid by the relevant Member State in the time allowed, default interest shall be due.

4.  The Commission, in its responsibility for the implementation of the general budget of the Union, shall take every step necessary to verify that the actions financed are carried out in accordance with the principle of sound financial management. It is the responsibility of the applicant Member State to ensure that it has smoothly functioning management and control systems. The Commission shall satisfy itself that such systems are in place.

To that end, without prejudice to the powers of the Court of Auditors or the checks carried out by the Member State in accordance with national laws, regulations and administrative provisions, Commission officials or servants may carry out on-the-spot checks, including sample checks, on the measures financed by the EGF EFT with a minimum notice of one working day. The Commission shall give notice to the applicant Member State with a view to obtaining all the assistance necessary. Officials or servants of the Member State concerned may take part in such checks.

5.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 25 to supplement paragraph 1(e) by setting out the criteria for determining the cases of irregularity to be reported and the data to be provided.

6.  The Commission shall adopt an implementing act setting out the format to be used for reporting of irregularities in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 26(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Article.

7.  Member States shall ensure that all supporting documents regarding expenditure incurred are kept available for the Commission and the Court of Auditors for a period of three years following the winding-up of a financial contribution received from the EGF EFT.

Article 24

Recovery of the financial contribution

1.  In cases where the actual cost of the coordinated package of personalised services is less than the amount of the financial contribution pursuant to Article 16, the Commission shall recover the corresponding amount after having given the Member State concerned the possibility to submit its observations.

2.  If, after completing the necessary verifications, the Commission concludes that a Member State either has failed to comply with the obligations stated in the decision on a financial contribution or is not complying with its obligations under Article 23(1), it shall give the Member State concerned the possibility to submit its observations. The Commission shall, if no agreement has been reached, adopt a decision by means of an implementing act to make the financial corrections required by cancelling all or part of the contribution of the EGF EFT to the measure in question. That decision shall be taken within 12 months after having received the observations from the Member State. The Member State concerned shall recover any amount unduly paid as a result of an irregularity and, where the amount is not repaid by the applicant Member State in the time allowed, default interest shall be due.

Article 25

Exercise of the delegation

1.  The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.  The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 19(3) and Article 23(5) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from date of entry into force of this Regulation.

3.  The delegation of power referred to in Article 19(3) and Article 23(5), may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4.  Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5.  As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6.  A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 19(3) and Article 23(5) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Article 26

Committee Procedure

1.  The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council(29).

2.  Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Article 27

Transitional provision

Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 shall continue to apply to applications submitted until 31 December 2020. It shall apply until the closure of the respective cases.

Article 28

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply to applications submitted as from 1 January 2021.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at ...,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

ANNEX

Common output and result indicators for EGF EFT applications

All personal data(30) are to be broken down by gender (female, male, non-binary).

(1)  Common output indicators on beneficiaries

—  unemployed*,

—  inactive*,

—  employed*,

—  self-employed*,

—  below 30 years of age*,

—  above 54 years of age*,

—  with lower secondary education or less (ISCED 0-2)*,

—  with upper secondary (ISCED 3) or post-secondary education (ISCED 4)*,

—  with tertiary education (ISCED 5-8)*,

—  with less than two years of professional experience,

—  with between two and 10 years of professional experience,

—  with over 10 years of professional experience. [Am. 95]

The total number of beneficiaries is to be calculated automatically on the basis of the common output indicators relating to employment status(31).

These data on beneficiaries participating in EGF EFT co-funded measures are to be provided in the final report as specified in Article 20(1).

(2)  Common result indicators for beneficiaries

—  percentage of EGF EFT beneficiaries in employment (broken down by type of employment contract: full time/part time, fixed term/open-ended) and self-employment, 6 months after the end of the implementation period*,

—  percentage of EGF EFT beneficiaries gaining a qualification 6 months after the end of the implementation period*,

—  percentage of EGF EFT beneficiaries in education or training 6 months after the end of the implementation period*.

These data are to be provided in the final report as specified in Article 20(1) and are to be collected by means of data provided by the competent authorities of the Member State as well as by beneficiary surveys (as specified in Article 20(1)d). Those data are to cover the calculated total number of beneficiaries as reported under the common output indicators (1). The percentages shall thus also relate to this calculated total.

(3)  Common longer-term result indicator for beneficiaries

—  percentage of EGF EFT beneficiaries in employment, including self-employment, 18 months after the end of the implementation period specified in the financing decision*.

These data are to be made available by the end of the nineteenth month after the end of the implementation period. The data should cover the calculated total number of beneficiaries as reported under the common output indicators (1). The percentages shall thus also relate to this calculated total. For larger cases, covering more than 1 000 beneficiaries, data may alternatively be collected based on a representative sample of the total number of beneficiaries as reported as an output indicator (1).

(1) Not yet published in the Official Journal. (2) Not yet published in the Official Journal. (3) OJ C ... (4) OJ C ... (5) Position of the European Parliament of 16 January 2019. (6) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/deeper-and-fairer-economic-and-monetary-union/european-pillar-social-rights_en. (7) http://eu-un.europa.eu/eu-response-2030-agenda-sustainable-development-sustainable-european-future/. (8) https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld. (9) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communication-new-modern-multiannual-financial-framework_en.pdf (10) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/white-paper-future-europe-reflections-and-scenarios-eu27_en. (11) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/reflection-paper-harnessing-globalisation_en. (12) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/reflection-paper-future-eu-finances_en. (13) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring (COM(2013)0882, 13.12.2013). (14) Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1). (15) Regulation (EC) No 546/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 167, 29.6.2009, p. 26). (16) Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2014-2020) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 855). (17) COM(2018)0297 and accompanying SWD(2018)0192. (18) Commission SWD(2018)0171 and its annex COM(2018)0321. (19) OJ L …. (20) Reference to be updated. (21) Reference to be updated. (22) Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1). (23) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1). (24) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2). (25) Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1). (26) Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29). (27) OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1. (28) Reference to be checked/updated: Council Directive 98/59/EC of 20 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies (OJ L 225, 12.8.1998, p. 16). (29) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13). (30) Managing authorities are to establish a system that records and stores individual participant data in computerised form. The data processing arrangements put in place by the Member States are to be in line with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1), in particular Articles 4, 6 and 9 thereof. Data reported under the indicators marked with * are personal data according to Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Their processing is necessary for compliance with the legal obligation to which the controller is subject (Article 6(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679). (31) Unemployed, inactive, employed, self employed.

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 16 January 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (COM(2018)0382 – C8-0232/2018 – 2018/0206(COD))(1)

P8_TA(2019)0020 A8-0461/2018

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendment Amendment 1 Proposal for a regulation Recital -1 (new) (-1)  Pursuant to Article 3 TEU, in establishing an internal market the Union is working for a highly competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress; promoting equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child; as well as combating social exclusion and discrimination. In accordance with Article 9 TFEU, in defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union is to take into account requirements linked to, inter alia, the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health. Amendment 2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 1 (1)  On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. The twenty key principles of the pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The twenty principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights should guide the actions under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). In order to contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights the ESF+ should support investments in people and systems in the policy areas of employment, education and social inclusion, thereby supporting economic, territorial and social cohesion in accordance with Article 174 TFEU. (1)  On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. The twenty key principles of the pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The twenty principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights should guide the actions under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). In order to contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights the ESF+ should support investments in people and systems in the policy areas of employment, public services, health, education and social inclusion, thereby supporting economic, territorial and social cohesion in accordance with Articles 174 and 175 TFEU. All actions under the ESF+ should respect the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and have regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which the European Union and all its Member States are parties. Amendment 3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 2 (2)  At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevant. (2)  At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies should be developed in partnership between national, regional and local authorities, include a gender perspective and be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevant. Amendment 4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 (3)  The Council of […] adopted revised guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States to align the text with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, with a view to improving Europe’s competitiveness and making it a better place to invest, create jobs and foster social cohesion. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF+ with the objectives of these guidelines, particularly as regards employment, education, training and the fight against social exclusion, poverty and discrimination, the ESF+ should support Member States, taking account of the relevant Integrated Guidelines and relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and, where appropriate, at national level, the national reform programmes underpinned by national strategies. The ESF+ should also contribute to relevant aspects of the implementation of key Union initiatives and activities, in particular the “Skills Agenda for Europe” and the European Education Area, relevant Council Recommendations and other initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, Upskilling Pathways and on Integration of the long-term unemployed. (3)  The Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States adopted by the Council in accordance with Article 148(2) TFEU, namely: boosting the demand for labour; enhancing labour supply: access to employment, skills and competences; enhancing the functioning of labour markets and the effectiveness of social dialogue and promoting equal opportunities for all, fostering social inclusion and combatting poverty, including improved public services in the health and other sectors, together with the broad economic guidelines adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU form part of the Integrated Guidelines underpinning the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Council of […] adopted revised guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States to align them with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, with a view to stimulate creation of jobs and foster social cohesion, thus improving Europe’s competitiveness and making the Union a better place to invest. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF+ with the objectives of the Guidelines for the employment policies, Member States should plan support under the ESF+ relevant to them, taking account of those Guidelines, as well as of relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 148(4) and Article 121(2) TFEU and, at national level, the employment and social aspects of the national reform programmes underpinned by national strategies. The ESF+ should also contribute to relevant aspects of the implementation of key Union initiatives and activities, in particular the “Skills Agenda for Europe” and the European Education Area, the Youth Guarantee and other relevant Council Recommendations and other initiatives such as Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage, the Upskilling Pathways, on Integration of the long-term unemployed, a Quality Framework for Traineeships and Apprenticeships and the Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals. Amendment 5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 (4)  On 20 June 2017, the Council endorsed the Union response to the ‘UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ - a sustainable European future. The Council underlined the importance of achieving sustainable development across the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), in a balanced and integrated way. It is vital that sustainable development is mainstreamed into all Union internal and external policy areas, and that the Union is ambitious in the policies it uses to address global challenges. The Council welcomed the Commission Communication on “Next steps for a sustainable European future” of 22 November 2016 as a first step in mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals and applying sustainable development as an essential guiding principle for all Union policies, including through its financing instruments. (4)  On 20 June 2017, the Council endorsed the Union response to the ‘UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ - a sustainable European future. The Council underlined the importance of achieving sustainable development across the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), in a balanced and integrated way. It is vital that sustainable development is mainstreamed into all Union internal and external policy areas, and that the Union is ambitious in the policies it uses to address global challenges. The Council welcomed the Commission Communication on “Next steps for a sustainable European future” of 22 November 2016 as a first step in mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals and applying sustainable development as an essential guiding principle for all Union policies, including through its financing instruments. The ESF+ should contribute to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals by, inter alia, eradicating extreme forms of poverty (goal 1); promoting quality and inclusive education (goal 4); promoting gender equality (goal 5); promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (goal 8); and reducing inequality (goal 10). Amendment 6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 a (new) (4a)  The Union and its Member States, having in mind the European Social Charter signed at Turin on 18 October 1961, should have in their objectives the promotion of employment, improved living and working conditions, with a view to lasting high levels of employment and combating exclusion, in accordance with Article 151 TFEU. Amendment 7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 b (new) (4b)  European society continues to face a range of social challenges. Over 100 million people are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, the youth unemployment rate is still over double the general unemployment rate and there is a need for better integration of third-country nationals. Those challenges not only threaten the well-being of the persons directly concerned, but also place economic and social pressure on European society as a whole. Amendment 8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5 (5)  The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, the management of migration flows and the increased security threat, clean energy transition, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions, experienced especially by SMEs. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills, making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility. (5)  The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, social inequalities, the management of migration flows and related integration challenges, clean energy and just transition, technological change, demographic decline, unemployment in general and youth unemployment and an increasingly ageing society and workforce and growing skills shortages and labour shortages in some sectors and regions, experienced especially by SMEs. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills, education, training and lifelong learning making growth more inclusive and by improving competences and knowledge, employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility of Union citizens and addressing increasing health inequalities between and within Member States. Amendment 9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6 (6)  Regulation (EU) No […] establishes the framework for action by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF), Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) as a part of the Integrated Border Management Fund (IBMF), and lays down, in particular, the policy objectives and the rules concerning programming, monitoring and evaluation, management and control for Union funds implemented under shared management. It is therefore necessary to specify the general objectives of the ESF+, and to lay down specific provisions concerning the type of activities that may be financed by the ESF+. (6)  Regulation (EU) No […] establishes the framework for action by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF), Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) as a part of the Integrated Border Management Fund (IBMF), and lays down, in particular, the policy objectives and the rules concerning programming, monitoring and evaluation, management and control for Union funds implemented under shared management. It is therefore necessary to specify the general objectives of the ESF+ and its coordination with other funds, and to lay down specific provisions concerning the type of activities that may be financed by the ESF+. Amendment 10 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7 (7)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [the new FR] (the ‘Financial Regulation’) lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including the rules on grants, prizes, procurement, indirect implementation, financial assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees. In order to ensure coherence in the implementation of Union funding programmes, the Financial Regulation is to apply to the actions to be implemented in direct or indirect management under the ESF+. (7)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No [the new FR] (the ‘Financial Regulation’) lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including the rules on grants, prizes, procurement, indirect implementation, financial assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees and synergies between financial instruments. In order to ensure coherence in the implementation of Union funding programmes, the Financial Regulation is to apply to the actions to be implemented in direct or indirect management under the ESF+. This Regulation should specify the operational objectives and lay down the specific provisions concerning the eligible actions that may be financed by the ESF+ under direct and indirect management. Amendment 11 Proposal for a regulation Recital 8 (8)  The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. For grants, this should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as envisaged in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation. To implement measures linked to the socio-economic integration of third country nationals, and in accordance with Article 88 of the Common Provisions Regulation, the Commission may reimburse Member States using simplified cost options including the use of lump sums. (8)  The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. For grants, this should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as envisaged in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation. To implement measures linked to the socio-economic inclusion of third country nationals, and in accordance with Article 88 of the Common Provisions Regulation, the Commission may reimburse Member States using simplified cost options including the use of lump sums. Amendment 12 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9 (9)  In order to streamline and simplify the funding landscape and create additional opportunities for synergies through integrated funding approaches, the actions which were supported by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (‘FEAD’), the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation and the Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health should be integrated into one ESF+. The ESF+ should therefore include three strands: the ESF+ strand under shared management, the Employment and Social Innovation strand, and the Health strand. This should contribute to reducing the administrative burden linked to the management of different funds, in particular for Member States, whilst maintaining simpler rules for simpler operations such as the distribution of food and/or basic material assistance. (9)  In order to streamline and simplify the funding landscape and create additional opportunities for synergies through integrated funding approaches, the actions which were supported by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (‘FEAD’), the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation and the Programme for the Union's action in the field of health should be integrated into one ESF+. The ESF+ should therefore include three strands: the ESF+ strand under shared management, the Employment and Social Innovation strand, and the Health strand under direct and indirect management. This should contribute to reducing the administrative burden linked to the management of different funds, in particular for Member States and beneficiaries, whilst maintaining simpler rules for simpler operations such as the distribution of food and/or basic material assistance. Amendment 13 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10 (10)  In view of this wider scope of the ESF+ it is appropriate to foresee that the aims to enhance the effectiveness of labour markets and promote access to quality employment, to improve the access to and the quality of education and training as well as to promote social inclusion and health and to reduce poverty are not only implemented under shared management, but also under direct and indirect management under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands for actions required at Union level. (10)  The Union should contribute to the employment policies of the Member States by encouraging cooperation and by complementing their actions. In view of this wider scope of the ESF+ it is appropriate to foresee that the aims to enhance the effectiveness of inclusive, open and fair labour markets for all genders and promote access to quality employment, to improve the access to and the quality of education and training, to aid reintegration into education systems and to promote lifelong learning, as well as to promote social inclusion and health and to eradicate poverty will continue to be implemented mainly under shared management, and where appropriate, complemented under direct and indirect management under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands for actions required at Union level. Amendment 14 Proposal for a regulation Recital 11 (11)  The integration of the Programme for the Union's action in the field of health with the ESF+ will also create synergies between the developments and testing of initiatives and policies to improve the effectiveness, resilience and sustainability of health systems developed by the Health strand of the ESF+ Programme and their implementation in the Member States by the tools provided by the other strands of the ESF+ Regulation. (11)  The integration of the Programme for the Union's action in the field of health with the ESF+ will also create synergies between the developments and testing of initiatives and policies to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, resilience and sustainability of health systems developed by the Health strand of the ESF+ Programme and their implementation in the Member States at national, regional and local level by the tools provided by the other strands of the ESF+ Regulation. Amendment 15 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12 (12)  This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the ESF+. Parts of this financial envelope should be used for actions to be implemented in direct and indirect management under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands. (12)  This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the ESF+. It should specify the allocations for activities to be implemented under shared management and the allocations for actions to be implemented in direct and indirect management. Amendment 16 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13 (13)  The ESF+ should aim to promote employment through active interventions enabling (re)integration into the labour market, notably for youth, the long-term unemployed and the inactive, as well as through promoting self–employment and the social economy. The ESF+ should aim to improve the functioning of labour markets by supporting the modernisation of labour market institutions such as the Public Employment Services in order to improve their capacity to provide intensified targeted counselling and guidance during the job search and the transition to employment and to enhance workers’ mobility. The ESF+ should promote women’s participation in the labour market through measures aiming to ensure, amongst others, improved work/life balance and access to childcare. The ESF + should also aim to provide a healthy and well-adapted working environment in order to respond to health risks related to changing forms of work and the needs of the ageing workforce. (13)  The ESF+, in close cooperation with the Member States, should aim to promote employment through active interventions enabling the integration and re-integration into the labour market, notably for youth, the long-term unemployed, carers, the economically inactive and disadvantaged groups, as well as through promoting self–employment, entrepreneurship, and the social economy. The ESF+ should aim to improve employment policies and the functioning of labour markets by supporting the modernisation of labour market institutions such as the Public Employment Services in order to improve their capacity to provide intensified targeted and personalised, where suitable, counselling and guidance during the job search and the transition to employment, with special attention to disadvantaged groups and to facilitate workers’ mobility, and to deliver their service in a non-discriminatory manner. The ESF+ should promote women’s participation in the labour market through measures aiming to ensure, amongst others, improved work/life balance and easy access to affordable or free quality childcare, eldercare and other care services or support of high quality. The ESF + should also aim to provide a safe, healthy and well-adapted working environment in order to respond to health risks related to work as well as to changing forms of work and the needs of the ageing workforce. The ESF+ should also support measures aimed to facilitate the transition of young people from education to employment. Amendment 17 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13 a (new) (13a)  With a view to supporting and unlocking the job creation potential in the social economy, the ESF+ should contribute to improving the integration of social economy enterprises in national employment and social innovation plans, and in their National Reform Programmes. The definition of a social economy enterprise should follow the definitions given in the Member States’ social economy law and in the Council Conclusions of 7 December 2015 on the promotion of the social economy as a key driver of economic and social development in Europe. Amendment 18 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14 (14)  The ESF+ should provide support to improving the quality, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems in order to facilitate the acquisition of key competences notably as regards digital skills which all individuals need for personal fulfilment and development, employment, social inclusion and active citizenship. The ESF+ should help progression within education and training and transition to work, support lifelong learning and employability, and contribute to competitiveness and societal and economic innovation by supporting scalable and sustainable initiatives in these fields. This could be achieved for example through work-based learning and apprenticeships, lifelong guidance, skills anticipation in cooperation with industry, up-to-date training materials, forecasting and graduate tracking, training of educators, validation of learning outcomes and recognition of qualifications. (14)  Given that the ESF+ is the main Union instrument focusing on employment, skills and social inclusion it is essential that it is able to contribute to social, economic, and territorial cohesion in all parts of the Union. To that end it should provide support to improving the quality, non-discriminatory nature, accessibility, inclusiveness, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems in order to facilitate the acquisition of key competences notably as regards language skills, entrepreneurial and digital skills, including data protection and information governance skills, which all individuals need for personal fulfilment and development, employment, social inclusion and active citizenship. In case of the long-term unemployed and people coming from a disadvantaged social background, special attention should be paid to empower them. The ESF+ should help progression within education and training and transition to work and reintegration to work, support lifelong learning and employability of all, and contribute to inclusiveness, competitiveness, the reduction of horizontal and vertical segregation, and societal and economic innovation by supporting scalable and sustainable initiatives in these fields. This could be achieved for example through investments in vocational education, work-based learning and apprenticeships, focusing in particular on the proven dual system combining teaching and work experience, lifelong guidance, skills anticipation in cooperation with the social partners, up-to-date training materials, forecasting and graduate tracking, training of educators, support for informal and non-formal learning, validation of learning outcomes and recognition of qualifications. The ESF+ should also promote access to the teaching profession by minorities, aiming at a better integration of marginalised communities, such as the Roma, minorities and migrants. Amendment 19 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14 a (new) (14a)  The ESF+ should provide support to measures included in Member States' national plans aiming to eradicate energy poverty and to promote energy efficiency in buildings among vulnerable households, including those affected by energy poverty and, where appropriate, in social housing, in line with the Commission Communication entitled ‘The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: A European framework for social and territorial cohesion’ and in accordance with Regulation (XX/XX) of the European Parliament and Council on the Governance Energy Union and Directive (XX/XX) of the European Parliament and Council amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency. Amendment 20 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14 b (new) (14b)  In the future the allocation of ESF+ funding to Member States should be made contingent on provision of proof of effective involvement in projects to introduce or enhance, in the context of the Youth Guarantee, the dual system combining teaching and work experience. Amendment 21 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15 (15)  Support through the ESF+ should be used to promote equal access for all, in particular for disadvantaged groups, to quality, non-segregated and inclusive education and training, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, thereby fostering permeability between education and training sectors, preventing early school leaving, improving health literacy, reinforcing links with non-formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all. Synergies with the Erasmus programme, notably to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged learners in learning mobility, should be supported within this context. (15)  Support through the ESF+ should be used to promote equal access for all, in particular for disadvantaged groups, to quality, non-segregated and inclusive education and training, from early childhood education and care, paying special attention to children coming from a disadvantaged social background, such as children in institutional care and children experiencing homelessness, through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level and re-integration into the education system, as well as adult education and learning, thereby preventing the transmission of poverty through generations, fostering permeability between education and training sectors, reducing and preventing early school leaving and social exclusion, improving health literacy, reinforcing links with non-formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all. Those forms of informal learning should not replace access to regular education, particularly pre-school and primary education. Synergies, complementarity and policy coherence with the Erasmus programme should be established in this context in order to properly and actively reach out and to prepare disadvantaged learners for mobility experiences abroad and increase their participation in cross-border learning mobility. Amendment 22 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15 a (new) (15a)   Support under the investment priority "community-led local development" contributes to the objectives as set out in this Regulation. Community-led local development strategies supported by the ESF+ should be inclusive with regard to disadvantaged people present on the territory, both in terms of governance of local action groups and in terms of content of the strategy. The ESF should be able to support community-led local development strategies in urban and rural areas, as well as integrated territorial investments (ITI). Amendment 23 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15 b (new) (15b)  The added value of the Union cohesion policy lies particularly in the place-based territorial dimension approach, the multilevel governance, the multiannual planning and shared and measurable objectives, the integrated development approach and the convergence towards European standards in administrative capabilities. Amendment 24 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15 c (new) (15c)  The Commission and the Member States should ensure that gender equality and the integration of the gender perspective is a binding principle in all phases of programming, from shaping the priorities of the operational programmes to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and that key actions for gender mainstreaming receive support. Amendment 25 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15 d (new) (15d)   The ESF+ should support educational schemes that offer adults with a low level of skills the possibility to acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital competence in line with the Council Recommendation of 19 December 2016 on Upskilling Pathways: New Opportunities for Adults1a. __________________ 1a OJ C 484, 24.12.2016, p. 1. Amendment 26 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 (16)  The ESF+ should promote flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, notably digital skills and key enabling technologies, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technological change, innovation and social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular low-skilled and/or poorly qualified adults, in line with the Skills Agenda for Europe. (16)  The ESF+ should promote flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, taking into consideration the challenges of different disadvantaged groups, notably entrepreneurial and digital skills and key enabling technologies, with a view to providing people and local communities with skills, competences and knowledge adjusted to digitalisation, technological change, innovation and social and economic change, such as the ones induced by the transition to a low carbon economy, facilitating the transition from education to employment, mobility and supporting in particular, low-skilled, persons with disabilities and/or poorly qualified adults, in line with the Skills Agenda for Europe and in coordination and complementarity with the Digital Europe Programme. Amendment 27 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17 (17)  Synergies with the Horizon Europe programme should ensure that the ESF+ can mainstream and scale up innovative curricula supported by Horizon Europe in order to equip people with the skills and competences needed for the jobs of the future. (17)  Synergies with the Horizon Europe programme should ensure that the ESF+ can mainstream and scale up innovative curricula supported by Horizon Europe in order to equip people with the skills and competences needed for their personal and professional development and for the jobs of the future and to address current and future societal challenges. The Commission should ensure synergies between the Health Strand and the Horizon Europe programme in order to boost the results achieved in the area of health protection and diseases prevention. Amendment 28 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17 a (new) (17a)   Synergies with the Rights and Values programme should ensure that ESF+ can mainstream and scale up actions to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, islamophobia and other forms of intolerance, as well as devoting specific actions to prevent hatred, segregation and stigmatisation, including bullying, harassment and intolerant treatment. Amendment 29 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17 b (new) (17b)   The synergies created thanks to European territorial cooperation at regional and cross-border levels have also resulted in cooperation projects to improve employment, inclusion of the most vulnerable sections of the population, demographic challenges, health and education, not only in the Union but also with countries in the pre-accession phase and in neighbouring countries, where Union cooperation provides added value. The ESF+ should improve funding for projects of this type and ensure the transfer of knowledge between them and the legislative process to improve the European regulatory framework and promote the sharing of good practices between the territories of the Union. Amendment 30 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 (18)  The ESF+ should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children, marginalised communities such as the Roma, and the working poor. The ESF+ should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF+ should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services. The ESF+ should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility. (18)  The ESF+ should support Member States’ efforts at all levels of government, including at regional and local level, to eradicate poverty, including energy poverty as provided for in the recently adopted rules on the Governance of the Energy Union [substitute number of the Regulation once published], with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, reducing barriers, fighting discrimination and addressing social and health inequalities. This implies also, but is not limited to, mobilising a range of pro-active and reactive policies and strategies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children, marginalised communities such as the Roma, persons with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, third-country nationals, including migrants and the working poor. The ESF+ should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration, including through targeted support to the social economy. Member States should promote ESF+ actions that complement national measures in line with the Commission Recommendation of 3 October 2008 on the active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market1a including measures on adequate income support. The ESF+ should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services such as person-centred healthcare, related care and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services and services guiding access to adequate, social and affordable housing services. This includes health promotion and diseases prevention services as part of primary healthcare services. The ESF+ should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility, inclusiveness, and effectiveness in responding to the changing realities of world of work. The ESF+ should also address rural poverty stemming from the specific disadvantages of rural areas, such as an unfavourable demographic situation, a weak labour market, limited access to education and training services, or healthcare and social services. ______________ 1a Commission Recommendation of 3 October 2008 on the active inclusion of people excluded from the labour market (OJ L 307, 18.11.2008, p. 11). Amendment 31 Proposal for a regulation Recital 19 (19)  The ESF+ should contribute to the reduction of poverty by supporting national schemes aiming to alleviate food and material deprivation and promote social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion and the most deprived. With a view that at Union level at least 4% of the resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management supports the most deprived, Member States should allocate at least 2% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to address the forms of extreme poverty with the greatest social exclusion impact, such as homelessness, child poverty and food deprivation. Due to the nature of the operations and the type of end recipients, it is necessary that simpler rules apply to support which addresses material deprivation of the most deprived. (19)  The ESF+ should contribute to poverty eradication by supporting national schemes aiming to alleviate food and material deprivation and promote social integration of people experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion and the most deprived. Member States should allocate at least 3% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to combat the forms of extreme poverty with the greatest social exclusion impact, such as homelessness, child poverty, old-age poverty and food deprivation. Due to the nature of the operations and the type of end recipients, it is necessary that the simplest possible rules apply to support which addresses material deprivation of the most deprived. Amendment 32 Proposal for a regulation Recital 19 a (new) (19a)   ESF+ should aim to address the poverty among elderly women across the Union, taking into account that the gender pension gap, standing at 40%, constitutes an acute risk for worsening levels of poverty among older women, especially those living without a partner, thus following up on the commitments made in the 2015 ‘Council conclusions on equal income opportunities for women and men: closing the gender gap in pensions’1a. Poverty among elder women is also exacerbated by the rising out-of-pocket costs for health care and medicines that have to be borne by the elderly patients, especially women who spend a larger proportion of their lifespan in ill health than men mostly due to longer life expectancy. _________________ 1a http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9302-2015-INIT/en/pdf. Amendment 33 Proposal for a regulation Recital 19 b (new) (19b)  In order to eradicate poverty and ensure greater social inclusion, the ESF+ should promote the active participation of specialised NGOs and organisations representing people living in poverty both in the preparation and in the implementation of the programmes dedicated to this. Amendment 34 Proposal for a regulation Recital 20 (20)  In light of the persistent need to enhance efforts to address the management of the migration flows in the Union as a whole and in order to ensure a coherent, strong and consistent support to the solidarity and responsibility-sharing efforts, the ESF+ should provide support to promote the socio-economic integration of third country nationals complementary to the actions financed under the Asylum and Migration Fund. (20)  In light of the persistent need to enhance efforts to address the management of the migration flows in the Union as a whole and in order to ensure a coherent, strong and consistent support to the solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing efforts, the ESF+ should provide support to promote the socio-economic integration of third country nationals, including migrants, which may include initiatives at local level, complementary to the actions financed under the Asylum and Migration Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and those funds which can have a positive effect on the inclusion of third-country nationals. Amendment 35 Proposal for a regulation Recital 20 a (new) (20a)   The authorities of the Member States responsible for planning and implementing the ESF+ should coordinate with the authorities designated by Member States to manage the interventions of the Asylum and Migration Fund in order to promote the integration of third-country nationals at all levels in the best possible way through strategies implemented mainly by local and regional authorities and non-governmental organisations and by the most appropriate measures tailored to the particular situation of the third-country nationals. The scope of the integration measures should focus on third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State or where appropriate in the process of acquiring legal residence in a Member State, including beneficiaries of international protection. Amendment 36 Proposal for a regulation Recital 21 (21)  The ESF+ should support policy and system reforms in the fields of employment, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care, and education and training. In order to strengthen alignment with the European Semester, Member States should allocate an appropriate amount of their resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to implement relevant country-specific recommendations relating to structural challenges which it is appropriate to address through multiannual investments falling within the scope of the ESF+. The Commission and the Member States should ensure coherence, coordination and complementarity between the shared-management and Health strands of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. In particular, the Commission and the Member State should ensure, in all stages of the process, effective coordination in order to safeguard the consistency, coherence, complementarity and synergy among sources of funding, including technical assistance thereof. (21)  The ESF+ should support policy and system reforms in the fields of employment, social inclusion, poverty eradication, healthcare and long-term care, and education and training. In order to strengthen alignment with the European Semester Member States should allocate an appropriate amount of their resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to implement relevant country-specific recommendations relating to structural challenges, which it is appropriate to address through multiannual investments falling within the scope of the ESF+. The Commission and the Member States should involve local and regional authorities to ensure coherence, coordination and complementarity between the shared-management and Health strands of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. In particular, the Commission and the Member State should ensure, in all stages of the process, effective coordination in order to safeguard the consistency, coherence, complementarity and synergy among sources of funding, including technical assistance thereof, taking into account principles and rights set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Social Scoreboard under the European Semester, the ILO Decent Work Agenda, and regional specificities, thereby contributing to the goals of the Union set out in Article 174 TFEU as regards to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion. Amendment 37 Proposal for a regulation Recital 21 a (new) (21a)  Given the diversity of the level of development in the regions and different social realities across the Union, the degree of flexibility of the ESF+ should be sufficient to take the regional and territorial specificities into account. Amendment 38 Proposal for a regulation Recital 22 (22)  To ensure that the social dimension of Europe as set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights is duly put forward and that a minimum amount of resources is targeting those most in need Member States should allocate at least 25% of their national ESF+ resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to fostering social inclusion. (22)  To ensure that the social dimension of Europe as set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights is duly put forward and that a minimum amount of resources is targeting those most in need Member States should allocate at least 27% of their national ESF+ resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to fostering social inclusion and poverty eradication. That percentage should be complementary to the national resources to address extreme poverty. Amendment 39 Proposal for a regulation Recital 22 a (new) (22a)  All Member States have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which constitutes the standard in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. The promotion of children’s rights is an explicit objective of Union policies (Article 3 of the Lisbon Treaty), and the Charter requires the best interests of the child to be a primary consideration in all Union action. The Union and Member States should make appropriate use of the ESF+ to break the cycle of disadvantage for children living in poverty and social exclusion, as defined in the 2013 Commission Recommendation Investing in children. The ESF+ should support actions promoting effective interventions that contribute to the realisation of children’s rights. Amendment 40 Proposal for a regulation Recital 22 b (new) (22b)  In light of the persistently high level of child poverty and social exclusion in the Union (26,4 % in 2017), and the European Pillar of Social Rights which states that children have the right to protection from poverty, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the rights to specific measures to enhance equal opportunities, Member States should allocate at least 5 % of ESF+ resources under shared management to the European Child Guarantee scheme in order to contribute to children’s equal access to free healthcare, free education, free childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition for the eradication of child poverty and social exclusion. Investing early in children yields significant returns for these children and society as a whole and is crucial to break the cycle of disadvantage in early years. Supporting children to develop skills and capabilities enables them to develop their full potential, brings them the best educational and health outcomes, and helps them to become active members of society and to increase their chances on the labour market as young people. Amendment 41 Proposal for a regulation Recital 23 (23)  In the light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training, it is necessary that those Member States continue to invest sufficient resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management towards actions to promote youth employment including through the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes. Building on the actions supported by the Youth Employment Initiative in the 2014-2020 programming period targeting individual persons, Member States should further promote employment and education reintegration pathways and outreach measures for young people by prioritising, where relevant, long-term unemployed, inactive and disadvantaged young people including through youth work. Member States should also invest in measures aimed at facilitating school-to-work transition as well as reforming and adapting employment services with a view to providing tailor-made support to young people. Member States concerned should therefore allocate at least 10% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to support youth employability. (23)  In the light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training (NEETs), which levels are even higher in case of young people coming from a disadvantaged social background, it is necessary that Member States continue to invest adequate resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management towards actions to promote youth employment, in particular through the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes. Building on the actions supported by the Youth Employment Initiative in the 2014-2020 programming period targeting individual persons, Member States should further promote high-quality employment and education reintegration pathways and effective outreach measures for young people by prioritising, where relevant, long-term unemployed, inactive and disadvantaged young people, young people who are hardest to reach and young people in vulnerable situations, including through youth work. Member States should also invest in measures aimed at facilitating school-to-work transition as well as reforming and adapting employment services with a view to providing tailor-made support to young people and at delivering their service without discrimination of any kind. Member States should allocate at least 3% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand to support policies in the field of youth employability, continued education, quality employment, apprenticeships and traineeships. Member States with a NEET rate above the Union average, or above 15 %, should allocate at least 15 % of their national resources of the ESF+ to support policies in this field, acting at the appropriate territorial level. Amendment 42 Proposal for a regulation Recital 23 a (new) (23a)  Disparities are growing at subregional level, including in more prosperous regions where there are pockets of poverty. Amendment 43 Proposal for a regulation Recital 23 b (new) (23b)   Given the extension of the scope of the ESF+, the extra tasks should be coupled with an increased budget in order to fulfil the goals of the Programme. More funding is needed to combat unemployment, in particular youth unemployment, poverty and for the support of professional development and training, especially in the digital workplace, in line with the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights. Amendment 44 Proposal for a regulation Recital 23 c (new) (23c)  EURES should be strengthened on a long-term basis, in particular through the comprehensive development of the internet platform and the active involvement of the Member States. Member States should use this existing model more effectively and publish details of all vacant jobs in the EURES system. Amendment 45 Proposal for a regulation Recital 24 (24)  Member States should ensure coordination and complementarity between the actions supported by these funds. (24)  Member States and the Commission should ensure coordination and complementarity and exploit synergies between the actions supported by the ESF+ and the other Union programmes and instruments such as the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Erasmus, the Asylum and Migration Fund, Horizon Europe, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Digital Europe Programme, InvestEU, Creative Europe or the European Solidarity Corps. Amendment 46 Proposal for a regulation Recital 25 (25)  In accordance with Article 349 TFEU and Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession, the outermost regions and the northern sparsely populated regions are entitled to specific measures under common policies and EU programmes. Due to the permanent constraints these regions require specific support. (25)  In accordance with Articles 349 and 174 TFEU and Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession, the outermost regions, the northern sparsely populated regions and islands are entitled to specific measures under common policies and EU programmes. Because they suffer from severe and permanent natural handicaps, these regions need specific support. Amendment 47 Proposal for a regulation Recital 25 a (new) (25a)  In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, the Member States and the Commission should ensure that the ESF+ contributes to the development and implementation of specific policies to address the constraints and difficulties experienced by regions that suffer from severe and permanent demographic handicaps, such as depopulated regions and sparsely populated regions. Amendment 48 Proposal for a regulation Recital 26 (26)  Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF+ depends on good governance and partnership between all actors at the relevant territorial levels and the socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and civil society. It is therefore essential that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and civil society in the implementation of the ESF+ under shared management. (26)  Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF+ depends on good governance and partnership between Union institutions and local, regional and national authorities and the socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and civil society. It is therefore essential that Member States, in partnership with regional and local authorities, ensure meaningful participation of social partners and civil society organisations, equality bodies, national human rights institutions and other relevant or representative organisations in the programming and delivery of the ESF+ from shaping priorities for operational programmes to implementing, monitoring and evaluating the results and impact in line with the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds established by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/20141a. Furthermore, for the sake of safeguarding non-discrimination and equal opportunities, equality bodies and national human rights institutions should also be involved in each stage. ____________ 1a Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1). Amendment 49 Proposal for a regulation Recital 26 a (new) (26a)  Good governance and partnership between managing authorities and the partners require the effective and efficient use of capacity building for stakeholders, to whom Member Stes should allocate an appropriate amount of ESF+ resources. As investment in institutional capacity and in the efficiency of public administration and public services at the national, regional and local levels with a view to reforms, better regulation and good governance, is no longer included as an operational objective of the ESF+ under shared management, but has been included in the Structural Support Reform Programme, it is necessary that the Commission and the Member States ensure effective coordination between the two instruments. Amendment 50 Proposal for a regulation Recital 27 (27)  With a view to rendering policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative solutions, support for social innovation is crucial. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF+. (27)  With a view to rendering policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative solutions, including at local level, support for social innovation and the social economy is crucial. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF+. Amendment 51 Proposal for a regulation Recital 27 a (new) (27a)  With a view to fully tapping into the potential of cross-sectorial cooperation and to improving synergies and coherence with other policy fields to achieve its general objectives, the ESF+ should support innovative actions which use sport and physical activity and culture to drive social inclusion, fight youth unemployment, particularly for disadvantaged groups, improve social inclusion of marginalised groups and to promote good health and disease prevention. Amendment 52 Proposal for a regulation Recital 28 (28)  The Member States and the Commission should ensure that ESF+ contributes to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 TFEU to foster equality of treatment and opportunities between women and men in all areas, including regarding participation in the labour market, terms and conditions of employment and career progression. They should also ensure that the ESF+ promotes equal opportunities for all, without discrimination in accordance with Article 10 TFEU and promotes the inclusion in society of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These principles should be taken into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and equal opportunities. The ESF+ should also promote the transition from residential/institutional care to family and community-based care, in particular for those who face multiple discrimination. The ESF+ should not support any action that contributes to segregation or to social exclusion. Regulation (EU) No [future CPR] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions with regard to the ESF+ strand under shared management. (28)  The Member States and the Commission should ensure that ESF+ contributes to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 TFEU to foster equality of treatment and opportunities between women and men in all areas, including regarding participation in the labour market, terms and conditions of employment and career progression. The gender aspects should be taken into account in all programmes implemented, throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Moreover, the ESF+ should in particular comply with Article 21 of the Charter that stipulates that any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, sexual orientation is prohibited; furthermore, any discrimination based on sex characteristics or gender identity and on grounds of nationality should also be prohibited. Member States and the Commission should also ensure that the ESF+ promotes the inclusion in society of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with regard inter alia to education, work, employment and universal accessibility. These principles should be taken into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and equal opportunities. The ESF+ should also promote the transition from institutional care to family and community-based care, in particular for those who face multiple and intersectional discrimination. The ESF+ should not support any action that contributes to segregation or to social exclusion. Regulation (EU) No [future CPR] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be in line with the Charter and established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions with regard to the ESF+ strand under shared management. Amendment 53 Proposal for a regulation Recital 28 a (new) (28a)  The use of regional indicators should be considered in order to allow subregional disparities to be better taken into account. Amendment 54 Proposal for a regulation Recital 28 b (new) (28b)   The ESF+ should support the study of languages in fostering mutual understanding and in building an inclusive society, also through a wider adoption by the Member States of the toolkit for language support for refugees developed by the Council of Europe. Amendment 55 Proposal for a regulation Recital 29 (29)  In order to reduce the administrative burden for the collection of data, Member States should, where such data are available in registers, allow managing authorities to collect data from registers. (29)  In order to reduce the administrative burden for the collection of data, Member States should, where such data, possibly disaggregated by sex, are available in registers, allow managing authorities to collect data from registers while respecting the protection of personal data in accordance to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a. It is advisable to incentivise the continuation of the electronic transmission of data as it helps reducing the administrative burden. __________________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). Amendment 56 Proposal for a regulation Recital 31 (31)  Social experimentation is a small-scale project testing which allows gathering evidence on the feasibility of social innovations. It should be possible for feasible ideas to be pursued on a wider scale or in other contexts with financial support from the ESF+, as well as from other sources. (31)  Social experimentation is a small-scale project testing which allows gathering evidence on the feasibility of social innovations. It should be possible and encouraged for ideas to be tested at local level and for those that are feasible to be pursued on a wider scale - where appropriate - or transferred to other contexts in different regions or Member States with financial support from the ESF+ or in combination with other sources. Amendment 57 Proposal for a regulation Recital 32 (32)  ESF+ lays down provisions intended to achieve freedom of movement for workers on a non-discriminatory basis by ensuring the close cooperation of the central employment services of Member States with one another and with the Commission. The European network of employment services should promote a better functioning of the labour markets by facilitating the cross-border mobility of workers and a greater transparency of information on the labour markets. The ESF+ scope also includes developing and supporting targeted mobility schemes with a view to filling vacancies where labour market shortcomings have been identified. (32)  ESF+ lays down provisions intended to achieve freedom of movement for workers on a non-discriminatory basis by ensuring the close cooperation of the public employment services of Member States, the Commission and the social partners. The European network of employment services, with the involvement of the social partners, should promote a better functioning of the labour markets by facilitating the cross-border mobility of workers and a greater transparency of information on the labour markets. The ESF+ scope also includes developing and supporting targeted mobility schemes with a view to filling vacancies where labour market shortcomings have been identified. The ESF + covers cross-border partnerships between regional public employment services and social partners and their activities to promote mobility, as well as transparency and integration of cross-border labour markets through information, advice and placement. In many border regions they play an important role in the development of a genuine European labour market. Amendment 58 Proposal for a regulation Recital 33 (33)  Lack of access to finance for microenterprises, social economy and social enterprises is one of the main obstacles to business creation, especially among people furthest from the labour market. The ESF+ Regulation lays down provisions in order to create a market eco-system to increase the supply of and access to finance for social enterprises as well as to meet demand from those who need it most, and in particular the unemployed, women and vulnerable people who wish to start up or develop a microenterprise. This objective will also be addressed through financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the social investment and skills policy window of the InvestEU Fund. (33)  Lack of access to finance for microenterprises, social economy and social economy enterprises is one of the main obstacles to business creation, especially among people furthest from the labour market. The ESF+ Regulation lays down provisions in order to create a market eco-system to increase the supply of and access to finance and support services for social economy enterprises, including in the cultural and creative sector, as well as to meet demand from those who need it most, and in particular the unemployed, women and disadvantaged groups who wish to start up or develop a microenterprise. This objective will also be addressed through financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the social investment and skills policy window of the InvestEU Fund. Amendment 59 Proposal for a regulation Recital 33 a (new) (33a)  The Commission should introduce at Union level a ‘European Social Economy Label’ for social and solidarity-based enterprises, based on clear criteria designed to highlight the specific characteristics of these enterprises and their social impact, increase their visibility, create incentives for investment and facilitate access to funding and to the single market for those willing to expand nationally or into other Member States, in a manner consistent with the different legal forms and frameworks in the sector and in the Member States. Amendment 60 Proposal for a regulation Recital 34 (34)  Social investment market players, including philanthropic actors, can play a key role in achieving several ESF+ objectives, as they offer financing as well as innovative and complementary approaches to combatting social exclusion and poverty, reducing unemployment and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, philanthropic actors such as foundations and donors should be involved, as appropriate, in ESF+ actions in particular in those aimed at developing the social investment market ecosystem. (34)  Social investment market players, including philanthropic actors, can play a key role in achieving several ESF+ objectives, as they offer financing as well as innovative and complementary approaches to combatting social exclusion and poverty, reducing unemployment and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, philanthropic actors such as foundations and donors should be involved, as appropriate and as long as they do not have a political or social agenda in conflict with Union ideals, in ESF+ actions in particular in those aimed at developing the social investment market ecosystem. Amendment 61 Proposal for a regulation Recital 34 a (new) (34a)  Transnational cooperation has significant added value and should therefore be supported by all Member States with the exception of duly justified cases taking into account the principle of proportionality. It is also necessary to reinforce the Commission’s role in facilitating exchanges of experience and coordinating implementation of relevant initiatives. Amendment 62 Proposal for a regulation Recital 35 a (new) (35a)   The Commission should increase participation of Member States and underrepresented organisations by lowering as much as possible the barriers to participation, including the administrative burden of applying for and receiving funding. Amendment 63 Proposal for a regulation Recital 35 b (new) (35b)   One of the main Union objectives is to strengthen health systems by supporting the digital transformation of health and patient care and developing a sustainable health information system as well as supporting national reforms to make health systems more effective, accessible and resilient. Amendment 64 Proposal for a regulation Recital 36 (36)  Keeping people healthy and active longer and empowering them to take an active role in managing their health will have positive effects on health, health inequalities, quality of life, productivity, competitiveness and inclusiveness, while reducing pressures on national budgets. The Commission has been committed to help Member States to reach their sustainable development goals (SDG), in particular SDG 3 "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages".17 (36)  Continued effort is required in order to meet the requirements set out in Article 168 TFEU. Keeping all people healthy and active in a non-discriminatory way and empowering them to take an active role in managing their health will have positive effects on health, health inequalities, quality of life, productivity, competitiveness and inclusiveness, while reducing pressures on national budgets. Support for, and recognition of, innovation, including social innovation, which has an impact on health, helps in order to take up the challenge of sustainability in the health sector in the context of addressing the challenges of demographic change. Moreover, action to reduce inequalities in health is important for the purposes of achieving 'inclusive growth'. The Commission has been committed to help Member States to reach their sustainable development goals (SDG), in particular SDG 3 "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.17 _________________ _________________ 17 COM(2016)0739 17 COM(2016)0739 Amendment 65 Proposal for a regulation Recital 36 a (new) (36a)  According to the definition of the World Health Organisation (WHO), "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". In order to improve the health of the population in the Union, it is essential not to focus only on physical health and social well-being. According to the WHO, mental health problems account for almost 40 % of years lived with disability. Mental health problems are also wide-ranging, long-lasting and a source of discrimination, and contribute significantly to inequality in health. Moreover, the economic crisis affects factors determining mental health, as protective factors are weakened and risk factors increased. Amendment 66 Proposal for a regulation Recital 37 (37)  Evidence and the common values and principles in European Union Health Systems as set out in the Council Conclusions of 2 June 2006 should support the decision-making processes for planning and managing innovative, efficient and resilient health systems, promoting tools for ensuring universal access to quality healthcare, and the voluntary wider scale implementation of best practices. (37)  Evidence and the common values and principles in European Union Health Systems as set out in the Council Conclusions of 2 June 2006 should support the decision-making processes for planning and managing innovative, efficient and resilient health systems, promoting tools for ensuring universal access to quality person-centred healthcare and related care, and the voluntary wider scale implementation of best practices. This includes health promotion and disease prevention services as part of primary healthcare services. Amendment 67 Proposal for a regulation Recital 37 a (new) (37a)  The previous programmes of Union action in the field of public health (2003-2008) and in the field of health (2008-2013 and 2014-2020), established respectively by Decisions No 1786/2002/EC1a and 1350/2007/EC1b and Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council1c ("the previous health programmes"), have been positively assessed as resulting in a number of important developments and improvements. The Health strand of the ESF+ should build on the achievements of the previous health programmes. ____________________ 1a Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) (OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1). 1b Decision No 1350/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 establishing a second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-13) (OJ L 301, 20.11.2007, p. 3). 1c Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the establishment of a third Programme for the Union's action in the field of health (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1350/2007/EC (OJ L 86, 21.3.2014, p. 1). Amendment 68 Proposal for a regulation Recital 37 b (new) (37b)   The Health strand of the ESF+ should be a means of promoting actions in areas where there is Union added value that can be demonstrated on the basis of the following: exchanging good practices between Member States and between regions; supporting networks for knowledge sharing or mutual learning; supporting qualification of health professionals; addressing cross-border threats to reduce their risks and mitigate their consequences; addressing certain issues relating to the internal market where the Union has substantial legitimacy to ensure high-quality solutions across Member States; unlocking the potential of innovation in health; actions that could lead to a system for benchmarking to allow informed decision-making at Union level; improving efficiency by avoiding a waste of resources due to duplication, and optimising the use of financial resources. Amendment 69 Proposal for a regulation Recital 38 (38)  The Health strand of the ESF+ should contribute to disease prevention throughout the lifetime of the Union's citizens and to health promotion by addressing health risk factors such as tobacco use and passive smoking, harmful use of alcohol, consumption of illicit drugs and reduction of drugs-related health damage, unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles in order to complement Member States action in line with the relevant strategies. The Health strand of the ESF+ should mainstream effective prevention models, innovative technologies and new business models and solutions to contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems of the Member States and facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for European citizens. (38)  The Health strand of the ESF+ should contribute to disease prevention, early diagnosis throughout the lifetime of the people living in the Union and to health promotion by addressing health risk factors such as tobacco use, smoking and passive smoking, harmful use of alcohol, environmental health risk factors, consumption of illicit drugs and reduction of drugs-related health damage, obesity and unhealthy dietary habits, also related to poverty and physical inactivity and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles, greater public awareness of risk factors, well-designed public health interventions for reducing the burden and impact of infections and preventable infectious diseases, including through vaccinations, in the overall health throughout life in order to complement Member States action in line with the relevant strategies. In this context, special attention should be given to health education as it helps individuals and communities improve their health, increase their knowledge and influence their attitudes. Current health challenges can only be effectively addressed through collaboration at Union level and continued Union action in the field of health. The Health strand of the ESF+ should support implementation of the relevant Union law, mainstream effective prevention and awareness raising models reaching out to all, innovative technologies and new business models and solutions to contribute to innovative, accessible, efficient and sustainable health systems of the Member States and facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for people living in the Union in both urban and rural areas. Amendment 70 Proposal for a regulation Recital 38 a (new) (38a)   In order to implement the actions under the Health strand, the Commission should support the creation of a Steering Board for Health. In addition, the Commission should propose ways and methodology for aligning the health-related activities with the European Semester process, now empowered to recommend health systems (and other social determinants of health in fact) reforms towards greater accessibility and sustainability of healthcare and social protection provisions in Member States. Amendment 71 Proposal for a regulation Recital 39 (39)  Non-communicable diseases are responsible for over 80 % of premature mortality in the Union and an effective prevention entails multiple cross border dimensions. In parallel, the European Parliament and the Council underlined the need to minimise the public health consequences of serious cross-border threats to health such as communicable diseases and other biological, chemical, environmental and unknown threats, by supporting preparedness and response capacity building. (39)  Non-communicable diseases are responsible for over 80 % of premature mortality in the Union and an effective prevention entails multiple cross-sectoral actions and cross border dimensions. In parallel, the European Parliament and the Council underlined the need to minimise the public health consequences of serious cross-border threats to health such as sudden and cumulative environmental emissions and pollution, communicable diseases and other biological, chemical, environmental and unknown threats, by supporting preparedness and response capacity building. Amendment 72 Proposal for a regulation Recital 39 a (new) (39a)   Continuous investments in innovative community-based approaches to tackle cross-border diseases such as the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis are vital as the social dimension of the diseases is a major factor affecting the ability to tackle them as epidemics in the Union and neighbouring countries. A more ambitious political leadership and adequate technical and financial means to provide a sustainable regional response to the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis in Europe will be instrumental to reach the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals on these diseases. Amendment 73 Proposal for a regulation Recital 40 (40)  Reducing the burden of resistant infections and healthcare associated infections and securing the availability of effective antimicrobials is essential for the efficiency of health systems and for the health of citizens. (40)  Reducing the burden of resistant infections and healthcare associated infections and securing the availability of effective antimicrobials, whilst nonetheless reducing their use in order to help tackle antimicrobial resistance, is essential for the efficiency of health systems and for the health of citizens. Amendment 74 Proposal for a regulation Recital 42 (42)  Given the specific nature of some of the objectives covered by the Health strand of the ESF+ and by the type of the actions under that strand, the respective competent authorities of the Member States are best placed to implement the related activities. Those authorities, designated by the Member States themselves, should therefore be considered to be identified beneficiaries for the purpose of Article [195]of [the new Financial Regulation] and the grants be awarded to such authorities without prior publication of calls for proposals. (42)  Given the specific nature of some of the objectives covered by the Health strand of the ESF+ and by the type of the actions under that strand, the respective competent authorities of the Member States are best placed to implement the related activities with the active support of civil society. Those authorities, designated by the Member States themselves, and additionally, civil society organisations, as appropriate, should therefore be considered to be identified beneficiaries for the purpose of Article [195]of [the new Financial Regulation] and the grants be awarded to such authorities without prior publication of calls for proposals. . Amendment 75 Proposal for a regulation Recital 42 a (new) (42a)   In order to increase the performance of programme monitoring inefficiencies and inadequacies, the Commission should implement and use programmatic and action specific monitoring indicators to ensure that programme objectives are achieved. Amendment 76 Proposal for a regulation Recital 42 b (new) (42b)   The ESF+ programme should address existing obstacles to civil society participation, for example through simplifying the application procedures, easing the financial criteria by waiving the co-financing percentage in some cases, but also through building the capacity of patients, their organisations and other stakeholders through training and education. The programme shall also aim to enable the functioning of civil society networks and organisations at Union level that contribute to the achievement of its objectives, including Union-level organisations. Amendment 77 Proposal for a regulation Recital 42 c (new) (42c)   The implementation of the Health strand of the ESF+ should be such that the responsibilities of the Member States, for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care, are respected. Whilst respecting Treaty obligations and the role of Member States as the primary interlocutor in the Union decision-making process, competent authorities at sub-national level should be engaged in order to ensure an effective and lasting impact of Union health policy through their integration with social policies on the ground. Amendment 78 Proposal for a regulation Recital 44 (44)  EU health legislation has an immediate impact on the lives of citizen, on the efficiency and resilience of the health systems and the good functioning of the internal market. The regulatory framework for medical products and technologies (medicinal products, medical devices and substances of human origin), as well as on tobacco legislation, patients' rights on cross-border health and serious cross-border threats to health is essential to health protection in the EU. Regulation, as well its implementation and enforcement, must keep pace with innovation and research advances and with societal changes in this area, while delivering on health objectives. It is therefore necessary to continuously develop the evidence base required for implementing legislation of such a scientific nature. (44)  EU health legislation has an immediate impact on the lives of citizen, on the efficiency and resilience of the health systems and the good functioning of the internal market. The regulatory framework for medical products and technologies (medicinal products, medical devices and substances of human origin), as well as on tobacco legislation, patients' rights on cross-border health and serious cross-border threats to health is essential to health protection in the EU. In addition, many other Union legal acts have significant impacts on health such as those relating to food and food labelling, air pollution, endocrine disruptors and pesticides. In some cases, the cumulative impacts of environmental risk factors are not clearly understood, potentially leading to unacceptable risks to citizens' health. Amendment 79 Proposal for a regulation Recital 44 a (new) (44a)   Regulation with health implications, as well as its implementation and enforcement, should keep pace with innovation and research advances and with societal change in this area, whilst remaining underpinned by the precautionary principle, as enshrined in the Treaties. It is therefore necessary to continuously develop the evidence base required for implementing legislation of such scientific nature and, in order to ensure the possibility of independent scrutiny thereby re-gaining public trust in Union processes and because, by its very nature the sharing of this evidence is in the public interest, the highest level of transparency should be guaranteed. Amendment 80 Proposal for a regulation Recital 44 b (new) (44b)   Facing health challenges cannot be done by the health sector alone, as health is determined by multiple factors outside of it. Hence, as stated in the Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties, health in all policies is important for the Union's ability to face future challenges. However, making other sectors aware of the health impacts of their decisions and to integrate health into their policies is one of the biggest challenges the European health sector currently encounters. Important advances in health have been registered so far through policies in sectors such as education, traffic, nutrition, agriculture, labour, or planning. As an example, heart health has registered significant improvements through changes in policies and regulations regarding the quality of food, increased physical activity and decreased smoking. Amendment 81 Proposal for a regulation Recital 46 (46)  Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Regulation will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union’s policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the mid-term evaluation. (46)  Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Regulation will contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives over the MFF 2021-2027 period, and an annual target of 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027. Relevant actions will be identified during the preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the mid-term evaluation. Amendment 82 Proposal for a regulation Recital 47 (47)  Pursuant to Article [94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU19], persons and entities established in Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) are to be eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant OCTs are linked. (47)  Pursuant to Article [94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU19], persons and entities established in Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) are to be eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant OCTs are linked. The programme will need to allow for the particular constraints affecting persons and entities established in those territories in order to provide for proper access to those strands. __________________ __________________ 19Council Decision 2013/755/EU of 25 November 2013 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union ( ‘Overseas Association Decision’) (OJ L 344, 19.12.2013, p. 1). 19Council Decision 2013/755/EU of 25 November 2013 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union ( ‘Overseas Association Decision’) (OJ L 344, 19.12.2013, p. 1). Amendment 83 Proposal for a regulation Recital 48 (48)  Third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. (48)  Subject to complying with all the relevant rules and regulations, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. Amendment 84 Proposal for a regulation Recital 50 a (new) (50a)   It is important to ensure sound and fair financial management of the Fund to guarantee that it is implemented in such a way as to make it as clear, effective and easy to use as possible, while guaranteeing legal certainty and ensuring that it is accessible to all participants. As ESF+ activities are carried out under shared management, the Member States should not add additional rules or amend the rules as they go, as that would complicate the use of the funds for the beneficiaries and may lead to a delay in the payment of invoices. Amendment 85 Proposal for a regulation Recital 51 (51)  Since the objective of this Regulation, namely enhancing the effectiveness of labour markets and promoting access to quality employment, improving the access to and the quality of education and training, promoting social inclusion and health and reducing poverty as well as the actions under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. (51)  Since the objective of this Regulation, namely enhancing the effectiveness and fairness of labour markets and promoting access to quality employment, improving the access to and the quality of education, training and care, promoting social inclusion, equal opportunities, and health and eradicating poverty as well as the actions under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. Amendment 86 Proposal for a regulation Article 1 Article 1 Article 1 Subject matter Subject matter This Regulation establishes the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). This Regulation establishes the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). ESF+ consists of three strands: the strand under shared management, the Employment and Social Innovation strand and the Health strand. It lays down the objectives of the ESF+, the budget for the period 2021-2027, the methods of implementation, the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding. This Regulation lays down the objectives of the ESF+, the budget for the period 2021-2027, the methods of implementation, the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding, complementing the general rules applicable to ESF+ under Regulation (EU) No [Regulation laying down Common Provisions]. Amendment 87 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 Article 2 Article 2 Definitions Definitions 1.  For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: 1.  For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: (1)  'accompanying measures' means activities provided in addition to the distribution of food and/or basic material assistance with the aim of addressing social exclusion such as referring to and providing social services or advice on managing a household budget; (1)  'accompanying measures' means activities provided in addition to the distribution of food and/or basic material assistance with the aim of addressing social exclusion and eradicating poverty such as referring to and providing social services and psychological support, providing relevant information on public services or advice on managing a household budget; (2)  ‘associated country’ means a third country which is party to an agreement with the Union allowing for its participation in the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands of the ESF+ in accordance with Article 30; (2)  ‘associated country’ means a third country which is party to an agreement with the Union allowing for its participation in the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands of the ESF+ in accordance with Article 30; (3)  'basic material assistance' means goods which fulfil the basic needs of a person for a life with dignity, such as clothing, hygiene goods and school material; (3)  'basic material assistance' means goods which fulfil the basic needs of a person for a life with dignity, such as clothing, hygiene goods, including feminine hygiene products, and school material; (4)  'blending operation' means actions supported by the Union budget, including within blending facilities pursuant to Article 2(6) of the Financial Regulation, combining non-repayable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public finance institutions, as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors; (4)  'blending operation' means actions supported by the Union budget, including within blending facilities pursuant to Article 2(6) of the Financial Regulation, combining non-repayable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public finance institutions, as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors; (5)  ‘common immediate result indicators’ means common result indicators which capture effects within four weeks as from the day the participant leaves the operation (exit date); (5)  ‘common immediate result indicators’ means common result indicators which capture effects within four weeks as from the day the participant leaves the operation (exit date); (6)  ‘common longer term result indicators’ means common result indicators which capture effects six months after a participant has left the operation; (6)  ‘common longer term result indicators’ means common result indicators which capture effects six and twelve months after a participant has left the operation; (7)  'costs of purchasing food and/or basic material assistance' means the actual costs linked to the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance by the beneficiary and not limited to the price of the food and/or basic material assistance; (7)  'costs of purchasing food and/or basic material assistance' means the actual costs linked to the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance by the beneficiary and not limited to the price of the food and/or basic material assistance; (7a)  ‘cross-border partnerships’ in the Employment and Social Innovation strand means permanent structures of cooperation between public employment services, civil society or the social partners located in at least two Member States; (8)  'end recipient' means the most deprived person or persons receiving the support as laid down in point (xi) of Article 4(1); (8)  'end recipient' means the most deprived person or persons receiving the support as laid down in point (xi) of Article 4(1); (9)  ‘health crisis’ means any crisis commonly perceived as a threat, having a health dimension and which requires urgent action by authorities under conditions of uncertainty; (9)  ‘health crisis’ means any crisis commonly perceived as a threat, having a health dimension and which requires urgent action by authorities under conditions of uncertainty; (10)  'legal entity' means any natural person, or any legal person created and recognised as such under national law, Union law or international law, which has a legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; (10)  'legal entity' means any natural person, or any legal person created and recognised as such under national law, Union law or international law, which has a legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations; (11)  'microfinance' includes guarantees, microcredit, equity and quasi-equity, coupled with accompanying business development services such as in the form of individual counselling, training and mentoring, extended to persons and micro-enterprises that experience difficulties accessing credit for the purpose of professional and/or revenue-generating activities; (11)  'microfinance' includes guarantees, microcredit, equity and quasi-equity, coupled with accompanying business development services such as in the form of individual counselling, training and mentoring, extended to persons and micro-enterprises that experience difficulties accessing credit for the purpose of professional and/or revenue-generating activities; (12)  micro-enterprise' means an enterprise with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet below EUR 2 000 000; (12)  micro-enterprise' means an enterprise with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet below EUR 2 000 000; (13)  'most deprived persons' means natural persons, whether individuals, families, households or groups composed of such persons, whose need for assistance has been established according to the objective criteria set by the national competent authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders, while avoiding conflicts of interest and which are approved by those national competent authorities and which may include elements that allow the targeting of the most deprived persons in certain geographical areas; (13)  'most deprived persons' means natural persons, whether individuals, families, households or groups composed of such persons, including children and homeless people, whose need for assistance has been established according to the objective criteria set by the national competent authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders, while avoiding conflicts of interest and which are approved by those national competent authorities and which may include elements that allow the targeting of the most deprived persons in certain geographical areas; (14)  'reference value’ means a value to set targets for common and programme specific result indicators which is based on existing or previous similar interventions; (14)  'reference value’ means a value to set targets for common and programme specific result indicators which is based on existing or previous similar interventions; (15)  'social enterprise' means an undertaking, regardless of its legal form, or a natural person which (15)  'social enterprise' means a social economy undertaking, regardless of its legal form, or a natural person who: (a)  in accordance with its Articles of Association, Statutes or with any other legal document that may result in liability under the rules of the Member State where it is located, has as its primary social objective the achievement of measurable, positive social impacts rather than generating profit for other purposes, and which provides services or goods that generate a social return, and/or employs methods of production of goods or services that embodies social objectives; (a)  in accordance with its Articles of Association, Statutes or with any other legal document that may result in liability under the rules of the Member State where it is located, has as its primary social objective the achievement of measurable, positive social, including environmental, impacts rather than generating profit for other purposes, and which provides services or goods that generate a social return, and/or employs methods of production of goods or services that embodies social objectives; (b)  uses its profits first and foremost to achieve its primary social objective, and has predefined procedures and rules covering any distribution of profits that ensure that such distribution does not undermine the primary social objective; (b)  reinvests most of its profits first and foremost to achieve its primary social objective, and has predefined procedures and rules covering any distribution of profits that ensure that such distribution does not undermine the primary social objective; (c)  is managed in an entrepreneurial, accountable and transparent way, in particular by involving workers, customers and stakeholders impacted by its business activities; (c)  is managed in an entrepreneurial, democratic, participatory, accountable and transparent way, in particular by involving workers, customers and stakeholders impacted by its business activities; (15a)  ‘social economy enterprise’ means different types of enterprises and entities falling within the social economy, such as cooperatives, mutuals, associations, foundations, social enterprises and other forms of enterprises regulated by the laws of the individual Member States and based on the primacy of the individual and social objectives over capital, democratic governance, solidarity and the reinvestment of the majority of profits or surpluses; (16)  'social innovations' mean activities that are social both as to their ends and their means and in particular those which relate to the development and implementation of new ideas (concerning products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs and create new social relationships or collaborations, thereby benefiting society and boosting its capacity to act; (16)  'social innovations' mean activities, including collective activities, that are social both as to their ends and their means and in particular those which relate to the development and implementation of new ideas (concerning products, services, practices and models) that simultaneously meet social needs and create new social relationships or collaborations, including between public, third sector organisations such as voluntary and community organisations and social economy enterprises, thereby benefiting society and boosting its capacity to act; (17)  'social experimentations' mean policy interventions that offer an innovative response to social needs, implemented on a small scale and in conditions that enable their impact to be measured, prior to being implemented in other contexts or on a larger scale, if the results prove convincing; (17)  'social experimentations' mean policy interventions that offer an innovative response to social needs, implemented on a small scale and in conditions that enable their impact to be measured, prior to being implemented in other, including geographical and sectorial, contexts or on a larger scale, if the results prove convincing; (18)  'key competences' means the knowledge, skills and competences all individuals need, at any stage of their lives, for personal fulfilment and development, employment, social inclusion and active citizenship. The key competences are: literacy; multilingual; mathematics, science, technology and engineering; digital; personal, social and learning to learn; citizenship; entrepreneurship; cultural awareness and expression; (18)  'key competences' means the knowledge, skills and competences all individuals need, at any stage of their lives, for personal fulfilment and development, employment, social inclusion and active citizenship. The key competences are: literacy; multilingual; mathematics, science, technology, arts and engineering; digital; media; personal, social and learning to learn; citizenship; entrepreneurship; (inter)cultural awareness and expression and critical thinking; (19)  'third country' means a country that is not member of the European Union. (19)  'third country' means a country that is not member of the European Union; (19a)  ‘disadvantaged groups’ means targeted groups with a high level of people experiencing or at risk of poverty, discrimination or social exclusion, including among others ethnic minorities such as Roma, third-country nationals, including migrants, elderly people, children, single parents, persons with disabilities or persons with chronic diseases; (19b)  ‘lifelong learning’ means learning in all its forms (formal, non-formal and informal learning) taking place at all stages in life including early childhood education, general education, vocational education and training, higher education and adult education, and resulting in an improvement in knowledge, skills, competences, and possibilities to participate in society. 2.  The definitions in Article [2] of [the future CPR] shall also apply for the ESF+ strand under shared management. 2.  The definitions in Article [2] of [the future CPR] also apply for the ESF+ strand under shared management. 2a.  The definitions in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union1a also apply to the Employment and Social Innovation strand and to the Health strand under direct and indirect management. ________________ 1a Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1). Amendment 88 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 Article 3 Article 3 General objectives and methods of implementation General objectives and methods of implementation The ESF+ aims to support Member States to achieve high employment levels, fair social protection and a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the future world of work, in line with the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 17 November 2017. The ESF+ shall support Member States, at national, regional and local level, and the Union to achieve inclusive societies, high levels of quality employment, job creation, quality and inclusive education and training, equal opportunities, eradicating poverty, including child poverty, social inclusion and integration, social cohesion, social protection and a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the future world of work. The ESF+ shall be in line with the Treaties of the European Union and the Charter, delivering on the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 17 November 2017, thereby contributing to the goals of the Union as regards to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 TFEU and the commitment of the Union and its Member States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments made under the Paris Agreement. The ESF+ shall support, complement and add value to the policies of the Member States to ensure equal opportunities, access to the labour market, fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion, and a high level of human health protection. The ESF+ shall support, complement and add value to the policies of the Member States to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, lifelong learning, high quality working conditions, social protection, integration and inclusion, eradicating poverty, including child poverty, investment in children and young people, non-discrimination, gender equality, access to basic services and a high level of human health protection. It shall be implemented: It shall be implemented: a)  under shared management, for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the specific objectives indicated in Article 4(1) (the ‘ESF+ strand under shared management’), and a)  under shared management, for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the specific objectives indicated in Article 4(1) (the ‘ESF+ strand under shared management’), and b)  under direct and indirect management for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the objectives indicated in Articles 4(1) and 23 (the ‘Employment and Social Innovation strand’) and for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the objectives indicated in Articles 4(1) and (3) and 26 (the ‘Health strand’). b)  under direct and indirect management for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the objectives indicated in Articles 4(1) and 23 (the ‘Employment and Social Innovation strand’) and for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the objectives indicated in Articles 4(1) and (3) and 26 (the ‘Health strand’). Amendment 89 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 Article 4 Article 4 Specific objectives Specific objectives 1.  The ESF+ shall support the following specific objectives in the policy areas of employment, education, social inclusion and health and thereby also contributing to the policy objective for “A more social Europe - Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights” set out in Article [4] of the [future CPR]: 1.  The ESF+ shall support the following specific objectives in the policy areas of employment, education, mobility, social inclusion, poverty eradication and health and thereby also contributing to the policy objective for “A more social Europe - Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights” set out in Article [4] of the [future CPR]: (i)  improving access to employment of all jobseekers, in particular youth and long-term unemployed, and of inactive people, promoting self-employment and the social economy; (i)  improving access to quality employment and activation measures of all jobseekers, in particular specific measures for young people, especially though the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, long-term unemployed, economically inactive people and disadvantaged groups, with focus on persons furthest away from the labour market, promoting employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship and the social economy; (ii)  modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support to labour market matching, transitions and mobility; (ii)  modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support to labour market matching, transitions and mobility; (iii)  promoting women’s labour market participation, a better work/life balance including access to childcare, a healthy and well–adapted working environment addressing health risks, adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change, and active and healthy ageing; (iii)  promoting women’s labour market participation and career progression, promoting the principle of equal pay for equal work, a better work/life balance, with a special focus on single parents, including access to affordable, inclusive and quality childcare, early childhood education, eldercare, and other care services and support; and a healthy and well–adapted working environment addressing health and disease risks, adaptation of workers, professional reorientation, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change, and active and healthy ageing; (iv)  improving the quality, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems, to support acquisition of key competences including digital skills; (iv)  improving the quality, inclusiveness, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems, to support acquisition of key competences including entrepreneurial and digital skills and recognising non-formal and informal learning, to promote e-inclusion and facilitate the transition from education to work, in order to reflect social and economic requirements; (v)  promoting equal access to and completion of, quality and inclusive education and training, in particular for disadvantaged groups, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training, and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, including facilitating learning mobility for all; (v)  promoting equal access to and completion of, high quality, affordable and inclusive education and training, in particular for disadvantaged groups and carers, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training, and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, addressing early school leaving, promoting the introduction of dual-training systems, apprenticeships, learning mobility for all and accessibility for persons with disabilities; (vi)  promoting lifelong learning, notably flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account digital skills, better anticipating change and new skills requirements based on labour market needs, facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility; (vi)  promoting lifelong learning, notably flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account entrepreneurial and digital skills, better anticipating change and new skills requirements based on labour market needs, facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility and full participation in society; (vii)  fostering active inclusion with a view to promoting equal opportunities and active participation, and improving employability; (vii)  fostering active inclusion with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability, in particular for disadvantaged groups; (viii)  promoting socio-economic integration of third country nationals and of marginalised communities such as the Roma; (viii)  promoting long-term socio-economic integration of third country nationals, including migrants; (viiia) fighting discrimination against and promoting the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities such as Roma; (ix)  enhancing the equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services; modernising social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection; improving accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care services; (ix)  enhancing the equal and timely access to quality, sustainable, accessible and affordable services, including services for access to housing and person-centred healthcare and related care; modernising social security institutions, public employment services, social protection and social inclusion systems, including promoting access to equal social protection, with a particular focus on children and disadvantages groups and the most deprived people; improving accessibility including for persons with disabilities, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care services; (ixa)  increasing the accessibility for persons with disabilities with a view to improving their inclusion in employment, education and training; (x)  promoting social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children; (x)  promoting social integration of people experiencing or at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children; (xi)  addressing material deprivation through food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived, including accompanying measures. (xi)  addressing material deprivation through food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived, including accompanying measures, aiming to ensure their social inclusion, with an emphasis on children in vulnerable situations. 2.  Through the actions implemented under the ESF+ strand under shared management to achieve the specific objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the ESF+ shall also contribute to the other policy objectives listed in Article [4] of [the future CPR], in particular those related to: 2.  Through the actions implemented under the ESF+ strand under shared management to achieve the specific objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the ESF+ aims to contribute to other policy objectives listed in Article [4] of [the future CPR], in particular those related to: 1.  a smarter Europe through the development of skills for smart specialisation, skills for key enabling technologies, industrial transition, sectorial cooperation on skills and entrepreneurship, the training of researchers, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, vocational and educational training (VET) institutions, research and technological centres and enterprises and clusters, support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy; 1.  a smarter Europe through the development of skills for smart specialisation, skills for key enabling technologies, industrial transition, sectorial cooperation on skills and entrepreneurship, the training of researchers, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, vocational and educational training (VET) institutions, research and technological centres, medical and healthcare centres and enterprises and clusters, support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy taking into account social economy laws and frameworks established in the Member States; 2.  a greener, low carbon Europe through the improvement of education and training systems necessary for the adaptation of skills and qualifications, the upskilling of all, including the labour force, the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment, climate and energy, and the bioeconomy. 2.  a greener, low carbon Europe through the improvement of education and training systems necessary for the adaptation of skills and qualifications, awareness raising among the population about sustainable development and lifestyles, the upskilling of all, including the labour force, the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment, climate and energy, circular economy and the bioeconomy; 2a.  a Union that is closer to citizens through poverty reduction and social inclusion measures taking into account the specificities of urban, rural and coastal regions in view of tackling the socioeconomic inequalities in cities and regions; 2b.  under the Employment and Social Innovation Strand, the ESF+ shall support the development, implementation monitoring and evaluation of the Union’s instruments, policies and relevant law and promote evidence-based policy making, social innovation and social progress in partnership with the social partners, civil society organisations and public and private bodies (specific objective 1); it shall promote workers’ voluntary geographical mobility on a fair basis and boost employment opportunities (specific objective 2); it shall promote employment and social inclusion by increasing the availability and accessibility of microfinance for micro-enterprises and social economy enterprises, in particular for vulnerable people (specific objective 3); 3.  Under the Health strand, the ESF+ shall support health promotion and disease prevention, contribute to effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of health systems, make healthcare safer, reduce health inequalities, protect citizens from cross-border health threats, and support EU health legislation. 3.  under the Health strand, the ESF+ shall contribute to a high level of human health protection and disease prevention, including through the promotion of physical activity and promotion of health education, contribute to effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of health systems, make healthcare safer, reduce health inequalities, increase life expectancy at birth, protect citizens from cross-border health threats, foster disease prevention and early diagnosis, and health promotion throughout the lifetime and strengthen and support EU health-related legislation, including in the area of environmental health, and fostering Health in all Union policies. The Union’s health policy shall be guided by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to ensure that the Union and Member States reach the targets of SDG 3 "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. Amendment 90 Proposal for a regulation Article 5 Article 5 Article 5 Budget Budget 1.  The total financial envelope for the ESF+ for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 101 174 000 000 in current prices. 1.  The total financial envelope for the ESF+ for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 106 781 000 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 120 457 000 000 in current prices). 2.  The part of the financial envelope for the ESF+ strand under shared management under the Investment for Jobs and Growth goal shall be EUR 100 000 000 000 in current prices or EUR 88 646 194 590 in 2018 prices of which EUR 200 000 000 in current prices or EUR 175 000 000 in 2018 prices shall be allocated for transnational cooperation supporting innovative solutions as referred to in Article 23(i) and EUR 400 000 000 in current prices or EUR 376 928 934 in 2018 prices as additional funding to the outermost regions identified in Article 349 TFEU and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession. 2.  The part of the financial envelope for the ESF+ strand under shared management under the Investment for Jobs and Growth goal shall be EUR 105 686 000 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 119 222 000 000 in current prices) of which EUR 200 000 000 in current prices or EUR 175 000 000 in 2018 prices shall be allocated for transnational cooperation supporting innovative solutions as referred to in Article 23(i), EUR 5 900 000 000 shall be allocated for measures falling under the European Child Guarantee referred to in Article 10a, and EUR 400 000 000 in current prices or EUR 376 928 934 in 2018 prices as additional funding to the outermost regions identified in Article 349 TFEU and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession. 3.  The financial envelope for the Employment and Social Innovation strand and the Health strand for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 1 174 000 000 in current prices. 3.  The financial envelope for the Employment and Social Innovation strand and the Health strand for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 1 095 000 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 1 234 000 000 in current prices). 4.  The indicative distribution of the amount referred in paragraph 3 shall be: 4.  The indicative distribution of the amount referred in paragraph 3 shall be: (a)  EUR 761 000 000 for the implementation of the Employment and Social Innovation strand; (a)  EUR 675 000 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 761 000 000 in current prices) for the implementation of the Employment and Social Innovation strand; (b)  EUR 413 000 000 for the implementation of the Health strand. (b)  EUR 420 000 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 473 000 000 in current prices; or 0,36 % of the MFF 2021-2027) for the implementation of the Health strand. 5.  The amounts referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may also be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the programmes, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems. 5.  The amounts referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may also be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the programmes, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems. Amendment 91 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 Article 6 Article 6 Equality between men and women and equal opportunities, and non-discrimination Gender equality and equal opportunities, and non-discrimination 1.  All programmes implemented under the ESF+ strand under shared management, as well as the operations supported by the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands shall ensure equality between men and women throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They shall also promote equal opportunities for all, without discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 1.  All programmes implemented under the ESF+ shall ensure gender equality throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They shall also support specific actions aimed at increasing the participation of women in working life and their professional development as well as conciliation between working and personal life, promote equal opportunities for all, without discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability or health condition, age or sexual orientation, including the accessibility to persons with disabilities also in terms of ICT, throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, thereby enhancing social inclusion and reducing inequalities. 2.  The Member States and the Commission shall also support specific targeted actions to promote the principles referred to in paragraph 1 within any of the objectives of the ESF+, including the transition from residential/institutional care to family and community-based care. 2.  The Member States and the Commission shall also support specific targeted actions to promote the principles referred to in paragraph 1 within any of the objectives of the ESF+, including the transition from institutional care to family and community-based care and improving universal accessibility for persons with disabilities. Amendment 92 Proposal for a regulation Article 7 Article 7 Article 7 Consistency and thematic concentration Consistency and thematic concentration 1.  Member States shall concentrate the ESF+ resources under shared management on interventions that address the challenges identified in their national reform programmes, in the European Semester as well as in the relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU, and take into account principles and rights set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights. 1.  Member States shall concentrate the ESF+ resources under shared management on interventions that address the challenges identified in their national reform programmes, in the European Semester as well as in the relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU, and take into account principles and rights set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Social Scoreboard under the European Semester and regional specificities thereby contributing to the goals of the Union set out in Article 174 TFEU as regards to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and that are fully in line with the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Member States and, where appropriate the Commission, shall foster synergies and ensure coordination, complementarity and coherence between the ESF+ and other Union funds, programmes and instruments such as Erasmus, the Asylum and Migration Fund and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument, both in the planning phase and during implementation. Member States and, where appropriate the Commission, shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those responsible for implementation to deliver coherent and streamlined support actions. Member States and, where appropriate the Commission, shall foster synergies and ensure coordination, complementarity and coherence between the ESF+ and other Union funds, programmes and instruments such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, InvestEU, Creative Europe, the Rights and Values Instrument, Erasmus, the Asylum and Migration Fund, the post-2020 EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument, both in the planning phase and during implementation. Member States and, where appropriate the Commission, shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those Managing Authorities responsible for implementation to deliver integrated approaches, coherent and streamlined support actions. 2.  Member States shall allocate an appropriate amount of their ESF+ resources under shared management to address challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and in the European Semester falling within the scope of the ESF+ as set out in Article 4. 2.  Member States shall allocate an appropriate amount of their ESF+ resources under shared management to address challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and in the European Semester falling within the scope of the ESF+ as set out in Article 4. 3.  Member States shall allocate at least 25% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points (vii) to (xi) of Article 4(1), including the promotion of the socio-economic integration of third country nationals. 3.  Member States shall allocate at least 27% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points (vii) to (x) of Article 4(1), including the promotion of the socio-economic integration of third country nationals. 3a.  Within the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points (vii) to (x) of Article 4(1), Member States shall allocate at least 5 % of their ESF+ resources under shared management to targeted actions aiming at implementing the European Child Guarantee, in order to contribute to children’s equal access to free healthcare, free education, free childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition. 4.  Member States shall allocate at least 2% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objective of addressing material deprivation set out in point (xi) of Article 4(1). 4.  In addition to the minimum allocation of at least 27 % of the ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objectives set out in points (vii) to (x) of Article 4(1), Member States shall allocate at least 3% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to the specific objective of addressing social inclusion of the most deprived and/or material deprivation set out in points (x) and (xi) of Article 4(1). In duly justified cases, the resources allocated to the specific objective set out in point (x) of Article 4(1) and targeting the most deprived may be taken into account for verifying compliance with the minimum allocation of at least 2% set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph. 5.  Member States having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment, education or training above the Union average in 2019 on the basis of Eurostat data, shall allocate at least 10% of their ESF+ resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school-to-work transition, pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education, in particular in the context of implementing Youth Guarantee schemes. 5.  Member States shall allocate at least 3% of their ESF+ resources under shared management to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school-to-work transition, pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education, in particular in the context of implementing Youth Guarantee schemes. Member States having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment, education or training (NEET) above the Union average in 2019 or where the NEET rate is above 15 % on the basis of Eurostat data, shall allocate at least 15 % of their ESF+ resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 in the programming period to the above mentioned actions and structural reform measures, paying special attention to those regions more affected taking into account the divergences between them. When programming the ESF+ resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid-term in accordance with Article [14] of [the future CPR], Member States having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment, education or training above the Union average in 2024 on the basis of Eurostat data, shall allocate at least 10% of their ESF+ resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions. When programming the ESF+ resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid-term in accordance with Article [14] of[the future CPR], Member States having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment, education or training above the Union average in 2024 or where the NEET rate is above 15% on the basis of Eurostat data, shall allocate at least 15% of their ESF+ resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions or structural reform measures. Outermost regions meeting the conditions set out in the first and second subparagraphs shall allocate at least 15% of the ESF+ resources under shared management in their programmes to the targeted actions set out in the first subparagraph. This allocation shall be taken into account for verifying compliance with the minimum percentage at national level set out in the first and second subparagraphs. Outermost regions meeting the conditions set out in the second and third subparagraphs shall allocate at least 15% of the ESF+ resources under shared management in their programmes to the targeted actions set out in the first subparagraph. This allocation shall be taken into account for verifying compliance with the minimum percentage at national level set out in the first and second subparagraphs. That allocation shall not replace funding necessary for infrastructure and development for outermost regions. When implementing such actions, Member States shall give priority to inactive and long-term unemployed young people and put in place targeted outreach measures. When implementing such actions, Member States shall give priority to inactive and long-term unemployed young people and put in place targeted outreach measures. 6.  Paragraphs 2 to 5 shall not apply to the specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession. 6.  Paragraphs 2 to 5 shall not apply to the specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession. 7.  Paragraphs 1 to 5 shall not apply to technical assistance. 7.  Paragraphs 1 to 5 shall not apply to technical assistance. Amendment 93 Proposal for a regulation Article 7 a (new) Article 7a Respect for fundamental rights Member States and the Commission shall ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter in the implementation of the funds. Any cost incurrent for action that is not in line with the Charter shall not be eligible in accordance with Article 58(2) of the Common Provisions Regulation xx/xx and Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014. Amendment 94 Proposal for a regulation Article 8 Article 8 Article 8 Partnership Partnership 1.  Each Member State shall ensure adequate participation of social partners and civil society organisations in the delivery of employment, education and social inclusion policies supported by the ESF+ strand under shared management. 1.  In accordance with Article 6 of the [future CPR] and with the Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014, each Member State shall ensure, in partnership with local and regional authorities, a meaningful participation of social partners, civil society organisations, equality bodies, national human rights institutions and other relevant or representative organisations in the programming and delivery of employment, education, non-discrimination and social inclusion policies and initiatives supported by the ESF+ strand under shared management. Such meaningful participation shall be inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. 2.  Member States shall allocate an appropriate amount of ESF+ resources under shared management in each programme for the capacity building of social partners and civil society organisations. 2.  Member States shall allocate at least 2% of ESF+ resources for the capacity building of social partners and civil society organisations at Union and national level in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners. Amendment 95 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 Article 9 Article 9 Addressing material deprivation Addressing material deprivation The resources referred to in Article 7(4) shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme. The resources referred to in Article 7(4) regarding social inclusion of the most deprived and/or material deprivation shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme. The co-financing rate for this priority or programme is set, at least, at 85%. Amendment 96 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 Article 10 Article 10 Support to youth employment Support to youth employment Support in accordance with Article 7(5) shall be programmed under a dedicated priority and it shall support the specific objective set out in point (i) of Article 4(1). Support in accordance with Article 7(5) shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme and it shall support the specific objective set out in point (i) of Article 4(1). Amendment 97 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 a (new) Article 10a Support to the European Child Guarantee Support in accordance with Article 7(3a) shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme reflecting the 2013 European Commission Recommendation on Investing in Children. It shall support for tackling child poverty and social exclusion within the specific objectives set out in points (vii) to (x) of Article 4(1). Amendment 98 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 Article 11 Article 11 Support to relevant country-specific recommendations Support to relevant country-specific recommendations The actions addressing the challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and in the European Semester as referred to in Article 7(2) shall be programmed under one or more dedicated priorities. The actions addressing the challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and in the European Semester as referred to in Article 7(2) shall be programmed under any of the specific objectives referred to in Article 4(1). Member States shall ensure complementarity, coherence, coordination and synergies with the European Pillar of Social Rights. Sufficient flexibility shall be ensured at Managing Authority level to identify priorities and areas for ESF+ investments in line with the specific local or regional challenges. Amendment 99 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 a (new) Article 11a Integrated territorial development 1.  The ESF+ may support integrated territorial development within programmes under both goals referred to in Article 4(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR] in accordance with Chapter II of Title III of that Regulation [new CPR]. 2.  Member States shall implement integrated territorial development, supported by the ESF+, exclusively through the forms referred to in Article [22] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR]. Amendment 100 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 b (new) Article 11b Transnational cooperation 1.  Member States may support transnational cooperation actions under a dedicated priority. 2.  Transnational cooperation actions may be programmed under any of the specific objectives set out in points (i) to (x) of Article 4(1). 3.  The maximum co-financing rate for this priority may be increased to 95% for the allocation of maximum 5% of the national ESF+ allocation under shared management to such priorities. Amendment 101 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 Article 12 Article 12 Scope Scope This Chapter applies to ESF+ support under points (i) to (x) of Article 4(1) when implemented under shared management (the ‘general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management’). This Chapter applies to ESF+ support under points (i) to (x) of Article 4(1) when implemented under shared management (the ‘general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management’). In addition, Article 13 also applies to ESF+ support under point (xi) of Article 4(1). Amendment 102 Proposal for a regulation Article 13 Article 13 Article 13 Innovative actions Social innovative actions 1.  Member States shall support actions of social innovation and social experimentations, or strengthen bottom-up approaches based on partnerships involving public authorities, the private sector, and civil society such as the Local Action Groups designing and implementing community-led local development strategies. 1.  Member States shall support actions of social innovation and/or social experimentations, including those with a socio-cultural component, using bottom-up approaches based on partnerships involving public authorities, the social partners, social economy enterprises, the private sector, and civil society. 1a.  Member States shall identify, either in their operational programmes or at a later stage during implementation, fields for social innovation and social experimentations that correspond to the Member States' specific needs. 2.  Member States may support the upscaling of innovative approaches tested on a small-scale (social experimentations) developed under the Employment and Social Innovation strand and other Union programmes. 2.  Member States may support the upscaling of innovative approaches tested on a small-scale (social innovation and social experimentations, including those with a socio-cultural component) developed under the Employment and Social Innovation strand and other Union programmes. 3.  Innovative actions and approaches may be programmed under any of the specific objectives set out in points (i) to (x) of Article 4(1). 3.  Innovative actions and approaches may be programmed under any of the specific objectives set out in Article 4(1). 4.  Each Member State shall dedicate at least one priority to the implementation of paragraphs 1 or 2 or to both. The maximum co-financing rate for these priorities may be increased to 95% for the allocation of maximum 5% of the national ESF+ allocation under shared management to such priorities. 4.  Each Member State shall dedicate at least one priority to the implementation of paragraphs 1 or 2 or to both. The maximum co-financing rate for these priorities may be increased to 95% for the allocation of maximum 5% of the national ESF+ allocation under shared management. Amendment 103 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 Article 14 Article 14 Eligibility Eligibility 1.  In addition to the costs referred to in Article [58] of [the future CPR], the following costs are not eligible under the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management: 1.  In addition to the costs referred to in Article [58] of [the future CPR], the following costs are not eligible under the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management: (a)  the purchase of land and real estate, and the provision of infrastructure, and (a)  the purchase of land and real estate, and the purchase of infrastructure, and (b)  the purchase of furniture, equipment and vehicles except where the purchase is necessary for achieving the objective of the operation, or these items are fully depreciated, or the purchase of these items is the most economic option. (b)  the purchase of furniture, equipment and vehicles except where the purchase is absolutely necessary for achieving the objective of the operation, or these items are fully depreciated, or the purchase of these items is the most economic option. 2.  Contributions in kind in the form of allowances or salaries disbursed by a third party for the benefit of the participants in an operation may be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management provided that the contributions in kind are incurred in accordance with national rules, including accountancy rules, and do not exceed the cost borne by the third party. 2.  Contributions in kind in the form of allowances or salaries disbursed by a third party for the benefit of the participants in an operation may be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management provided that the contributions in kind are incurred in accordance with national rules, including accountancy rules, and do not exceed the cost borne by the third party. 3.  The specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession shall be used to support the achievement of the specific objectives set out in paragraph 1 of Article 4. 3.  The specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession shall be used to support the achievement of the specific objectives set out in paragraph 1 of Article 4. 4.  Direct staff costs shall be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management provided that their level is not higher than 100% of the usual remuneration for the profession concerned in the Member State as demonstrated by Eurostat data. 4.  Direct staff costs shall be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management. If a collective agreement applies, they shall be determined according to that agreement. If no collective agreement applies, their level shall not be higher than 100% of the usual remuneration for the profession or the specific expertise concerned in the Member State or region as demonstrated by relevant documentary justification provided by the respective Managing Authority and/or Eurostat data. Amendment 104 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 Article 15 Article 15 Indicators and reporting Indicators and reporting 1.  Programmes benefitting from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators, as set out in Annex 1 to this Regulation to monitor progress in implementation. The programmes may also use programme-specific indicators. 1.  Programmes benefitting from the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators, as set out in Annex 1 or Annex IIa for actions targeting social inclusion of the most deprived within point (x) of Article 4(1), to this Regulation to monitor progress in implementation. The programmes may also use programme-specific indicators and action-specific indicators. 2.  The baseline for common and programme-specific output indicators shall be set at zero. Where relevant to the nature of the operations supported, cumulative quantified milestones and target values for those indicators shall be set in absolute numbers. The reported values for the output indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers. 2.  The baseline for common and programme-specific output indicators shall be set at zero. Where relevant to the nature of the operations supported, cumulative quantified milestones and target values for those indicators shall be set in absolute numbers. The reported values for the output indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers. 3.  The reference value for common and programme-specific result indicators for which a cumulative quantified milestone for 2024 and a target value for 2029 have been set, shall be fixed using the latest available data or other relevant sources of information. Targets for common result indicators shall be fixed in absolute numbers or as a percentage. Programme-specific result indicators and related targets may be expressed in quantitative or qualitative terms. The reported values on common result indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers. 3.  The reference value for common and programme-specific result indicators for which a cumulative quantified milestone for 2024 and a target value for 2029 have been set, shall be fixed using the latest available data or other relevant sources of information. Targets for common result indicators shall be fixed in absolute numbers or as a percentage. Programme-specific result indicators and related targets may be expressed in quantitative or qualitative terms. The reported values on common result indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers. 4.  Data on the indicators for participants shall only be transmitted when all data required under point (1a) of Annex 1 relating to that participant are available. 4.  Data on the indicators for participants shall only be transmitted when all data required under point (1a) of Annex 1 relating to that participant are available. 4a.  The data referred to in paragraph 3 shall include a gender impact assessment to monitor the implementation of the ESF+ programmes with regard to gender equality and be disaggregated by sex. 5.  Member States shall, when data are available in registers or equivalent sources, enable the Managing Authorities and other bodies entrusted with data collection necessary for the monitoring and the evaluation of the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management to obtain those data from data registers or equivalent sources, in accordance with points (c) and (e) of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. 5.  Member States may, when data are available in registers or equivalent sources, enable the Managing Authorities and other bodies entrusted with data collection necessary for the monitoring and the evaluation of the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management to obtain those data from data registers or equivalent sources, in accordance with points (c) and (e) of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. 6.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to amend the indicators in Annex I where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of programmes. 6.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to amend the indicators in Annex I and Annex IIa where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of programmes. Amendment 105 Proposal for a regulation Article 17 Article 17 Article 17 Principles Principles 1.  The ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation may only be used to support the distribution of food and goods that are in conformity with the Union law on consumer product safety. 1.  The ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation may only be used to support the distribution of food and goods that are in conformity with the Union law on consumer product safety. 2.  Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons. The selection criteria for the food products, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climatic and environmental aspects, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food products to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. 2.  Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons. The selection criteria for the food products, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climatic and environmental aspects, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste and single-use plastic. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food products to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly through electronic vouchers or cards, provided that they can only be redeemed against food and/or basic material assistance as set out in Article 2(3). The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly through electronic vouchers or cards, provided that they can only be redeemed against food and/or basic material assistance as set out in Article 2(3) and are not replacing any existing social benefit. The food provided for the most deprived persons may be obtained from the use, processing or sale of the products disposed of in accordance with Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, provided that this is economically the most favourable option and does not unduly delay the delivery of the food products to the most deprived persons. The food provided for the most deprived persons may be obtained from the use, processing or sale of the products disposed of in accordance with Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, provided that this is economically the most favourable option and does not unduly delay the delivery of the food products to the most deprived persons. Any amount derived from such a transaction shall be used for the benefit of the most deprived persons, in addition to the amounts already available to the programme. Any amount derived from such a transaction shall be used for the benefit of the most deprived persons, in addition to the amounts already available to the programme. 3.  The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that aid provided in the framework of the ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation respects the dignity and prevents stigmatisation of the most deprived persons. 3.  The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that aid provided in the framework of the ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation respects the dignity and prevents stigmatisation of the most deprived persons. 4.  The delivery of food and/or material assistance may be complemented with re-orientation towards competent services and other accompanying measures aiming at the social inclusion of the most deprived persons. 4.  The delivery of food and/or material assistance shall be complemented with re-orientation towards competent services and other accompanying measures aiming at the social inclusion of the most deprived persons. Amendment 106 Proposal for a regulation Article 20 Article 20 Article 20 Eligibility of expenditure Eligibility of expenditure 1.  The eligible costs of the ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation shall be: 1.  The eligible costs of the ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation shall be: (a)  the costs of purchasing food and/or basic material assistance, including costs related to transporting food and/or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries delivering the food and/or basic material assistance to the end recipients; (a)  the costs of purchasing food and/or basic material assistance, including costs related to transporting food and/or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries delivering the food and/or basic material assistance to the end recipients; (b)  where the transport of the food and/or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries distributing them to the end recipients is not covered by point (a), the costs borne by the purchasing body related to transporting food and/or basic material assistance to the storage depots and/or the beneficiaries and storage costs at a flat-rate of 1% of the costs referred to in point (a) or, in duly justified cases, costs actually incurred and paid; (b)  where the transport of the food and/or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries distributing them to the end recipients is not covered by point (a), the costs borne by the purchasing body related to transporting food and/or basic material assistance to the storage depots and/or the beneficiaries and storage costs at a flat-rate of 1% of the costs referred to in point (a) or, in duly justified cases, costs actually incurred and paid; (c)  the administrative, transport and storage costs borne by the beneficiaries involved in the distribution of the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived at a flat-rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point (a); or 5% of the costs of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (c)  the administrative, transport and storage costs borne by the beneficiaries involved in the distribution of the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived at a flat-rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point (a); or 5% of the costs of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (d)  the cost of collection, transport, storage and distribution of food donations and directly related awareness raising activities; (d)  the cost of collection, transport, storage and distribution of food donations and directly related awareness raising activities; (e)  the costs of accompanying measures undertaken by or on behalf of beneficiaries and declared by the beneficiaries delivering the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived persons at a flat- rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point (a). (e)  the costs of accompanying measures undertaken by or on behalf of beneficiaries and declared by the beneficiaries delivering the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived persons at a flat- rate of 5,5% of the costs referred to in point (a). 2.  A reduction of the eligible costs referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 because the body responsible for the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance did not comply with applicable law, shall not lead to a reduction of the eligible costs set out in points (c) and (e) of paragraph 1. 2.  A reduction of the eligible costs referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 because the body responsible for the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance did not comply with applicable law, shall not lead to a reduction of the eligible costs set out in points (c) and (e) of paragraph 1. 3.  The following costs shall not be eligible: 3.  The following costs shall not be eligible: (a)  interest on debt; (a)  interest on debt; (b)  provision of infrastructure; (b)  purchase of infrastructure; (c)  costs of second-hand goods. (c)  costs of second-hand goods of reduced quality. Amendment 107 Proposal for a regulation Article 21 Article 21 Article 21 Indicators and reporting Indicators and reporting 1.  Priorities addressing material deprivation shall use common output and result indicators, as set out in Annex II to this Regulation to monitor progress in implementation. These programmes may also use programme-specific indicators. 1.  Priorities addressing material deprivation shall use common output and result indicators, as set out in Annex II to this Regulation to monitor progress in implementation. These programmes may also use programme-specific indicators. 2.  The reference values for common and programme-specific result indicators shall be established. 2.  The reference values for common and programme-specific result indicators shall be established. Reporting requirements shall be kept as simple as possible. 3.  By 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2028, Managing Authorities shall report to the Commission the results of a structured survey of the end recipients carried out during the previous year. This survey shall be based on the model which shall be established by the Commission by means of an implementing act. 3.  By 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2028, Managing Authorities shall report to the Commission the results of a structured anonymous survey of the end recipients carried out during the previous year and also focusing on their living conditions and the nature of their material deprivation. This survey shall be based on the model which shall be established by the Commission by means of an implementing act. 4.  The Commission shall adopt an implementing act establishing the model to be used for the structured survey of end recipients in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 39(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Article. 4.  The Commission shall adopt an implementing act establishing the model to be used for the structured survey of end recipients in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 39(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Article. 5.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to amend the indicators in Annex II where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of programmes. 5.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to amend the indicators in Annex II where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of programmes. Amendment 108 Proposal for a regulation Article 22 – paragraph 1 Audit of operations may cover all stages of its implementation and all levels of the distribution chain, with the sole exception of control of the end recipients, unless a risk assessment establishes a specific risk of irregularity or fraud. Audit of operations may cover all stages of its implementation and all levels of the distribution chain, with the sole exception of control of the end recipients, unless a risk assessment establishes a specific risk of irregularity or fraud. The audit of operations shall include more controls in the early stages of implementation so that in case of risk of fraud the funds may be re-directed to other projects. Amendment 109 Proposal for a regulation Article 23 Article 23 Article 23 Operational objectives Operational objectives The Employment and Social Innovation strand has the following operational objectives: The Employment and Social Innovation strand has the following operational objectives: a)  to develop high-quality comparative analytical knowledge in order to ensure that policies to achieve the specific objectives referred to in Article 4 are based on sound evidence and are relevant to needs, challenges and conditions in the associated countries; a)  to develop high-quality comparative analytical knowledge in order to ensure that policies to achieve the specific objectives referred to in Article 4 are based on sound evidence and are relevant to needs, challenges and conditions in the associated countries; b)  to facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual learning, peer reviews and dialogue on policies in the fields referred to in Article 4 in order to assist the associated countries in taking appropriate policy measures; b)  to facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual learning, peer reviews and dialogue on policies in the fields referred to in Article 4 in order to assist the associated countries in taking appropriate policy measures; c)  to support social experimentations in the fields referred to in Article 4 and build up the stakeholders' capacity to implement, transfer or upscale the tested social policy innovations; c)  to support social experimentations in the fields referred to in Article 4 and build up the stakeholders' capacity to prepare, design and implement, transfer or upscale the tested social policy innovations with a special focus on promoting the scaling up of local projects developed by cities, local and regional authorities, social partners, civil society organisations and socio-economic actors in the field of reception and social inclusion and integration of third-country nationals; d)  to provide specific support services to employers and job-seekers with a view to the development of integrated European labour markets, ranging from pre-recruitment preparation to post-placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors, professions, countries, border regions or for particular groups (e.g. vulnerable people); d)  to develop and provide specific support services to employers and job-seekers with a view to the development of integrated European labour markets, ranging from pre-recruitment preparation to post-placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors, professions, countries, border regions or for particular groups (e.g. people in vulnerable situations); (da)  to support cross-border partnerships between public employment services, civil society and social partners to promote a cross-border labour market and cross-border mobility with adequate conditions; (db)  to support the provision of EURES services for the recruitment and placing of workers in quality and sustainable employment through the clearance of job vacancies and applications, including through cross-border partnerships; dc)  to facilitate the voluntary geographical mobility of workers with adequate social conditions and increase employment opportunities through the development of high-quality and inclusive labour markets in the Union, which are open and accessible to all, while respecting workers' rights throughout the Union; e)  to support the development of the market eco-system related to the provision of microfinance for micro-enterprises in start-up and development phases, in particular those that employ vulnerable people; e)  to support the development of the market eco-system related to the provision of microfinance, as well as its availability and accessibility for micro-enterprises social economy enterprises and vulnerable people in start-up and development phases, in particular those that employ people in vulnerable situations including disadvantage groups; f)  to support networking at Union level and dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in Article 4 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of these stakeholders, including the public employment services (PES), social security institutions, microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social enterprises and social economy; f)  to support networking at Union level and dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in Article 4 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of involved stakeholders, including the public employment services (PES), social security institutions, civil society, microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social economy enterprises and social economy; g)  to support the development of social enterprises and the emergence of a social investment market, facilitating public and private interactions and the participation of foundations and philanthropic actors in that market; g)  to support the development of social economy enterprises and the emergence of a social investment market, facilitating public and private interactions and the participation of foundations and philanthropic actors in that market; h)  to provide guidance for the development of social infrastructure (including housing, child care and education and training, health care and long term care) needed for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights; h)  to provide guidance for the development of social infrastructure (including housing, early childhood education and care, eldercare, accessibility requirements and transition from institutional to family and community-based care services including accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities, child care and education and training, health care and long term care) needed for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights; i)  to support transnational cooperation to accelerate the transfer of, and to facilitate the scaling of, innovative solutions, in particular for the areas of employment, skills and social inclusion, across Europe. i)  to support transnational cooperation to accelerate the transfer of, and to facilitate the scaling of, innovative solutions, in particular for the areas combating poverty, employment, skills and social inclusion, across Europe. j)  to support the implementation of relevant international social and labour standards in the context of harnessing globalisation and the external dimension of Union policies in the fields referred to in Article 4. j)  to support the implementation of relevant international social and labour standards in the context of harnessing globalisation and the external dimension of Union policies in the fields referred to in Article 4. Amendment 110 Proposal for a regulation Article 23 a (new) Article 23a Thematic concentration and funding The part of the ESF+ financial envelope for the Employment and Social Innovation Strand referred to in Article 5(4)(a) shall be allocated over the whole period to the specific objectives set out in Article 4(2b) according to the following indicative percentages: (a)  55% to the specific objective 1; (b)  18% to the specific objective 2; (c)  18% to the specific objective 3. Amendment 111 Proposal for a regulation Article 24 Article 24 Article 24 Eligible actions Eligible actions 1.  Only actions pursuing the objectives referred to in Article 3 and 4 shall be eligible for funding. 1.  Only actions pursuing the objectives referred to in Article 3 and 4 shall be eligible for funding. 2.  The Employment and Social Innovation strand may support the following actions: 2.  The Employment and Social Innovation strand may support the following actions: (a)  Analytical activities, including in relation to third countries, in particular: (a)  Analytical activities, including in relation to third countries, in particular: (i)  surveys, studies, statistical data, methodologies, classifications, micro-simulations, indicators, support to European-level observatories and benchmarks; (i)  surveys, studies, statistical data, methodologies, classifications, micro-simulations, indicators, support to European-level observatories and benchmarks; (ii)  social experimentations evaluating social innovations; (ii)  social experimentations evaluating social innovations; (iii)  monitoring and assessment of the transposition and application of Union law; (iii)  monitoring and assessment of the transposition and application of Union law; (b)  Policy implementation, in particular: (b)  Policy implementation, in particular: (i)  cross-border partnerships and support services in cross-border regions; (i)  cross-border partnerships and support services in cross-border regions; (ii)  an EU-wide labour targeted mobility scheme at Union level to fill job vacancies where labour market shortcomings have been identified; (ii)  an EU-wide labour targeted mobility scheme at Union level to fill job vacancies where labour market shortcomings have been identified; (iii)  support to microfinance and social enterprises, including through blending operations such as asymmetric risk sharing or reducing transaction costs, as well as support to the development of social infrastructure and skills; (iii)  support to microfinance and social economy enterprises, including through blending operations such as asymmetric risk sharing or reducing transaction costs, as well as support to the development of social infrastructure and skills; (iv)  support to transnational cooperation and partnership with a view to transferring and upscaling innovative solutions; (iv)  support to transnational cooperation and partnership with a view to transferring and upscaling innovative solutions; (c)  Capacity building, in particular: (c)  Capacity building, in particular: (i)  of networks at Union level related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (i)  of networks at Union level related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (ii)  of national contact points providing guidance, information and assistance related the implementation of the strand; (ii)  of national contact points providing guidance, information and assistance related the implementation of the strand; (iii)  of participating countries administrations, social security institutions and employment services responsible for promoting labour mobility, of microfinance institutions and of institutions providing finance to social enterprises or other social investment actors, as well as networking; (iii)  of participating countries administrations, social security institutions and employment services responsible for promoting labour mobility, of microfinance institutions and of institutions providing finance to social economy enterprises or other social investment actors, as well as networking; (iv)  of stakeholders in view of transnational cooperation; (iv)  of the social partners and stakeholders in view of transnational cooperation; (d)  Communication and dissemination activities, in particular: (d)  Communication and dissemination activities, in particular: (i)  mutual learning through exchange of good practices, innovative approaches, results of analytical activities, peer reviews, and benchmarking; (i)  mutual learning through exchange of good practices, innovative approaches, results of analytical activities, peer reviews, and benchmarking; (ii)  guides, reports, informative material and media coverage of initiatives related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (ii)  guides, reports, informative material and media coverage of initiatives related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (iii)  information systems disseminating evidence related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (iii)  information systems disseminating evidence related to the fields referred to in Article 4(1); (iv)  Council Presidency events, conferences and seminars. (iv)  technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the work programme, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities including information technology systems. Amendment 112 Proposal for a regulation Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b (b)  Any legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation. (b)  Any legal entity created under Union law or relevant international organisation; Amendment 113 Proposal for a regulation Article 25 a (new) Article 25a Governance 1.  The Commission shall consult stakeholders within the Union, in particular social partners and civil society organisations, on the employment and social innovation work programmes, their priorities and strategic orientation and their implementation. 2.  The Commission shall establish the necessary links with the Employment Committee, the Social Protection Committee, the Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work, the Group of Directors-General for Industrial Relations and the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement of Workers in order to ensure that they are regularly and appropriately informed of progress in implementing these programmes. The Commission shall also inform other committees dealing with policies, instruments and actions of relevance to the Employment and Social innovation Strand. Amendment 114 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point –a (new) (-a)   Support a Union public health strategy aiming to: (i)  support Member States in their efforts to protect and enhance public health; and (ii)  advance the Union's mission in health in accordance with Article 168 TFEU, which stipulates that a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. Amendment 115 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point a – introductory part (a)  Strengthen crisis-preparedness, management and response in the Union to protect citizens against cross-border health threats. (a)  Strengthen crisis-preparedness, management and response in the Union to address cross-border health threats Amendment 116 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iv a (new) (iva)   Well-designed public health interventions for reducing the burden and impact of infection and preventable infectious diseases Amendment 117 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iv b (new) (ivb)   Support the development of skills and tools for effective risk communication Amendment 118 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i (i)  Invest in health promotion and disease prevention. (i)  Invest in health promotion and disease prevention, including through health literacy and education programmes, and through the promotion of physical activity Amendment 119 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i a (new) (ia)  Invest in early diagnosis and screening Amendment 120 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii (ii)  Support the digital transformation of health and care (ii)  Support the digital transformation of health and care that address the needs and concerns of patients and citizens, in particular by establishing links to programmes that support media literacy and digital skills Amendment 121 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii a (new) (iia)   Promote digital public services in areas such as health Amendment 122 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii b (new) (iib)   Strengthen the security and quality of health information Amendment 123 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii (ii)  Support the development of a sustainable Union health information system (ii)  Support the development of a sustainable, transparent and accessible Union health information system, whilst ensuring protection of private data. (In the COM proposal the numbering of the points in Article 26, point b is not correct, there are two points numbered as (ii)) Amendment 124 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point iii (iii)  Support Member States with knowledge transfer useful for the national reform processes for more effective, accessible and resilient health systems and better health promotion and disease prevention addressing, in particular, the challenges identified in the European Semester. (iii)  Support Member States with knowledge transfer and implementation support useful for the national reform processes for more effective, accessible, resilient, non-discriminatory, inclusive and equitable health systems tackling social inequalities, and better health promotion and disease prevention addressing, in particular, the challenges identified in the European Semester. This also includes supporting high-quality national registries that shall also deliver comparable data. Amendment 125 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point iv a (new) (iva)   Support the transition towards person-centred care, proximity health and social services, and community-based integrated care, in particular promoting organizational models based on interprofessional teamwork and multi-stakeholders networking Amendment 126 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point iv b (new) (ivb)   Ensure the engagement of all relevant stakeholders in the above actions, at Union and/or national level as appropriate Amendment 127 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b – point iv c (new) (ivc)   Develop and implement tools and strategies to prevent and tackle health inequalities and to promote social inclusion, citizen empowerment and community participation Amendment 128 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i (i)  support the implementation of the legislation on medicinal products and medical devices (i)  Support the implementation of the legislation on medicinal products, access to such products throughout the Union and medical devices Amendment 129 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c – point vi (vi)  Support to the Commission' scientific committees on "Consumer Safety" and on "Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks" (vi)  Support the development of Health in All Policies and establish processes by which health implications can be considered and taken into account in all policies Amendment 130 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new) (ca)   Support the monitoring of, implementation of, and strengthen, other Union law and policies with health implications so as to help ensure a high level of protection of human health, including but not limited to those relating to: (i)  air pollution (ii)  endocrine disruptors and other chemicals with harmful properties (iii)  pesticide residues in food, water and air (iv)  food and food labelling, including on transfatty acids, alcohol labelling, additives and food contact materials Amendment 131 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point d – point ii (ii)  Support the development of cooperation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in preparation of new harmonised rules (ii)  Support the development of cooperation on and capacity-building in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in preparation of new harmonised rules Amendment 132 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point d – point iii a (new) (iiia)   Support the implementation of programmes and best practices on sexual and reproductive health education and campaigns for young people Amendment 133 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point d – point iii b (new) (iiib)   Support Union-level civil society organisations working on health and health related issues Amendment 134 Proposal for a regulation Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point d – point iii c (new) (iiic)  Support the creation of a Steering Board for Health for implementing the actions under the Health strand Amendment 135 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 1 1.  Only actions pursuing the objectives referred to in Articles 3 and 26 are eligible for funding. 1.  Only actions related to health pursuing the objectives referred to in Articles 3, 4 and 26 are eligible for funding. Amendment 136 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i a (new) (ia)   activities designed to monitor the cumulative health impacts of environmental risk factors, including those arising from contaminants in food, water, air and other sources; Amendment 137 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i b (new) (ib)   activities monitoring the health impacts of Union law, such as pharmacovigilance and similar; Amendment 138 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point a – subparagraph 1 a (new) The results of analytical activities, once finalised, shall be made publicly available. Amendment 139 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i (i)  cross-border collaboration and partnerships, including in cross-border regions; (i)  cross-border collaboration and partnerships, including in cross-border regions and including in relation to air pollution and other cross-border environmental contamination; Amendment 140 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i (i)  through transfer, adaptation and roll-out of best practices with established Union level added value between Member States; (i)  through exchange, transfer, adaptation and roll-out of best practices with established Union level added value between Member States; Amendment 141 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii (ii)  of EU-level networks related to the fields referred to in Article 26; (ii)  of EU-level networks related to the fields referred to in Article 26, in a continuous and sustainable way, ensuring the presence of an active civil society at Union level; Amendment 142 Proposal for a regulation Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point c – point iv (iv)  of national contact points providing guidance, information and assistance related the implementation of the programme; (iv)  of regional, subnational and national contact points providing guidance, information and assistance related the implementation of the programme; Amendment 143 Proposal for a regulation Article 29 – paragraph 1 The Commission shall consult the health authorities of the Member States in the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases or in other relevant Commission expert group or similar entities on the work plans established for the Health strand and its priorities and strategic orientations and its implementation, and also on the health policy perspective of other policies and support mechanisms, thus increasing their overall coordination and added value. The Commission shall consult the health authorities of the Member States in the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases or in other relevant Commission expert group or similar entities such as professional bodies in the health sector, on the annual work plans established for the Health strand and its priorities and strategic orientations and its implementation, and also on the health policy perspective of other policies and support mechanisms, thus increasing their overall coordination and added value. Strong political leadership and adequate governance structure dedicated to health will ensure that health protection and promotion is guaranteed across all Commission portfolios, according to Article 168(1) TFEU. Amendment 144 Proposal for a regulation Article 29 a (new) Article 29a Steering Board for Health 1.  The Commission shall establish a Steering Board for Health (‘the Steering Board’) for implementing the actions under the Health strand. 2.  The Steering Board shall focus on creating synergies between the Health strand and other programmes where a health dimension is integrated, through coordination and cooperation, promoting patients and society engagement, and providing scientific advice and recommendations. Those actions shall provide value oriented health actions, sustainability, better health solutions, foster access and reduce health inequalities.  3.  The Steering Board shall provide a comprehensive strategy and steering in developing the work plans under the Health strand.  4.  The Steering Board shall be an independent stakeholder group, composed of actors from relevant sectors in the field of public health, wellbeing and social protection, with participation of representatives of regions and local health authorities, patient representatives and citizens.  5.  The Steering Board shall be composed of 15 to 20 high level individuals drawn from across disciplines and activities referred to in paragraph 4. The members of the Steering Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expression of interests or both.  6.  The Chair of the Steering Board  shall be appointed by the Commission from among its members.  7.  The Steering Board shall:  (i)  provide input to annual work plans for the Health strand, following a proposal from the Commission; (ii)  elaborate a blueprint for steering coordination and cooperation between the Health strand and other programmes where health dimension is integrated. The blueprint shall facilitate ensuring visibility and coordination of all the existing financial mechanisms relevant to health, and shall help steering coordination and cooperation.  Amendment 145 Proposal for a regulation Article 29 b (new) Article 29b International cooperation The Commission shall develop cooperation with relevant international organisations such as the United Nations and its specialised agencies, in particular the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as with the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to implement the Health strand, in order to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of actions at Union and international level. Amendment 146 Proposal for a regulation Article 31 Article 31 Article 31 Forms of EU funding and methods of implementation Forms of EU funding and methods of implementation 1.  The Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation, in particular grants, prizes, procurement and voluntary payments to International Organisations of which the Union is a member or in whose work it participates. 1.  The Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation, in particular grants, prizes, procurement, contributions, and voluntary payments to International Organisations of which the Union is a member or in whose work it participates. 2.  The Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands shall be implemented directly as provided for by the Financial Regulation or indirectly with bodies referred to in Article [61(1)(c)] of the Financial Regulation. 2.  The Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands shall be implemented directly as provided for by the Financial Regulation or indirectly with bodies referred to in Article [61(1)(c)] of the Financial Regulation. When awarding grants, the evaluation committee referred to in article [150] of the Financial Regulation may be composed of external experts. When awarding grants, the evaluation committee referred to in article [150] of the Financial Regulation may be composed of external experts. 3.  Blending operations under the Employment and Social Innovation strand shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation. 3.  Blending operations under the Employment and Social Innovation strand shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation. 4.  Under the Health strand, direct grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to fund actions having a clear Union added value co-financed by the competent authorities that are responsible for health in the Member States or in the third countries associated to the Programme, or by public sector bodies and non-governmental bodies, acting individually or as a network, mandated by those competent authorities. 4.  Under the Health strand, direct grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to fund actions having a clear Union added value co-financed by the competent authorities that are responsible for health in the Member States or in the third countries associated to the Programme, or by public sector bodies and non-governmental bodies, acting individually or as a network, mandated by those competent authorities. 5.  Under the Health strand, direct grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to European Reference Networks that are approved as Networks by the Board of Member States of the European Reference Networks, following the approval procedure set out in Commission Implementing Decision 2014/287/EU of 10 March 2014 setting out criteria for establishing and evaluating European Reference Networks and their Members and for facilitating the exchange of information and expertise on establishing and evaluating such Networks. 5.  Under the Health strand, direct grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to European Reference Networks that are approved as Networks by the Board of Member States of the European Reference Networks, following the approval procedure set out in Commission Implementing Decision 2014/287/EU of 10 March 2014 setting out criteria for establishing and evaluating European Reference Networks and their Members and for facilitating the exchange of information and expertise on establishing and evaluating such Networks. Amendment 147 Proposal for a regulation Article 32 Article 32 Article 32 Work programme and coordination Work programme and coordination The Employment and Social Innovation strand and Health strand shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in Article [108] of Financial Regulation. Work programmes shall set out, where applicable, the overall amount reserved for blending operations. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 in order to supplement the Employment and Social Innovation strand and the Health strand by establishing work programmes as referred to in Article [108] of Financial Regulation. Those work programmes shall set out, where applicable, the overall amount reserved for blending operations. The Commission shall foster synergies and ensure effective coordination between the Health strand of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. The Commission shall foster synergies and ensure effective coordination between the Health strand of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. Amendment 148 Proposal for a regulation Article 33 Article 33 Article 33 Monitoring and reporting Monitoring and reporting 1.  Indicators to monitor implementation and progress of the strands towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 4 and the operational objectives set out in Articles 23 and 26 shall be set. 1.  Indicators to monitor implementation and progress of the strands towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 4 and the operational objectives set out in Articles 23 and 26 shall be set. 2.  The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring implementation of the strands and results are collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely fashion. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and, where relevant, Member States. 2.  The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring implementation of the strands and results are collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely fashion. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and, where relevant, Member States. 3.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to supplement or amend the indicators in Annex III where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of the strands. 3.  The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 38 to supplement or amend the indicators in Annexes II b and III where considered necessary to ensure effective assessment of progress in the implementation of the strands. 3a.  With a view to regular monitoring of the strands and to making any adjustments needed to their policy and funding priorities, the Commission shall draw up an initial qualitative and quantitative monitoring report covering the first year, followed by three reports covering consecutive two-year periods and shall submit those reports to the European Parliament and the Council. The reports shall also be submitted, for information, to the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The reports shall include the results of the strands and the extent to which the principles of equality between women and men and gender mainstreaming have been applied, as well as how anti-discrimination considerations, including accessibility issues, have been addressed through their activities. The reports shall be made available to the public in order to enhance the transparency of the strands. Amendment 149 Proposal for a regulation Article 35 Article 35 Article 35 Evaluation Evaluation 1.  Evaluations shall be carried out in a sufficiently timely manner to feed into the decision-making process. 1.  Evaluations shall be carried out in a sufficiently timely manner to feed into the decision-making process. 2.  The interim evaluation of the strands may be performed once there is sufficient information available about their implementation, but not later than four years after the start of the implementation of the strands. 2.  By 31 December 2024, the Commission shall carry out a mid-term evaluation of the strands in order to: (a)  measure, on a qualitative and quantitative basis, progress made in meeting the objectives of the strand; (b)  address the social environment within the Union and any major changes introduced by Union law; (c)  determine whether the resources of the strands have been used efficiently and to assess its Union added value. The results of that mid-term evaluation shall be presented to the European Parliament and to the Council. 3.  At the end of the implementation period, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article 5, a final evaluation of the strands shall be carried out by the Commission. 3.  At the end of the implementation period, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article 5, a final evaluation of the strands shall be carried out by the Commission. 4.  The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. 4.  The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Amendment 150 Proposal for a regulation Article 37 Article 37 Article 37 Information, communication and publicity Information, communication and publicity 1.  The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results), by providing coherent, effective and targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public. 1.  The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results), by providing coherent, effective and targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public. 2.  The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands, and their actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Articles 4, 23 and 26. 2.  The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands, and their actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands shall also contribute to the communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Articles 4, 23 and 26. Amendment 151 Proposal for a regulation Article 38 Article 38 Article 38 Exercise of the delegation Exercise of the delegation 1.  The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 1.  The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2.  The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 15(6), Article 21(5) and Article 33(3) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from date of entry into force of this Regulation. 2.  The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 15(6), Article 21(5), Article 32 and Article 33(3) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from date of entry into force of this Regulation. 3.  The delegation of power referred to in Article 15(6), Article 21(5) and Article 33(3)may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 3.  The delegation of power referred to in Article 15(6), Article 21(5), Article 32 and Article 33(3)may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4.  Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201628 . 4.  Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201628 . 5.  As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 5.  As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 6.  A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 15(6), Article 21(5) and Article 33(3) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. 6.  A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 15(6), Article 21(5), Article 32 and Article 33(3) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. _________________________________ _________________________________ 28.OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 13. 28.   OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 13. Amendment 152 Proposal for a regulation Article 40 Article 40 Article 40 Committee under Article 163 TFEU Committee under Article 163 TFEU 1.  The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set up under Article 163 TFEU (the ‘ESF+ Committee’). 1.  The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set up under Article 163 TFEU (the ‘ESF+ Committee’). 2.  Each Member State shall appoint one government representative, one representative of the workers' organisations, one representative of the employers' organisations and one alternate for each member for a maximum period of seven years. In the absence of a member, the alternate shall be automatically entitled to take part in the proceedings. 2.  Each Member State shall appoint one government representative, one representative of the workers' organisations, one representative of the employers' organisations, one representative of civil society, one representative of the equality bodies or other independent human rights institutions in accordance with point (c) of Article 6(1) of [the future CPR] and one alternate for each member for a maximum period of seven years. In the absence of a member, the alternate shall be automatically entitled to take part in the proceedings. 3.  The ESF+ Committee shall include one representative from each of the organisations representing workers' organisations and employers' organisations at Union level. 3.  The ESF+ Committee shall include one representative from each of the organisations representing workers' organisations, employers' organisations and civil society organisations at Union level. 3a.  The ESF+ Committee may invite representatives of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. 3b.  Gender balance and appropriate representation of minority and other excluded groups in the ESF+ Committee shall be safeguarded. 4.  The ESF+ Committee shall be consulted on the planned use of technical assistance in the case of support from the ESF+ strand under shared management, as well as on other issues having an impact on the implementation of strategies at Union level relevant to the ESF+; 4.  The ESF+ Committee shall be consulted on the planned use of technical assistance in the case of support from the ESF+ strand under shared management, as well as on other issues having an impact on the implementation of strategies at Union level relevant to the ESF+; 5.  The ESF+ Committee may deliver opinions on: 5.  The ESF+ Committee may deliver opinions on: (a)  questions related to the ESF+ contribution to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, including country-specific recommendations and semester-related priorities (national reform programmes, etc.); (a)  questions related to the ESF+ contribution to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, including country-specific recommendations and semester-related priorities (national reform programmes, etc.); (b)  issues concerning the [future CPR] relevant for the ESF+; (b)  issues concerning the [future CPR] relevant for the ESF+; (c)  questions related to the ESF+ referred to it by the Commission other than those referred to in paragraph 4. (c)  questions related to the ESF+ referred to it by the Commission other than those referred to in paragraph 4. The opinions of the ESF+ Committee shall be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes validly cast, and shall be communicated to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, for information. The Commission shall inform the ESF+ Committee of the manner in which it has taken account of its opinions. The opinions of the ESF+ Committee shall be adopted by an absolute majority of the votes validly cast, and shall be communicated to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, for information. The Commission shall inform the ESF+ Committee in writing of the manner in which it has taken account of its opinions. 6.  The ESF+ Committee may set up working groups for each of the strands of the ESF+. 6.  The ESF+ Committee may set up working groups for each of the strands of the ESF+. Amendment 153 Proposal for a regulation Annex I ANNEX I1 ANNEX I1 Common indicators for the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management Common indicators for the general support of the ESF+ strand under shared management All personal data are to be broken down by gender (female, male, 'non binary'). If certain results are not possible, data for those results do not have to be collected and reported. All personal data are to be broken down by gender (female, male, 'non binary'). If certain results are not available, data for those results do not have to be collected and reported. Sensitive personal data can be surveyed anonymously. (1)  Common output indicators related to operations targeting people: (1)  Common output indicators related to operations targeting people: (1a)  Common output indicators for participants (1a)  Common output indicators for participants –  The common output indicators for participants are: –  The common output indicators for participants are: –  unemployed, including long-term unemployed*, –  unemployed, including long-term unemployed*, –  long-term unemployed*, –  long-term unemployed*, –  inactive*, –  inactive*, –  employed, including self-employed*, –  employed, including self-employed*, –  not in education or training (NEET)*, –  below 30 years of age *, –  children below 18 years of age *, –  young people between 18-29 years of age *, –  above 54 years of age*, –  above 54 years of age*, –  with lower secondary education or less (ISCED 0-2)*, –  with lower secondary education or less (ISCED 0-2)*, –  with upper secondary (ISCED 3) or post-secondary education (ISCED 4)*, –  with upper secondary (ISCED 3) or post-secondary education (ISCED 4)*, –  with tertiary education (ISCED 5 to 8)*. –  with tertiary education (ISCED 5 to 8)*. The total number of participants is to be calculated automatically on the basis of the common output indicators relating to employment status. The total number of participants is to be calculated automatically on the basis of the common output indicators relating to employment status. (1b)  Other common output indicators (1b)  Other common output indicators If data for these indicators is not collected from data registers, values on these indicators can be determined based on informed estimates by the beneficiary. If data for these indicators is not collected from data registers, values on these indicators can be determined based on informed estimates by the beneficiary. Data is always provided by participants on a voluntary basis. –  participants with disabilities**, –  participants with disabilities**, –  participants below 18 years of age*, –  third country nationals*, –  third country nationals*, –  participants with a foreign background*, –  participants with a foreign background*, –  minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma)**, –  minorities (other than from the Roma community)**, –  participants from the Roma community** –  homeless or affected by housing exclusion*, –  homeless or affected by housing exclusion*, –  participants from rural areas*. –  participants from rural areas* –  participants from geographical areas with high levels of poverty and social exclusion*, –  participants transitioning from institutional to family and community based care**. (2)  Common output indicators for entities are: (2)  Common output indicators for entities are: –  number of supported public administrations or public services at national, regional or local level, –  number of supported public administrations or public services at national, regional or local level, –  number of supported micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (including cooperative enterprises, social enterprises). –  number of supported micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (including cooperative enterprises, social enterprises). (3)  The common immediate result indicators for participants are: (3)  The common immediate result indicators for participants are: –  participants engaged in job searching upon leaving*, –  participants engaged in job searching upon leaving*, –  participants in education or training upon leaving*, –  participants in education or training upon leaving*, –  participants gaining a qualification upon leaving*, –  participants gaining a qualification upon leaving*, –  participants gaining a qualification upon leaving*, –  participants gaining a qualification upon leaving*, (4)  Common longer-term result indicators for participants: (4)  Common longer-term result indicators for participants: –  participants in employment, including self-employment, six months after leaving*, –  participants in employment, including self-employment, six and twelve months after leaving*, –  participants with an improved labour market situation six months after leaving*, –  participants with an improved labour market situation six and twelve months after leaving*, As a minimum requirement, these data are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each specific objective. Internal validity of the sample is to be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of the specific objective. As a minimum requirement, these data are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each specific objective. Internal validity of the sample is to be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of the specific objective. ________________________________ __________________________________ 1 Data reported under the indicators marked with * are personal data according to Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. 1 Data reported under the indicators marked with * are personal data according to Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Data reported under the indicators marked with ** are a special category of data according to Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Data reported under the indicators marked with ** are a special category of data according to Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Amendment 154 Proposal for a regulation Annex II ANNEX II ANNEX II Common indicators for ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation Common indicators for ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation (1)  Output indicators (1)  Output indicators (a)  Total monetary value of distributed food and goods. (a)  Total monetary value of distributed food and goods. (i)  total value of the food support; (i)  total value of the food support; (ia)  total monetary value of food for children; (ia)  total monetary value of food for children; (ib)  total monetary value of food for the homeless; (ib)  total monetary value of food for the homeless; (ic)  total monetary value of food for other target groups. (ic)  total monetary value of food for other target groups. (ii)  total value of goods distributed (ii)  total value of goods distributed (iia)  total monetary value of goods for children; (iia)  total monetary value of goods for children; (iib)  total monetary value of goods for the homeless; (iib)  total monetary value of goods for the homeless; (iic)  total monetary value of goods for other target groups. (iic)  total monetary value of goods for other target groups. (b)  Total quantity of food support distributed (tons). (b)  Total quantity of food support distributed (tons). Thereof2: Thereof2: (a)  share of food for which only transport, distribution and storage were paid for by the programme (in %); (a)  share of food for which only transport, distribution and storage were paid for by the programme (in %); (b)  proportion of the ESF+ co-financed food products in the total volume of food distributed the beneficiaries (in %) (b)  proportion of the ESF+ co-financed food products in the total volume of food distributed the beneficiaries (in %) (3)  Common result indicators3 (3)  Common result indicators3 Number of the end recipients receiving food support Number of the end recipients receiving food support –  Number of children below 18 years of age –  Number of children below 18 years of age, –  Number of youths aged 18-29 years; –  Number of youths aged 18-29 years, –  Number of end recipients above 54 years of age, –  Number of end recipients above 54 years of age, –  Number of end recipients with disabilities, –  Number of end recipients with disabilities, –  Number of third country nationals; –  Number of third country nationals –  Number of end recipients with a foreign background and minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma), –  Number of end recipients with a foreign background and minorities (other than from the Roma community), –  participants from the Roma community, –  Number of homeless end recipients or end-recipients affected by housing exclusion. –  Number of homeless end recipients or end-recipients affected by housing exclusion. Number of the end recipients receiving material support Number of the end recipients receiving material support –  Number of children below 18 years of age, –  Number of children below 18 years of age, –  Number of youths aged 18-29 years, –  Number of youths aged 18-29 years, –  Number of end recipients above 54 years of age, –  Number of end recipients above 54 years of age, –  Number of end recipients with disabilities, –  Number of end recipients with disabilities, –  Number of third country nationals, –  Number of third country nationals, –  Number of end recipients with a foreign background and minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma), –  Number of end recipients with a foreign background and minorities (other than from the Roma community), –  participants from the Roma community, –  Number of homeless end recipient or end recipients affected by housing exclusion –  Number of homeless end recipient or end recipients affected by housing exclusion _________________________________ _________________________________ 2 Values on these indicators shall be determined based on the informed estimation by the beneficiaries 2 Values on these indicators shall be determined based on the informed estimation by the beneficiaries 3 Ibid 3 Ibid Amendment 155 Proposal for a regulation Annex II a (new) ANNEX IIa Common indicators for ESF+ support for promoting social inclusion for the most deprived people Output indicators (1)  Total number of people who receive help towards social inclusion. Of which: (a)  number of children aged 15 or younger; (b)  number of persons aged 65 or older; (c)  number of women; (d)  number of people with a foreign background and minorities (other than from the Roma community); (e)  participants from the Roma community; (f)  number of homeless people. Amendment 156 Proposal for a regulation Annex II b (new) ANNEX IIb Indicators for the Employment and Social Innovation Strand 1.  Level of declared gain of better understanding of Union policies and legislation (1)  Number of analytical activities, (2)  Number of mutual learning, awareness and dissemination activities, (3)  Support for main actors 2.  Level of active collaboration and partnership between government institutions of the Union, Member States and associated countries (1)  Number of analytical activities, (2)  Number of mutual learning, awareness and dissemination activities, (3)  Support for main actors 3.  Declared use of social policy innovation in the implementation of social CSRs and the results of social policy experimentation for policy making (1)  Number of analytical activities, (2)  Number of mutual learning, awareness and dissemination activities, (3)  Support for main actors 4.  Number of visits of the EURES platform 5.  Number of youth job placements achieved or supported under the Preparatory Action Your First EURES Job (YfEJ) as well as under Targeted Mobility Schemes 6.  Number of individual personal contacts of EURES advisers with jobseekers, job changers and employers 7.  Number of businesses created or consolidated that have benefitted from Union support 8.  Proportion of beneficiaries that have created or further developed a business with Union microfinance that are unemployed or belonging to disadvantaged groups Amendment 157 Proposal for a regulation Annex III – point 2 2.  Number of health technology joint clinical assessments 2.  Number of beneficiaries (professionals, citizens, patients) affected by the results of the programme Amendment 158 Proposal for a regulation Annex III – point 3 3.  Number of best practices transferred 3.  Number of health technology joint clinical assessments Amendment 159 Proposal for a regulation Annex III – point 4 4.  Degree of use of the results of the programme in national health policy as measured by a "before and after" questionnaire 4.  Number of best practices transferred Amendment 160 Proposal for a regulation Annex III – point 4 a (new) 4a.   Degree of use of the results of the programme in regional and national health policies or tools as measured by validated methods