Council Decision of 20 December 2000 on the implementation of a programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (MEDIA Plus — Development, Distribution and Promotion) (2001-2005) (2000/821/EC)

[X1 2. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE U.K.

2.1. Approach U.K.

In implementing the Programme, the Commission will ensure compliance with the objectives set out in Article 1(2).

In implementing the Programme, the Commission, assisted by the Committee provided for in Article 8, will work closely with the Member States. It will also consult the partners concerned and ensure that the participation of professionals in the Programme reflects European cultural diversity.

2.2. Funding U.K.

2.2.1. Community contribution U.K.

Community funding will not exceed 50 % of the final cost of the measures (other than in the cases expressly provided for in this Annex, where a ceiling of 60 % applies) and will be granted in the form of conditionally reimbursable advances or subsidies. Only costs directly linked to execution of the measure receiving support will be eligible, even if the costs are defrayed in part by the beneficiary before the selection procedure. For multilingual support, the Community contribution will be in the form of subsidies.

2.2.2. Prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent evaluation U.K.

Prior to approving a request for Community support, the Commission will carefully evaluate it to check that it complies with this Decision and with the conditions set out in subsections 2 and 3 of this section of the Annex.

Requests for Community support must include the following:

(a)

a financial plan setting out all the project funding components, including the financial support requested from the Commission;

(b)

a provisional work timetable;

(c)

any other relevant information required by the Commission.

2.2.3. Financial provisions and control U.K.

The Commission will set out the rules on commitments and payments for the measures undertaken pursuant to this Decision, in compliance with the appropriate provisions of the financial regulations.

It will particularly ensure that the administrative and financial procedures used are geared to the objectives pursued and to the practice and interests of the audiovisual industry.

2.3. Implementation U.K.

2.3.1. The Commission will implement the Programme. It may, to this end, call upon independent consultants and technical assistance offices to be selected, after a call for tenders, on the basis of their expertise in the sector, experience acquired in the MEDIA II programme, or other experience acquired in this area. The technical assistance will be financed by the Programme's budget. The Commission may also conclude, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2), partnerships for operations with specialist bodies, including those which have been set up under other European initiatives such as Audiovisual Eureka, EURIMAGES and the European Audiovisual Observatory in order to implement joint measures that meet the Programme objectives in the field of promotion. U.K.

The Commission will make the final selection of the beneficiaries of the Programme and decide on the financial support to be granted, in accordance with Article 8, on the basis of preparatory work conducted by the technical assistance offices. It will give grounds for its decisions to applicants for Community support and ensure the transparency of implementation of the programme.

In order to execute the Programme and, in particular, evaluate the projects benefiting from Programme funding and networking activities, the Commission will draw on recognised, independent audiovisual experts in the fields of development, production, distribution and promotion, who are, where necessary, proficient in the area of the management of rights, especially in the new digital environment.

2.3.2. The Commission will take the necessary steps to provide information on the opportunities offered by the Programme, and will ensure its promotion. The Commission will also provide via the Internet comprehensive information concerning the support arrangements available under the European Union's policies which are of relevance to the audiovisual sector. U.K.

In particular, the Commission and the Member States will take the necessary steps, by continuing with the activities of the network of MEDIA Desks and Antennae and ensuring that their professional skills are enhanced, in order to:

(a)

inform professionals in the audiovisual sector of the various support arrangements available under European Union policies;

(b)

publicise and promote the Programme;

(c)

encourage maximum participation in the Programme's activities by professionals;

(d)

assist professionals with the presentation of projects in response to calls for proposals;

(e)

foster transborder cooperation between professionals;

(f)

liaise between the various support bodies in the Member States with a view to ensuring that Programme activities complement national support measures.]

Editorial Information

X1 Substituted by Corrigendum to Council Decision 2000/821/EC of 20 December 2000 on the implementation of a programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (MEDIA Plus — Development, Distribution and Promotion) (2001-2005) (Official Journal of the European Communities L 336 of 30 December 2000).