management plan 2019 - european commission€¦ · management plan 2019 directorate-general...

Management Plan 2019 Directorate-General

Education, Youth, Sport and Culture

Ref. Ares(2018)6454587 - 14/12/2018

2

Contents

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3

PART 1. MAIN OUTPUTS FOR THE YEAR ........................................................................... 5

A. Erasmus+, the Union Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport ........................................................................................................ 17

B. European Solidarity Corps............................................................................ 33

C. Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation ................................................................................................. 35

D. Creative Europe, the EU Framework Programme for support to the Culture and Audiovisual Sectors ................................................................... 38

E. Corporate activities (general objective 11) ..................................................... 42

PART 2. MAIN ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT OUTPUTS FOR THE YEAR ......................... 45

A. Human resource management...................................................................... 45

B. Financial management: Internal control and Risk management ........................ 47

C. Better Regulation ....................................................................................... 49

D. Information management aspects ................................................................. 50

E. External communication activities ................................................................. 51

F. Example of initiatives to improve economy and efficiency of financial and non-financial activities of the DG .................................................................. 53

eac_mp_2019

3

INTRODUCTION

In line with its 2016-2020 Strategic Plan1, DG EAC contributes to both the

competitiveness and social inclusiveness dimensions of the European Commission's

first political priority, "A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment". In

2019, DG EAC will focus on implementing relevant policy work contributing to these

goals, and will fully mobilise and leverage its programmes2 to this effect.

As stressed by President Juncker in his State of the Union Address 2018, for the EU

to maintain its business environment and for Europeans to be prepared for

21st century jobs, knowledge has to be easily accessed by everyone.

This approach is in line with the Commission’s vision to work towards a European

Education Area by 2025, where “learning, studying and doing research would not

be hampered by borders. A continent, where spending time in another Member

State – to study, to learn, or to work – has become the standard and where, in

addition to one's mother tongue, speaking two other languages has become the

norm. A continent in which people have a strong sense of their identity as

Europeans, of Europe's cultural heritage and its diversity”3.

In 2019, DG EAC will pursue the work on initiatives towards the European

Education Area, following up on the ambition of the European Council4 to act on

common educational challenges, and to enable all young people to receive the best

education and training and to find jobs across the continent. Specifically, DG EAC

will focus on the development of European Universities, implement the Council

Recommendations on automatic recognition of qualifications of higher

education and school leaving diplomas and study periods abroad, and on

language learning, as well as continue the negotiations for the future Erasmus

programme.

DG EAC will also promote quality early childhood education and care, as well

as the acquisition of key competences, based on the call of the December 2017

European Council to develop a European Education Area that is innovative,

inclusive and lifelong learning based, as well as the rights defined in the European

Pillar of Social Rights.

To give a renewed impetus to investment in education system reforms in the

Member States, DG EAC will organise the second European Education Summit

in September 2019. This major event is expected to re-launch existing EU-level

cooperation in the field of education and training with a 2025 perspective, including

a dedicated process for the automatic recognition of upper secondary qualifications.

1Every department of the European Commission publishes a strategic plan. This sets out the department's

vision for a five-year period, up until 2020. See Strategic plan 2016-2020 – Education and Culture 2Erasmus+, Creative Europe, the European Solidarity Corps, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and the

European Institute of Innovation and Technology. 3COM(2017) 673 final, Commission Communication on Strengthening European Identity through

Education and Culture 4European Council meeting (14 December 2017) – Conclusions (EUCO 19/1/17 REV 1).

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/strategic-plan-2016-2020-education-and-culture_en

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communication-strengthening-european-identity-education-culture_en.pdf

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/32204/14-final-conclusions-rev1-en.pdf

4

Moreover, DG EAC will also keep strengthening the focus on educational challenges

in Country Specific Recommendations under the European Semester and will

provide relevant input to the Annual Growth Survey, the Joint Employment Report

and Country Reports.

In the field of youth, DG EAC will work to implement the revised EU Youth

Strategy for the years 2019-2027. The main task will be to engage young

people to participate in democratic life, especially in view of the upcoming

European elections, bring them together across borders to learn, volunteer and

show solidarity, and empower them through youth work.

As an important element of including young people in active citizenship, in 2019 DG

EAC will ensure effective and efficient implementation of the European Solidarity

Corps (ESC), with its stand-alone Regulation5 and budget for the period 2018-

2020. DG EAC will aim to provide an increasingly high number of opportunities for

volunteering, traineeship or job placements.

DG EAC will also focus on following-up on initiatives of the New European

Agenda for Culture, aimed to harness the power of culture and cultural diversity

for social cohesion and well-being, to support jobs and growth in the cultural and

creative sectors, to strengthen international cultural relations, and to better exploit

the digital potential in culture. A key 2019 priority will also be to consolidate the

legacy of the European Year of Cultural Heritage through a European Action

Plan for Heritage and dedicated actions under the Council’s Work Plan for Culture

starting in 2019.

In 2019, DG EAC will continue promoting participation in sport and physical

activity, including through the EU Work Plan for Sport, the European Week of

Sport and the Tartu Call for a Healthy Lifestyle. Our actions will give visibility to the

sector's contribution to Europe's economy in terms of job creation, growth and

innovation, while also tackling cross-border challenges that impact the integrity of

sport.

2019 will see continued support for excellent researchers through Marie

Skłodowska-Curie Actions, including another edition of the European

Researchers' Night which promotes research careers to the wider public

(1.5 million visitors in 2018).

In 2019, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), under

the supervision of DG EAC, will launch the last two new Knowledge and Innovation

Communities under the Horizon 2020 framework programme. DG EAC will also

present the Commission's proposal for the Institute’s next Strategic Innovation

Agenda – this document will provide the political steer for 2021-2027- and the

revision to the EIT legal base.

Finally, in terms of funding programmes, a major task of this Directorate-General in

2019 will be to prepare for a seamless start of its successor programmes and to

work – alongside other Commission services – with the European Parliament and

the Council to secure agreement on the future budget proposals before the

European elections.

5 Official Journal of the European Union, L 250, 4 October 2018

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2018:250:FULL&from=EN

eac_mp_2019

5

PART 1. MAIN OUTPUTS FOR THE YEAR

DG EAC is in charge of multiple policy areas, for which the Treaty on the

functioning of the EU6 establishes the possibility to carry out actions to support,

coordinate or supplement the actions of the Member States. This mainly takes

place through a combination of policy activities and funding programmes.

Programme implementation

DG EAC’s policies are supported by EU funding programmes that all invest in

people, often with a direct interaction with citizens: Erasmus+, promoting mobility,

cooperation and policy development in education, training, youth and sport; the

European Solidarity Corps (ESC), under its new legal base as of 2018, promoting

solidarity activities, mainly through volunteering, traineeships and jobs, to enhance

the engagement of young people and organisations in accessible and high quality

solidarity activities; Creative Europe (CE), a programme covering the culture and

the audio-visual sectors, including the new guarantee facility for small and

medium-sized enterprises in the cultural and creative sectors; Marie Skłodowska-

Curie Actions (MSCA), investing in European researchers, and the European

Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), both part of the Horizon 2020

Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

DG EAC’s spending programmes implement actions mainly by means of grants

funded under Title 15 of the EU budget7. The implementation of these programmes

includes bodies outside the DG such as the European Executive Agencies and the

National Agencies operating within participating countries.

DG EAC implements the EU budget using four distinct implementation modes:

Direct management through two EU Executive Agencies, the

Education Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and the

Research Executive Agency (REA), mainly for those parts of programmes

where projects are allocated across Europe based on excellence. DG EAC

assumes responsibility through the Steering Committee of each Executive

Agency. In compliance with the relevant Acts of Delegation, the actions

implemented through the Executive Agencies contribute significantly to the

objectives of the DG. Their solid performance and efficiency indicators have

resulted in mandate extensions. Since 2014, the implementation of parts of

Erasmus+ and Creative Europe has been delegated to EACEA, while Marie

Skłodowska-Curie Actions have been managed by REA since 2009. In 2019,

the EACEA will also support DG EAC in providing specific horizontal services

for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).

Indirect management through National Agencies (NAs) appointed and

supervised by the National Authorities (NAUs) of the participating countries

to the Erasmus+ programme. This implementation mode is used for more

than two thirds of the Erasmus+ budget, in particular for mobility actions,

partnerships, and certain cooperation projects. NAs are equipped to manage

6 C 326/49 du 26.10.2012, articles 165, 166, 167 7 Complemented with funding from Heading 4 and from the European Development Fund as regards

external actions.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2bf140bf-a3f8-4ab2-b506-fd71826e6da6.0002.02/DOC_2&format=PDF

6

the large volume of actions of relatively low amounts that require proximity

to the beneficiaries. DG EAC retains full responsibility for these parts of the

programmes. In addition, National Agencies are also now in charge of

managing most of the actions implemented under the European Solidarity

Corps’ new legal base for 2018-2020.

Indirect management through other bodies such as the EIT and the

European Investment Fund (EIF) for the Erasmus+ Student Loan Guarantee.

They are both characterised by a focused number of actions with a long time

scope (in the case of EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities, 7-

15 years; for the student loan guarantees even longer).

The remaining actions are implemented by DG EAC under direct

management. These actions consist mainly of administrative expenditure

(Library and e-Resources unit of the Commission, Blue Book traineeships

programme, studies, external communication and dissemination of

Programmes, IT systems, etc.), policy support, politically sensitive and new

actions, pilot projects and preparatory actions (14 of them in 2019), as well

as the management of horizontal services for European Solidarity Corps

participants.

Policy aspects of the main outputs for 2019

In 2019, DG EAC policy work will focus on preparing the next generation of

programmes, deepening and implementing policies adopted in 2018, and working

on policy initiatives in the fields of education, youth, sport and culture.

Preparing for 2020 and beyond

In 2019, DG EAC will actively follow up on the Communication on

Strengthening European Identity through Education and Culture, setting out

the vision of a European Education Area by 2025, and on the European Council

conclusions of 14 December 2017. In addition, DG EAC will contribute to the

implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the first one

of which states that everyone has the right to quality and inclusive education,

training and life-long learning to maintain and acquire skills that enable to

participate in society and manage transitions in the labour market. The Commission

proposed several Council Recommendations, which are either adopted, under

negotiation or will be negotiated in the Council during the first half of 2019. DG EAC

will focus its attention on the following key initiatives.

It is expected that 6 alliances of European Universities will be funded. The

first call for proposals was launched in October 2018 with projects starting

between September and December 2019. A monitoring and evaluation

process will be put in place in parallel.

In order to support mobility for all, the first phase of the roll-out of the

European Student Card will take place before the end of the year.

A working group will be set up with Member States to guide the follow up

and further support initiatives related to the Council Recommendation on

Key Competences for Lifelong Learning (adopted in May 2018). This will

also include the launch of studies, a possible conference on learning

environments to foster competence development, and work on competence

frameworks for individual competences in cooperation with JRC.

eac_mp_2019

7

Following the expected adoption of the Council Recommendation on

promoting automatic mutual recognition of higher education and

upper secondary education diplomas and the outcomes of learning

periods abroad, DG EAC will launch various implementation activities,

including a new cooperation strand for recognition of upper secondary

qualifications and the Preparatory Action “Recognition of School Study

Periods Abroad”.

Following the expected adoption of the Council Recommendation on a

comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages

in May 2019, DG EAC will support Member States in implementing the

concept of language awareness and improving learning outcomes of young

people in language learning. This will take the form of exchanging and

promoting good practices, supporting innovative learning methodologies and

tools and extending cooperation with the Council of Europe.

DG EAC will support Member States as part of the new working group on

quality in early childhood education and care launched in 2018; DG EAC will

also support Member States’ initiatives following the expected adoption of

the Council Recommendation on high quality in early childhood

education and care systems in May 2019.

DG EAC will continue in 2019 to work towards efficient and effective

implementation of the Digital Education Action Plan, by applying a

comprehensive and action-oriented approach for addressing the challenges

and opportunities for education and training brought about by the ongoing

digitalisation, and supporting Member States in fostering digital change and

innovation in their education and training systems.

Policy cooperation in education and training

In 2019, DG EAC will step up the preparation of the post-2020 framework for

European cooperation in education and training, building on the multiple

consultations carried out among policy-makers, stakeholders and experts.

In particular, it will complete the review of the ongoing Strategic Framework for

European cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) based on the findings of

an independent study, and reflect on possible topics for the future framework based

on the input of the European Education and Training Expert Panel, whose work will

culminate with the 'Forum on the Future of learning' in January 2019. The

Forum will be the major stakeholder event in support of the preparation of the

post-2020 framework and will bring together education, training and youth

stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the major societal challenges and how

they will shape education and training across Europe.

Prospective studies will be carried out in an attempt to fill the evidence gap

concerning future educational trends. They are expected to provide elements for

the reflection on the successor of Europe 2020 strategy and stimulate a debate at

European level on the future of education.

Based on these activities, DG EAC will prepare possible elements for a post-2020

framework for policy cooperation in education and training in order to

support the future Commission’s decision in this regard. These would include a

corresponding monitoring framework, including a set of proposed EU benchmarks in

education and training.

8

In September 2019, DG EAC will host the second European Education Summit.

The Summit will bring education ministers, stakeholders and civil society, as well as

the wider audience together to discuss how to bring forward the work towards a

European Education Area.

DG EAC will organise the 8th University-Business Forum in Spring 2019. The

Forum will address issues that directly relate to the priorities identified in the

Renewed EU Agenda for Higher Education and will explore how University Business

cooperation can contribute to the development of more innovative and

entrepreneurial higher education institutions and eco-systems.

Moving forward the Investing in Europe’s Youth Initiative

In 2019, DG EAC will continue work on the implementation of the actions

announced in the Investing in Europe’s Youth initiative, including the

Communication on a renewed EU agenda for higher education, the Council

Recommendation on graduate tracking and the Communication on school

development and excellent teaching for a great start in life, which were

adopted by the Commission on 30 May 2017. The Erasmus+ programme will be

mobilised to support these initiatives.

Since the Council adopted the Recommendation on a coordinated EU approach to

tertiary graduate tracking in 2017, a dedicated European-level expert network has

been created to support Member States in the implementation. It will facilitate the

exchange of expertise to support the availability of comparable data on graduate

outcomes at national and EU level, which will in turn help improve career guidance,

programme design, institutional strategy and policy-making in higher education.

The Recommendation will also be supported by a pilot European graduate survey,

which will provide new comparable data to facilitate cross-country analysis,

comparison and benchmarking by the end of 2019.

As of 2019, DG EAC will implement together with the Member States the new EU

Youth Strategy 2019-2027, along the three key priorities of Engaging, Connecting

and Empowering young people.

Further to the adoption of the youth strategy, DG EAC will contribute to the

implementation of the first Work Plan within the new cycle. The main work strands

of the new strategy include improving cross-sector cooperation across policy areas,

tracking EU spending on youth, launching a new and more inclusive EU Youth

Dialogue, helping to remove obstacles to volunteering and solidarity mobility,

implementing a youth work agenda to increase recognition of non-formal learning,

and reinforcing the link between EU youth policy and related EU programmes.

The 2019 European Youth Week will take place just before the European

elections. A clear focus will be the relation between youth and democracy, and

more generally the youth participation in society, including changing democratic

patterns, access to information and media literacy. This would also be in line with

the 2019 theme for eTwinning, which connects school staff across Europe through

joint projects. The Week will also allow holding an exchange with young people and

stakeholders about the first year of designing the EU Youth Dialogue to be

launched as part of the new EU Youth Strategy.

eac_mp_2019

9

Implementing the EU Workplan for Sport and the Tartu Call on Healthy

Lifestyle

In 2019, DG EAC will also continue to implement the EU Work Plan for Sport by

tackling cross-border challenges that impact the integrity of sport such as anti-

doping, match-fixing, and violence in sport. The expert groups on skills and human

resources development in sport and integrity in sport will pursue their work in

2019. The 5th edition of the European Week of Sport will be organised during the

last week of September and a seminar will take stock of the implementation of the

actions set in the Tartu Call for a Healthy Lifestyle in the second semester of 2019.

DG EAC will continue to support evidence-based policy in the field of sport,

including the specificity of sport and child abuse in sport as well as fostering

cooperation, and managing initiatives in support of physical activity and sport

across Europe, notably through the Erasmus+ programme.

Implementing the New European Agenda for Culture and the European

Action Plan for Cultural Heritage

For cultural policy, 2018 marked an important year, as the Commission presented a

New European Agenda for Culture and a European Action Plan for Cultural

Heritage.

The new European Agenda for Culture sets out a renewed strategic framework

for EU cooperation and policy making in the field of culture with EU-wide priorities

aligned on cultural heritage, culture for social cohesion and well-being, an eco-

system supporting creation and creators, and gender equality. Great importance is

also given to external relations and statistics.

The multiannual Work Plans for Culture – adopted by the Council – are the main

tools to implement the European Agenda for Culture using in particular two

working methods, the Open Method of Coordination and the structured dialogue

with stakeholders. 2019 will be the first year in the implementing cycle of the Work

Plan 2019-2022 and DG EAC will actively support the Member States in that task.

DG EAC will also be maximising its contribution to policy making at EU level,

notably as concerns the role of culture for social cohesion and well-being, the

further development of the cultural and creative industries, cultural heritage, and

the EU's developing cultural diplomacy.

In line with its specific objective, DG EAC will follow up on the Digital Single

Market strategy and notably the revision of the copyright rules. The

Commission has set out proposals on the modernisation of copyright to increase

cultural diversity in Europe and content available online, while bringing clearer rules

for all online players. These include provisions on the fair remuneration of creators,

which require sector-specific implementation through stakeholders' dialogues in the

Member States. Other strands of work include enforcement and the role of

platforms. Once the new legislation is adopted by the co-legislators, DG EAC will

contribute to the EU-level efforts to facilitate implementation at national and sector

level.

The new European Agenda for Culture also announced a European Action Plan

for Cultural Heritage, in order to ensure the legacy of the European Year of

Cultural Heritage 2018.

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/policy/economic-dimension/sport-statistics_en

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/policy/cooperation_en

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/policy/cooperation_en

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/

10

Adopted at the end of 2018, the Framework For Action On Cultural Heritage

will capture the legacy of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, and follow it up

through a series of short to medium-term actions.

The Framework identifies the following five pillars, as follows:

Cultural heritage for an inclusive Europe: participation and access for all;

Cultural heritage for a sustainable Europe: smart solutions for a cohesive

and sustainable future;

Cultural heritage for a resilient Europe: safeguarding endangered heritage;

Cultural heritage for an innovative Europe: mobilising knowledge and

research;

Cultural heritage for stronger global partnerships: reinforcing international

cooperation.

Each pillar corresponds to a limited number of clusters of actions which will be

launched in 2019 and 2020. The Plan also defines principles which create a long-

term vision for the management and preservation of Europe’s cultural heritage and

its mainstreaming across EU policies.

In 2019, DG EAC will continue to manage the Service Level Agreement between

DG EAC and the DG COMM of the European Parliament regarding the House of

European History, including the financial contribution of the Commission to the

European Parliament.

Providing effective support to EU-wide policy making

In 2019, DG EAC will continue to support the implementation of the existing

Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020) framework and the EU Youth Strategy

which facilitate the Member States cooperation at European level through the Open

Methods of Coordination. The ET 2020 Working Groups will pursue work on the

basis of the new mandates adopted for the 2018-2020 period. Building on the 2018

Council Recommendation on Common values, inclusive education and the European

dimension of teaching, the ET 2020 Working group on Promoting common

values and inclusive education will focus on promoting common values and

intercultural competences, including citizenship education and digital citizenship;

promoting inclusive education for all learners; supporting the European dimension

of education and training; supporting educators to deal with diversity and create an

open classroom climate.

The Working Group on the Modernisation of Higher Education will use 2019

to follow up on the priorities identified in the Communication on a renewed EU

agenda for higher education8 and in the Communication on "Strengthening

European Identity through Education and Culture"9 and the Paris

Communiqué of the Bologna process.

8 COM(2017)0247 final 9 COM(2017) 673 final

http://www.ipex.eu/IPEXL-WEB/dossier/document/COM20170247.do

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52017DC0673&from=EN

eac_mp_2019

11

Building on the outputs of the previous cycle, the Working Group Schools (2018-

20) will focus on examining the capacity for coherence in policy action and

developing a culture of quality in the following key interlinked areas of: a) quality

assurance: the generation and use of knowledge across the education system;

supporting broad competence development; and promoting a broad stakeholder

engagement; and b) teacher and school leader careers: systemic policies and

initiatives for the coherence of career paths and structures, with particular attention

to: staff evaluation; professional development and competence frameworks; and

leadership. The work on quality assurance will be important to help to create

conditions for facilitating student mobility across Europe, in particular through

enhancing transparency and trust.

The newly established ET 2020 Working Group on early childhood education

and care will focus on inclusion and on staff development in early childhood

education and care.

The Working Group on Digital Education: Learning, Teaching and

Assessment will build on its work of the previous cycle looking at how education

systems and learning is impacted by digital transformation. Over the next two

years the group will work on a series of themes including monitoring and

measuring the impact of learning and teaching with technology, teacher education

and practice, organisational management, digital education supporting lifelong

learning and good practice in collaboration and partnerships. The group is also

supporting the roll-out of the SELFIE10 self-reflection tool for schools on the use of

technologies for teaching and learning. The first meeting of the group in 2019,

hosted by the Ministry of Education Luxembourg, will focus on the role of games

and makerspaces in innovating education. The Working Group will also support the

implementation of the Digital Education Action Plan adopted by the Commission

in January 2018.

As announced in the Communication on “A renewed EU agenda for higher

education”, DG EAC will continue to support science, technology, engineering and

maths (STEM) education-STEAM11 approach (interaction between STEM and non-

STEM fields of study) through Erasmus+. DG EAC will also continue its work on

HEInnovate, the guiding framework to help higher education institutions

and systems assess and develop their innovative and entrepreneurial potential. And

DG EAC will reinforce its cooperation with the Joint Research Center (JRC) to

better understand and strengthen the role of higher education institutions for

regional development, in particular in the context of the smart specialisation

agenda. Cooperation with JRC on the Knowledge Hub will continue to improve and

maximise the effectiveness of DG EAC's higher education data tools and to carry

out research and analysis activities to support policies in the field of higher

education.

In addition, through dialogue and close cooperation with Member States, DG EAC

will scale up its efforts in offering peer learning to countries addressing their

education challenges. In particular, DG EAC will offer countries tailored support, i.e.

'peer counselling', which brings together professional peers from national

10 Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering the use of Innovative Educational Technologies 11 Sciences, Technololgy, Egineering, Arts and Maths

12

administrations to provide external advice to a country in the process of preparing

or implementing a specific education reform.

To underpin its initiatives, DG EAC will continue to strengthen its analysis and

knowledge capacity regarding education and training systems, in line with

Europe 2020 and Education and Training 2020, through studies, evaluations and

impact assessments, and the collection and use of data from relevant knowledge

providers (Eurydice, OECD, Eurostat, Commission's JRC, International Association

for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and academic expert networks

such as the European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE) and the

Network for Experts working on the Social Dimension of Education and Training

(NESET)). In particular, DG EAC will pursue its collaboration with OECD on country

analysis, international surveys, data and policy analysis, high-visibility and

ministerial events. Regarding the latter, the Commission will contribute to the

organisation of the fourth Global Education Industry Summit, postponed by the

Estonian hosts to 2019.

One key output of the Commission services to support evidence-based education

policies will be the eighth edition of the Education and Training Monitor to be

released in late September 2019. Results from the latest cycles of the OECD

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) (release December 2018)

and the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) (release

June 2019), and from the IEA International Computer and Information Literacy

Study (ICILS) on digital competence (release November 2019) will provide valuable

information to DG EAC's evidence base and will feed, inter alia, into the

2019 Monitor, if available by the time of drafting.

The implementation of the 11 actions of the Digital Education Action Plan,

fully on on track, will continue in 2019 in partnership with DGs CNECT, RTD, EMPL,

JRC and DIGIT. The SELFIE tool to support schools with technology use for teaching

and learning will be further rolled out in the EU and Western Balkans countries with

the aim of reaching 1 million users by the end of 2019. A first European conference

bringing together schools using the tool will be held in Madrid in 2019. Also in

2019, a series of digital and entrepreneurship education workshops for female

students (12-18 years) will be organised throughout Europe by the EIT. Work will

continue with the OECD on updating the ICT questionnaire of the PISA survey

and developing a framework on the pedagogical use of technology in learning.

As part of the Digital Education Action Plan, DG EAC, in cooperation with the

European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT)’s Climate KIC (Knowledge

and Innovation Community) is organising a 24h European hackathon on the future

of education. Its purpose is to engage educational institutions and other

organisations working in the education field or engaged in educational projects in a

‘contest’ to identify the key challenges for education in the digital age and co-

create solutions across disciplines and organisations. The event will take place on

3-4 October 2019 through a series of events organised throughout Europe.

eac_mp_2019

13

The next long-term budget and the impact of Brexit

In 2019, a significant cross-cutting priority for DG EAC will be to provide support to

the ongoing negotiations with the Council and the Parliament regarding the

Commission proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to

be adopted in May 2018.

DG EAC will continue to provide an effective contribution to the negotiations

based on the Commission's proposal for the next MFF and on positioning its

programmes and policy interventions as a major contributor to shaping EU policies

that invest in people, in particular in delivering EU priorities under the future

Heading on Cohesion and Values as well as Research and Innovation.

DG EAC will work with other Commission services to strengthen links with other

EU policies and instruments to enhance the EU added value and impacts of the

future budget, and to develop further synergies, complementarities and efficiency

gains between the future spending programmes.

DG EAC will prepare the implementation for the future of a substantially

strengthened, inclusive and extended, Erasmus programme after 2020,

aimed at equipping young people with relevant skills, improving cultural

understanding and strengthening the social fabric of the Union. With a stronger

focus on inclusiveness, and on reaching more young people from disadvantaged

backgrounds, the programme will allow more young people than ever before to

move to another country to learn.

In 2019, DG EAC will also prepare the implementation for the future of a reinforced

European Solidarity Corps, with a view to offer a single entry point to high-

quality volunteering and occupational solidarity activities for young people across

the EU and abroad.

DG EAC will also work on preparations towards the new Creative Europe

programme, taking into account the specific features of the different sectors, their

different target groups, and their particular needs, as well as economic,

technological, and societal developments. This will include work on increasing

opportunities of a reinforced cross-sectoral strand delivering value-adding

innovative action and experimentation.

With regard to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), DG EAC will actively

participate in and shape the discussions on the next Framework Programme for

Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, led by DG RTD. For the EIT, this

concerns revising the EIT Regulation, elaborating the Strategic Innovation Agenda

(SIA) and negotiating the EIT text in the Horizon Europe Framework Programme

and Specific Programme. The EIT will be part of Pillar III (Open Innovation) which

will enable the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) to

further align with the Framework Programme, while keeping its specificities. For the

MSCA, this includes developing detailed proposals for the specific funding schemes

to be integrated in the MSCA Work Programme 2021. More broadly, the MSCA will

continue to apply their core values to deliver excellent value to the broader

framework programme and to the European economy and society. This includes

excellence, investing in people, professional and career development for

researchers, a bottom-up approach, mobility across borders, sectors and disciplines

and the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

14

In 2019, DG EAC will continue to contribute to the preparation of all delegated and

implementing acts related to the InvestEU proposed regulation aimed at

expanding the successful model of the Investment Plan for Europe post-2020. In

this context, DG EAC will focus in 2019 on technical work ensuring more effective

delivery mechanisms and increasing synergies with the new Erasmus programme

and Horizon Europe, in relation to the relevant strands of the programme (Smart

Infrastructures; Research, Innovation and Digitisation; Small Businesses; and

Social Investment and Skills).

DG EAC will also continue to explore ways to attract private financing for education

projects through financial instruments or budgetary guarantees. This could

involve developing new instruments to expand student loan schemes, piloting social

impact investments or exploiting the upcoming European Fund for Strategic

Investments 2.0 (EFSI 2.0), ahead of the proposed InvestEU programme beyond

2020 (with a dedicated 'Social Investment and Skills' window).

DG EAC will continue to raise awareness of the available EU-level guarantees and

financial instruments among education stakeholders, notably at national level. It

will strengthen the cooperation with the European Investment Bank Group, other

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and national promotional banks (NPBs), in

particular by emphasising the 'soft' elements in infrastructure-related projects that

contribute to create sound and inspiring learning environments.

All plans and activities of DG EAC for 2019 will take into account and reflect the

needs related to the preparations to Brexit, including both legal acts to be adopted

and technical, administrative, and budgetary measures. Notwithstanding the need

to cater for individual specificities among Directorates-General, these actions are

being coordinated by the Secretariat-General with a view to ensuring coherence in

the design and timing of these measures.

eac_mp_2019

15

Relevant general objective 1: A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

Specific objective 1.1 : To develop the policy and investment strategies

while taking into account the country specific data building on evidence

policy strategy and evaluation and to contribute to an effective

dissemination and exploitation of the results.

Main outputs in 2019:

Delivery on legislative proposals pending with the legislator

Output Indicator Target for 2019

Strategic Innovation Agenda for the period

2021-2027 of the European Institute of

Innovation and Technology (EIT)

Proposal for a decision of the

European Parliament and of the

Council

Q1 2019

Amendment of the Regulation on the

European Institute of Innovation and

Technology (EIT)

EC Proposal for a revised regulation

of the EIT

Q1 2019

Draft Regulation on the future Erasmus

programme

Political Agreement 2019

Draft Regulation on the future European

Solidarity Corps programme


Regulation establishing the Creative Europe

programme

Political Agreement Q1 2019

Draft Regulation on the future Horizon

Europe programme – MSCA12


Draft Regulation on the future Horizon

Europe programme – EIT13


All new initiatives / significant evaluations from the Commission Work Programme

Output14 Indicator Target for 2019

Important items from work programmes/financing decisions/operational programmes For a complete listing of expenditure-related outputs please refer to the Programme Statements published together with the Draft Budget for 2019.


2020 Annual work programme for the

implementation of 'Erasmus+

Commission Implementing Decision

adopting the 2020 annual work

programme for the implementation

of 'Erasmus+

Q3 2019

2020 Annual Work Programme European

Solidarity Corps


on the adoption of the 2020 annual

work programme for the

implementation of the European

Solidarity Corps Programme

Q3 2019

Creative Europe Media Work Programme

2020


adopting the 2020 Annual Work

Programme Creative Europe

Q3 2019

2019 Commission contribution to the House

of European History


on the Financing of the Commission

contribution to the House of

European History for the year 2019

Q1 2019


modifying the Commission Implementing

Decision C(2016)5571 on the adoption of

the 2019 annual work programme for the

implementation of "Erasmus+": the Union

Programme for Education, Training, Youth

and Sport


modifying the Commission

Implementing Decision

C(2016)5571 on the adoption of the

2019 annual work programme for

the implementation of "Erasmus+":

the Union Programme for

Education, Training, Youth & Sport

Q1 2019

12 Chef de file: DG EAC 13 Chef de file: DG EAC 14 Where necessary, the output will be accompanied by the relevant analytical Staff Working Document

16

Commission Implementing Decision on the

financing of the Creative Europe

Programme and the adoption of the work

programme for 2019


on the financing of the Creative

Europe Programme and the

adoption of the work programme

for 2019

Q1 2019


modifying the Commission Implementing

Decision C(2018) 5005 on the adoption of

the 2019 annual work programme

European Solidarity Corps


modifying the Commission

Implementing Decision C(2018)

5005 on the adoption of the 2019

annual work programme European

Solidarity Corps

Q1 2019

Commission Decision on 2019 Annual Work

Programme for the implementation of the

Preparatory Actions and Pilot Projects

Commission Decision on 2019

Annual Work Programme for the

implementation of the Preparatory

Actions and Pilot Projects

Q1 2019

Commission delegated Regulation

supplementing the indicators of the article

18.1 of Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013,

establishing the Creative Europe

programme (2014 to 2020)

Commission delegated Regulation

supplementing the indicators of the

article 18.1 of Regulation (EU) No

1295/2013, establishing the

Creative Europe programme (2014

to 2020)

Q2 2019

Update of the MSCA Work Programme 2020 Adoption of Work Programme 2020 Q2 2019

Adoption of a Commission Delegated Act on

supplementary performance indicators for

the Creative Europe Programme

Adoption by the Commission Q1 2019

Other important outputs

Output15 Indicator Target for 2019

Staff Working Document on Education and

Training Monitor 2019

Commission adoption Q3 2019

Education Summit Organisation of the event Q3 2019

Forum on the Future of Learning Organisation of the event Q1 2019

Prospective studies as input to the

successor of Europe 2020 strategy and the

"Future of Learning" agenda

At least 2 studies launched Q4 2019

8th University-Business Forum Organisation of the event Q2 2019

Policy support to the Working Group on

Digital Education: Learning, Teaching and

Assessment

2 meetings Q4 2019

Policy support to the ET 2020 Working

group on Promoting common values and

inclusive education

2 meetings Q4 2019

Policy support to the Working Group

Schools

Availability of thematic policy

guidance (interim reports) on the

basis of peer learning

Q4 2019


early childhood education and care



basis of peer learning meetings

Q4 2019


Higher education



basis of peer learning

Q4 2019

Implementation of the Service Level

Agreement (SLA) for the House of European

History

Financing Decision Q4 2019

15 Where necessary, the output will be accompanied by the relevant analytical Staff Working Document

eac_mp_2019

17

A. ERASMUS+, THE UNION PROGRAMME FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING, YOUTH AND SPORT

Erasmus+ represents a strategic investment in young people as a critical factor for

growth and prosperity and a vehicle to promote European citizenship.

DG EAC will implement the 2019 Work Programme for Erasmus+ with a view to

pursue the objectives and generate the benefits of Erasmus+ mentioned in its

Strategic Plan16. The budget available for Erasmus+ throughout 2019 is expected to

total EUR 2.73 billion, which corresponds to an 8% increase compared to the

revised Annual Work Programme of 2018.

The Erasmus+ Programme aims to contribute to the achievement of:

the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy, including the headline education

target;

the objectives of the strategic framework for European cooperation in

education and training (ET 2020), including the corresponding benchmarks;

the sustainable development of Partner Countries in the field of higher

education;

the overall objectives of the renewed framework for European cooperation in

the youth field (2010–2018);

the objective of developing the European dimension in sport, in particular

grassroots sport, in line with the EU Work Plan for Sport;

the promotion of European values in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty

on European Union.

The programme also supports policy development and implementation through

cooperation and knowledge development activities.

The Erasmus+ programme plays an important role in supporting cooperation

between schools and pupil mobility as well as learning opportunities for future

teachers and professional development for teachers and school leaders in

line with the initiatives building the European Education area.

In 2019, the Erasmus+ programme will 2019 support a second pilot call for

European Universities, a key driver to build a Europe where learning and

studying have no borders.

In 2019, a cross-cutting priority will be to ensure that the Erasmus+ programme is

an important instrument for inclusion and highlights the key role of formal and

non-formal education in the development of the values and attitudes underlying

active citizenship, as reaffirmed in the Paris Declaration17.

16 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/strategic-plan-2016-2020-dg-eac_march2016_en.pdf 17fhttps://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ebbab0bb-ef2f-11e5-8529-

01aa75ed71a1

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/strategic-plan-2016-2020-dg-eac_march2016_en.pdf

https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ebbab0bb-ef2f-11e5-8529-01aa75ed71a1

18

Another specific highlight under Erasmus+ will be the 30 year anniversary of the

Jean Monnet Actions (JMA). The JMA under Erasmus+ will continue to stimulate

teaching and research on the European Union and fostering dialogue between

academics, decision makers and civil society actors not only throughout the EU, but

around the world. Being the major programme at European level supporting studies

on the European integration process, its outputs will remain a meaningful

contribution to the reflections on the future of Europe. In 2019, the Jean Monnet

Actions will complete 30 years from their launch in 1989. This 30th anniversary is

an opportunity to increase the visibility and impact of Jean Monnet Actions, to

celebrate the achievements of the programme and to prepare stakeholders for the

next extension of the actions beyond higher education institutions. In 2019, the

Commission will launch a pilot project for a new award (Jan Amos Prize) to the best

teacher in the EU teaching about the European Union.

In 2019, the "Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange initiative" with South Mediterranean

countries will continue to be supported as a pilot project, with the objective to turn

it into a fully fledged action of the future Erasmus programme.

In the field of higher education, DG EAC will work on the following priorities:

tackling skills gaps and mismatches;

further supporting the development of graduate tracking systems in

Programme countries and exploring options for improving the availability

of comparable data on graduate outcomes within Europe;

encouraging training and exchange to enhance the quality of teaching;

setting up transnational teacher training courses and strengthening

cooperation between teacher training centres;

promoting and rewarding excellence in teaching and skills development;

building inclusive higher education systems, connected to surrounding

communities;

ensuring higher education institutions and research institutes contribute

to innovation;

fostering effective and efficient system-level funding and governance

models, rewarding good teaching, innovation and community-relevance;

promoting internationalisation, recognition and mobility.

Through these priorities, Erasmus+ will also contribute to the vision on the

development of a European Education Area by 2025 and the emergence of some

twenty 'European Universities' by 2024.

In 2019, in the field of school education, priority will be given to:

strengthening the profile(s) of the teaching professions, including

teachers, school leaders and teacher educators;

promoting a comprehensive approach to language teaching and learning,

building on the increasing linguistic diversity in schools;

eac_mp_2019

19

tackling early school leaving (ESL), enabling success for all learners,

including children with a migrant background;

increasing access to affordable and high quality early childhood

education and care (ECEC); and

building capacity for organisation and recognition of learning periods

abroad.

In the field of vocational education and training (VET) (both initial and

continuing), priority will be given to:

developing partnerships supporting the set up and implementation of

internationalisation strategies for VET providers, aimed at putting in

place the necessary support mechanisms as well as contractual

frameworks to promote quality mobility of VET staff and learners;

developing partnerships aimed at promoting work-based learning in all

its forms;

increasing the quality in VET through the establishment of feedback

loops to adapt VET provision, including by setting up or testing graduate

tracking arrangements as part of quality assurance systems in line with

the Council Recommendation on tracking graduates and the

recommendation on the European Framework for Quality Assurance in

Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET);

enhancing access to training and qualifications for all;

further strengthening key competences in initial and continuing VET;

supporting the uptake of innovative approaches and digital technologies

for teaching and learning;

introducing systematic approaches to, and opportunities for, the initial

and continuous professional development of VET teachers, trainers and

mentors in both school and work-based settings; and

developing sustainable partnerships to establish and/or further develop

national, regional and sectoral skills competitions organisations, as a

form of raising the attractiveness and excellence in VET.

In 2019, in the field of adult education, priority will be given to:

improving and extending the supply of high quality learning

opportunities tailored to the needs of individual low-skilled or low-

qualified adults so that they enhance their literacy, numeracy and digital

competences, key competences and/or progress towards higher

qualifications, including through the validation of skills acquired through

informal and non-formal learning, or progress towards higher

qualifications;

supporting the setting up of, and access to, upskilling pathways by

making available skills identification and screening, learning offers

adapted to individual learning needs, recognition of flexible modes of

20

learning, and through the validation of skills acquired through informal

and non-formal learning;

increasing demand and take-up through effective outreach, guidance

and motivation strategies which encourage low-skilled or low-qualified

adults to develop and upgrade their literacy, numeracy and digital

competences and skills and/or progress towards higher qualifications;

extending and developing the competences of educators and other

personnel who support adult learners, particularly in the effective

teaching of literacy, numeracy and digital skills to low-skilled or low-

qualified adults, including through the effective use of ICT; and

developing mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of adult learning

policies or to track and monitor the progress of adult learners.

In the Sport chapter priority will be given to grassroots sport, increased

participation in sport and awareness of the importance of health-enhancing physical

activity in line with the Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle18. The Sport chapter will

continue to support initiatives that tackle cross-border threats to the integrity of

sport, such as doping, match fixing and violence, as well as all kinds of intolerance

and discrimination. It will also promote and support good governance in sport and

dual careers of athletes and voluntary activities in sport, together with social

inclusion, including refugees and migrants.

In terms of international cooperation, the Erasmus+ programme will continue to

support President Juncker's priority for the EU as "A Stronger Global Actor". In his

2018 State of the Union Address, he sets out an ambitious new 'Africa-Europe

Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs'19, to substantially boost investment

in Africa, strengthen trade, create jobs, and invest in education and skills,

underlining that our investment must be focused on what matters most. He

committed to supporting 35 000 African students and academics with the

Erasmus+ programme by 2020 and to reach 105 000 by 2027 (provided that

additional funds and human resources are made available). This is a further

endorsement of the important work being carried out by the EU in the field of

higher education with Africa both through the Erasmus programme and the Africa-

EU policy initiatives lead by DG EAC: the Harmonisation, Quality Assurance and

Accreditation initiative (HAQAA) and Tuning Africa, and two new initiatives, the

strengthening of the African chapter of the students and alumni association and a

pilot VET mobility initiative with Africa. A total of 18 million EUR has been made

available to realise these 4 projects which will be steered jointly with the African

Union, and in the case of the VET mobility initiative, with DG EMPL.

In this regard, DG EAC will continue to support the implementation of the Agenda

2030 for Sustainable Development Goals and in particular the Sustainable

Development Goal 4 to "Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and

promote lifelong learning", not only via Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 funding but

18 https://ec.europa.eu/sport/sites/sport/files/ewos-tartu-call_en.pdf 19 COM(2018) 643 final

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/sites/sport/files/ewos-tartu-call_en.pdf

https://www.africa-eu-partnership.org/sites/default/files/documents/en_communication_on_a_new_alliance.pdf

eac_mp_2019

21

also through its international actions, in particular with developing regions and

countries of the world.

Building notably on the Commission strategy of February 2018 on “A credible

enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western

Balkans”20, in 2019 Erasmus+ international will further enhance its support for the

Western Balkans countries, through an increased budget and a number of new

intiatives such as a VET mobility project and the creation of a Western Balkan

Student and Alumni association. It will also continue supporting actively the

stabilisation and further economic and social development of the European

Neighbourhood (i.e. Eastern Partnership and Southern Mediterranean). This will

be done by financing individual mobility and cooperation projects in the higher

education and youth fields, and by organising regional dialogues with the

government authorities of the respective regions.

The first EU-Japan Ministerial and Policy Dialogue took place in Budapest in

July 2018, and follow up actions include a co-funded Erasmus+ call with Japan to

finance additional EU-Japan Erasmus Mundus Joint Degrees. The latter will allow

excellent students from Europe and Japan to gain a joint degree from top European

and Japanese universities, providing a contribution to the increasing political

cooperation.

Finally, in 2019 DG EAC will initiate actions to optimise, stabilise and improve the

performance and user-friendliness of processes and IT tools supporting the

programme implementation. This goes in particular for tools that are used by the

beneficiaries of the Programme. These efforts will be carried out with a view to

facilitate the access to the programme, notably for new entrants and small entities

applying for funding.

20 COM(2018) 65 final

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communication-credible-enlargement-perspective-western-balkans_en.pdf

22


DG EAC Specific objective 2.0: To ensure an efficient and

effective implementation of the programme

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+

(Education and Training)




Erasmus+ Work

Programme 2020 (WP) Timely adoption

Q3 2019

Erasmus+ Programme

Committee N° of meetings

3 (1 in Q1 and 2 in Q2)

General Call for

Proposals (and

Programme Guide)

Timely publication

Q4 2019

National Agencies

guidance documents Validation and sending of the 2019 guidelines

Q1 2019

Effective WP

management

N° of Delegation Agreements signed 56

Timely signature of Delegation Agreements Q2 2019

N° of meetings of National Agencies 2 (Q2 and Q3)

Budget execution 100%

Follow-up phases to the

HAQAA initiative

(Harmonisation, Quality

Assurance and

Accreditation)

Full implementation Q4 2019

Co-funded call with

Japan to finance

additional Erasmus

Mundus Joint Degrees

Successful implementation Q4 2019

eac_mp_2019

23

Education and Training

In higher education, in 2019, DG EAC will continue working on the

implementation of actions set out in the European Council conclusions of

14 December 2017 and the Communication on “A renewed EU agenda for higher

education”21, adopted in May 2017 and endorsed by the Council in November 2017.

In addition to the work within the ET 2020 Working Group on Higher Education

(that will focus on four themes: Skills, Inclusive and Connected higher education

systems, Innovation, and Effective and Efficient higher education systems), and the

accompanying Peer Learning Activities, the following concrete actions will be

prioritised in 2019:

European Universities: implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the

first pilot call.

EU student card: the work will intensify in 2019 to speed up the

development of inter-operable systems for sharing electronically secure

information about students in the EU, supporting the roll-out of “Erasmus

without papers” project.

Resources review: This initiative will support the effectiveness, efficiency

and economy of higher education systems by looking at the funding,

incentive and reward structures in higher education in collaboration with the

OECD. By the end of 2019, the project will produce an analytical framework

for addressing the complex issues in order to be able to subsequently offer

comprehensive reviews to individual countries and help them determine the

best ways to target and balance investment to achieve results.

Consolidating the Knowledge Hub on higher education to optimise and

create synergies between EU tools for evidence-building: the European

Tertiary Education Register (ETER), U-Multirank and the pilot European

graduate survey. During 2019, deliverables, such as policy briefs and

development of joint research projects, will be available.

EU Science Technology Enigineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)

Coalition: the EU-level STEAM Coalition will be promoted through

Erasmus+ to increase uptake of relevant study fields and modernise

curricula through a STEAM approach to STEM education (i.e. interaction

between STEM and non-STEM subjects) and links to economic,

environmental and social challenges in teaching and learning.

In 2019, the Commission will support and facilitate exchange and peer learning

activities to support the implementation of the key commitments of the Bologna

Process.

In the field of school education, DG EAC will focus in 2019 on the follow up of the

proposed or already adopted Council Recommendations, and will continue to work

on the implementation of actions in the Communication on “School development

21 COM (2017) 247 final

http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/2017/EN/COM-2017-247-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-1.PDF

24

and excellent teaching for a great start in life”22, endorsed by the Council in

November 2017. Consequently, priority will be given to further work on key

competences for lifelong learning, automatic mutual recognition of upper secondary

diploma and study periods abroad in secondary education, to the learning and

teaching of languages, quality assurance in school education, as well as the

strengthening the profiles of the teaching professions. This will be achieved in the

context of ET 2020 working groups, studies and conferences and expert seminars.

In line with the Europe 2020 headline target, DG EAC will continue to support

schools to tackle early school leaving (ESL) and to offer quality education,

enabling success for all pupils, including children with a migrant background who

might face specific (e.g., linguistic) challenges. Continuous attention will also be

paid to underachievement in the basic skills of mathematics, science and literacy as

well as on multilingual classrooms and teaching methods.

Following a call for proposals in 2018, the Commission will support a European

policy network on teachers and school leaders, which under its first annual

work programme will focus on the careers and professional development of staff in

school education.

In 2019, eTwinning will continue to expand further, connecting more teachers and

classrooms across Europe, to step up support to teachers and foster exchanges.

With a view to having a more systemic impact, a key goal for 2019 will be to

advance the work with Ministries of Education on recognising and embedding

eTwinning into their national education systems, notably thanks to the concept of

"eTwinning Schools". The promotion of blended mobility will be further boosted by

developing the link between eTwinning virtual exchanges and Erasmus physical

mobility in the school sector. eTwinning will also expand to some partner countries,

notably in the South Mediterranean neighbourhood in the framework of the EU

Neighbourhood policy.

The School Education Gateway will continue to establish itself as Europe's main

online platform for school education, with key services such as the Teacher

Academy – helping empower teachers in dealing with today’s more diverse

classrooms and challenges – and the European Toolkit for Schools, with new

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and a webinar series helping teachers to

develop innovative pedagogies and support key competence development.

Special attention will be given to efforts to increase access to affordable and high

quality early childhood education and care, in line with the proposal for a

Council Recommendation on high quality early childhood education and care

systems.

As regards vocational education and training (VET), priority will be given to

developing VET business partnerships aimed at promoting work-based learning in

all its forms, with special attention to apprenticeship training, by involving social

partners, companies and VET providers and with a specific focus on the local and

regional dimension in order to produce concrete results on the ground. The

22 COM(2017) 248 final

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52017DC0248&from=FR

eac_mp_2019

25

Commission will publish a call for a Pilot Project on “A First Step towards a

European Framework for the Mobility of Makers”.

Furthermore, in the field of adult education, priority will be given in 2019 to

improving and extending the supply of high quality learning opportunities tailored

to the needs of individual low-skilled or low-qualified adults so they acquire literacy,

numeracy or digital skills, including through the validation of skills acquired through

informal and non-formal learning. Extending and developing educators

competences is also stressed as a priority for this sector.

The collaborative platform EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe)

will develop further the discussion and exchange of good practice between

stakeholders involved in areas such as basic skills, outreach and guidance as well

as innovative teaching methods. In 2019, the platform will carry on developing the

EPALE community, and increasing the number of themes and discussions, with the

continuous aim of improving the quality of the adult education sector. EPALE's

community features will be enhanced to propose better means to share ideas,

discuss best practices and work together on common issues. One particular plan for

the fostering of the EPALE community is to encourage members to develop virtual

projects together. By making full use of digital innovation, EPALE's opportunities

will pave the way for the combination of virtual and physical mobility, which will

become especially relevant in the forthcoming Erasmus programme.


Specific objective 2.1: To improve the level of key

competences and skills, in particular through increased

opportunities for learning mobility and strengthened

cooperation with the world of work in education and

training with particular regard to the relevance of these

key competences and skills for the labour market and

their contribution to a cohesive society

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+





Effective implementation

of the Erasmus+ 2019

Annual Work

programme

N° of individual Mobility of Staff (HE – VET -

Schools – Adult)

113 654

N° of students Mobility HE 309 060

N° of Learners Mobility VET 121 200

N° of Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters 5 300

N° of Masters Student loan guarantee facility23 1 150

N° of operating grants for National Agencies

(NAs) 55

Pilot project: A First

Step towards a

European Framework for

the Mobility of Makers

Publication of pilot Call Q4 2019

23 The Commission is reducing the yearly budget allocations to the Master Loan Guarantee Facility in

line with its lower volumes - due to its delayed launch, low take-up among financial institutions and a

lack of awareness among students

26


Specific objective 2.2: To foster quality improvements,

innovation excellence and internationalisation, in particular

through enhanced transnational cooperation at the level of

institutions/organisations between education and training

providers and other stakeholders

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+





Effective implementation of the

Erasmus+ Annual Work

programme

N° of Strategic partnerships 3 916

Knowledge Alliances / Sector Skills

Alliances 42

N° of Web platforms 4

Connectedness among

stakeholders

N° of registered users of online

communities (mainly teachers and

school education staff, adult educators,

higher education)

820 000 registered users

University-Business Forum Organisation of a 8th UB Forum in

Brussels Spring 2019

(a) This number includes the registered users of eTwinning, School Education Gateway and EPALE


Specific objective 2.3: To promote at policy level, in

particular through enhanced policy cooperation, the

dissemination of good practices and better use of Union

transparency24 and recognition tools in education and

training: the emergence of a European area of skills and

qualifications, policy reforms at national level for the

modernisation of education and training systems in a

lifelong perspective, and digital learning

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+





Online compendium of good practices Number of good practices on-line 100

ET 2020 group meetings Number of meetings 11

ET 2020 peer learning activities (PLAs)

and reports

Number of PLAs/reports 15

Preparatory Action on Recognition of

School Study Periods Abroad

Succesful launch of the action Q4 2019

24 The Union transparency aspect is under DG EMPL responsibility.

eac_mp_2019

27


Specific objective 2.4: To support the Union's external

action, including its development objectives, through

targeted capacity-building in partner countries,

cooperation between Union and partner-country

institutions or other stakeholders and the promotion of

mobility, and to enhance the international dimension of

activities in education and training by increasing the

attractiveness of European higher education institutions

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+





Effective implementation of

the Erasmus+ 2019 Annual

Work programme

N° of international Student and Staff Mobility 30 000

N° of international students in master degree 238

N° of international HE and Youth Capacity

Building projects

143


Specific objective 2.5: To improve the teaching and

learning of languages and promote the Union's broad

linguistic diversity and intercultural awareness

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+





Individual participant

report

Percentage of Erasmus+ participants in long-

term mobility declaring that they have

increased their language skills

HE: 96%

VET: 87%

Cooperation with the

Council of Europe25

Implementation of the cooperation Q3-Q4 2019


Specific objective 2.6: To promote excellence in teaching

and research activities in European integration through

the Jean Monnet activities worldwide

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+






the Erasmus+ 2019 Annual

Work programme

N° of students receiving training through

Jean Monnet activities

335 000

On-line reporting for the Jean

Monnet activities

N° of countries where Jean Monnet activities

have been performed successfully

88



30th Anniversary of Jean

Monnet Actions

Successful organisation of the Anniversary

events (see also indicators for the external

communication activities)

Q4 2019

Pilot Project Jan Amos Prize Publication of a call to prepare the prize Q4 2019

25 In particular on teaching practices in multilingual classrooms, language awareness in schools, assessment methods and linking

pedagogies to the Common European Framework of Reference for language competences (RELANG project)

28

Empowering Youth

In 2019, the Erasmus+ programme will continue to support the youth sector by

promoting quality youth work, by stimulating young people's empowerment, by

developing structured cooperation between different youth organisations to build or

strengthen partnerships and by promoting entrepreneurship education, social

entrepreneurship and not-for-profit activities among young people. Specific

attention will continue to be paid to young people with fewer opportunities and with

a disadvantaged background.

In line with the proposed EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, priority will be given

to:

projects contributing to the EU Youth Work Agenda, by promoting quality,

innovation and recognition of youth work;

promoting projects aiming at engaging, connecting and empowering young

people. Within these focus will be put on projects that strengthen cross-

sectorial cooperation, allowing for greater synergies across all fields of

action concerning young people, with a special focus on access to rights,

autonomy, participation – including e-participation – and the active

citizenship of young people, notably those at risk of social exclusion;

promoting entrepreneurship education, social entrepreneurship and not-for-

profit activities among young people. Within these focus will be put on

projects in the form of transnational youth initiatives that allow groups of

young people to put ideas into practice, including through social enterprises,

tackling challenges and identified problems in their daily lives.

The European Parliament Preparatory Action “DiscoverEU”, which is offering 18

years old with a short-term group or individual travel experience, will continue in

2019. Building on the success of the first year, the focus of 2019 will be on

activities and measures to enhance the learning dimension of the experience, to

facilitate the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities and to further

develop the local support activities by relevant partners and stakeholders.

The programme will also continue to support the European Youth Together initiative

as initiated in 2018 under a call for proposals in 2019. This action will be

implemented by EACEA.

eac_mp_2019

29


Specific objective 2.7: To improve the level of key



cooperation with the world of work in the field of youth

including for young people with fewer opportunities,

those active in youth work or youth organisations and

youth leaders with particular regard to participation in

democratic life in Europe and the labour market, active

citizenship, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and

solidarity

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+ (Youth)




Horizontal coordination with NAs and organisation

of thematic cooperation (trainings, etc.)

N° of participants in Youth

Exchanges

94 300



N° of youth workers

participating

25 000

Effective Implementation of the 2019 annual work

programme of the EP Preparatory Action

“DiscoverEU”

N° of young people

applying

140 000


Specific objective 2.8: To foster quality improvements,

innovation excellence and internationalisation, in

particular through enhanced transnational cooperation at

the level of institutions/organisations between

organisations in the youth field and other stakeholders

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+

(Youth)






Number of strategic

partnerships

2 530


Specific objective 2.9: To promote at policy level, in particular

through enhanced policy cooperation, the dissemination of

good practices and better use of Union transparency and

recognition tools in the field of youth: evidence-based youth

policy, as well as the recognition of non-formal and informal

learning, with a view to complementing policy reforms at local,

regional and national level

Related to spending

programme Erasmus+

(Youth)





of thematic cooperation (trainings, etc.) N° of Youth Dialogue projects

166

Effective implementation of the Erasmus+ 2019

Annual Work programme

N° of operating grants to

European Youth NGOs

73

Adoption of the WP N° of support to Eurodesk 35

Support to the European Youth Forum Development of the European

Youth Forum

1

30


Specific objective 2.10: To support the Union's external

action, including its development objectives, through

targeted capacity-building in partner countries,

cooperation between Union and partner-country

institutions or other stakeholders and the promotion of

mobility, and to enhance the international dimension of

activities in the field of youth in particular as regards

the role of youth workers and support structures for

young people.

Related to spending programme

Erasmus+ (Youth)





Erasmus+ 2019 Annual WP

N° of capacity building projects

(international dimension)

79

Partnership between the European

Union and the Council of Europe in

the field of youth – particular focus

on cooperation with EU

neighbourhood

Contribution to a Conference on

countering violent radicalisation,

supporting development of youth

knowledge networks in neighbour

countries

Throughout 2019

eac_mp_2019

31

Sport

The Eurobarometer survey on sport and physical activity published in

March 2018 shows that levels of participation have not changed substantially since

the previous survey in 2014. In fact, the proportion of those who say they never

exercise or play sport has slightly increased, from 42% to 46% Europe-wide, and

this is a continuation of a gradual trend since 2009. The new figures show how

important it is to continue promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

The objectives of the Treaty in the area of sport will be pursued in 2019, including

through the implementation of the Sport Chapter of the Erasmus+ programme.

The EU Work Plan for Sport (2017-2020), adopted in May 2017, sets out the

policy priorities and main actions for cooperation in the field of sport at EU level:

integrity of sport, the economic dimension of sport, and sport and society. The

two Expert Groups, one on integrity and another on skills and workforce

development in sport will continue their work in 2019 and will use new working

methods such as cluster meetings. The Commission will continue to provide expert

input on anti-doping issues and match fixing and make specific contributions on the

prevalence of child abuse in sport and the specificity of sport within the EU.

In parallel, the Commission will continue the work in priority areas of good

governance in sport through the pledge board, the promotion of grassroots sport

and healthy life style through the implementation of the Tartu Call26, and the

promotion of social inclusion through sport including through the Erasmus+ chapter

sport.

In 2019, the European Week of Sport will celebrate its 5th anniversary. The

initiaitive will be further enhanced and strengthened as an important tool for

promoting sport and physical activity amongst EU citizens and for raising

awareness about their various benefits, as well as for developing cooperation with

a multitude of European and international partners and sport organisations.

In 2019, cooperation with international organisations active in the field of

sport will continue. In particular, DG EAC will further develop partnerships with

three international organisations through Erasmus+: the Council of Europe, the

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the World Health Organization.

In 2019, it is envisaged that the pilot project in the field of social inclusion of

refugees will continue. A new pilot project will support the monitoring and

coaching, through sports, of youngsters at risk of radicalisation. One preparatory

action will also continue to be implemented: Exchanges and Mobility in sport.

The annual EU Sport Forum will take place on 8 and 9 April 2019. DG EAC will

continue to use the EU Sport Forum as a unique opportunity for sport organisations

26 Coinciding with the European week of sport, the Tartu call for a healthy lifestyle was launched on 22

September 2017 in Tartu, Estonia by Commissioners Phil Hogan (agriculture and rural

development), Tibor Navracsics (education, culture, youth and sport) and Vytenis Andrikiukaitis

(health and food safety), and sets out a roadmap for promoting healthy lifestyles in Europe, particular

amongst children, over two years.

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/week_en

https://ec.europa.eu/sport/sites/sport/files/ewos-tartu-call_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/index_en.htm

32

to meet and discuss key topics in the field of sport with policy makers,

representatives of EU institutions and Member States.

In 2019, the #Beinclusive EU sport awards will once again recognise sport

organisations working with ethnic minorities, refugees, people with disabilities,

youth groups at risk, or other groups that face challenging social circumstances.


Specific objective 2.11: To support good governance in sport and dual careers of athletes

Related to spending programme Erasmus+ (Sport)




Effective implementation of the Erasmus+ 2019 Annual WP

N° of cross-border projects to improve good governance and dual careers

70

EU Sport Forum Organisation of the Forum Forum to take place in April 2019


Specific objective 2.12: To tackle cross-border threats to the integrity of sport, such as doping, match-fixing and violence, as well as all kinds of intolerance and discrimination





Effective implementation of the Erasmus+ 2019 Annual WP

N° of cross-border projects to combat threats to sport

42


Specific objective 2.13: To promote voluntary activities in sport, together with social inclusion, equal opportunities and health-enhancing physical activity through increased participation in, and equal access to sport.





Effective implementation of the Erasmus+ 2019 Annual Work programme

N° of cross-border projects to enhance social inclusion

168

5th European Week of Sport Organisation of the event Q3 2019

#BeInclusive EU sport awards Organisation and attribution of the award

Q4 2019

Pilot project: Sport as a tool for integration and social inclusion of the refugees.

Selection of the projects among the applications received via the call for proposals and contracts

Q3 2019

Pilot project: the monitoring and coaching, through sports, of youngsters at risk of radicalisation.


Q3 2019

Continuation of ongoing pilot project: Exchanges and mobility in sport.


Q3 2019

eac_mp_2019

33

B. EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS

The European Solidarity Corps Regulation entered into force on 4 October 2018,

and establishes the Corps as a fully-fledged programme for the period 2018-2020.

The aim of the European Solidarity Corps is to give young people the chance to

take part in a range of solidarity activities that address challenging situations

across the EU, such as rebuilding communities following natural disasters and

addressing social challenges such as social exclusion, poverty, health and

demographic challenges. Taking part in solidarity activities not only benefits young

people's personal development, active involvement in society and employability,

but also assists non-governmental organisations, public bodies and companies in

their efforts to cope with societal and other challenges.

The Corps will support volunteering, traineeship and job placements in a wide

range of sectors engaged in solidarity and will provide young people with

opportunities to set up their own solidarity projects or volunteer as a group. These

actions aim to enable young people across Europe to engage in solidarity activities

addressing societal challenges and strengthening communities. At the same time,

they will help improve the skills and competences young people need for their

personal and professional development at the beginning of their careers.

Since the launch of its pilot phase in December 2016, more than 86,000 young

people have signed up, showing their great interest in getting involved in solidarity

work across Europe. The Commission is also promoting the European Solidarity

Corps among all stakeholders and is noting signs of great interest in a variety of

areas.

In 2019, the European Solidarity Corps will continue to provide a growing number

of opportunities for long-term volunteering, traineeship or job placements.

The European Youth Portal provides a single, easily accessible entry point for

young people to register to the European Solidarity Corps. DG EAC will continue to

expand and develop tools to help create a community around the European

Solidarity Corps that is expected to contribute to relevant policy goals. To increase

the benefits to young people, the Commission will widen its training offers before

and during placements and improve the measures to enhance the validation of

learning outcomes.

The Commission proposals for the next long-term budget include a reinforced

European Solidarity Corps, with a budget of EUR 1.26 billion. The European

Solidarity Corps will have the chance to grow into a broad community of people and

organisations ready to support those in need across our continent and beyond,

helping to build resilient, cohesive societies. Young people, in turn, will gain skills,

new friendships, and a strong sense of European identity.

34


Specific objective 6.1.: To improve the level of key



cooperation with the world of work in the field of youth

including for young people with fewer opportunities,

those active in youth work or youth organisations and

youth leaders with particular regard to participation in

democratic life in Europe and the labour market, active

citizenship, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and

solidarity

Related to spending

programme European Solidarity

Corps




Platform on the European

Solidarity Corps on the EU Youth

Portal

N° of young people registered in the

European Solidarity Corps database in 2019

N° of young people deployed in the

European Solidarity Corps in 2019

60 000

18 500

eac_mp_2019

35

C. HORIZON 2020, THE EU FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH

AND INNOVATION

This part of Horizon 2020 aims to reinforce and extend the excellence of the

Union’s science base and to consolidate the European Research Area in order to

make the Union’s research and innovation system more competitive on a global

scale.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, contributing to economic growth through

excellence in science

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), part of the Horizon 2020 programme,

the EU Framework programme for research and innovation, support the human

resources behind research and innovation. 65,000 researchers (~25,000 PhD

candidates) will have benefitted by 2020 from international and intersectoral

mobility and attractive working conditions. DG EAC coordinates the programme

and the Research Executive Agency (REA) manages it.

MSCA will continue to support excellent researchers. MSCA have a proven track

record of success in developing young researchers' skills and competences, as well

as in boosting their employability and professional realisation. In 2019, as in

previous years, the European Researchers' Night, a Europe-wide public event,

will showcase what researchers do for society in interactive and engaging ways,

promoting research careers to young people and their parents.

In view of the strong political interest in widening and sharing excellence right

across the European Research Area, a MSCA Presidency conference on this topic

will be organised by the Romanian Presidency in June 2019. In addition, the

Commission will organise several events (conferences, workshops and stakeholder

consultations) dedicated to MSCA, and to contribute to leading research

conferences. This will not only be an opportunity to further fine tune the structure

of the programme and its funding schemes under Horizon Europe, but also

disseminate concrete results of MSCA-funded projects which strengthen centres of

research and innovation excellence around the EU, contribute to Europe's

competitiveness and attractiveness world-wide.


DG EAC Specific objective 3.0 MSCA: To ensure an efficient

and effective implementation of the programme

Related to spending

programme H2020




Effective WP management Budget execution 100%

N° of calls published 4

Romanian Presidency Conference on

MSCA

Organisation of the event Q2 2019



Proposal for a legal base for Horizon

Europe (MSCA contribution)

Adoption of Horizon Europe Q3 2019

36


Specific objective 3.1: Excellent science – Marie

Skłodowska-Curie Actions – To ensure optimum

development and dynamic use of Europe's intellectual

capital of researchers in order to generate new skills and

innovation and, thus, to realise its full potential across all

sectors and regions

Related to spending

programme Horizon2020




Implementing projects N° of grants awarded 1 900


the MSCA 2018-19Annual

Work programme

N° of Researchers, including PhD

candidates, funded through the MSCA

10 000

European Researchers'

Night Organisation of the NIGHT

Q4 2019

50 projects with a wide

geographical spread

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology, promoting

synergies and complementarities via the knowledge triangle

In 2019, DG EAC will continue to support the European Institute of Innovation and

Technology (EIT) in its work towards delivering on its mission of integrating higher

education, research and business. After designating them at the end of 2018, the

EIT will launch 2 new Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) in the

fields of "Added-value Manufacturing" and "Urban mobility", which will help further

enhance the knowledge base and strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity in 2019.

In compliance with the Horizon Europe proposal of the Commission DG EAC will

present in 2019 the Commission proposal for a Strategic Innovation Agenda

(SIA) 2021-2027 of the EIT. The Agenda will outline the EIT’s main strategic

directions, intervention logic and possible new themes for KICs for the period 2021-

2027. The SIA will also include an assessment of its socio-economic impact, its

capacity to generate the best innovation added-value as well as an estimation of

financial needs and sources in view of the future operation, long-term development

and funding of the EIT.

DG EAC will complement the Social Impact Assessment proposal with an

amendment of the EIT Regulation in 2019, which will address recommendations

from the independent evaluation of the EIT, the High-Level Group set-up by the

Commissioner in 2016-2017, the Court of Auditors report and the necessary

improvements and modifications needed to continue delivering on the EIT

objectives.

The Commission proposal will be underpinned by an impact assessment to be

prepared in early 2019.

DG EAC is the EIT’s parent DG and has a supervisory and support role. As in

previous years, the EIT will submit to the Commission its Draft Single

Programming Document, which will lay down the financing decision for the

following year. DG EAC will also co-organise the annual Commission services – EIT

meeting and will lead the coordination of the EIT's work with the wider

Commission's political priorities.

eac_mp_2019

37


DG EAC Specific objective 3.0 EIT: To ensure an efficient

and effective implementation of the programme

Related to spending

programme H2020




2019-2021 EIT Single

Programming Document

(SPD)

Adoption of the opinion

Q3 2019

Effective WP

management

N° of grant agreements signed 8

SME participation in KIC partnerships 40%

N° of communication and outreach

activities

10 newsletters published and at

least 3 stakeholder events held

Budget execution 100%



Impact assessment Adoption of the report Q1 2019

Revision of the legal

basis

Drafting of the proposal and

submission to co-legislators

Q1 2019

2018 discharge process Acceptance of the discharge Q4 2019


Specific objective 3.2: The European Institute of

Innovation and Technology – To integrate the

knowledge triangle of research, innovation and higher

education and thus to reinforce the Union's innovation

capacity and address societal challenges

Related to spending

programme Horizon2020




Single Grant Agreement with 6 KICs

+ launch of two new KICs

Signature of a single grant

agreement with 6 KICs

Q1 2019

Proposal for a new Strategic

Innovation Agenda 2021 – 2027

Proposed to the Council and the

European Parliament

Q1 2019

Revision of EIT Regulation Interservice consultation and

proposal tabled to co-legislators

Q1 2019

Impact assessment Q1 2019

38

D. CREATIVE EUROPE, THE EU FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR SUPPORT

TO THE CULTURE AND AUDIOVISUAL SECTORS

In 2019 Creative Europe will continue to address a double societal and economic

role, bringing together actions supporting the cultural and creative sectors,

safeguarding and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity and Europe's cultural

heritage, and strengthening the competitiveness of the European cultural and

creative sectors. It consists of the MEDIA Sub-programme (supporting the

audiovisual sector), the Culture Sub-programme (supporting the cultural and

creative stakeholders other than audiovisual), and a Cross-sectoral Strand

supporting the Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility, cross-sectoral

activities, transnational cooperation and the Creative Europe Desks.

As of 2019, Creative Europe will play a direct role in supporting the New Agenda for

Culture and its implementation. The roll-out of the Programme from 2019 until

2020 will build on the findings of its mid-term evaluation, including feedback from

stakeholders as regards the challenges facing the cultural and creative sectors and

the administrative functioning of the supported schemes and actions. In addition, it

will take into account the results of the public consultation held in 2018.

The cultural and creative sectors are a source of innovative ideas which can be

turned into products and services that can create growth, jobs and address societal

challenges. For this purpose access to finance for cultural and creative sectors is

important. The Guarantee Facility has taken up in 2017 and will continue in 2019

to provide guarantees to lending and credit institutions to encourage them to offer

loans or guarantees and provide finance for cultural and creative sector initiatives.

This will enhance access to finance of SMEs in the cultural and the creative sectors,

strengthen their financial capacity and reinforce their competitiveness. To a great

extent, it will also contribute to the promotion of a smart, sustainable and inclusive

growth.

On the basis of the 2018 mid-term evaluation of the Creative Europe programme,

adaptations to the current programme and preparation for the next generation of

programmes were launched. An impact assessment and stakeholder consultations

were carried out in 2018 to help gather evidence with a view to adopting a new EU

funding scheme to support the cultural and creative sectors after 2020. The

negotiations of the new programme and the work on the implementing tools, such

as guidelines, will be a strong focus of DG EAC’s work in 2019.

Following the positive vote in the European Parliament in 2017, DG EAC will

continue implementing the Preparatory Action "Music Moves Europe" 2018-

2020, which aims at exploring ways to better support the music sector within the

future programme.

Further, in 2019, the concrete testing of a mobility scheme for artists and

culture and creative professionals will be put in place with a view to contribute

to the design of such a scheme in the future programme.

Lastly, DG EAC will ensure an appropriate follow up to the European Year of

Cultural Heritage 2018. The overall objective of the Year was to encourage the

sharing and appreciation of Europe's cultural heritage, to raise awareness of

common history and values, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common

European space.

eac_mp_2019

39

The European Year of Cultural Heritage was a wide-ranging and inclusive initiative

involving all EU institutions, all EU Member States, nine partner countries as well as

a broad array of cultural stakeholders. More than 11,500 events were held across

Europe, and nearly 8,000 projects received the official label of the European Year of

Cultural Heritage. Dedicated activities had reached 6.2 million people by the end of

the third quarter of 2018.

In addition, the European Commission made substantial funding available for

cultural heritage projects across different EU funding programmes. Many European

level actions and conferences, cutting across policy fields within the Commission, in

the Member States and internationally. The legacy of the European Year will be

ensured in 2019 through the implementation of a follow up Action Plan.

For the successor programme of Creative Europe, the Commission has proposed to

fully align the Culture strand with the strategic objectives of the New Agenda for

Culture (i.e. social dimension - harnessing the power of culture and cultural

diversity for social cohesion and well-being; economic dimension - supporting

culture-based creativity in education and innovation, and for jobs and growth;

external dimension - Strengthening international cultural relations).


DG EAC Specific objective 4.0: To ensure an efficient and

effective implementation of the programme

Related to spending

programme Creative Europe




Effective WP management

N° of grant agreements

signed

1 140

(total Creative Europe)(a)

212 Culture Sub-programme

50 (cross sectoral)

N° of procurements signed

46 (total Creative Europe) (b)

32 (Culture sub-programme)

8 (Cross sectoral)

Budget execution 100% (c)



Ex-post evaluation of the 2018

European Capitals of Culture

Adoption of the report Q4 2019

Pilot Project on Measuring the Cultural

and Creative Industries in the EU

Successful implementation

of the project in 2019

Q4 2019

Pilot Project on Jewish Digital Cultural

Recovery Project


of the project in 2019

Q4 2019

Pilot Project on Protecting the Jewish

Cemeteries of Europe

Successful continuation of

the project in 2019

Q4 2019

Pilot Project on Finance, Learning,

Innovation and Patenting for Cultural

and Creative Industries (FLIP for CCIs)


the pilot project in 2019

Q4 2019

Preparatory Action on European

Houses of Culture


of the second phase of the

action in 2019

Q4 2019

Preparatory Action on “Music Moves

Europe: Boosting European music

diversity and talent”


the action in 2019

Q4 2019

(a)(b) Partly executed by DG CNECT (MEDIA sub-programme) (c) EU28

40


Specific objective 4.1: To support the capacity of the

European cultural and creative sectors to operate

transnationally and internationally

Related to spending




Output Indicator (CULTURE Sub-Programme) Target for 2019

Development of training,

education, skills, competences

N° of cooperation measures 40

Providing capacity building (new

business models, digitisation)

N° of cooperation measures 16

Development of a structure for

international professional

development

N° of European platforms 7


Creative Europe 2019 Annual

Work programme

N° of special actions launched, such as

Prizes, ECOCs (European Heritage label)

(In the special action output, the Melina

Mercouri Prize (1,5 EUR Million) will be

awarded each year to the European

Capitals of Culture - ECOC)

7


Specific objective 4.2: To support transnational policy

cooperation in order to foster policy development,

innovation, creativity, audience building and new

business models

Related to spending





Transnational policy cooperation

and support

N° of Network of Creative Europe desks 28

Appointment of the experts N° of studies, evaluations and policy

analysis (includes also the subsidy for the

European Audiovisual Observatory)

7

Events dedicated to policy

development and EU Presidencies

Organisation of Conferences, seminars

and policy dialogue

5


Specific objective 4.3: To strengthen the financial

capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises and

organisations in the cultural and creative sectors in a

sustainable and balanced way across countries and

sectors

Related to spending





Development of a Cultural and

Creative Sectors Facility

Loans provided by banks to

operators

Support more than 1800 small

and medium-sized businesses

through thirteen intermediaries

eac_mp_2019

41


Specific objective 4.4: To promote the transnational

circulation of cultural and creative works and operators

and reach new audiences in Europe and beyond, with a

particular focus on children, young people, people with

disabilities and under-represented groups

Related to spending




Output Indicator (CULTURE Sub-

Programme) Target for 2019

Support to international touring N° of cooperation measures 55

Promotion measures to reach new

audiences

N° of measures, such as those

promoting audience building

12


Creative Europe 2019 Annual WP

N° of European platforms, such

as those fostering international

careers

8


Creative Europe 2019 Annual WP

N° of literary translations and

promotional support

62

Communication actions dedicated to

Special actions

N° of Special actions, such as

Prizes, ECOC, European

Heritage label

3

42

E. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES (GENERAL OBJECTIVE 11)

DG EAC manages two corporate activities on behalf and for the benefit of

Commission services and other EU institutions or bodies: the Library and e-

Resources unit and the Traineeships office.

The Library and e-Resources unit aims to develop and deliver high-quality and

innovative information services to support Commission staff in evidence-based

policy development and decision-making processes. Over the past few years, the

Library has made considerable efforts to adapt its services to the information needs

of users by extending significantly its electronic collections and by implementing

tools to improve the search and discovery experience.

After the successful implementation in 2018 of its new cloud-based Library

Management System and the introduction of an "E-books on demand" service

allowing Commission staff to access more than 30,000 e-books, in 2019 the Library

will focus on further implementing the actions foreseen in its 2017 – 2020 Action

Plan. In this context, the Library will work to further improve access to its

electronic resources (on-site and outside of the Commission premises).

The Commission Traineeship Programme aims to attract the best and brightest

from a variety of educational, social and geographical backgrounds to offer them a

relevant learning experience on the EU, its policies and work methods.

For the purpose of selecting trainees, it

shares information via web, social media and presentations,

defines the rules and procedures for selection of trainees,

organises and coordinates evaluations and checks of documents with the

support of +/- 400 EC evaluators.

For the purpose of managing traineeships, it

provides IT-based file management of all trainees, including registration of

data, payment and insurance,

coordinates, informs and support local trainee coordinators in all DGs and

services,

organises events, training sessions and visits for trainees,

coordinates and supports trainees in their activities.

It also manages the budget and financial contracts for the programme and has

14 Service Level Agreements with other agencies and services to organise

traineeships on their behalf.

The Office is undertaking a reform introducing new activities together with other

services to enhance its performance, make selections more smooth, increase the

learning and events on offer, and develop a new activity, namely trainees as

ambassadors after their traineeship. This reform process will be supported by a

better performing and up-to-date IT infrastructure, which DG EAC, together with

DIGIT, is developing as follows:

eac_mp_2019

43

Trainee File Management module (Phase 1 of the project): The purpose

of this new module (under development in 2018) is to optimise the daily

management of trainees' files; such as supporting the generation of

placement offers; organising the welcome sessions and induction; granting

payments in ABAC (via the corporate COMPASS module), etc.

Business processes from candidate registration and application up

to selection (Phases 2 and 3 of the project): In September 2018, the

Commission IT Board approved the purchase of an off-the-shelf product to

be used for the implementation of these business processes. This is an

intermediate solution, which does not exclude the possibility of a potential

future migration to a corporate solution (if / when a solution becomes

available that can adequately meet the needs of the Traineeship Office).

The Commission has committed to increase the overall number of trainees

to 1,000 per session (2,000 per year). DG EAC will follow up this in two

phases, the first consisting of an increase of the number of trainees by an

additional 200, expectedly for the traineeships session starting in October

2019. This number will be further increased to 1,000 in a second phase,

indicatively planned for the March 2021 session.

LIBRARY AND E-RESOURCES CENTRE OF THE COMMISSION:

Relevant general objective 11: To help achieve the overall political objectives, the

Commission will effectively and efficiently manage and safeguard assets and resources, and

attract and develop the best talents

Specific objective 5.1: To develop and deliver high quality and innovative information services

to support Commission staff in evidence-based policy development and decision making

processes


Improved access to the Library’s electronic collections

Implementation of the new inter-institutional framework contract for ‘Serials’

Launch and completion of a new inter-institutional tender procedure for ‘Daily Press’


Output Indicator Target

• Consultation of the Library's

search tool Find-eR.

• Use of the Library’s electronic

collections (e-journals and

e-books).

1. Number of (basic and advanced)

searches run in Find-eR.

2. Number of full-text articles

downloaded from e-journals.

3. Number of successful section

requests from e-books.

1. ≥ 220 000.

2. ≥ 250 000.

3. ≥ 80 000.

• Library collections mostly

composed of electronic

periodicals, e-books and on-line

versions of daily press.

Percentage of acquisition budget

spent on electronic information

sources

Target (July 2020): 70% of

all acquisitions are e-

resources.

44

TRAINEESHIPS OFFICE

Relevant general objective 11: To provide university graduates with working experience

within the European Public Administration and to prepare them for possible future

cooperation with the European institutions, inside or outside the EU, through the traineeship

programme

Specific objective 5.2: To develop and deliver high

quality and innovative information services to support

Commission staff in evidence-based policy development

and decision making process


Revising selection process (pilot phase)

Roll-out of the Trainee File Management Module



Organisation of pre-selections

for the traineeship (information,

online module,

organisation/supporting EC

evaluators, communication with

candidates, VBB)

number of evaluations

number of appeals

40 000 evaluations per

year

less than 100 appeals

Events and trainings for trainees

Guidance and support to

trainees, advisors and

coordinators

satisfaction of trainees at least 90% of

trainees satisfied

eac_mp_2019

45

PART 2. MAIN ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT OUTPUTS FOR THE YEAR

A. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The pilot project of the human resources (HR) new delivery model is nearing its

end-date. It is expected that in 2019 all staff and management will have

understood the functions of each entity and the HR BC will have the time to work

on the HR strategy for DG EAC.

Progress on strategic targets set for 2016-20

Female representation in middle management target: In its meeting on

19 July 2017, the College adopted quantitative targets of first female appointments

to be made per Directorate-General and service at middle management level by

1 November 2019. The overall target is to have at least 40% of middle

management positions occupied by women. DG EAC has been assigned the target

of 2 female first appointments to a middle management position until the end

of 2019. DG EAC has already nominated 1 female manager and is one nomination

away from fulfilling its objective.

Staff engagement target: Several internal communication measures were

implemented to increase the staff engagement of the DG. Greater transparency

around Senior Management Meetings started, e.g. with publication of meeting

minutes on the Intranet and increased opportunities to interact with managers

informally. Meetings and tailor-made coaching sessions contribute to improving the

understanding of what is expected at work. They also facilitate access to

appropriate information to do their work timely. Other measures included the

organisation of an Away Day with strong staff involvement that led to a series of

management and staff trainings (Ted-type talks), as well as away days for

directorates and units. Additionally, knowledge sharing among colleagues is an

important way towards higher staff engagement. To this end DG EAC has created a

team and a strategy on knowledge management in 2017 to improve information

sharing inside the DG through a thematic approach.

Wellbeing target: DG EAC continues improving on the "The Commission cares

about my well-being" – objective, which forms an integral part of the DG HR's staff

survey. Concrete contributions in 2018 were an active participation in "VeloMai"

and in the "Walking Challenge" in the framework of the European Week of Sport.

Furthermore, an extensive fit@work programme is on offer throughout the week.

Priority actions for 2019

Female representation in middle management target: DG EAC will work

towards reaching the remaining first female appointment in 2019. Follow-up actions

with the active involvement of senior management are foreseen. The 2018 actions,

namely the 2 sessions of targeted coaching with an external consultant for

promising female talents, the 2 informal workshops with female directors and a

video message from the Director-General are expected to bear fruit in 2019.

46

Staff engagement target: The focus will be on knowledge sharing and

information retrieval. The implementation of the new knowledge management

strategy will continue in 2019 with the support of the newly created

Correspondents Community. Mutual communication will regularly inform staff on

corporate HR activities.

A special focus will be given to support corporate HR initiatives. A close cooperation

between the internal communication team, EAC HR Business Correspondent and DG

HR will facilitate that staff receives timely corporate HR messages. Following the

2018 Staff Survey, an action plan will be designed for the approval of the Director-

General. DG EAC will continue to promote a more collaborative culture, where

senior and middle managers interact with staff more openly and regularly.

Wellbeing target: The target is to improve the health and wellbeing of DG EAC's

staff and to consequently improve and safeguard DG EAC's improved placement of

the 2018 staff survey ranking. While DG EAC continues striving to attain all six

objectives of DG HR's fit@work Strategy, the focus in 2019 will continue being on

the promotion of physical activity, handling of stress and social integration. The

following measures will be taken:

to encourage colleagues to regularly engage in physical activities such as

VeloMai and fit@work courses,

to make newcomers feel well integrated, 2 interactive newcomers' welcome

sessions in a new format will be organised in 2019.

Objective: The DG deploys effectively its resources in support of the delivery of the

Commission priorities and core business, has a competent and engaged workforce, which is

driven by an effective and gender-balanced management and which can deploy its full

potential within supportive and healthy working conditions.



First appointments of female middle

managers

Number of first female middle

manager appointments

1

Implementation of the knowledge

management strategy of DG EAC

Number of targeted working groups

on content reorganisation

7

Organisation of 2 interactive

newcomers' welcome sessions in a

new format

Participation in the welcome

sessions

Implementation of

revised format of

welcome including

participants' feedback.

Action plan as follow-up of staff

opinion survey 2018

Approval of action plan by Director-

General

By end of Q2 2019

eac_mp_2019

47

B. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK

MANAGEMENT

DG EAC enters its sixth year of implementing the 2014-2020 programmes, which

have reached their cruising implementation speed. Close cooperation within the DG

and with Executive and National Agencies (NAs) will help maintain the optimal

management of appropriations and keep the levels of implementation close to

100% execution as experienced from the start of the programmes.

In 2019, DG EAC will achieve its objectives and sustain operational and financial

performance through continued systematic application of a robust, revised internal

control framework with clear assessment criteria.

The 2017 Annual Report from the Court of Auditors (ECA) has delivered a positive

outcome for the programmes managed by DG EAC. Results of the findings show an

average error rate of 0.71%, well under the materiality level of 2% (by

comparison, the error rate on the EU budget’s Chapter 5 "Competitiveness for

Growth and Jobs" is estimated at 4.2% in 2017).

In 2019, DG EAC will monitor and support the Council discharge recommendation,

and the smooth adoption of the 2017 discharge in the European Parliament. It will

also work proactively with other services to ensure that the multiannual residual

error rate does not exceed 2% in any management mode, with a weighted average

error rate of less than 1%.

The level of payments voted in 2019 should correspond to the needs identified to

cover legal obligations under general objectives 1-A and 1-B.

Other specific challenges include examining the initial results related to simplified

forms of grants and continuing to improve the timely submission of yearly reports

by the National Agencies and independent audit bodies.

Objective 1: Effective and reliable internal control system giving the necessary guarantees

concerning the legality and the regularity of the underlying transactions.



Annual Activity Report

(2014 baseline: no reservation

by DG EAC)

Multiannual residual error rates

respectively for indirect management

through NAs, direct management

through EACEA and REA, and direct

management by the DG

≤ 2%

Audit and supervision Completion of ex post audit and

supervisory visit plan

100%

48

Objective 2: Effective and reliable internal control system in line with sound financial

management.



Budget execution - monthly

report to Directors Steering

Committee (DSC) in the

Dashboard and Budget Execution

Dashboard - (2014 baseline –

December: 100% and 99%

respectively)

Budget implementation: commitments

and payments by DG EAC

100% budget execution in

C1 credits – basis EUR28

Payment Times – Monthly report

to DSC in the Dashboard

(Baseline for 2017 : 89.6%)

Percentage of payments respecting the

legal payment time

>95%

Time to inform / time to grant

Reported bi-annually to DSC

(baseline available as of 2016)

Time for DG EAC to inform and time to

award grants following calls for

proposals

Max 6 months between

call deadline and

communication of award

decision to applicants

Max 3 months between

award decision and legal

commitment

Cost of Controls –

Annual Activity Report

(2014 baseline in a range of

1.02% to 4.85%)

Cost of controls as a percentage of

overall budget managed, as compared

to likely estimate of benefits (potential

error rate which would result if the

controls were not in place)

Benefits continue to

outweigh costs

Critical recommendations

(IAS/ECA): 0

(2014 baseline : 0)

N° of critical recommendations

received from Internal Audit Service

(IAS)/ European Court of Auditors

(ECA)

0

Critical recommendations to

National Agencies:

Bi-annual report to DSC through

Dashboard, among other

indicators

(2014 baseline: 1 critical)

N° of National Agencies

(NA)/Independent Audit body

(IAB)/National Authorities (NAU) with

at least one critical/very important

observation made by DG EAC in each

control area

Max target for critical /

very important

observations addressed to

the National Authority: 3

Max target for critical /

very important

observations addressed to

the National Agency: 6

Steering Committee Opinion

Reports

(2013 baseline: 0)

N° of negative opinions given by

Steering Committees to Executive

Agency proposals

0

Annual assessment report of the

internal control functioning in

DG EAC – quarterly reports

All internal control principles are

present and functioning

Overall assessment of the

internal control system in

DG EAC is positive.

Internal control

components are operating

together in an integrated

manner.

eac_mp_2019

49

Objective 3: Minimisation of the risk of fraud through application of effective anti-fraud

measures, integrated in all activities of the DG, based on the DG's anti-fraud strategy (AFS)

aimed at the prevention, detection and reparation of fraud.



European Antifraud Office

(OLAF)

(2014 baseline : 4)

Number of new potential fraud

cases notified to or raised by

OLAF during calendar year

No quantitative target, but monitoring

of medium/long term trends and

possible reasons thereof

OLAF

(2014 baseline : 0 €)

Financial prejudice to the EU

budget resulting from fraud as

established in final OLAF case

reports received during calendar

year

No quantitative target, but monitoring

of medium/long term trends and

possible reasons thereof

Anti-fraud strategy

(updated November 2017)

Completion of Action Plan 100%

C. BETTER REGULATION

The main planned outputs linked to the Better Regulation objective in the Strategic

Plan are listed in Part 1 under the relevant specific objective in the tables.

Objective: Prepare new policy initiatives and manage the EU's acquis in line with better

regulation practices to ensure that EU policy objectives are achieved effectively and

efficiently.

DG EAC's Specific Objective: To determine the general strategy of DG EAC and give necessary

impulse, direction, and coordination to ensure that all policies and measures undertaken by

the DG pursue its overall mission and contribute strongly to Commission-level priorities.



Reported regularly to

Directors' Board (DB)

Timely adoption of the items of

the Commission Work Programme

with DG EAC as lead service

All items to be adopted on time as

planned by the Commission

Objective (mandatory): Prepare new policy initiatives and manage the EU's acquis in line with

better regulation practices to ensure that EU policy objectives are achieved effectively and

efficiently.

DG EAC's Specific Objective: To support the decision-making process on new initiatives and

better implementation of existing policies and programmes by regular evaluation, including

impact assessment, and by consultation of stakeholders so that demonstration of added value

of EU action is based on solid evidence and lessons learnt.



Reported quarterly to DSC in the

Dashboard

(2014 baseline – December: 5 out of 8)

Number of evaluations active in

current year, in delay by more than 1

month

Max.1


Dashboard


Number of impact assessments

active in current year, in delay by

more than 1 month

Max.1


Dashboard


Number of evaluations in follow-up

phase, in delay by more than 1 month

Max.1

50

D. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ASPECTS

DG EAC’s main priorities for 2019 in the area of information management are:

Improve the filing plan and the management of official files. This objective

will cover three actions: 1) New guidelines on the creation of files, 2)

Specific training addressed to the creators of the files, namely the Document

Management Officer (DMO) correspondents and 3) Quality control by the

DMO.

Raise awareness among staff to open even more EAC's official files to the

rest of the Commission services. Relevant improvements were made during

2018 going from 0.8% of shared files in September 2017 to 5% in 2018

(see indicator II). At the same time, the DMO will carry out actions to

ensure that staff properly applies markings to protect sensitive data.

In addition, services will be encouraged to make more use of the electronic

signatory (see indicator I) and Areslook, in order to save time and resources and

become a more efficient DG. Progress has been made but the services do not yet

take full advantage of these functionalities.

DG EAC will proceed with the integration in ARES of documents linked to the Stages

application, and European Solidarity Corps in compliance with “e-Domec” rules. DG

continue working in the improvement, extension of the existing cases (like e-Forms

or Mobility tool. This integration will greatly simplify the management of documents

and files generated by this activity.

Finally, another objective will be to eliminate congestion of the Intermediate

Archive of DG EAC in the J-70 building, through disposal or transfer to the

Historical Archives in Kortenberg.

Objective: Information and knowledge in your DG is shared and reusable by other DGs. Important documents are registered, filed and retrievable.



Monthly report to DSC in the Dashboard

Percentage of documents with e-signatory

Min 85% of total documents (and in each of the directorates)


Percentage of open files manually created shared at Commission level

Min. 10% of open files manually created shared at Commission level


Percentage of filing (excluding automatic filing)

Min 95%

Quarterly report on document management

Percentage of open files without use in the last 12 months

Max 20%

eac_mp_2019

51

E. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES

In the context of the ten political priorities of the Juncker Commission, DG EAC's

communication, dissemination and exploitation activities concerning education,

training, youth, sport and culture policies as well as the Erasmus+ and Creative

Europe programmes and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions will continue to

contribute to Priority 1 "A new boost for jobs, growth and investment". More

specifically, DG EAC contributes directly to economic competitiveness and improved

social inclusion.

Communication actions will focus, in line with corporate objectives, on the delivery

of the spending programmes and on the new programme proposals in the

framework of the next long-term budget negotiations. DG EAC will also continue to

support the "EU and ME", “EU Protects” and “EU Invest” corporate

communication campaigns. In 2019, a communication campaign will be launched

on the occasion of the Jean Monnet Actions’ 30th anniversary (a more detailed list

with the main DG EAC communication activities planned for 2019 is provided

below).

Dissemination and exploitation of results for the Erasmus+ and Creative

Europe programmes: Based on three years’ experience and on the evaluation of

DG EAC's Strategy for the Dissemination and Exploitation of Programme Results,

DG EAC will simplify the selection of good practice examples and success stories

and will boost the dissemination of projects that have potential for transferability

and/or showcasing the impact of the programmes. The Projects Results

Platforms ("VALOR") that make available the programmes’ results online will

continue to be improved in line with the users’ expectations and needs.

Websites: DG EAC's digital presence is its first point of contact with millions of

citizens, beneficiaries and stakeholders. DG EAC websites help implement EU

programmes through tools like the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and lead the

promotion of the DG's campaigns and events.

DG EAC will develop and enhance its 10 websites and digital presence to serve

stakeholders and the public, improving their content and adding new functionalities

to meet their needs, as continuously monitored through a user feedback system.

Interactive event pages, campaigns and news items will be used to target a broad

audience. Further efforts will be devoted to make digital publications accessible,

multilingual and user friendly. Online newsletters and social media will drive traffic

and engage targeted audiences. Another priority will be the participation in the

Commission-wide Digital Transformation project.

Social media: DG EAC uses this important tool to interact with a young, engaged

audience and to generate interest in events, programmes and policies. The

combined audience of the DG's social media accounts is almost a million people,

with Erasmus+ being the biggest DG-specific Facebook page in the Commission

(over 500 000 followers). Live tweets at events and conferences, Twitter walls,

infographics, Facebook or Twitter campaigns, cooperation with the corporate

Commission Instagram account and the promotion of thematic days are planned for

programme and policy related events and Communication opportunities of DG EAC.

52

Objective: Citizens perceive that the EU is working to improve their lives and engage with the EU. They feel that their concerns are taken into consideration

in European decision making and they know about their rights in the EU.



European Youth Week 2019

Period: second quarter 2019

Official opening event + national events

Number of participants in the various events Minimum 100 000 persons

30th Anniversary of Jean Monnet Actions

Number of activities organised by EU Delegations and

beneficiaries of Jean Monnet actions in the framework of

the 30th Anniversary of Jean Monnet Actions

Number of total participants in these events

Number of participants from civil society, policy making

bodies and teaching community

25 events

European Week of Sport 2019

Campaign period: September 2018:

23 – 30 September

EC Official Opening event;

Additional high level Flagship event;

numerous national events during the week.

Number of events in participating countries

Number of active participants in participating countries

Reach of DG EAC's social media messages

Number of unique visitors to DG EAC websites

16 000 events taking place in participating countries

10 million

5% increase compared to 2018


Erasmus+ and Creative Europe,

project promotion

Period: January-December 2019

Project promotion on websites, in policy and

programme related stakeholder meetings.

Number of selected good practice examples and project

stories communication materials

Number of unique visitors on Project Results Platforms

for Erasmus+ and Creative Europe

900 good practise examples and communication

materials for 50 project stories


Sept. 2019: Science is wonder-ful! –

European Researchers' Night event in

Brussels: Showcase of MSCA funded

projects.

Number of selected good practice examples and success

stories

Number of visitors

Number of researchers and MSCA researchers involved

4 500 people to attend

80 MSCA researchers directly involved

Sept. 2019: European Researchers' Night

events across Europe and beyond

Number of selected good practice examples and success

stories

Number of events

Number of visitors

Number of researchers and MSCA researchers involved

340 events around Europe and beyond (in

35 countries)

Over 1 million visitors

Over 500 MSCA fellows actively involved out of a

total of 20 000 researchers

53

Annual communication spending:

Baseline (2018) Estimated commitments (2019)

- 17.198.000 EUR

F. EXAMPLE OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY OF

FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE DG

DG EAC will work in 2019 to preserve efficiency in the delivery of the policies and

programmes, in coordination with the designated executive agencies and – when

applicable – other DGs that jointly manage instruments contributing to the same

objectives or areas (such as DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion as regards the

Erasmus+ programme; DG Communication Networks, Content and Technology, as

regards the Creative Europe programme; and DG Research and Innovation as regards

Horizon 2020).

As a result of improvements delivered in the previous years, in 2019 end-users applying

for grants will benefit from enhanced functionality and user-friendliness of fully web-

based application and accreditation forms for all Key Actions of the Erasmus+

programme (16 eForms), as well as the European Solidarity Corps programme

(6 eForms).

In addition, in 2019 DG EAC will continue to invest in improving the dedicated IT

systems (eForms, EPlusLink, Mobility Tool, LifeCard etc.) to support decentralised

actions via National Agencies under the Erasmus+ programme, as well as the European

Solidarity Corps programme. In parallel, it is foreseen to start work on technical and

functional adaptations that will allow these IT systems to: (a) remain on a par with

evolving technology; and (b) be better prepared for the future needs of the next

generation of programmes (2021-2027). The aim will be to increase user-friendliness

and allow for a more harmonised user experience across DG EAC’s IT systems supporting

grant management processes. In addition, specific emphasis will be put on incorporating

data protection principles (in line with the General Data Protection Regulation) in the

design of the new (adapted) IT systems.

Efforts will also continue to focus on the monitoring and reporting on Programme

results (via Management Reporting, Business Objects reports, Qlikview dashboards etc.)

to ensure increased effectiveness, efficiency and better compliance with the rules

governing the grants managed by National Agencies. The dissemination of project results

(as implemented in VALOR) will continue supporting Erasmus+, Creative Europe, Europe

for Citizens, the EU Health programme and the European Solidarity Corps programme.

In 2019, it is also planned to create one single European Youth Portal, which will (a)

support the functioning and promotion of the European Solidarity Corps and its

community; and (b) serve as the one-stop-shop to reach out, engage with and provide

opportunities to young people in Europe (including new policy-driven elements such as

DiscoverEU, Erasmus Virtual Exchanges, the EU Youth Dialogue etc.). This way, it will be

possible to better structure, unify and streamline services developed in the past, thus

significantly improving the overall user experience.

54

The Stages system supporting the Traineeship processes will also see major changes

in 2019: the migration to new technology and the addition of new functionalities will

bring significant benefits to both applicants and back-office end-users. At first instance,

the migration will be implemented using an off-the-shelf tool already in use in other

European institutions (Court of Auditors, European Parliament), which will be adapted to

the specific needs of DG EAC’s Traineeship Office. (For more details, please see section

“PART 1 – Corporate Activities”).

management plan 2019 - european commission€¦ · management plan 2019 directorate-general...

Documents