EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
Brussels, 1.4.2015
C(2015) 2025 final
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION
of 1.4.2015
on the Annual Action Programme 2015 for the European Instrument for Democracy
and Human Rights (EIDHR) to be financed from the general budget of the European
Union
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COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION
of 1.4.2015
on the Annual Action Programme 2015 for the European Instrument for Democracy
and Human Rights (EIDHR) to be financed from the general budget of the European
Union
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 235/2014 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of
democracy and human rights worldwide1 (hereinafter “European Instrument for Democracy
and Human Rights”), and in particular Article 4.1.c) thereof,
Having regard to the Regulation (EU) No 236/2014 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 11 March 2014 laying down common rules and procedures for the implementation
of the Union's instruments for external action2 (hereinafter "Common Implementing
Regulation") and in particular Articles 2(1) and 3 thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the
Union (hereinafter 'Financial Regulation') and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No 1605/20023, and in particular Article 84(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
The Commission has adopted the European Instrument for Democracy and Human
Rights Strategy Paper for the period 2014-2017 by means of Commission
Implementing Decision of 21 October 2014, setting out the five objectives i.e: (1)
Support to human rights and human rights defenders in situations where they are most
at risk (2) Support to other EU human rights priorities (3) Support to democracy (4)
EU election observation and (5) Support to targeted key actors and processes,
including international and regional human rights instruments and mechanisms.
(2)
The objectives pursued by the Annual Action programme to be financed under the
European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights are four of the objectives (1,
2, 3 and 5) of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Strategy
Paper for the period 2014-2017 while the fourth objective is addressed by another
Annual Action Programme exclusively dedicated to EU Election Observation Mission
(EU EOMs).
1
OJ L 77, 15.03.2014, p. 85.
2
OJ L 77, 15.03.2014, p. 95.
3
OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.
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(3)
The support measures constitutes the necessary support for the sound management of
the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights programme, the
achievement of its expected results and objectives and the measurement, analysis and
reporting on its impact.
(4)
It is necessary to adopt a financing decision the detailed rules of which are set out in
Article 94 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/20124.
(5)
It is necessary to adopt a work programme for grants the detailed rules on which are
set out in Article 128(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 and in Article
188(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012. The work programme is
constituted by the Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
(6)
The Commission should entrust budget-implementation tasks under indirect
management to the entities specified in this Decision, subject to the conclusion of a
delegation agreement. In accordance with Article 60(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU,
Euratom) No 966/2012, the authorising officer responsible needs to ensure that these
entities guarantee a level of protection of the financial interests of the Union
equivalent to that required when the Commission manages Union funds. These entities
are currently undergoing the assessment under Regulation (EU, Euratom) No
966/2012. In anticipation of the results of this review, the authorising officer
responsible deems that, based on the entities’ positive assessment under Council
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 and on the long-standing and problem-free
cooperation with them, budget-implementation tasks can be entrusted to these entities.
(7)
The authorising officer responsible should be able to award grants without a call for
proposals provided that the conditions for an exception to a call for proposals in
accordance with Article 190 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012.
(8)
It is necessary to allow for the payment of interest due for late payment on the basis of
Article 92 of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/20125 and Article 111(4) of
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012.
(9)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the
Democracy and Human Rights Committee set up by Article 8 of the Instrument for
Democracy and Human Rights Regulation referred to in Recital 2.
(10) For the application of this Decision, it is appropriate to define the term 'substantial
change' within the meaning of Article 94(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No
1268/2012;
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
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Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application
of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the
financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p. 1).
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OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p.1
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Article 1
Adoption of the measure
The Annual Action Programme 2015 for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR), as set out in the Annexes, is approved.
The programme shall include the following actions:
Supporting 110 Calls for Proposal targeting local civil society through Country-
Annex 1
Based Support Schemes (CBSS)
Annex 2
Supporting Human Rights priorities – EIDHR global call 2015
Supporting Human Rights and their Defenders where they are the most at risk –
Annex 3
EIDHR facility
Supporting Democracy - Media and freedom of expression in the framework of the
Annex 4
pilot exercise for democracy
Supporting a global network of universities for human rights and democracy
Annex 5
postgraduate education
Supporting key international actors – UN Office of the High Commissioner for
Annex 6
Human Rights
Supporting selected EU trading partners in implementing fundamental labour
Annex 7
conventions – International Labour Organisation
Annex 8
Supporting Human Rights dialogues and their follow-up
Annex 9
Support measures
Article 2
Financial contribution
The maximum contribution of the European Union for the implementation of the programme
referred to in Article 1 is set at EUR 130 166 185 and shall be financed from budget line 21 04
01 of the general budget of the European Union for 2015.
The financial contribution provided for in the first paragraph may also cover interests due for
late payment.
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Article 3
Implementation modalities
Budget-implementation tasks under indirect management may be entrusted to the entities
identified in the attached Annexes, subject to the conclusion of the relevant agreements.
The section “Implementation” of the Annexes to this Decision sets out the elements required
by Article 94(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012.
Grants may be awarded without a call for proposals by the authorising officer responsible in
accordance with Article 190 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012.
Article 4
Non-substantial changes
Increases or decreases not exceeding 20 % of the contribution set by the first paragraph of
Article 2 while not bringing that contribution above EUR 10 million, or cumulated changes to
the allocations of specific actions not exceeding 20 % of that contribution, as well as
extensions of the implementation period shall not be considered substantial within the
meaning of Article 94(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012, provided that they do
not significantly affect the nature and objectives of the actions.
The authorising officer responsible may adopt such non-substantial changes in accordance
with the principles of sound financial management and proportionality.
Done at Brussels, 1.4.2015
For the Commission
Neven
MIMICA
Member of the Commission
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