Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

CHAPTER I U.K. Progress Axis

Article 14 U.K. Thematic sections and financing

1. The Progress axis shall support actions in one or more of the thematic sections listed in points (a), (b) and (c). Over the entire period of the Programme, the indicative breakdown of the allocation set out in point (a) of Article 5(2) between the different sections shall respect the following minimum percentages:

(a) employment, in particular to fight youth unemployment: 20 %;

(b) social protection, social inclusion and the reduction and prevention of poverty: 50 %;

(c) working conditions: 10 %.

Any remainder shall be allocated to one or more of the thematic sections referred to in points (a), (b) or (c) or to a combination of them.

2. From the overall allocation for the Progress axis, and within its different thematic sections, 15 % to 20 % shall be allocated to the promotion of social experimentation as a method for testing and evaluating innovative solutions with a view to up-scaling them.

Article 15 U.K. Specific objectives

In addition to the general objectives set out in Article 4, the specific objectives of the Progress axis shall be to:

(a)

develop and disseminate high-quality comparative analytical knowledge, in order to ensure that Union policies in the fields referred to in Article 1 are based on sound evidence and are relevant to needs, challenges and conditions in the individual Member States and other countries participating in the Programme;

(b)

facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual learning and dialogue on Union policies in the fields referred to in Article 1, at Union, national and international level in order to assist the Member States and other countries participating in the Programme in developing their policies and the Member States in implementing Union law;

(c)

provide financial support to test social and labour market policy innovations, and, where necessary, to build up the main actors' capacity to design and implement social policy experimentation, and to make the relevant knowledge and expertise accessible;

(d)

provide Union and national organisations with financial support to increase their capacity to develop, promote and support the implementation of Union instruments and policies as referred to in Article 1 and relevant Union law.

Article 16 U.K. Types of actions

The following types of actions may be financed under the Progress axis:

1.

Analytical activities:

(a)

gathering of data and statistics, taking account of both qualitative and quantitative criteria, and developing common methodologies, classifications, micro-simulations, indicators and benchmarks, where appropriate broken down by sex and age-group;

(b)

surveys, studies, analyses and reports, including through the funding of networks of experts and development of expertise in thematic sections;

(c)

qualitative and quantitative evaluations and impact assessments carried out by both public and private bodies;

(d)

monitoring and assessment of the transposition and application of Union law;

(e)

preparation and implementation of social policy experimentation as a method for testing and evaluating innovative solutions with a view to up-scaling them;

(f)

dissemination of the results of those analytical activities.

2.

Mutual-learning, awareness and dissemination activities:

(a)

exchanges and dissemination of good practice, innovative approaches and experience, peer reviews, benchmarking and mutual learning at European level;

(b)

Council Presidency events, conferences and seminars;

(c)

training of legal and policy practitioners;

(d)

drafting and publication of guides, reports and educational material and measures relating to information, communication and media coverage of initiatives supported by the Programme;

(e)

information and communication activities;

(f)

development and maintenance of information systems in order to exchange and disseminate information on Union policy and legislation and on the labour market.

3.

Support with regard to:

(a)

the operating costs of key Union-level networks the activities of which relate to and contribute to the objectives of the Progress axis;

(b)

capacity-building of national administrations and specialist services responsible for promoting geographical mobility designated by the Member States and microcredit providers;

(c)

organisation of working groups of national officials to monitor the implementation of Union law;

(d)

networking and cooperation among specialist bodies and other relevant stakeholders, national, regional and local authorities and employment services at European level;

(e)

funding of European-level observatories, including on key thematic sections;

(f)

exchange of personnel between national administrations.

Article 17 U.K. Union co-financing

Where activities under the Progress axis are financed following a call for proposals, they may receive Union co-financing which shall not exceed, as a general rule, 80 % of the total eligible expenditure. Any financial support in excess of this ceiling shall only be granted in duly justified exceptional circumstances.

Article 18 U.K. Participation

1. Participation in the Progress axis shall be open to:

(a) Member States;

(b) EEA countries, in accordance with the EEA Agreement, and EFTA member states;

(c) the candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with the general principles and the general terms and conditions laid down in the framework agreements concluded with them on their participation in Union programmes.

2. The Progress axis shall be open to all public and/or private bodies, actors and institutions, and in particular:

(a) national, regional and local authorities;

(b) employment services;

(c) specialist bodies provided for under Union law;

(d) the social partners;

(e) non-governmental organisations;

(f) higher education institutions and research institutes;

(g) experts in evaluation and in impact assessment;

(h) national statistical offices;

(i) the media.

3. The Commission may cooperate with international organisations, and in particular with the Council of Europe, the OECD, the ILO, with other United Nations bodies and with the World Bank.

4. The Commission may cooperate with third countries which are not participating in the Programme. Representatives of such third countries may attend events of mutual interest (such as conferences, workshops and seminars) that take place in countries participating in the Programme, and the cost of their attendance may be covered by the Programme.