HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 347/238
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
REGULATION (EU) No 1296/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 11 December 2013
on a European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation ("EaSI") and amending
Decision No 283/2010/EU establishing a European Progress Microfinance Facility for employment
and social inclusion
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
the Council that established a European Progress
EUROPEAN UNION,
Microfinance Facility for employment and social inclu
sion ( 7 ) ('the Facility').
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union, and in particular Article 46(d), Article 149,
(2) On
17
June
2010,
the
European
Council
endorsed
the
Article 153(2)(a) and to the third paragraph of Article 175
Commission proposal for a Europe 2020 Strategy for
thereof,
jobs and smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
("Europe 2020"), which provides for five headline
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
targets (including those dealing with employment, the
fight against poverty and social exclusion, and education,
respectively), and seven flagship initiatives, and which
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
constitutes a coherent policy framework for the coming
parliaments,
decade. The European Council advocated full mobili
sation of the appropriate Union instruments and
policies to support the achievement of the common
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
objectives, and invited the Member States to increase
Social Committee ( 1 ),
their coordinated action.
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the
(3) In
accordance
with
Article
148(4)
of
the
Treaty
on
the
Regions ( 2 ),
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Council,
on 21 October 2010, adopted guidelines for
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (
employment policies which, together with the broad

3 ),
guidelines for the economic policies of the Member
States and of the Union adopted in accordance with
Whereas:
Article 121 TFEU, comprise the Europe 2020 integrated
guidelines. The Programme should contribute to
achieving the Europe 2020 targets, especially its
(1) In
line
with
the
Commission
Communication
of
29
June
2011 entitled 'A budget for Europe 2020', which
poverty reduction and employment objectives, as
recommends rationalising and simplifying the Union's
defined in the Employment Guidelines. To that end, the
funding instruments and sharpening their focus both
Programme should support the implementation of the
on Union added value and on impacts and results, this
flagship initiatives, with special regard to the European
Regulation establishes a European Union Programme for
Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, an Agenda
Employment and Social Innovation ('the Programme')
for New Skills and Jobs, and Youth on the Move, as well
to provide for the continuation and development
as the Youth Employment Package.
of activities carried out on the basis of Decision
No 1672/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of
(4) The
Europe
2020
flagship
initiatives
entitled "European
the Council ( 4 ), Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the
Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion" and
European Parliament and of the Council ( 5 ), Commission
"Innovation Union" identify social innovation as a
Implementing Decision 2012/733/EU ( 6 ) and Decision
powerful tool for addressing the social challenges
No 283/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of
arising from population ageing, poverty, unemployment,
new work patterns and life styles, and the expectations of
( 1 ) OJ C 143, 22.5.2012, p. 88.
citizens regarding social justice, education and health
( 2 ) OJ C 225, 27.7.2012, p. 167.
care. The Programme should support action to increase
( 3 ) Position of the European Parliament of 21 November 2013. (not yet
social innovation, in response to social needs that are not
published in the Official Journal)
met or that are met insufficiently, in respect of
( 4 ) Decision No 1672/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting a
Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community Programme
for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (OJ L 315,
high level of quality and sustainable employment, guar
15.11.2006, p. 1).
anteeing adequate and poverty-preventing social
( 5 ) Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European Parliament and of
protection, improving working conditions and
the Council of 5 April 2011 on freedom of movement for workers
improving access to training for vulnerable people,
within the Union (OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 1).
( 6 ) Commission Implementing Decision 2012/733/EU of 26 November
2012 implementing Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European
( 7 ) Decision No 283/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of the
Parliament and of the Council as regards the clearance of vacancies
Council of 25 March 2010 establishing a European Progress
and application for employment and the re-establishment of EURES
Microfinance Facility for employment and social inclusion
(OJ L 328, 28.11.2012, p. 21).
(OJ L 87, 7.4.2010, p. 1).

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/239
taking due account of the role of regional and local
(9) It
is
necessary
to
consolidate
the
social
dimensions
of
the
authorities. The Programme should also act as a
internal market. Given the need to enhance confidence in
catalyst for transnational partnerships and networking
the internal market, including the free movement of
between public, private and third-sector actors, as well
services, through ensuring respect for workers' rights, it
as supporting their involvement in designing and imple
is necessary to ensure that the respective rights of
menting new approaches to tackling pressing social
workers and entrepreneurs to freedom of movement
needs and challenges.
are accorded equal status throughout the Union.
(5) In
particular,
the
Programme
should
help
to
identify
and
to analyse innovative solutions, and to scale up their
(10) In
line
with
Europe
2020,
the
Programme
should
pursue
practical implementation, through social policy experi
a coherent approach to promoting quality and
mentation, so as to assist, where necessary, Member
sustainable employment, as well as to combating and
States to increase the efficiency of their labour markets
preventing social exclusion and poverty, while taking
and to further improve their social protection and
into account the need to respect equality between
inclusion policies. Social policy experimentation is
women and men. The implementation of the
project-based field testing of social innovations. It
Programme should be rationalised and simplified,
allows the gathering of evidence on the feasibility of
notably through the establishment of a set of common
social innovations. It should be possible for successful
provisions including, inter alia, general objectives and
ideas to be pursued on a wider scale with financial
monitoring and evaluation arrangements. The
support from the European Social Fund (ESF), as well
Programme should focus on projects, irrespective of
as from other sources.
their size, with clear Union added value. In order to
reduce administrative burdens, the Programme should
support the creation and development of networks and
partnerships. In addition, greater use should be made of
simplified cost options (lump-sum and flat-rate
financing), in particular for the implementation of
(6) The
open
method
of
coordination,
which
has
proved
its
mobility schemes, while ensuring transparency of
flexibility and operational effectiveness in employment
proceedings. The Programme should be a "one-stop
and social policy areas, should be widely used and
shop" for microfinance providers at Union level,
should benefit from actions supported by the
providing financing for micro-credits and social entrepre
Programme.
neurship, facilitating access to borrowing and providing
technical assistance.
(7) Progress
towards
socially
and
environmentally
sustainable
development in Europe requires the anticipation and
development of new skills and competencies, leading to
(11) Taking
into
account
the
limited
funds
available
to
the
an improvement in the conditions for job creation, in the
Programme and the pre-allocation of these funds to the
quality of employment and in working conditions,
various axes, funding priority should be given to the
through accompanying education, labour market and
development of structures with a clear multiplier effect
social policies in connection with the transformation of
which will benefit further activities and initiatives. Appro
industries and services. The Programme should, therefore,
priate measures should also be put in place to avoid any
contribute to promoting the creation of quality and
possibility of overlap or double-financing with other
sustainable 'green', 'white' and ICT jobs, as well as to
funds or programmes, in particular the ESF.
anticipating and developing new skills and competencies
for new quality and sustainable jobs, by linking
employment and social policies with industrial and
structural policies and by supporting a transition
towards a resource-efficient and low carbon economy.
In particular, the Programme should act as a catalyst
(12) The
Union
should
equip
itself
with
evidence
based
on
a
for exploring the job creation potential of public
sound analysis in order to support policy-making in the
sector-led green and social investments and of local
employment and social area, paying special attention to
and regional employment initiatives.
the impact of financial and economic crises. Such
evidence adds value to national action by providing a
Union dimension and a comparison for data-gathering
and by developing statistical tools and methods and
common indicators, for the purpose of composing a
(8) The
Programme
should,
where
relevant,
take
account
of
full picture of the situation in the fields of employment,
the territorial dimension of unemployment, poverty and
social policy and working conditions across the Union
social exclusion, and especially of the increasing
and of ensuring high-quality evaluation of the efficiency
inequalities that exist within and between regions,
and effectiveness of programmes and policies with a
between rural areas and cities and within cities.
view, inter alia, to reaching the Europe 2020 targets.

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L 347/240
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(13) The
Union
is
uniquely
placed
to
provide
a
platform
for
conferences, workshops and seminars) that take place
policy exchanges and mutual-learning between countries
in countries participating in the Programme. In
participating in the Programme in the areas of
addition, cooperation should be developed with the inter
employment, social protection and social inclusion, as
national organisations concerned, in particular the ILO
well as social entrepreneurship. Knowledge of policies
and other relevant United Nations bodies, the Council
applied in other countries and of their results,
of Europe and the Organisation for Economic
including those achieved through social policy experi
Cooperation and Development (OECD), with a view to
mentation at local, regional and national level,
implementing the Programme in a way that takes the
broadens the range of options available to policy-
role of such organisations into account.
makers, thereby triggering new policy developments.
(17) In accordance with Articles 45 and 46 TFEU, Regulation
(14) Ensuring
that
minimum
standards
are
in
place
and
that
(EU) No 492/2011 lays down provisions intended to
working conditions improve constantly in the Union is a
achieve freedom of movement for workers on a non-
central feature of Union social policy. The Union has an
discriminatory basis by ensuring the close cooperation
important role to play in ensuring that the legislative
of the central employment services of Member States
framework is adapted to evolving work patterns and
with one another and with the Commission. EURES,
new health and safety risks, taking into account 'decent
which is the European network of employment
work' as well as 'Smart Regulation' principles. The Union
services, should promote the better functioning of the
also has an important role to play in financing measures
labour markets by facilitating the voluntary transnational
to improve compliance with labour standards under
cross-border geographical mobility of workers, providing
ratified International Labour Organisation (ILO)
greater transparency on the labour market, ensuring the
conventions and Union rules on the protection of
clearance of vacancies and applications for employment
workers' rights. This is particularly the case of measures
and supporting activities in the areas of placement,
for raising awareness (e.g. through a social label), for
recruitment, advice and guidance services at national
disseminating information and for promoting the
and cross-border level, thereby contributing to the
debate about the key challenges and policy issues in
objectives of Europe 2020. Member States should be
relation to working conditions, including among the
encouraged to integrate EURES services, making them
social partners and other stakeholders, as well as for
available in a "one-stop shop", where appropriate.
promoting work-life balance measures, for initiating
preventive actions and for fostering the prevention
culture in the field of health and safety at work.
(18) The
scope
of
EURES
should
be
broadened
to
include
developing and supporting targeted mobility schemes,
(15) Social
partners
and
civil
society
organisations
play
a
key
after calls for proposals, at Union level with a view to
role in promoting quality employment and combating
filling vacancies where labour market shortcomings have
social exclusion and poverty, as well as in fighting
been identified. In accordance with Article 47 TFEU,
unemployment. Therefore, the social partners and civil
those schemes should support facilitating voluntary
society organisations should, where appropriate, be
mobility among young workers in the Union. Targeted
involved in mutual learning and in the development,
mobility schemes, such as those based on the preparatory
implementation and dissemination of new policies. The
action 'Your first EURES job', should make it easier for
Commission should inform and exchange views with
young people to access employment opportunities and to
Union social partners and the civil society organisations
take up a job in another Member State, and should also
on the results concerning the implementation of the
encourage employers to create job openings for young
Programme.
mobile workers. Nevertheless, mobility schemes should
not discourage the Union and Member States from
helping young people to find a job in their home
country.
(16) The Union is committed to strengthening the social
dimension of globalisation, and to combating social
dumping, by promoting decent work and labour stan
dards, not only in countries participating in the
(19) In
many
border
regions
EURES
cross-border
partnerships
Programme, but also internationally, either directly vis-
play an important role in developing a genuine European
à-vis third countries or indirectly through cooperation
labour market. EURES cross-border partnerships involve
with international organisations. Accordingly, suitable
at least two Member States or a Member State and
relations need to be developed with third countries not
another participating country. Consequently, they are
participating in the Programme in order to help achieve
clearly horizontal in nature, and are a source of Union
its objectives, having regard to any agreements of
added value. EURES cross-border partnerships should
relevance between such countries and the Union. This
therefore continue to be supported through horizontal
may involve the attendance of representatives of those
Union activities, with the possibility of being comple
third countries at events of mutual interest (such as
mented by national resources or by the ESF.

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/241
(20) The
evaluation
of
EURES
activities
should
take
qualitative
(24) Making
microfinance more available on the Union's
and quantitative criteria into account. Since outgoing
young microfinance market makes it necessary for the
placements in one Member State result in incoming
institutional capacity of microfinance providers, and in
placements in another and depend on the ever-
particular of non-bank microfinance institutions, to be
changing labour market situations and related mobility
increased in line with the Commission Communication
patterns, the evaluation should focus not only on
of 13 November 2007 entitled 'A European Initiative for
incoming or outgoing placements in individual Member
the development of micro-credit in support of growth
States but also on aggregated figures at Union level.
and employment' and the Commission Report of
Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that counselling
25 July 2008 entitled 'Promotion of Women Innovators
does not necessarily result in measurable mobility or in
and Entrepreneurship'.
job placements.
(25) The social economy and social entrepreneurship
(21) Europe
2020,
and
in
particular
Guideline
7
provided
for
constitute an integral part of Europe's pluralist social
in Council Decision 2010/707/EU (
market economy, and play an important role in

1 ), identifies self-
employment and entrepreneurship as crucial to
ensuring greater social convergence in Europe. They are
achieving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
founded on the principles of solidarity and responsibility
and of the primacy of the individual and of social
objectives over capital, and on the promotion of social
responsibility, social cohesion and social inclusion. Social
enterprises can act as drivers of social change by offering
innovative solutions, promoting inclusive labour markets
and social services accessible to all. They therefore make
(22) Lack
of
access
to
credit,
equity
or
quasi-equity
is
one
of
the main obstacles to business creation, especially among
a valuable contribution to meeting the objectives of
people furthest from the labour market. Union and
Europe 2020. The Programme should improve access
national efforts in this area need to be intensified in
by social enterprises to different types of finance by
order to increase the supply of, and access to,
providing suitable instruments to meet their specific
microfinance so as to meet demand from those who
financial needs throughout their lifecycle.
need it most, and in particular the unemployed,
women and vulnerable people who wish to start up or
develop a micro-enterprise, including on a self-employed
basis, but who do not have access to credit. In addition,
micro-enterprises make up the majority of newly-formed
companies in the Union. Therefore, it should be possible
(26) In
order
to
capitalise
on
the
experience
of
entities
such
as
for microcredits to provide a means of adding value and
the European Investment Bank Group, action involving
achieving concrete results rapidly. As a first step, in 2010
microfinance and social entrepreneurship should be
the European Parliament and the Council set up the
implemented by the Commission indirectly by entrusting
Facility. Communication activities on microfinance
budget implementation tasks to such entities in
opportunities at Union and Member State level should
accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
be improved so as to better reach those in need of
of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) ("the
micro-financing.
Financial Regulation"). The use of Union resources

concentrates leverage from international financial insti
tutions and other investors, creates synergies between
Member State and Union action and unifies approaches.
It thus improves the access to finance of particular at-risk
groups and young people, as well as the outreach of
microfinance to them. Access to finance for micro-enter
(23) Microfinancing
and
support
to
social
entrepreneurship
prises, including the self-employed and social enterprises,
should reach potential beneficiaries and should have
is also improved. The Union contribution thus assists in
long-lasting impact. They should contribute to a high
the development of the emerging social business sector
level of quality and sustainable employment and serve
and the microfinance market in the Union and
as a catalyst for both economic and local development
encourages cross-border activities. The Union's actions
policies. In order to maximise the opportunities for
should complement the use by Member States of
creating viable enterprises, actions involving microfinance
financial instruments for microfinance and social entre
and social entrepreneurship should be accompanied by
preneurship. The entities entrusted with the implemen
mentoring and training programmes and all relevant
tation of the actions should ensure that they add Union
information, which should be regularly updated and
value and do not duplicate other financing through
made available to the public by the finance provider
Union resources.
concerned. To this end, it is essential that adequate
financing be provided, notably through the ESF.
( 2 ) Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 966/2012 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the
( 1 ) Council Decision 2010/707/EU of 21 October 2010 on guidelines
financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and
for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 308,
repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
1605/2002
24.11.2010, p. 46).
(OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).

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L 347/242
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Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(27) In
accordance
with
Europe
2020,
the
Programme
should
(32) Pursuant
to
Article
9
TFEU
and
the
objectives
of
Europe
contribute to tackling the pressing problem of youth
2020, the Programme should contribute to ensuring a
unemployment. Young people should, therefore, be
high-level of quality and sustainable employment, to
given a future and the prospect of playing a key role
guaranteeing adequate social protection and to
in developing society and the economy in Europe,
combating poverty and social exclusion, and should
which is of particular importance in times of crisis.
take into account the requirements linked to a high
level of protection of human health.
(28) The
Programme
should
also
point
to
the
special
role
and
importance of small enterprises regarding training,
expertise and traditional know-how, as well as ensure
(33) The Programme should complement other Union
that young people have access to microfinance. The
programmes, while acknowledging that each instrument
Programme should facilitate the exchange of best
should operate in accordance with its own specific
practices between the Member States and other
procedures. Thus, the same eligible costs should not
countries participating in the Programme in all those
result in double funding. With the aim of adding value
areas.
and achieving substantial impact through Union funding,
close synergies should be developed between the
Programme, other Union programmes and the Structural
Funds, especially the ESF and the Youth Employment
(29) Actions under the Programme should support the imple
Initiative. The Programme should complement other
mentation by the Member States and labour market
Union programmes and initiatives that focus on
actors of Council Recommendation of 22 April
combating youth unemployment.
2013 ( 1 ) concerning the establishment of a Youth Guar
antee. That Recommendation states that all young people
under the age of 25 should receive a good-quality offer
of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship
(34) The
Programme
should
be
implemented
in
a
way
that
or a traineeship within a period of four months of
makes it easier for the competent authority or authorities
becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. The
of each Member State to contribute to meeting the
Programme should facilitate the exchange of best practice
Programme's objectives.
between the Member States and other countries partici
pating in the Programme in this area.
(35) To
ensure
more
efficient
communication
to
the
public
at
(30) Pursuant
to
Article
3(3)
of
the
Treaty
on
European
Union
large and stronger synergies between the communication
(TEU) and Article 8 TFEU, it is necessary to ensure that
actions undertaken at the initiative of the Commission,
the Programme contributes to the promotion of equality
the resources allocated to information and communi
between women and men in all its axes and activities,
cation activities under this Programme should also
including through gender mainstreaming and, where
contribute to corporate communication of, and to the
relevant, through specific action to promote women's
provision of information on, the political priorities of
employment and social inclusion. Pursuant to Article 10
the Union related to the general objectives of this
TFEU, the Programme should ensure that the implemen
Programme.
tation of its priorities contributes to combating discrimi
nation based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or
belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Monitoring
and evaluation should be carried out to assess the way
(36) This
Regulation
lays
down
a
financial
envelope
for
the
in which anti-discrimination issues are addressed in the
entire duration of the Programme which is to constitute
Programme's activities.
the prime reference amount, within the meaning of Point
17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement [of 2 December
2013] between the European Parliament, the Council and
the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation
(31) The
Progress Programme for the period 2007-2013
in budgetary matters and on sound financial manage
includes sections entitled 'Antidiscrimination and
ment (
diversity' and 'Gender equality' that are to be continued

2 ), for the European Parliament and the Council
during the annual budgetary procedure.
and further developed under the Rights, Equality and
Citizenship Programme for the period 2014-2020. It is,
however, of the utmost importance to maintain a strong
focus on equality between women and men and on anti-
discrimination issues in all relevant initiatives and actions
(37) The
financial
interests
of
the
Union
should
be
protected
covered by this Programme, especially in the fields of
through proportionate measures throughout the expen
improving women's labour force participation, working
diture cycle, including the prevention, detection and
conditions and promoting a better balance between
investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost,
professional and private lives.
wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate,
penalties in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
( 1 ) Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth
Guarantee (OJ C 120, 26.4.2013, p. 1).
( 2 ) OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/243
(38) In
order
to
ensure
that
the
Programme
is
sufficiently
(1) 'social enterprise' means an undertaking, regardless of its
flexible to respond to changing needs and corresponding
legal form, which:
policy priorities throughout its duration, the power to
adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should
be delegated to the Commission in respect of the reallo
cation of funds between the axes and to the individual
(a) in accordance with its Articles of Association, Statutes
thematic sections within the axes of the Programme. The
or with any other legal document by which it is estab
Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated
lished, has as its primary objective the achievement of
acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appro
measurable, positive social impacts rather than
priate transmission of relevant documents to the
generating profit for its owners, members and share
European Parliament and Council.
holders, and which:
(39) In
order
to
ensure
uniform
conditions
for
the
implemen
tation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be
(i) provides services or goods which generate a social
conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be
return and/or
exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU)
No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the
Council ( 1 ).
(ii) employs a method of production of goods or
services that embodies its social objective;
(40) Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be suffi
ciently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by
reason of their scale and effects, be better achieved at
Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in
(b) uses its profits first and foremost to achieve its primary
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out
objective and has predefined procedures and rules
in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of
covering any distribution of profits to shareholders
proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation
and owners that ensure that such distribution does
does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those
not undermine the primary objective; and
objectives,
(c) is managed in an entrepreneurial, accountable and trans
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
parent way, in particular by involving workers,
customers and stakeholders affected by its business
activities;
TITLE I
COMMON PROVISIONS
Article 1
(2) 'microcredit' means a loan of up to EUR 25 000;
Subject matter
1. This
Regulation
establishes
a
European
Union
Programme (3) 'micro-enterprise' means an enterprise, including a self-
for Employment and Social Innovation ('the Programme') which
employed person, that employs fewer than 10 people and
aims to contribute to the implementation of Europe 2020,
whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does
including its headline targets, Integrated Guidelines and
not exceed EUR 2 million, in accordance with Commission
flagship initiatives, by providing financial support for the
Recommendation 2003/361/EC ( 2 ),
Union's objectives in terms of promoting a high level of
quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate
and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and
poverty and improving working conditions.
(4) 'microfinance' includes guarantees, microcredit, equity and
quasi-equity extended to persons and micro-enterprises that
experience difficulties accessing credit;
2. The
Programme
shall
run
from
1
January
2014
to
31 December 2020.
(5) 'social innovations' are innovations that are social both as to
Article 2
their ends and their means and in particular those which
relate to the development and implementation of new ideas
Definitions
(concerning products, services and models), that simulta
For the purposes of this Regulation:
neously meet social needs and create new social rela
tionships or collaborations, thereby benefiting society and
boosting its capacity to act;
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general
principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of
( 2 ) Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003
the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55,
concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enter
28.2.2011, p. 13).
prises (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

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(6) 'social policy experimentation' means policy interventions
facilitate policy reform, in the fields referred to in Article 1,
that offer an innovative response to social needs, imple
notably by promoting decent work and working conditions,
mented on a small scale and in conditions that enable
a prevention culture for health and safety at work, a
their impact to be measured, prior to being repeated on a
healthier balance between professional and private life and
larger scale, if the results prove convincing.
good governance for social objectives, including conver
gence, as well as mutual learning and social innovation;
Article 3
(c) ensure that Union law on matters relating to the fields
Structure of the Programme
referred to in Article 1 is effectively applied, and, where
necessary, contribute to modernising Union law, in line
1. The
Programme
shall
be
made
up
of
the
following
three
with decent work principles and taking into account the
complementarity axes:
Smart Regulation principles;
(a) The Progress axis, which shall support the development,
(d) promote workers' voluntary geographical mobility on a fair
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Union
basis and boost employment opportunities by developing
instruments and policies referred to in Article 1 and
high-quality and inclusive Union labour markets that are
relevant Union law, and which shall promote evidence-
open and accessible to all, while respecting workers' rights
based policy-making, social innovation and social progress,
throughout the Union, including freedom of movement;
in partnership with the social partners, civil society organi
sations and public and private bodies;
(e) promote employment and social inclusion by increasing the
availability and accessibility of microfinance for vulnerable
people who wish to start up a micro-enterprise as well as
(b) The EURES axis, which shall support activities carried out
for existing micro-enterprises, and by increasing access to
by EURES, namely, the specialist services designated by the
finance for social enterprises.
EEA states and the Swiss Confederation, together with social
partners, other employment service providers and other
interested parties, to develop information exchanges and
2. In
pursuing
those
objectives,
the
Programme
shall,
in
all
dissemination and other forms of cooperation, such as
its axes and actions, aim to:
cross-border partnerships, to promote voluntary
geographical mobility for workers on a fair basis and to
contribute to a high level of quality and sustainable
(a) pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as young
employment;
people;
(c) The Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis, which
(b) promote equality between women and men, including
shall increase the access to, and the availability of, financing
through gender mainstreaming and, where appropriate,
for legal and physical persons, pursuant to Article 26.
gender budgeting;
(c) combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin,
2. The
common
provisions
laid
down
in
this
Title
shall
apply
religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
to all three axes set out in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1,
in addition to specific provisions of Title II.
(d) when defining and implementing the Union's policies and
activities, promote a high-level of quality and sustainable
Article 4
employment, guarantee adequate and decent social
protection, combat long-term unemployment and fight
General objectives of the Programme
against poverty and social exclusion.
1. The
Programme
shall
seek
to
achieve
the
following
general
objectives:
Article 5
Budget
(a) strengthen ownership among policy-makers at all levels, and
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the
produce concrete, coordinated and innovative actions at
Programme for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December
both Union and Member State level, in respect of the
2020 shall amount to EUR 919 469 000, in current prices.
Union objectives in the fields referred to in Article 1, in
close collaboration with the social partners, as well as civil
society organisations and public and private bodies;
2. The
following
indicative
percentages
shall
be
allocated
to
the axes set out in Article 3(1):
(b) support the development of adequate, accessible and
efficient social protection systems and labour markets and
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(b) 18 % to the EURES axis;
4. Consistency
and
complementarity
shall
also
be
ensured
through close involvement by local and regional authorities.
(c) 21 % to the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis.
Article 8
3. The Commission may make use of up to 2 % of the
Cooperation with relevant bodies
financial envelope referred to in paragraph 1 to finance oper
The Commission shall establish the necessary links with the
ational expenditure for the support of the implementation of
Employment Committee, the Social Protection Committee, the
the Programme.
Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work, the Group
of Directors-General for Industrial Relations and the Advisory
Committee on Freedom of Movement of Workers in order to
4. The
Commission
may
make
use
of
the
financial
envelope ensure that they are regularly and appropriately informed of
referred to in paragraph 1 to finance technical and/or adminis
progress in implementing the Programme. The Commission
trative assistance, in particular relating to auditing, outsourcing
shall also inform other committees dealing with policies,
of translation, meetings of experts, and information and
instruments and actions of relevance to the Programme.
communication activities for the mutual benefit of the
Commission and the beneficiaries.
Article 9
5. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
Dissemination of results and communication
European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the
multiannual financial framework.
1. The Commission shall inform Union stakeholders,
including social partners and civil society organisations, of the
results of the implementation of the Programme and shall invite
Article 6
an exchange of views in that regard.
Joint action
2. The
results
of
the
actions
implemented
under
the
Actions eligible under the Programme may be implemented
Programme shall be regularly and suitably communicated and
jointly with other Union instruments, provided that such
disseminated to the European Parliament, the Council, the
actions meet the objectives of both the Programme and the
European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee
other instruments concerned.
of the Regions, as well as to the social partners and to the
public in order to maximise their impact, sustainability and
Union added value.
Article 7
Consistency and complementarity
3. Communication activities shall also contribute to
1. The
Commission,
in
cooperation
with
the
Member
States, corporate communication of the political priorities of the
shall ensure that activities carried out under the Programme are
Union as far as they relate to the general objectives of this
consistent with, and complementary to, other Union action,
Regulation, and shall provide information on those priorities
such as the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs),
to the public.
as specified in the Common Strategic Framework laid down in
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and
Article 10
of the Council ( 1 ), and in particular under the ESF.
Financial provisions
2. The Programme shall complement other Union
1. The Commission shall manage the Programme in
programmes, without prejudice to the specific procedures of
accordance with the Financial Regulation.
those programmes. The same eligible costs shall not result in
double funding, and close synergies shall be developed between
the Programme, other Union programmes and ESIFs, in
2. The
grant
agreement
shall
specify
what
part
of
the
Union
particular the ESF.
financial contribution will be based on the reimbursement of
actual eligible costs, and what part will be based on flat rates,
unit costs or lump-sums.
3. The
activities
supported
by
the
Programme
shall
comply
with Union and national law, including state aid rules, and
fundamental ILO Conventions.
Article 11
Protection of the financial interests of the Union
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions
1. The Commission shall take appropriate preventive
on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social
measures to ensure that, when actions financed under this
Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Programme are implemented, the financial interests of the
Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered
Union are protected against fraud, corruption and any other
by the Common Strategic Framework and laying down general
illegal activities, by effective checks and that, if irregularities
provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the
European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund (See page 320 of
are detected, resources are recovered, primarily via offsetting
this Official Journal).
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imposing effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, in
Article 13
accordance with Article 325 TFEU, Council Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 ( 1 ) and the Financial Regulation.
Evaluation
1. A
mid-term
evaluation
of
the
Programme
shall
be
carried
out by 1 July 2017 to measure, on a qualitative and quantitative
2. The
Commission
or
its
representatives
and
the
Court
of basis, progress made in meeting the Programme's objectives, to
Auditors shall have the power of audit, on the basis of
address the social environment within the Union and any major
documents and on-the-spot checks, in respect of all grant bene
changes introduced by Union legislation, to determine whether
ficiaries, contractors and subcontractors who have received
the resources of the Programme have been used efficiently and
Union funds under the Programme.
to assess its Union added value. The results of that mid-term
evaluation shall be presented to the European Parliament and to
the Council.
3. The
European
Anti-Fraud
Office
(OLAF)
may
carry
out
investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections,
2. If
the
evaluation
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
of
this
Article,
in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down
or any evaluation carried out pursuant to Article 19 of Decision
in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European
No 1672/2006/EC or Article 9 of Decision No 283/2010/EU,
Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) and Council Regulation
reveals that the Programme has major shortcomings, the
(Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 ( 3 ) with a view to establishing
Commission shall, if appropriate, submit a proposal to the
whether fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity has
European Parliament and to the Council, including appropriate
occurred affecting the financial interests of the Union in
amendments to the Programme to take account of the results of
connection with a grant agreement or grant decision or a
the evaluation.
contract funded under the Programme.
3. Before
submitting
any
proposal
for
a
prolongation
of
the
4. Without prejudice to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, contracts,
Programme beyond 2020, the Commission shall present to the
grant agreements and grant decisions, resulting from the imple
European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and
mentation of this Programme shall contain provisions expressly
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an
empowering the Commission, the Court of Auditors and OLAF
evaluation of the conceptual strengths and weaknesses of the
to conduct the audits and investigations referred to in those
Programme in the period 2014 to 2020.
paragraphs, in accordance with their respective competences.
4. By
31
December
2022,
the
Commission
shall
evaluate
ex-
post the impact and Union added value of the Programme and
Article 12
shall forward a report containing that evaluation to the
European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic
Monitoring
and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The
With a view to regular monitoring of the Programme and to
report shall be made available to the public.
making any adjustments needed to its policy and funding prior
ities, the Commission shall draw up an initial qualitative and
quantitative monitoring report covering the first year, followed
TITLE II
by three reports covering consecutive two-year periods and shall
send those reports to the European Parliament and the Council.
PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TO PROGRAMME AXES
The reports shall also be transmitted, for information purposes,
CHAPTER I
to the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions. The reports shall cover the
Progress Axis
Programme's results and the extent to which the principles of
Article 14
equality between women and men and gender mainstreaming
have been applied, as well as how anti-discrimination consider
Thematic sections and financing
ations, including accessibility issues, have been addressed
through its activities. The reports shall be made available to
1. The
Progress
axis
shall
support
actions
in
one
or
more
of
the public in order to enhance the transparency of the
the thematic sections listed in points (a), (b) and (c). Over the
Programme.
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 percen
( 1 ) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December
tages:
1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial
interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).
( 2 ) Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations
(a) employment, in particular to fight youth unemployment:
conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing
20 %;
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of
the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ
L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).
(b) social protection, social inclusion and the reduction and
( 3 ) Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November
prevention of poverty: 50 %;
1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out
by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities'
financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292,
15.11.1996, p. 2).
(c) working conditions: 10 %.

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Any remainder shall be allocated to one or more of the
(b) surveys, studies, analyses and reports, including through
thematic sections referred to in points (a), (b) or (c) or to a
the funding of networks of experts and development of
combination of them.
expertise in thematic sections;
2. From
the
overall
allocation
for
the
Progress
axis,
and
(c) qualitative and quantitative evaluations and impact
within its different thematic sections, 15 % to 20 % shall be
assessments carried out by both public and private
allocated to the promotion of social experimentation as a
bodies;
method for testing and evaluating innovative solutions with a
view to up-scaling them.
(d) monitoring and assessment of the transposition and
application of Union law;
Article 15
Specific objectives
(e) preparation and implementation of social policy experi
In addition to the general objectives set out in Article 4, the
mentation as a method for testing and evaluating inno
specific objectives of the Progress axis shall be to:
vative solutions with a view to up-scaling them;
(a) develop and disseminate high-quality comparative analytical
(f) dissemination of the results of those analytical activities.
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
2. Mutual-learning, awareness and dissemination activities:
individual Member States and other countries participating
in the Programme;
(a) exchanges and dissemination of good practice, innovative
approaches and experience, peer reviews, benchmarking
(b) facilitate effective and inclusive information-sharing, mutual
and mutual learning at European level;
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
(b) Council Presidency events, conferences and seminars;
countries participating in the Programme in developing
their policies and the Member States in implementing
Union law;
(c) training of legal and policy practitioners;
(c) provide financial support to test social and labour market
(d) drafting and publication of guides, reports and
policy innovations, and, where necessary, to build up the
educational material and measures relating to
main actors' capacity to design and implement social policy
information, communication and media coverage of
experimentation, and to make the relevant knowledge and
initiatives supported by the Programme;
expertise accessible;
(e) information and communication activities;
(d) provide Union and national organisations with financial
support to increase their capacity to develop, promote
(f) development and maintenance of information systems in
and support the implementation of Union instruments
order to exchange and disseminate information on
and policies as referred to in Article 1 and relevant Union
Union policy and legislation and on the labour market.
law.
3. Support with regard to:
Article 16
Types of actions
(a) the operating costs of key Union-level networks the
The following types of actions may be financed under the
activities of which relate to and contribute to the
Progress axis:
objectives of the Progress axis;
1. Analytical activities:
(b) capacity-building of national administrations and
specialist services responsible for promoting geographical
mobility designated by the Member States and micro
(a) gathering of data and statistics, taking account of both
credit providers;
qualitative and quantitative criteria, and developing
common methodologies, classifications, micro-simu
lations, indicators and benchmarks, where appropriate
(c) organisation of working groups of national officials to
broken down by sex and age-group;
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(d) networking and cooperation among specialist bodies and
3. The
Commission
may
cooperate
with
international
organi
other relevant stakeholders, national, regional and local
sations, and in particular with the Council of Europe, the OECD,
authorities and employment services at European level;
the ILO, with other United Nations bodies and with the World
Bank.
(e) funding of European-level observatories, including on
key thematic sections;
4. The
Commission
may
cooperate
with
third
countries
which are not participating in the Programme. Representatives
(f) exchange of personnel between national administrations.
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
Article 17
their attendance may be covered by the Programme.
Union co-financing
Where activities under the Progress axis are financed following a
CHAPTER II
call for proposals, they may receive Union co-financing which
shall not exceed, as a general rule, 80 % of the total eligible
EURES Axis
expenditure. Any financial support in excess of this ceiling shall
only be granted in duly justified exceptional circumstances.
Article 19
Thematic sections and financing
Article 18
The EURES axis shall support actions in one or more of the
Participation
thematic sections listed in points (a), (b) and (c). Over the entire
period of the Programme, the indicative breakdown of the allo
1. Participation
in
the
Progress
axis
shall
be
open
to:
cation set out in point (b) of Article 5(2) between the different
sections shall respect the following minimum percentages:
(a) Member States;
(a) transparency of job vacancies, applications and any related
(b) EEA countries, in accordance with the EEA Agreement, and
information for applicants and employers: 32 %;
EFTA member states;
(c) the candidate countries and potential candidates, in
(b) development of services for the recruitment and placing of
workers in employment through the clearance of job
accordance with the general principles and the general
vacancies and applications at Union level, in particular
terms and conditions laid down in the framework
targeted mobility schemes: 30 %;
agreements concluded with them on their participation in
Union programmes.
(c) cross-border partnerships: 18 %.
2. The
Progress
axis
shall
be
open
to
all
public
and/or
private
bodies, actors and institutions, and in particular:
Any remainder shall be allocated to one or more of the
(a) national, regional and local authorities;
thematic sections referred to in points (a), (b), or (c), or to a
combination of them.
(b) employment services;
Article 20
(c) specialist bodies provided for under Union law;
Specific objectives
In addition to the general objectives set out in Article 4, the
(d) the social partners;
specific objectives of the EURES axis shall be to:
(e) non-governmental organisations;
(a) ensure that job vacancies and applications and
corresponding information and advice, as well as any
(f) higher education institutions and research institutes;
related information such as that concerning living and
working conditions, are made transparent for the potential
applicants and the employers, respectively. This shall be
(g) experts in evaluation and in impact assessment;
achieved through exchange and dissemination at trans
national, interregional and cross-border level, through the
(h) national statistical offices;
use of standard interoperability forms for job vacancies and
applications and through other suitable means, such as indi
vidual counselling and mentoring, especially for the low
(i) the media.
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(b) support the provision of EURES services for the recruitment
Article 23
and placing of workers in quality and sustainable
employment through the clearance of job vacancies and
Monitoring of Mobility Patterns
applications; support for EURES services shall extend to
In order to detect and prevent negative effects arising in
various phases of placement, ranging from pre-recruitment
connection with inter-Union geographical mobility, the
preparation to post-placement assistance with a view to the
Commission shall, together with the Member States, in
applicant's successful integration into the labour market;
accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EU) No 492/2011,
such support services may include targeted mobility
regularly monitor mobility flows and patterns.
schemes to fill job vacancies in a certain sector, occupation,
country or a group of countries or for particular groups of
workers, such as young people, with a propensity to be
Article 24
mobile, where a clear economic need has been identified.
Participation
1. Participation
in
the
EURES
axis
shall
be
open
to:
Article 21
Types of Actions
(a) Member States;
The EURES axis may be used to finance actions to promote
voluntary mobility of individuals in the Union, on a fair basis,
and to remove mobility obstacles, and in particular:
(b) EEA countries, in accordance with the EEA Agreement, and
the Swiss Confederation, in accordance with the Agreement
between the European Community and its Member States,
of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other,
(a) the development and the activities of EURES cross-border
on the free movement of persons (
partnerships where requested by services territorially

1 ).
responsible for border regions;
2. The
EURES
axis
shall
be
open
to
all
bodies,
actors
and
institutions designated by a Member State or by the
(b) the provision of information, counselling, placement and
Commission which fulfil the conditions for participating in
recruitment services for cross-border workers;
EURES, as set out in Commission Implementing Decision
2012/733/EU. Such bodies, actors and institutions shall
include in particular:
(c) the development of the multilingual digital platform for the
clearance of job vacancies and applications;
(a) national, regional and local authorities;
(d) the development of targeted mobility schemes, following
(b) employment services;
calls for proposals, to fill job vacancies where labour
market shortcomings have been identified, and/or to help
workers with a propensity to be mobile, where a clear
(c) social partner organisations and other interested parties.
economic need has been identified;
CHAPTER III
(e) mutual learning among EURES actors and training of
Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship Axis
EURES advisors, including EURES cross-border partnership
advisors;
Article 25
Thematic sections and financing
The Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis shall support
(f) information and communication activities to raise
actions in one or more of the thematic sections listed in points
awareness of the benefits of geographical and occupational
(a) and (b). Over the entire period of the Programme, the
mobility in general and of the activities and services
indicative breakdown of the allocation set out in point (c) of
provided by EURES.
Article 5(2) between the different sections shall respect the
following minimum percentages:
Article 22
(a) microfinance for vulnerable groups and micro-enterprises:
Union co-financing
45 %;
Where activities under the EURES axis are financed following a
call for proposals, they may receive Union co-financing which
shall not exceed, as a general rule, 95 % of the total eligible
(b) social entrepreneurship: 45 %.
expenditure. Any financial support in excess of this ceiling shall
only be granted in duly justified exceptional circumstances.
( 1 ) OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 6.

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Any reminder shall be allocated to the thematic sections
(a) microfinance for persons and micro-enterprises; and/or
referred to in points (a) or (b) or to a combination of them.
(b) financing for social enterprises.
Article 26
Specific objectives
In addition to the general objectives set out in Article 4, the
2. The Commission shall ensure that the axis is accessible,
specific objectives of the Microfinance and Social Entrepre
without discrimination, to all public and private bodies in the
neurship axis shall be to:
Member States.
(a) increase access to, and the availability of, microfinance for:
3. In order to reach out to the final beneficiaries and create
competitive, viable micro-enterprises, public and private bodies
that carry out activities as referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1
(i) vulnerable persons who have lost or are at risk of losing
shall cooperate closely with organisations, including civil society
their job, or have difficulty in entering or re-entering the
organisations, representing the interests of the final beneficiaries
labour market, or are at risk of social exclusion, or are
of microcredit and with organisations, in particular those
socially excluded, and are in a disadvantaged position
supported by the ESF, and shall provide mentoring and
with regard to access to the conventional credit market
training programmes for such final beneficiaries. In this
and who wish to start up or develop their own micro-
context, a sufficient follow-up of beneficiaries shall be ensured
enterprises;
both before and after the creation of the micro-enterprise.
(ii) micro-enterprises in both start-up and development
4. Public
and
private
bodies
that
carry
out
activities
as
phase, especially micro-enterprises which employ
referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shall adhere to high
persons as referred to in point (i);
standards concerning governance, management and customer
protection in line with the principles of the European Code
of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision and shall seek to
(b) build up the institutional capacity of microcredit providers;
prevent persons and undertakings from becoming over-
indebted, for example, as a result of the granting of loans to
them at high interest rates or on terms likely to result in their
(c) support the development of the social investment market
insolvency.
and facilitate access to finance for social enterprises by
making equity, quasi-equity, loan instruments and grants
of up to EUR 500 000 available to social enterprises with
either an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 30 million, or
Article 29
an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 30 million
Financial contribution
which are not themselves a collective investment under
taking.
Except in the case of joint actions, the financial appropriations
allocated to the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis
shall cover the full cost of the actions implemented through
In order to ensure complementarity, the Commission and the
financial instruments, including payment obligations towards
Member States shall, in their respective areas of competence,
financial intermediaries, such as losses from guarantees,
closely coordinate these actions with those undertaken in the
management fees for the entities managing the Union's
framework of cohesion policy and national policies.
contribution and any other eligible costs.
Article 27
Article 30
Types of actions
Management
Support to microfinance and social enterprises, including for
1. In
order
to
implement
the
instruments
and
grants
referred
institutional capacity building, in particular through the
to in Article 27, the Commission may conclude agreements
financial instruments provided for under Title VIII of Part one
with the entities listed in Article 139(4) of the Financial Regu
of the Financial Regulation, and grants may be provided under
lation, and in particular with the European Investment Bank and
the Microfinance and Social Enterprises axis.
the European Investment Fund. Such agreements shall set out
detailed provisions on the implementation of the tasks entrusted
to those entities, including provisions specifying the need to
Article 28
ensure additionality and coordination with existing Union and
Participation
national financial instruments and to apportion the resources in
a balanced way among the Member States and the other partici
1. Participation
under
the
Microfinance
and
Social
Entrepre
pating countries. Financial instruments under Title VIII of Part
neurship axis shall be open to public and private bodies estab
One of the Financial Regulation may be delivered through a
lished at national, regional or local level in the countries
dedicated investment vehicle, which may be financed by
referred to in Article 18(1) and providing in those countries:
Programme funds, other investors or by both.

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2. The
dedicated
investment
vehicle
referred
to
in
paragraph annual reports provided for in Article 8(2) of Decision No 283/
1 may provide, inter alia, loans, equity capital and risk-sharing
2010/EU, detailed information on communication activities and
instruments for intermediaries or direct financing for social
information on complementarity with other Union instruments,
enterprises or both. Equity capital can be provided, inter alia,
notably the ESF.
in the form of open equity participations, dormant holdings,
shareholder loans and combinations of different types of equity
participations issued to the investors.
TITLE III
WORK PROGRAMMES AND FINAL PROVISIONS
3. The conditions, such as interest rates, for micro-credits
directly or indirectly supported in the framework of this axis
Article 32
shall reflect the benefit of the support and shall be justifiable
with regard to underlying risks and the actual cost of funding
Work Programmes
related to a credit.
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down
work programmes covering the three axes. Those implementing
acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination
4. In
accordance
with
Article
140(6)
of
the
Financial
Regu
procedure referred to in Article 36(3).
lation, annual repayments generated by one financial instrument
shall be assigned to that financial instrument until 1 January
2024, while revenues shall be entered in the general budget of
The work programmes shall, where relevant, be for a three-year
the Union after deduction of management costs and fees. For
rolling period and shall contain a description of the actions to
financial instruments already set up in the multiannual financial
be financed, the procedures for selecting actions to be
framework for the period 2007-2013, annual repayments and
supported by the Union, the geographic coverage, the target
revenues generated by operations started in the previous period
audience and an indicative implementation time frame. The
shall be assigned to the financial instrument in the current
work programmes shall also include an indication of the
period.
amount allocated to each specific objective and shall reflect
the re-allocation of funds in accordance with Article 33. The
work programmes shall reinforce the coherence of the
5. On
the
expiry
of
the
agreements
concluded
with
the Programme by indicating the links between the three axes.
entities referred to in paragraph 1 or after the termination of
the investment period of the specialised investment vehicle, the
balance due to the Union shall be paid into the general budget
Article 33
of the Union.
Re-allocation of funds between the axes and to the
individual thematic sections within the axes
6. The
entities
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
of
this
Article
and,
where relevant, the fund managers shall conclude written
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts, in
agreements with the public and private bodies referred to in
accordance with Article 34, re-allocating funds between axes
Article 28. Such agreements shall lay down the obligations of
and to individual thematic sections within each axis that
the public and private providers to use the resources made
would exceed the indicative amount set in each case by more
available under the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship
than 5 % and up to 10 %, where developments in the socio-
axis in accordance with the objectives set out in Article 26
economic context or the findings in the mid-term evaluation
and to provide information for drafting the annual implemen
referred to in Article 13(1) so require. The re-allocation of funds
tation reports provided for in Article 31.
to thematic sections within each axis shall be reflected in the
work programmes referred to in Article 32.
Article 31
Article 34
Implementation reports
Exercise of the delegation
1. The
entities
referred
to
in
Article
30(1),
and,
where
relevant, the fund managers, shall send to the Commission
1. The
power
to
adopt
delegated
acts
is
conferred
on
the
annual implementation reports setting out the activities that
Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
have been granted support and covering their financial imple
mentation and the allocation and accessibility of funding and
investment by sector, geographical area and type of beneficiary.
2.
The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 33
Those reports shall also set out the applications accepted or
shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of seven
rejected with regard to each specific objective, the contracts
years from 1 January 2014.
concluded by the public and private bodies concerned, the
actions funded and the results, including in terms of their
social impact, employment creation and sustainability of the
3. The
delegation
of
power
referred
to
in
Article
33
may
be
support granted. The Commission shall send those reports to
revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the
the European Parliament for information purposes.
Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation
of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the
day following the publication of the decision in the Official
2. The
information
provided
in
those
annual
implementation Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified
reports shall feed into the biennial monitoring reports provided
therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts
for in Article 12. Such monitoring reports shall include the
already in force.

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L 347/252
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
4. As
soon
as
it
adopts
a
delegated
act,
the
Commission
shall shall continue to be governed by that Decision. With regard to
notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the
those actions, the Commission shall be assisted by the
Council.
committee referred to in Article 36 of this Regulation.
5. A
delegated
act
adopted
pursuant
to
Article
33
shall
enter
Article 38
into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the
European Parliament or the Council within a period of two
Evaluation
months of notification of that act to the European Parliament
1. The
final
evaluation
provided
for
in
Article
13(4)
of
this
and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the
Regulation shall include the final evaluation provided for in
European Parliament and the Council have both informed the
Article 9 of Decision No 283/2010/EU.
Commission that they will not object. That period shall be
extended by two months at the initiative of the European
Parliament or of the Council.
2. The
Commission
shall
carry
out
a
specific
final
evaluation
of the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis no later
Article 35
than one year after the expiry of the agreements with the
entities.
Additional implementation measures
Measures necessary for the implementation of the Programme,
Article 39
such as the criteria for evaluating the Programme, including
Amendments to Decision No 283/2010/EU
those relating to cost effectiveness and the arrangements for
disseminating and transferring results, shall be adopted in
Decision No 283/2010/EU is amended as follows:
accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in
Article 36(2).
(1) In Article 5, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
Article 36
"4. On the expiry of the Facility, the balance due to the
Committee procedure
Union shall be made available for microfinance and support
for social enterprises in accordance with Regulation (EU)
1. The
Commission
shall
be
assisted
by
a
committee.
That
No 1296/2013 of the European Parliament and of the
committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regu
Council of 11 December 2013 on a European Union
lation (EU) No 182/2011.
Programme for Employment and Social Innovation
("EaSI") (*).
2. Where
reference
is
made
to
this
paragraph,
Article
4
of
___________
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
(*) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 238";
3. Where
reference
is
made
to
this
paragraph,
Article
5
of
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
(2) In Article 8, paragraphs 3 and 4 are deleted.
Article 37
Article 40
Transitional measures
Entry into force
Actions referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6 of Decision
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that
No 1672/2006/EC, which are initiated before 1 January 2014
of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 11 December 2013.
For the European Parliament
For the Council
The President
The President
M. SCHULZ
V. LEKEVIIUS

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