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23.11.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union
L
325/1
I
(Legislative acts)
DECISIONS
DECISION No 1093/2012/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 21 November 2012
on the European Year of Citizens (2013)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
Article 1 and point (34) of Article 2 of the Treaty of
EUROPEAN UNION,
Lisbon (now Article 9 TEU and Article 20 TFEU)
provides that every person holding the nationality of a
Member State is a citizen of the Union, that citizenship
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
of the Union is additional to, and does not replace,
Union, and in particular Article 21(2) thereof,
national citizenship of a Member State and that citizens
of the Union enjoy the rights and are subject to the
duties provided for in the Treaties. Point (35) of
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon (now Article 21
TFEU) enshrines the right of citizens of the Union to
free movement and residence.
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
parliaments,
(3) The
Stockholm
Programme
—
An
open
and
secure
Europe serving and protecting citizens ( 3 ) puts the
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
citizen at the heart of European policies in the field of
Social Committee ( 1 ),
freedom, security and justice. It focuses its actions on
'building a citizens’ Europe', including through
promotion of citizens’ rights, in particular the right of
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure ( 2 ),
freedom of movement and rights which allow Union
citizens to participate actively in the democratic life of
the Union.
Whereas:
(4) In
its
Resolution
of
15
December
2010
on
the
situation
(1)
The Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values
of fundamental rights in the European Union (2009) -
of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity and
effective implementation after the entry into force of the
based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Treaty of Lisbon (
Those principles are fundamental to the Member States

4 ), the European Parliament called on
the Commission to make 2013 the European Year of
in societies in which pluralism, non-discrimination,
Citizens in order to give momentum to the debate on
tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between
Union citizenship, including its terminology, content and
women and men prevail. Every citizen of the Union
scope, and to inform Union citizens of their rights, in
has and should enjoy the rights provided for in the
particular of the new rights resulting from the entry into
Treaty on European Union (TEU), the Treaty on the
force of the Treaty of Lisbon, and of the means available
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the
to exercise those rights.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
(2) The
Treaty
of
Maastricht
in
1993
introduced
the
concept (5) 2013
should
be
designated
as
the
European
Year
of
of ‘citizenship of the Union’. The Treaty of Amsterdam in
Citizens. A European Year of Citizens would provide a
1999 and the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009 further
timely opportunity to raise the awareness of the general
strengthened the rights associated with Union citizenship.
public about the rights and responsibilities attached to
The year 2013 will mark the twentieth anniversary of the
Union citizenship. The European Year of Citizens should
establishment of citizenship of the Union. Point (12) of
aim also to raise the awareness of citizens about their
rights arising from Union citizenship when they exercise
their right to move and reside freely in another Member
( 1 ) OJ C 181, 21.6.2012, p. 137.
( 2 ) Position of the European Parliament of 23 October 2012 (not yet
published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of
( 3 ) OJ C 115, 4.5.2010, p. 1.
13 November 2012.
( 4 ) OJ C 169 E, 15.6.2012, p. 49.

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Official Journal of the European Union
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State, for example as students, workers, job-seekers,
that Union citizens are prevented from enjoying their
volunteers, consumers, entrepreneurs, young people or
rights because they lack awareness of them and
retired persons. In that context awareness-raising should
announced its intention to step up the dissemination of
be mainstreamed geographically, demographically and
information to Union citizens about their rights, in
socially, and should also focus on the removal of
particular about their right of freedom of movement.
remaining obstacles to exercising rights arising from
Union citizenship. The message should be conveyed
that Union citizens themselves also have a critical role
to play in strengthening those rights through their
(11) The
TEU
and
the
TFEU
confer
on
every
citizen
of
the
participation in civil society and democratic life.
Union the right to move and reside freely within the

territory of the Member States; the right to vote and to
stand as a candidate in elections to the European
Parliament and in municipal elections in his or her
Member State of residence under the same conditions
(6)
To enable Union citizens to make informed decisions
as nationals of that Member State; the right to enjoy,
about whether to exercise their right of freedom of
in the territory of a third country in which the
movement, it does not suffice to raise their awareness
Member State of which they are nationals is not repre
about the right itself. It is essential that Union citizens
sented, the protection of the diplomatic and consular
are also adequately informed about other rights available
authorities of any Member State on the same conditions
to them under Union law in cross-border situations. That
as the nationals of that Member State; the right to
information would enable them also to enjoy those other
petition the European Parliament; the right to apply to
rights fully, if they decide to make use of their right of
the European Ombudsman; the right to address insti
freedom of movement.
tutions of the Union; and other rights in various fields
such as the free movement of goods and services,
consumer protection and public health, equal oppor
tunities and equal treatment, access to employment and
to social protection.
(7)
Since its introduction in the 1958 Treaty of Rome as one

of the four fundamental freedoms, the right of freedom
of movement and residence has demonstrated its value as
one of the pillars for the creation of an internal market
(12) The
Treaty
of
Lisbon
introduced
new
rights,
in
particular
for the benefit of Member States’ economies and of indi
the citizens’ initiative, provided for in its point (12) of
vidual Union citizens.
Article 1 and point (37) of Article 2 (Article 11 TEU and
Article 24 TFEU), which enables at least one million
citizens, from a significant number of Member States,
to ask the Commission to present a proposal in any of
(8) The
right
to
move
and
reside
freely
across
the
territory
of
the Union's areas of responsibility, thereby further
the Member States is highly valued by Union citizens as a
allowing citizens to be actively engaged in the political
core individual right linked to Union citizenship. As
life of the Union and to participate directly in shaping
such, it demonstrates and promotes a better under
the development of Union law ( 1 ).
standing of the value of European integration, as well
as citizens’ participation in shaping the Union.
(13) Since 1979, when the first direct elections were held, the
European Parliament has acted as a direct interface
between citizens and the Union. The European
(9)
Despite the fact that the right of freedom of movement
Parliament and its Members play a crucial role in
and residence is firmly anchored in primary Union law
communicating the rights and benefits of Union citi
and substantially developed in secondary Union law, a
zenship, in bringing Union citizens’ concerns to the
gap still remains between the applicable legal rules and
fore in the formulation of policy, and in promoting the
the reality confronting citizens when they seek to
active participation of Union citizens. Raising awareness
exercise those rights in practice. In addition to uncer
about Union citizens’ rights, gender equality, the partici
tainty concerning the advantages of mobility, Union
pation of women and men in the democratic life of the
citizens perceive too many practical obstacles with
Union including their electoral rights, as voters and as
regard to living and working in another Member State.
candidates, in their Member State of residence and about
the scope of the European Parliament’s powers in the
legislative process, is also important in view of the
European Parliament elections in 2014. The impact of
such awareness-raising actions should be multiplied
(10) In
its
EU
Citizenship
Report
2010
of
27
October
2010
through close coordination and exploitation of
entitled "Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens’ rights",
synergies with relevant actions implemented by Union
the Commission addressed the main obstacles which
institutions, in particular the European Parliament, by
citizens still encounter in their daily lives when they
European political parties and foundations, and by
seek to exercise their rights as Union citizens, in
Member States in the run up to those elections.
particular in cross-border situations, and outlined 25
concrete actions to remove those obstacles. One of the
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of
obstacles identified in this context was lack of
the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative (OJ L 65,
information. The Commission concluded, in its report,
11.3.2011, p. 1).

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23.11.2012 Official
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of
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European
Union
L
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(14) In
addition,
Union
citizens
who
are
considering
whether
accessible in all official languages of the Union. It should
to make use of their right of freedom of movement and
be provided in simple language and in collaboration with
residence should be informed about their rights to
local, regional and national authorities, the media, civil
acquire or preserve social security, including those
society and non-governmental organisations. All those
concerning cross-border healthcare, by virtue of the
different stakeholders could consider initiatives such as
Union rules on coordination of social security systems.
essay competitions and the development of action plans
Those rules ensure that they will not lose their social
and guides, online forums and campaigns in schools and
security rights when choosing to move within the
universities.
Union. Furthermore they should be informed about
recognition of their educational, academic and profes
sional qualifications and about the social and civic
competences which form part of the European
framework of "Key Competences for lifelong learning" ( 1 )
(18) The
active
role
of
Union
citizens
and
the
associations
and which can equip them to fully participate in civic life
representing them are central to the functioning of the
and empower them to exercise their rights under Union
Union. Articles 10 and 11 TEU stress the importance of
law.
participative democracy in all its aspects and the role
citizens and their representative associations play in
publicising and exchanging their views in all areas of
Union action. The Union institutions should promote
active democratic participation in the decision-making
(15) Union
citizens
should
also
be
better
informed
about
their
rights as passengers travelling by any mode of transport
process by means of an open, transparent and regular
across the Union and about their consumer rights across
dialogue with civil society in order to ensure that the
borders. If Union citizens are confident that their rights
Union's actions are coherent and transparent. The
as consumers are effectively protected, they will be in a
active participation of Union citizens should also be
position to contribute to the development of the Union
facilitated by access to documents and information, and
market for goods and services, which will thereby achieve
by good governance and good administration.
its full potential more effectively for the benefit of
citizens. Similarly, citizens should be better informed
about rules on general product safety and market surveil
lance, so as to be aware of how their health and their
rights are protected throughout the Union, particularly in
(19) Education
policy
plays
an
important
role
in
informing
the case of threats or risks that they are not able to deal
citizens, particularly young people, about the concept
with as individuals. Moreover, it is important to enhance
of Union citizenship and the rights attached to it. It
Union citizens’ awareness of their rights to cross-border
can also help to promote multilingualism, the mobility
healthcare and accompanying measures, such as eHealth
of students, teachers, persons undergoing vocational
and telemedicine, so that they are able to benefit fully
training and their instructors, and to foster social and
from safe and good-quality healthcare across Member
civic competences in accordance with the European
States’ borders.
framework of "Key Competences for lifelong learning",
which can equip them to participate fully in civic life and
empower them to exercise their rights under Union law
comprehensively. It should be possible to implement
specific actions to raise awareness of opportunities to
(16) This Decision aims to contribute to the realisation of the
volunteer, to study abroad, to participate in a traineeship
objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, to the extent that
in another Member State or to take part in Union
facilitating the freedom of movement of persons and
education exchange programmes.
enhancing workers’ mobility are important means by
which to address the consequences of demographic
change on the labour market and to increase the
employability of people and the competitiveness of
European industries. This Decision also has the long-
(20) The
European
Year
of
Citizens
will
be
marked
by
the
term aim of supporting research and innovation in the
Commission's 2013 EU Citizenship Report that will
Union against the current backdrop of alarmingly high
give details of progress made since its 2010 EU Citi
unemployment figures in particular Member States.
zenship Report and propose further actions to remove
persistent obstacles to Union citizens’ exercise of their
rights. On the basis of that report, the Council is able
to adopt provisions to strengthen or to add to the rights
attached to Union citizenship.
(17) The information, education and awareness-raising
campaigns organised within the framework of the
European Year of Citizens should also take into
consideration the needs of more specific audiences and
vulnerable groups. Information should be free and
(21) Union
citizens
should
also
be
made
aware
of
the
multi
lingual Your Europe web portal, which is a one-stop-
( 1 ) Recommendation 2006/962/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong
shop information point on the rights of citizens and
learning (OJ L 394, 30.12.2006, p. 10).
businesses in the Union.

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(22) The "Europe Direct" Information Centres, as a local
to recover funds lost, unduly paid or incorrectly used in
interface between the Union and its citizens, should be
accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No
close partners of the European Parliament in awareness-
2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the
raising campaigns, by facilitating local and regional
European Communities’ financial interests
( 3 ) and
debate about the Union, transmitting and distributing
(Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996
information material to the public and offering the
concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried
opportunity to send feedback to the Union institutions.
out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities’ financial interests against fraud
and other irregularities
( 4 ) and Regulation (EC) No
1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations
(23) All
initiatives
launched
for
the
purpose
of
and
within
the
conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) ( 5 ).
context of the European Year of Citizens should aim at
increasing mutual understanding between Union citizens,
the Union institutions and the Member States. This
implies raising awareness of citizens’ rights among the
staff of public authorities, whether at Union, national,
regional or local level.
(28) Union
funding
for
activities
other
than
those
funded
under the budget of the European Year of Citizens may
be given through existing Union programmes or the
Structural Funds, in particular the 2007 to 2013
"Europe for Citizens" programme and the 2007 to
(24) Since
it
was
founded
in
1949,
the
Council
of
Europe
has
2013 specific programme "Fundamental Rights and Citi
played a leading role in the educational and cultural
zenship" as part of the general programme "Fundamental
domain by promoting and establishing European
Rights and Justice", the "Lifelong Learning" programme,
cultural networks and through intercultural dialogue
including the Erasmus programme, the "Youth on the
and the promotion of linguistic diversity. The Union
Move" initiative and the "MEDIA" programme.
should therefore develop synergies with the Council of
Europe's work in this field in connection with the
European Year of Citizens.
(29) For
the
benefit
of
future
European
years,
a
thorough
evaluation of the measures carried out as part of the
(25) The
primary
responsibility
for
raising
citizens’
awareness
European Year of Citizens should be prepared. Such a
of their rights as Union citizens rests with the Member
report should include ideas and best practices for future
States. This includes providing information about the
action on how most effectively to reach out to and
Union and targeted reporting on the activities of all
involve citizens basing itself, where possible, on
Union institutions. Action at Union level complements
comparable quantitative data obtained from the
and supplements action taken at national, regional or
European Year of Citizens.
local level, as highlighted in the political declaration
"Communicating Europe in Partnership" signed on
22 October 2008 by the European Parliament, the
Council and the Commission ( 1 ). The Union institutions
and the Member States should strengthen cooperation
with the media and undertake to provide them with
(30) Since the objectives of the European Year of Citizens,
high-quality information on the Union.
namely enhancing awareness and knowledge of the

rights and responsibilities attached to Union citizenship
in order to enable citizens to make full use of their right
to move and reside freely within the territory of the
Member States and, in that context, also promoting the
(26) In order to optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of
enjoyment by Union citizens of the other rights attached
the activities envisaged for the European Year of Citizens,
to Union citizenship, cannot be sufficiently achieved by
it is important to carry out a set of preparatory actions
the Member States due to the need for multilateral part
during 2012 in accordance with Article 49(6) of Council
nerships, transnational exchange of information and the
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June
Union-wide awareness-raising and dissemination of good
2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the
practices, and can therefore, by reason of the scale of the
general budget of the European Communities ( 2 ) (the
European Year of Citizens, be better achieved at Union
Financial Regulation).
level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with
the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the
Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the
principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article,
this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in
(27) Appropriate
measures
should
be
taken
to
prevent
irregu
order to achieve those objectives,
larities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken
( 3 ) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
( 1 ) OJ C 13, 20.1.2009, p. 3.
( 4 ) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
( 2 ) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
( 5 ) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

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HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
(a) initiating information, media coverage, education and
awareness-raising campaigns targeted at the general public
and more specific audiences;
Article 1
Subject matter
The year 2013 shall be designated as the 'European Year of
(b) exchanging information and sharing experience and good
Citizens'.
practices among Union, national, regional and local auth
orities and other public and civil society organisations;
Article 2
Objectives
1. The
general
objective
of
the
European
Year
of
Citizens (c) organising conferences, hearings, including by means of the
shall be to enhance awareness and knowledge of the rights
internet, and other events to promote debate and raise
and responsibilities attached to Union citizenship, in order to
awareness of the importance and benefits of the right of
enable citizens to make full use of their right to move and
freedom of movement and residence, and more generally on
reside freely within the territory of the Member States. In this
the concept of Union citizenship and the rights attached to
context, the European Year of Citizens shall also promote the
it;
enjoyment by Union citizens of the other rights attached to
Union citizenship.
(d) using the existing multilingual participatory tools to
2. On the basis of paragraph 1, the specific objectives of the
stimulate the active involvement of civil society organi
European Year of Citizens shall be:
sations and of citizens in the European Year of Citizens,
including such direct democracy tools as the citizens’
initiative and public consultations;
(a) to raise Union citizens’ awareness of their right to move and
reside freely within the Union and, in that context, of all
other rights guaranteed to Union citizens, without discrimi
nation, including their right to vote in local and European
elections in any Member State in which they reside;
(e) strengthening the role and visibility of existing tools for
informing citizens, including modern information and
communication technology tools, such as the multilingual
Europe Direct information centres and Your Europe web
(b) to raise awareness among Union citizens, including young
portal as key elements of a 'one-stop-shop' information
people, about how they can tangibly benefit from Union
system relating to Union citizens’ rights;
rights, as well as about policies and programmes that exist
to support the exercise of those rights;
(c) to stimulate debate about the impact and potential of the
(f) strengthening the role and visibility of problem-solving
right of freedom of movement and residence, as an
tools, such as SOLVIT, in order to enable Union citizens
inalienable aspect of Union citizenship, with a view to
to make better use of, and defend their rights, under Union
stimulating and strengthening active civic and democratic
law;
participation of Union citizens, in particular in civic
forums on Union policies and European Parliament elec
tions, thereby reinforcing societal cohesion, cultural
diversity, solidarity, equality between women and men,
mutual respect and a sense of a common European
(g) providing Union citizens with information about the
identity among Union citizens, based on the core values
European Parliament's Committee on Petitions and the
of the Union, as enshrined in the TEU and the TFEU and
European Ombudsman in order to enable them to make
in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European
better use of, and defend their rights under, Union law; and
Union.
Article 3
(h) promoting the EU Citizenship Report, which is to be based
Initiatives involved
on a thorough debate and active contributions by citizens
and stakeholders, and which is to identify further obstacles
1. The measures to be taken to achieve the objectives set out
preventing Union citizens from fully exercising Union citi
in Article 2 may include the following initiatives organised at
zenship rights and to promote appropriate strategies to
Union, national, regional or local level:
remove those obstacles.

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2. Details
of
the
initiatives
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
are
set 2. Measures
which
are
Union-wide
in
nature,
referred
to
in
out in the Annex.
Part B of the Annex, may be subsidised by the general budget of
the Union.
3. The
Commission
and
the
Member
States
may
identify
other activities which could contribute to objectives of the
European Year of Citizens set out in Article 2 and allow the
Article 6
name of the European Year of Citizens to be used in promoting
those activities in so far as they contribute to achieving those
International cooperation
objectives.
For the purpose of the European Year of Citizens, the
Commission may cooperate with appropriate international
organisations, in particular with the Council of Europe.
4. In the context of initiatives organised in the framework of
the European Year of Citizens, consideration shall be given to
identifying obstacles to the exercise of the rights by the Union
citizens and to promoting appropriate ways and strategies to
Article 7
remove those obstacles, as well as to promoting inter-cultural
understanding of discrimination and fighting against it.
Protection of the Union's financial interests
Synergies shall therefore be sought between those initiatives
1. The
Commission
shall
ensure
that,
where
actions
financed
and existing tools and programmes in the field of fundamental
under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of
rights, citizens’ rights, employment and social affairs, education
the Union are protected by the application of preventive
and culture.
measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activ
ities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts
unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by effective,
proportionate and dissuasive penalties. The Commission may
Article 4
carry out checks and verifications in situ under this Decision,
Coordination and implementation at Union level
in compliance with Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96. If
need be, investigations shall be carried out by the European
1. The
Commission
shall
cooperate
closely
with
Member Anti-Fraud Office in accordance with Regulation (EC) No
States, the European Parliament, the European Economic and
1073/1999.
Social Committee and the Committee of Regions, as well as
with local and regional authorities and with bodies and associ
ations which represent local and regional interests.
2. For
the
Union
actions
financed
under
this
Decision,
the
notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation
2. The
Commission
shall
convene
meetings
of
represen
(EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any infringement of a
tatives of European or civil society organisations, or bodies
provision of Union law or any breach of a contractual
that are active in the field of citizenship and that defend
obligation resulting from an act or omission by an economic
citizens’ rights or promote education and culture, and other
operator which has, or would have, the effect of prejudicing the
stakeholders, to assist the Commission in implementing the
general budget of the Union by an unjustified item of expen
European Year of Citizens at Union level.
diture.
3. The
Commission
shall
endeavour
to
exploit
possible
synergies between different thematic European years, by
3. The
Commission
shall
reduce,
suspend
or
recover
the
evaluating achievements, monitoring persistent gaps and
amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds
providing statistical data, where appropriate, thus ensuring
irregularities, particularly non-compliance with the provisions of
effective implementation of the aims of European years.
this Decision or of the individual decision or contract granting
the financial support in question, or if it transpires that, without
Commission approval having being sought, the action has
undergone significant change that conflicts with its nature or
4. The
Commission
shall
implement
this
Decision
at
Union
with its implementing conditions.
level.
Article 5
4. If
the
time
limits
have
not
been
observed
or
if
only
part
of
Financial provisions
the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress
made with implementing an action, the Commission shall
1. Measures
which
are
Union-wide
in
nature,
referred
to
in request the beneficiary to submit observations within a
Part A of the Annex, shall give rise to a procurement contract
specified period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory
or the award of grants financed from the general budget of the
answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial
Union.
assistance and demand repayment of sums already paid.

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5. Any
amount
unduly
paid
shall
be
repaid
to
the
Article 9
Commission. Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid
in due time under the conditions laid down in the Financial
Entry into force
Regulation.
This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following
that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Union.
Article 10
Article 8
Addressees
Monitoring and evaluation
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
By 31 December 2014, the Commission shall submit a report
to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Done at Strasbourg, 21 November 2012.
Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment
of the initiatives provided for in this Decision. That report shall
serve as a basis for future Union policies, measures and actions
in this field. Pursuant to the experience of the European Year of
For the European Parliament
For the Council
Citizens, that report shall also present ideas and best practices
on how better to inform citizens of their rights, even after the
The President
The President
end of the European Year of Citizens.
M. SCHULZ
A. D. MAVROYIANNIS

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ANNEX
MEASURES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3
As a guiding principle, the implementation of the European Year of Citizens will be built around a broad Union-wide
information campaign which can be complemented by actions of the Member States. Union and national actions may
also involve civil society, which has substantial experience in the field in question, and other stakeholders with a view to
create ownership of all key actors. Implementation will be carried out through the following measures:
A. DIRECT UNION INITIATIVES
Financing will generally take the form of direct purchase of goods and services under existing framework contracts. Part
of the financing can be devoted to the provision of linguistic services (translation, interpretation, multilingual information,
sign language and Braille).
Information and promotion campaigns including:
— producing and disseminating audiovisual and print material which reflect the messages outlined in Article 2;
— holding high-visibility events and forums for exchanging experience and good practices;
— taking measures to publicise the results and raise the profile of Union programmes, schemes and initiatives
contributing to the objectives of the European Year of Citizens;
— establishing an information website on Europa (http://europa.eu/index_en.htm) which is dedicated to the actions
implemented in the context of the European Year of Citizens;
— including information on the European Year of Citizens in the newsletters, brochures, information material and
websites of education institutions and associations, nongovernmental organisations and trade unions.
B. CO-FINANCING UNION INITIATIVES
Union programmes, such as the 2007 to 2013 Europe for Citizens, could be used to co-finance activities under the
European Year of Citizens. Other programmes, such as the 2007-13 specific programme ‘Fundamental Rights and
Citizenship’ as part of the general programme "Fundamental Rights and Justice", will provide information about the
rights of Union citizens as a priority criterion for projects.
C. INITIATIVES NOT RECEIVING ANY UNION FINANCIAL AID
The Union will grant non-financial support, including written authorisation to use the label, once developed, and other
materials associated with the European Year of Citizens, to initiatives carried out by public or private organisations, in so
far as they provide assurances to the Commission that the initiatives in question are or will be carried out during 2013
and are likely to make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the European Year of Citizens.

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