{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2001-163/introduction",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2001-163/introduction.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2001/163",
  "legislation_title": "Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2001-163",
  "path": "introduction",
  "kind": "introduction",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Introductory text",
  "text": "Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council\nof 19 January 2001\non the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005)\nTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,\nHaving regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 150(4) thereof,\nHaving regard to the proposal from the Commission,\nHaving regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,\nHaving regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,\nActing in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty,\nWhereas:\n(1)\nFrom 6 to 8 April 1998, the Commission, in cooperation with the Presidency-in-office, held a European audiovisual conference on ‘Challenges and opportunities of the digital age’ in Birmingham. This consultation process highlighted the need for an improved programme of training in the audiovisual sector which concentrated on all the new aspects of the digital age. The Council of 28 May 1998 took note of the final conclusions of the said conference and called for new schemes to be developed to encourage a strong and competitive programme industry.\n(2)\nThe Report of the High-Level Group on Audiovisual Policy of 26 October 1998, entitled ‘The Digital Age: European Audiovisual Policy’, concluded that, in this environment, both initial and continuous training in the audiovisual sector should be strengthened.\n(3)\nThe challenges of production, distribution and availability of European audiovisual content were the main topics discussed at the Forum on Audiovisual Policy entitled ‘European content for the digital millennium’ organised in Helsinki on 10 and 11 September 1999 by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the Commission.\n(4)\nThe seminar ‘Training for the new millennium’ held by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the Commission in Oporto on 10 and 11 April 2000 stressed in its conclusions that efforts in training are required to facilitate the growth and desirable internationalisation of the European audiovisual industry.\n(5)\nIn the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council entitled ‘Audiovisual policy: next steps’, the Commission recognises the considerable impact on employment which the digital age will have in the audiovisual industry.\n(6)\nThe Green Paper on ‘The Convergence of the Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology Sectors, and the Implications for Regulation’ recognises that the emergence of new services will lead to the creation of new jobs. Adapting to the new markets requires staff trained in the use of new technologies. The Commission's public consultation on the Green Paper confirmed the demand for specialised vocational training adapted to the needs of the market.\n(7)\nIn its Conclusions of 27 September 1999 on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper, the Council called upon the Commission to take account of those results when drawing up proposals for measures to strengthen the European audiovisual sector, including the multimedia sector.\n(8)\nThe European Council held in Luxembourg on 20 and 21 November 1997 recognised that continuous education and vocational training can make a major contribution to the employment policies of the Member States with a view to improving suitability for employment, adaptability and the spirit of enterprise, and promoting equality of opportunities.\n(9)\nThe European Council meeting held in Lisbon on 24 March 2000 also emphasised the importance of appropriate training, particularly in new technologies used by the information society.\n(10)\nIn its report to the European Council on job opportunities in the information society, the Commission noted that the new audiovisual services offered a strong potential for job creation.\n(11)\nIt is therefore appropriate to facilitate the development of investment in the European audiovisual industry and call on the Member States to encourage the creation of new jobs by various means.\n(12)\nThe Commission implemented an ‘Action programme to promote the development of the European audiovisual industry (MEDIA) (1991-1995)’, adopted by Council Decision 90/685/EEC and comprising, in particular, support for training activities to improve the professional skills of persons working in the European audiovisual programme industry.\n(13)\nThe Community strategy for developing and strengthening the European audiovisual industry was confirmed under the MEDIA II programme adopted by Council Decision 95/563/EC, and by Council Decision 95/564/EC. On the basis of the achievements of the abovementioned MEDIA II programme, its continuation should be ensured in the light of the results obtained.\n(14)\nIn its report on the results obtained under the MEDIA II (1996-2000) programme, from 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1998, the Commission considers that the programme meets the principle of the subsidiarity of Community funds to national funds, since the field of intervention of MEDIA II supplements the traditionally predominant role of the national schemes.\n(15)\nThe Commission recognised the positive impact of the MEDIA II programme on employment in the audiovisual industry in its Communication on Community Policies in Support of Employment.\n(16)\nAs it is necessary to take cultural aspects of the audiovisual sector into account as indicated in Article 151(4) of the Treaty, it should be ensured that participation in this programme reflects European cultural diversity.\n(17)\nWith a view to encouraging European audiovisual projects, the Commission will examine the possibility of complementary funding from other Community instruments in particular under the ‘e-Europe’ Action plan, such as those covered by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF) as well as the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities adopted by Decision No 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Professionals in the audiovisual sector will be informed about the different types of funding available at Community level.\n(18)\nThe emergence of a European audiovisual market calls for professional skills adjusted to the new dimension of the market, particularly in the field of the economic, financial and commercial management of audiovisual projects and in the use of new technologies in the design, development, production, distribution, marketing and broadcasting of programmes.\n(19)\nProfessionals should be given the professional skills to allow them to benefit fully from the European and international dimension of the market for audiovisual programmes, and they must be encouraged to develop projects which meet the needs of that market.\n(20)\nParticular emphasis should be given to specialised training in intellectual property rights including the relevant Community rules, as well as to specialised training in the marketing of audiovisual products focusing in particular on new technologies as dissemination and marketing vehicles.\n(21)\nEqual opportunities are a basic principle in Community policies which must be taken into account in the implementation of this programme.\n(22)\nTraining for professionals should comprise the essential economic, legal, technological and business content; rapid changes in these subjects make lifelong learning necessary.\n(23)\nIn order to ensure that professionals master new technologies, special emphasis should be given to training in the use of these technologies, and thereby increasing competitiveness of enterprises in the audiovisual sector.\n(24)\nIn accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the networking of vocational training centres should be encouraged in order to facilitate the exchange of know-how and best practice in an international environment.\n(25)\nSupport for vocational training should take account of structural objectives, such as developing the potential for creation, production, marketing and distribution in countries or regions with: a low audiovisual production capacity; and/or a restricted linguistic or geographical area; as well as the development of an independent European production and distribution sector, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises.\n(26)\nIn accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and in view of the fact that the objectives of the proposed measures concerning the implementation of vocational training policy cannot be achieved by the Member States, in particular in view of the transnational partnerships to be established between the training centres, the measures necessary to achieve them should be implemented by the Community. This Decision does not go beyond what is needed to achieve these objectives.\n(27)\nThe measures proposed under this programme are all aimed at achieving transnational cooperation which brings an added value to the measures being taken in the Member States, in accordance with the aforementioned principle of subsidiarity.\n(28)\nThe associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, those EFTA countries which are members of the EEA, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey are recognised as potential participants in Community programmes on the basis of supplementary appropriations and in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countries. Those countries of Europe which have signed the Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television belong to the European audiovisual area and may therefore, if they wish, and taking into account budgetary considerations or other priorities of their audiovisual industries, participate in the programme or benefit under a limited cooperation scheme, on the basis of the supplementary appropriations, in accordance with the procedures to be established in the agreements between the interested parties.\n(29)\nThe opening-up of the programme to European third countries should be subject to a prior examination as to the compatibility of their national legislation with the Community acquis in particular Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities.\n(30)\nCooperation in the field of vocational training on the part of the European training establishments and those in third countries, on the basis of common interests, is likely to create an added value for the European audiovisual industry. Moreover, opening up to third countries will raise awareness of European cultural diversity and will lead to the dissemination of common democratic values. Such cooperation will be developed on the basis of supplementary appropriations and in accordance with the procedures to be established in the agreements between the interested parties.\n(31)\nIn order to enhance the added value of the Community action, it is necessary to ensure, at all levels, that the measures taken under this Decision are consistent with and complementary to other Community action. It is desirable to coordinate the activities laid down by the programme with those undertaken by international organisations such as the Council of Europe.\n(32)\nIn accordance with the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council, the Council and Commission are to report by the end of 2000 on the review of the EIB and EIF financial instruments which was undertaken in order to redirect funding towards business start-ups, high-tech firms and micro-enterprises, as well as other risk capital or guarantee mechanism initiatives proposed by the EIB and EIF. In this connection, particular attention should be paid to the audiovisual sector, including training programmes.\n(33)\nThis Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial framework constituting the prime reference, within the meaning of point 33 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and Commission, for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure.\n(34)\nThe measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission,\nHAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "OJ C 150, 30.5.2000, p. 59."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "OJ C 168, 16.6.2000, p. 8."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f3",
      "text": "OJ C 317, 6.11.2000, p. 60."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f4",
      "text": "Opinion of the European Parliament of 6 July 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 23 November 2000 (OJ C 375, 28.12.2000, p. 44) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 December 2000."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f5",
      "text": "OJ C 283, 6.10.1999, p. 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f6",
      "text": "OJ L 380, 31.12.1990, p. 37."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f7",
      "text": "OJ L 321, 30.12.1995, p. 25."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f8",
      "text": "OJ L 321, 30.12.1995, p. 33."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f9",
      "text": "OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f10",
      "text": "OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f11",
      "text": "OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f12",
      "text": "OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2001/163/introduction",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:18:44.228641+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}