Division 2.5.1 Conferences organised by the Presidency of the European Union

F1Two conferences organised by the Presidency of the European Union, one for the Presidency in the second half of 2010 and the other for the Presidency in the first half in 2011, are eligible for co-funding by the European Union for up to EUR 100 000 each, at the maximum European Union co-financing rate of 50 % of total eligible costs.

These events, which are highly political in nature and which involve representation at the highest level both from National Authorities and European representatives, are to be organised exclusively by the Member State holding the Presidency. Given the unique role of the Presidency in the framework of Community activities, the Member State responsible for the organisation of the event is considered as having a de jure monopoly.

According to Article 168(1)(c) of the IR, grants can be allocated without a call for proposals to organisations in a de jure or de facto monopoly situation, duly substantiated in the award decision.

The Presidency shall submit a request for a grant to the Commission services, via the Permanent Representation, for the conference concerned at least four months before the event. The request for a grant shall specify the topic of the conference, the draft programme, the provisional budget and the composition of the scientific and organisational committees.

The Presidency conferences to be co-funded under the Work plan for 2010 are: a Presidency conference on chronic disease to be held in October 2010 under the Belgian Presidency, and a Presidency conference on action on prevention to be held in May 2011 under the Hungarian Presidency.