Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, March 2001

eContent Call for Proposals

The eContent programme is to cover the period 2001-2005 and was agreed in December 2000 with a budget of €100 m. It is aimed at “supporting the production, dissemination and use of European digital content and promoting linguistic diversity on the global networks”. To achieve the overall aims there are three main strands: (1) improving access to and expanding use of public sector information; (2) enhancing content production in a multilingual and multicultural environment; and (3) increasing dynamism of the digital content market. The programme contributes to the eEurope Action Plan's objective of stimulating the use of the Internet. The Work Programme for 2001-2002 of the eContent programme was adopted on 15 March and is available to download from the Information Society website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/information_society/econtent/wp_en.htm. Wasting no further time, the first call for proposals has now been launched and details can be found on the CORDIS website at http://www.cordis.lu/econtent/ together with information on how to submit a proposal. Information days are being held for those interested in participating. There will be one in Brussels on 26 April 2001, as well as national information days. London is the venue on 10 May 2001 at the Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street. Visit the website for full details.

Small business: Commission streamlines its business support

The Commission Press Release IP/01/236 of 21 February 2001 outlines plans to rationalise the support it offers to business to improve efficiency and raise the profile of the service. Currently there are a number of different networks which offer information, advice and assistance. These include the Euro Info Centres (EICs), Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs), Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies (OPETs), European Business Information Centres (EBICs) and the perhaps less well known COOPECOs and EUROCENTROS which deal with co-operation and investment in Latin America. Businesses have not always been clear about the differences between the services offered and which network is most appropriate to their needs. It is the Commission's intention therefore to create a common platform for the networks though still maintaining a variety of access routes to the services offered. This should simplify the approach for businesses, while the networks should be able to signpost customers to best fit their needs. It is felt that marketing such a combined service and raising awareness of available support as well as opportunities for participation in EU programmes should be easier and more efficient.
The programme of change is due to start this year and will no doubt soon be reflected in the various websites and contact directories available electronically.

Resolution on the information and communication strategy of the EU

The European Parliament's document B5-0174/2001 on the information and communication strategy of the EU was debated on 12 March and adopted on 14 March 2001. The full provisional text of the Resolution can currently be seen on the European Parliament's website in the plenary session section http://www.europarl.eu.int/plenary/default_en.htm. Searching by the date of 14 March under the heading “Texts adopted” it appears on p58 of the pdf file for texts adopted at that sitting. Shortly however it should also be accessible by document number or keyword search. The debate is also recorded on the Parliament's site.
The MEPs express their concern about the transfer of responsibilities relating to information policy from Commissioner Reding to the Press and Communication Service of the Commission. They advocate that all EU institutions should co-ordinate their information activities to maximise impact and there is particular concern about the need to promote public debate and awareness. The Commission is encouraged to make greater use of existing information relays and networks to get the message across.
During the course of the debate Commissioner Monti, on behalf of the Commission, reported that the Commission's long awaited document on information and communication policy would be made available “before the summer” but he faced considerable criticism about lack of action and delay.

Greater transparency for the Council

The Swedish Presidency website at http://www.eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=13127/ records a press release on a decision taken unanimously at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 19 March 2001 which will greatly improve openness and transparency. It was agreed that with effect from 1 May 2001 certain categories of Council documents will automatically be made available on the Internet. The documents will include agendas and reports as well as legislative papers. This means that the slow process of submitting a request in writing to have access to specific Council documents can now be by-passed for the categories of material agreed. It will of course still be necessary to follow that route for documents which fall outside the parameters laid down. More information on the categories of documents included in the decision can be found in the Council Press Release 6933/01 available via the Pressroom on the Council website at http://ue.eu.int/