Community Programmes
Community Programmes are actions underpinning the implementation of Community policies covering almost every area of social an economic life. Pursuant to the decision of the European Council at the EU Summit in Copenhagen in 1993, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe are also eligible to apply for specific Community Programmes in order to prepare for integration.
Hungary has participated in 17 Community Programmes since 1997. The so-called new generation phase of the Community Programmes was launched in 2000. Hungary has been joining the EU Community Programmes on an on-going basis. Competent ministries manage and supervise participation in these, whilst programme offices set up with the objective of undertaking technical implementation by and large perform this particular task, or alternatively, ministries undertake this task.
A total of 35 Community Programmes are currently running in the European Union. From amongst these, the following are the most significant ones and most widely known in Hungary:
Community Programme for combating social exclusion: activities undertaken within the framework of the programme focus on making a decisive impact to eliminate poverty. In view of how social partners and non-governmental organisations also contribute to fighting exclusion, the programme connects them into political dialogue and debate, which is to be undertaken at a European level.
The Socrates Programme is the educational cooperation programme of the European Union and covers all levels of education from kindergarten through to life-long learning. Its main objectives are the following: promoting mobility of students studying at higher education institutions, developing language learning, developing instruments and methods used in open education and distant learning, encouraging life-long learning, establishing equal opportunity and supporting disadvantaged persons.
The Leonardo Programme is the vocational training programme of the European Union, the objective of which is to adjust vocational training to market needs, develop the quality of vocational training, ensure access to vocational training for the widest possible scope of individuals and support innovation relating to the content and methods used in vocational training. The Leonardo Programme supports the development of all levels of vocational training, from high school through to university and professional training, also covering company trainings.
Activities funded by the LIFE Programme:
Environmental protection: innovative activities and presentations for the industry; presentations, promotion and technical support for local authorities; preparation activities supporting the drafting of Community policy and legislation.
Nature conservation: activities targeting the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna species of Community interest.
Third countries: technical assistance for setting up the administrative organisational structure for environmental, as well as nature protection action facilitating permanent development; presentation in the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea region.
Youth programme: youth cooperation, the main objective of which is to enable young individuals to be able to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies required for acting as a responsible citizen, in addition to strengthening the feeling of solidarity, encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting international exchange and strengthening cooperation amongst professional youth workers.