IN September MEPs endorsed the agreement that was reached between Parliament and the Council of Ministers last July which gives the green light to the fullblown European Voluntary Service programme. The funding for the scheme had been the main sticking point between the two sides, but the agreement reached means that the programme will have a budget of Ecu 47.5 million or £31.1 million for the years 1998 and 1999.
In the end, claimed Nicole Fontaine (F, EPP), it was no longer worth delaying the start of the programme in an attempt to squeeze more money out of Council, and - although she still believed the finance was inadequate and wanted to see a figure of Ecu 80 million or £52 million - she did welcome the fact that Parliament had secured an increase in the funding from Council's original figure of Ecu 35 million or £22.9 million. Despite these remaining doubts over the budget, Parliament was successful in getting other improvements to the programme. The Commission took on board its concerns to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to participation in the programme and had also made it easier to establish links between the EVS and similar national voluntary activities.
The agreement will enable some 8,000 young people to benefit from the programme. Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales, PES) applauded the programme as an excellent way of breaking down barriers and enabling young people to benefit from the experience of working in another country.