 | This article needs to be updated. (January 2014) |
The Lifelong Learning Programme 2007–2013 (previously referred to as the "Integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning" or the "Integrated programme") was the European Union programme for education and training.
The Lifelong Learning Programme 2007–2013 was established by Decision No.1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006. It was the single financial instrument available to the Commission for its directly managed education and training policies during the period covered by the European Union's 2007–2013 financial perspective. The Programme continued the main actions launched under previous action programmes (in particular, it brings together the various actions financed under the Socrates programme and the Leonardo da Vinci programme). It had six sub-programmes:
The Programme's objectives are first, to support the development of quality lifelong learning (a reference to the first paragraphs of Articles 149 and 150 of the Treaty of Rome, which establish the European Union's duties in education and training in those terms); and thereafter to help member states of the European Union develop their own education and training systems. Although the objectives are expressed in somewhat abstract terms, they are underpinned by actions which concentrate on the creation of links between people, institutions and countries in education and training – what the programme describes as the "European Dimension" of education and training.
The programme supports exchanges and connections between people, institutions and countries within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
These include (for example):
These include (for example):
These include (for example):
The management of the programme was very largely decentralised to a network of "national agencies", nominated by the participating countries. All individual mobility schemes and partnerships, and many multilateral projects, will be funded through these agencies. A limited number of projects will be handled centrally either by the European Commission itself or through its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency – a public agency funded by the Commission and operating on its behalf.
The Programme has an indicative total budget of €6.970 billion over the seven years 2007–2013. Minimum seven-year allocations for each of the four bigger programmes are laid down as follows:
The remaining budget was to be spent on other actions and administrative costs. In 2012, the Commission's amending budget included a €180 million deficit.
