COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/674

26.4.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 141/25 ---|---|---|--- * * * COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/674 of 21 April 2021 on the request for registration of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP)’ (notified under document C(2021) 2784) (Only the English text is authentic) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the European citizens’ initiative (1), and in particular Article 6(2) and (3) thereof, Whereas: (1) | A request for registration of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP)’ was submitted to the Commission on 27 February 2021. ---|--- (2) | The objectives of the initiative are expressed as follows: ‘As European students and future civil servants, we believe that exchanges should not stop once studies come to an end. We therefore propose the creation of a Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP), an exchange and training programme between civil servants of the Member States of the European Union. The aim of this ‘Erasmus for the civil service’ would be to offer civil servants from EU Member States professional experience in a similar service in another Member State for a period of 2 to 12 months. During the exchange, civil servants could continue to receive the salary of their home country, subject to compensation from the EU if this salary is lower than that received in the host country for an equivalent position. The CSEP would strengthen the freedom of movement of workers in the EU, foster an exchange of best practices between civil services and improve links between Member States. In addition, the CSEP would help civil servants to overcome the numerous challenges they encounter in their working relations with their European colleagues. The CSEP would initiate a new spirit of unity, by citizens and for citizens, thanks to civil servants from European countries.’ ---|--- (3) | An annex provides further details on the subject matter, objectives and background to the initiative. In particular, it sets out the perceived advantages of the programme, namely the benefits of a European experience, the development of additional skills and exchange of best practices and the strengthening of the EU and its Member States. The annex indicates that the programme should benefit many categories of civil servants, such as teachers, public health staff, and staff in criminal, judicial and administrative functions. It also addresses the remuneration of officials participating in the exchanges and the Union financial contribution. ---|--- (4) | The initiative proposes the creation of an exchange programme in the form of a legislative framework allowing Member States to voluntarily assign positions in their administration to be made available to civil servants from other Member States for the purpose of an exchange, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity and the respective competences of the EU and the Member States’ and the possibility to limit access to some positions in order to maintain public order and safeguard the security of important national public information. ---|--- (5) | Insofar as the programme aims at developing exchanges of information and best practices between civil servants, the Commission has the power to propose it as an incentive measure designed to encourage cooperation between Member States and to support their action in the field of employment on the basis of Article 149 of the Treaty. ---|--- (6) | Moreover, the programme could also be proposed on the basis of Article 165(4) and Article 166(4) of the Treaty, insofar as it aims at encouraging mobility of teachers and instructors and developing education and vocational training. ---|--- (7) | Finally, the programme could be proposed on the basis of Article 197(2) of the Treaty, insofar as it would aim to improve the administrative capacity of Member States to implement Union law. ---|--- (8) | For these reasons, none of the parts of the proposed initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. ---|--- (9) | The group of organisers has provided appropriate evidence that it fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 and has designated the contact persons in accordance with Article 5(3), first subparagraph, of that Regulation. ---|--- (10) | The initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious, nor is it manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. ---|--- (11) | The initiative entitled ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP)’ should therefore be registered, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP)’ shall be registered. Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the group of organisers of the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP)’, represented by Mr Johan GONCALVES and Mr Adam MAZOYER acting as contact persons. Done at Brussels, 21 April 2021. For the Commission Věra JOUROVÁ Vice-President * * * (1) OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 55. * * *