European Commission Programmes and Initiatives Promoting
e-learning activities and related issues

1. eLEARNING PROGRAMME
A programme for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (2004 – 2006)

2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES
SOCRATES
The Socrates Programme forms the backbone of the European Union education initiatives. COMENIUS
Focused on school education, Comenius encourages transnational cooperation between schools, improves professional development of school staff and promotes language learning and intercultural awareness.
ERASMUS
Focused on higher education, Erasmus boosts mobility between European countries and encourages transnational cooperation between universities.
GRUNDTVIG
Grundvitg improves adult education in the broader sense, foster improvement of the education possibilities available to people without basic school qualifications, and encourages innovation in alternative educational pathways.
LINGUA
Spreading from pre-primary school to adult education, this Action aims to foster linguistic diversity in Europe, enhacing the quality of language teaching and improving access for individuals to learning resources.
MINERVA
Covering all areas of education, Minerva promotes european cooperation in the use of Information and Communications Technologies in education, and promotes Open and Distance Learning.
OBSERVATION AND INNOVATION
An action improving the exchange of information and experience in the field of education between the countries participating in Socrates.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
Focused on Vocational Training, the Leonardo Programme attempts to improve the skills and competence of people to improve the quality of, and access to, vocational training and the life-long learning possibilities.

3. RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
eCONTENT
This programme stimulates the development and use of European digital content on the global networks and promotes linguistic diversity in the Information Society.
eTEN
Focused on services for telecommunications networks, this programme supports the market validation and initial implementation of services such as training, employment and application services for culture.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND SHOWCASTING ACTIONS
The Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) is the EU main instrument for the funding of research in Europe. Seven key areas have been chosen, among them, Information Society Technologies. INFORMATION SOCIETY TECHNOLOGIES (IST)
A key thematic priority area of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), IST aims to contribute to European policies for the knowledge society and the eEurope Action Plan.

4. OTHER PROGRAMMES
E-GOVERNMENT
eGovernment is the use of information and communication technologies in public administrations - combined with organisational change and new skills - to improve public services and democratic processes and to strengthen support to public policies.
E-HEALTH
e-Health is today’s tool for substantial productivity gains, while providing tomorrow’s instrument for restructured, citizen-centred health care systems and, at the same time, respecting the diversity of Europe’s multi-cultural, multi-lingual health care traditions. There are many examples of successful e-Health developments including health information networks, electronic health records, telemedicine services, wearable and portable monitoring systems, and health portals.
MEDIA PLUS
This programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry, in particular the distribution of audiovisual products produced in the Member States.
STRUCTURAL FUNDS
The Structural Funds programme promotes the development and structural adjustment of regions, combats unemployment, facilitates the adaptation of workers, and promotes rural development. Many of the projects supported include eLearning and Information Technology Systems.
EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (ERDF)
Its purpose is to reduce regional disparities in the European Union and encourage the development and conversion of regions.
EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND (ESF)
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the main financial tool through which the European Union translates its strategic employment policy aims into action.
ACTIONS UNDER ARTICLE 6 OF THE ESF REGULATION, 2000 – 2006
Article 6 supports innovative measures improving the operations supported by ESF. The programme promotes the use of IT tools in the framework of social dialogue and social inclusion through the use of IT tools.
EQUAL
The ESF Human Ressources Community initiative EQUAL is an experimental programme to test new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality experienced by those in work or looking for a job. The thematic field "Adaptation to Change and NIT" focuses primarily on e-learning.
REGIONAL INFORMATION SOCIETY INITIATIVE, RISI
The RISI aims to integrate the Information Society concept into the regional and local development and employment policies of the less favoured regions in the EU.