Unit 10: EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, LEGISLATION AND PROJECTS

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to European institutions, legislation and projects.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

reading for information
specialist lexis
writing clearly and concisely

European Institutions

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Here is an easy test to get you warmed up for the subject of this unit:

Name the composer whose music is used in the European anthem.
a.
b.
c.

[?]
How many gold stars are there on the blue background of the EU flag?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
In the 1950s, the EU began with just six member states. How many countries are EU members now?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
One of these countries is not a member of the European Union – can you name it?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
The European Central Bank is located in:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Where are most of the EU institutions located?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What is the approximate combined population of the countries of the European Union?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which of the following European capitals is not situated on the Danube?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What are the official languages of the EU?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
In which treaty was the name ‘European Union’ first used?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Read the following text and answer the questions:

Read the following text:

The European Parliament is elected by the peoples of the Member States. Elections are held every five years. The present parliament has 732 members from all 25 EU countries. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) do not sit in national blocks, but in seven Europe-wide political groups. The European Parliament has three places of work: Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Luxembourg is home to the administrative offices (the 'General Secretariat'). Meetings of the whole Parliament, known as plenary sessions, take place in Strasbourg and sometimes in Brussels. Committee meetings are also held in Brussels. Parliament has three main roles:

Passing European laws - jointly with the Council in many policy areas.
Parliament exercises democratic supervision over the other EU institutions,

particularly the Commission. It has the power to approve or reject the nomination of commissioners, and it has the right to censure the Commission as a whole.

Parliament shares with the Council authority over the EU budget and can

therefore influence EU spending.

How often are elections to the European Parliament held?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
How many MEPs are there?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Where do plenary sessions usually take place?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Where do MEPs sit in the Parliament?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which of the following does the European Parliament NOT share responsibility for?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 3: Listening

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Exercise 4: Exposed Cloze

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

censure
hold
jointly
plenary
reject

Transcript:

Where are they going to hold the meeting? In Brussels or in Strasbourg?

Will it be a plenary session? Will all the delegates be there?

Do you make all the decisions alone or do you make them jointly with your partners?

Despite the minister’s warnings the committee’s performance failed to improve so he had to censure them more severely.

We made them a very good offer. I’ve no idea why they decided to reject it.

Where are they going to the meeting? In Brussels or in Strasbourg?
[?]
Will it be a session? Will all the delegates be there?
[?]
Do you make all the decisions alone or do you make them with your partners?
[?]
Despite the minister’s warnings the committee’s performance failed to improve so he had to them more severely.
[?]
We made them a very good offer. I’ve no idea why they decided to it.
[?]

Exercise 5: Listening

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Exercise 6: Exposed Cloze

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

police
policy
political
politician
politics

Exercise 7: Listening

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Exercise 8: True/False Statements

Read the following text and answer the questions:

Read the following text:

The Council of the European Union is the EU's main decision-making body. Its meetings are attended by one minister from each of the EU's national governments depending on the topic under discussion. It should not be confused with the European Council, which is a 'summit' meeting of the heads of EU governments. It should not be confused either with the Council of Europe, which is a completely separate body independent of the European Union. The Council of the European Union has six key responsibilities:

To pass European laws, jointly with the European Parliament in many policy

areas.

To co-ordinate the broad economic policies of the member states.
To conclude international agreements between the EU and other countries or

international organisations.

To approve the EU's budget, jointly with the European Parliament.
To develop the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, based on guidelines

set by the European Council.

To co-ordinate co-operation between the national courts and police forces

in criminal matters.

Decisions in the Council are taken by vote. The bigger the country's population, the more votes it has. In some particularly sensitive areas such as Common Foreign and Security Policy, taxation, asylum and immigration policy, Council decisions have to be unanimous and each member state has the power of veto. On most issues, however, the Council takes decisions by a system called 'qualified majority voting'.

The Council of the European Union is elected by the European Parliament.

[?]
The Council of the European Union is elected directly by the citizens.

[?]
Meetings are attended by one minister from each member country.

[?]
Meetings are always attended by the same ministers.

[?]
The Council of the European Union passes EU legislation.

[?]
The Council of the European Union coordinates economic policy and decides on the EU budget.

[?]
The Council of the European Union makes international agreements with countries not in the EU.

[?]
Decisions must always be unanimous.

[?]
In some areas, such as taxation or immigration, a member can veto an agreement.

[?]
Countries all have the same number of votes in the Council of the European Union.

[?]

Exercise 9: Transformation

Fill in the gap in sentence B so that it means the same as sentence A.

A. Because of the crisis, the countries involved organised a meeting of their heads of government.
B. Because of the crisis, the countries involved organised a meeting. [?]
A. What topic are they discussing today?
B. What’s the under discussion today? [?]
A. Does the report give any recommendations and general instructions for future action?
B. Does the report give any for future action? [?]
A. Victor sent a text message saying he wouldn’t be able to be present at the meeting.
B. Victor sent a text message saying he wouldn’t be able to the meeting. [?]
A. One of the most important recommendations was to set up a committee.
B. One of the recommendations was to set up a committee. [?]
A. People complained that they had to pay too much tax.
B. People complained that the level of was too high. [?]
A. The government always takes people’s opinions into consideration.
B. The government is always to people’s opinions. [?]

Exercise 10: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Read the following text:

The European Commission is independent of national governments. It drafts proposals for new European laws, which it presents to the European Parliament and the Council. It is also the EU's executive arm - in other words, it is responsible for implementing the decisions of Parliament and the Council, running EU programmes and spending EU funds. A new Commission is appointed by member state governments and the Parliament every five years, within six months of the elections to the European Parliament. The Commission remains politically accountable to Parliament, which has the power to dismiss the whole Commission by adopting a motion of censure. The day-to-day running of the Commission is done by its administrative officials, experts, translators, interpreters and secretarial staff. There are approximately 25,000 of these European civil servants. The 'seat' of the Commission is in Brussels, but it also has offices in Luxembourg, in all EU countries and delegations in capital cities around the world. The Commission has four main roles:

to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council;
to manage and implement EU policies and the budget;
to enforce European law (jointly with the Court of Justice);
to represent the European Union on the international stage, for example by

negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries.

How often is a new European Commission appointed?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
How are members of the Commission appointed?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Where is the Commission based?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which institution supervises the Commission’s work?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which of the following is the European Commission NOT responsible for?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 11: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct definition, A or B, of the word or expression as used in the previous text:

Exercise 12: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Read the following text:

The Court of Justice of the European Communities is based in Luxembourg. Its job is to make sure that EU legislation is interpreted and applied in the same way in all EU countries, so that the law is equal for everyone. It ensures, for example, that national courts do not give different rulings on the same issue. The Court also makes sure that EU member states and institutions do what the law requires. The Court has the power to settle legal disputes between EU member states, EU institutions, businesses and individuals. The Court is composed of one judge per member state, so that all 25 of the EU's national legal systems are represented. For the sake of efficiency, however, the Court rarely sits as the full court. It usually sits as a 'Grand Chamber' of just 13 judges or in chambers of five or three judges. The Court is assisted by eight 'advocates-general'. Their role is to present reasoned opinions on the cases brought before the Court.

The Court of Justice is the institution responsible for making new laws.

[?]
The Court of Justice ensures uniform interpretation and application of EU legislation.

[?]
The number of judges that a country has in the Court depends on the size of the country.

[?]
Private businesses or individuals can ask the Court to settle a legal dispute.

[?]
All sessions of the Court are attended by all 25 judges.

[?]

Exercise 13: Selections

In the following groups of words and expressions, which one does not belong?

Exercise 14: Cloze

Fill in the gaps in the text below. For each gap there is only one correct answer.

Transcript:

The Court of Auditors is based in Luxembourg. Its job is to check that EU funds, which come from the taxpayers, are properly collected and are spent legally, economically and for the intended purpose. It has the right to audit any person or organisation handling EU funds. The Court has one member from each EU country. The Court’s main role is to check that EU income and expenditure is legal and to ensure sound financial management. To carry out its tasks, the Court investigates the paperwork of any person or organisation handling EU income or expenditure. It frequently carries out on-the-spot checks. Its findings are written up in reports which bring any problems to the attention of the Commission and EU member state governments. One of its key functions is to help the European Parliament and the Council by presenting them every year with an audit report of the previous financial year. The Court of Auditors also gives its opinion on proposals for EU financial legislation and for EU action to fight fraud.

The Court of Auditors is based [?] Luxembourg. Its job is to check that EU funds, which come [?] the taxpayers, are properly collected and are spent legally, economically and [?] the intended purpose. It has the right to audit any person or organisation handling EU funds. The Court has one member [?] each EU country. The Court’s main role is to check that EU income and expenditure is legal and to ensure sound financial management. To carry [?] its tasks, the Court investigates the paperwork [?] any person or organisation handling EU income or expenditure. It frequently carries out on-the-spot checks. Its findings are written [?] in reports which bring any problems [?] the attention of the Commission and EU member state governments. One of its key functions is to help the European Parliament and the Council [?] presenting them every year with an audit report [?] the previous financial year. The Court of Auditors also gives its opinion on proposals for EU financial legislation and for EU action to fight fraud.

Exercise 15: Cloze

Fill in the gaps in the text below. For each gap there is only one correct answer.

Transcript:

There are five main EU institutions, each playing a specific role:

The European Parliament (elected by the peoples of the Member States); the Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the member States); the European Commission (executive body); the Courts of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); the Court of Auditors (controlling lawful management of the EU budget).

Five other important bodies are the European Economic and Social Committee (expresses the opinions of organised civil society on economic and social issues); the Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities); the European Central Bank (responsible for monetary policy and managing the euro); the European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU objectives by financing investment projects); the European Ombudsman (deals with citizens' complaints about maladministration by any EU institution or body). A number of other agencies and bodies complete the system.

There [?] five main EU institutions, each playing a specific role:

The European [?] (elected by the peoples of the Member States); the [?] of the European Union (representing the governments of the [?] States); the European [?] (executive body); the [?] of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); the Court of [?] (controlling lawful management of the EU budget).

Five other important bodies are the European Economic and Social Committee (expresses the opinions of organised civil society on economic and social issues); the Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of [?] and local authorities); the European Central [?] (responsible for monetary policy and managing the euro); the European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU objectives by financing investment projects); the European Ombudsman (deals [?] citizens' complaints about maladministration by any EU institution or body). A number of other agencies and bodies complete the system.

Exercise 16: Listening

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Exercise 17: Multiple Choice Questions

Test your knowledge about EU institutions:

Exercise 18: Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following are institutions of the European Union?

European Legislation

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Read the following text:

The European Union has a complex system of law which has direct and indirect effect within the legal systems of its member states. In some cases European law is directly binding in member states, i.e. it is mandatory and member states must comply with it. In other cases European law has to be transposed into national law before becoming binding. There are three sources of Union law:

Primary legislation: the treaties and their amendments.
Secondary legislation: regulations and directives, which are binding.
Decisions of the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.

Recommendations and opinions made by the Union's institutions are not binding. The entire body of European laws is known as the acquis communautaire. This includes all the treaties, regulations and directives passed by European institutions as well as rulings of the Court of Justice. Countries that wish to join the EU must adopt, implement and enforce all the acquis. As well as changing national laws, this often means they must set up or change the necessary administrative or judicial bodies to oversee the legislation.

European Union law has a higher status than national law.

[?]
EU law falls into three main categories.

[?]
Regulations are binding but recommendations are not.

[?]
Treaties are part of the acquis but directives are not.

[?]
Countries which join the EU do not need to modify their judicial systems.

[?]

Exercise 2: Selections

In the following groups of words and expressions, which one does not belong?

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Read the following text:

The acquis is the complete body of EU legislation. It is over 100,000 pages long in the Official Journal and over 20,000 documents were sent to the applicant countries for approval. In autumn 2004, the European Commission said its legislative work had slowed down because of a backlog of 60,000 pages that had not been translated into all the official languages. More than 400 extra staff have been recruited since, who have translated one million pages. To avoid disappearing under a mountain of paper, the Commission asked officials to draft shorter documents - 15 pages at most, rather than the previous average of

But quantity is not the only problem. The Commission has found that the

translators from the new member states are not as good as expected in dealing with the subtleties of "Euro-speak". The translation of the European constitution proved a particular challenge, with dozens of mistakes identified in some versions. Many commentators consider that rejection of the constitution in 2005 by French and Dutch voters and the apathy shown by citizens of most countries are due to the fact that it is too long, too detailed, and too difficult to understand. But with the constitution on ice, at least the Commission now has an indefinite period of time in which to improve it.

Why has the European Commission recruited 400 extra staff since autumn 2004?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
The accquis is 100,000 pages long. Since autumn 2004, a million pages have been translated. How is this possible?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Why has the Commission asked for shorter documents?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What do you think ‘Euro-speak’ is?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
In 2005 the European Constitution was rejected by:
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 4: Exposed Cloze

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

at most
backlog
on ice
prove
recruit

Transcript:

She didn’t think the document would prove so difficult to translate.

Because of the results in other countries they have decided to put their own referendum on ice .

I can’t go out with you tonight. I’ve got a tremendous backlog of work to finish.

How long will it take you to finish it? – I’m not sure. Three days at most.

Many companies go through an agency when they need to recruit new staff

She didn’t think the document would so difficult to translate.
[?]
Because of the results in other countries they have decided to put their own referendum .
[?]
I can’t go out with you tonight. I’ve got a tremendous of work to finish.
[?]
How long will it take you to finish it? – I’m not sure. Three days .
[?]
Many companies go through an agency when they need to new staff
[?]

Exercise 5: Listening

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Exercise 6: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

Exercise 7: Reading

Three fundamental principles of the European Union are the principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality. Here, for your interest, is the article from the European Constitution which explains these principles. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the content very well!

Article I-11

Fundamental principles

The limits of Union competences are governed by the principle of conferral. The use of Union competences is governed by the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.
Under the principle of conferral, the Union shall act within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Member States in the Constitution to attain the objectives set out in the Constitution. Competences not conferred upon the Union in the Constitution remain with the Member States.
Under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Union shall act only if and insofar as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, either at central level or at regional and local level, but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Union level.

The institutions of the Union shall apply the principle of subsidiarity as laid down in the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. National Parliaments shall ensure compliance with that principle in accordance with the procedure set out in that Protocol.

Under the principle of proportionality, the content and form of Union action shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Constitution.

The institutions of the Union shall apply the principle of proportionality as laid down in the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

Explanation:

What is important is to notice the use of the auxiliary SHALL in the text:

... the Union shall act...

... The institutions of the Union shall apply the principle of subsidiarity...

... National Parliaments shall ensure...

... the content and form of Union action shall not exceed...

The auxiliary 'shall' in some cases is used in a formal style to form the future tense, especially in the First Person Singular and Plural. For example: 'I shall arrive tomorrow'; 'We shall see you next week'. In a more informal style you could say: 'I will arrive ... ' or 'I'll arrive ...'; 'We will see you ...' or 'We'll see you ...'.

In other cases 'shall' has its original meaning of obligation: 'Shall I open the window? (Compare 'soll' etc in German). It is used in this sense of obligation in all kinds of contracts and legal documents, not only in the First Persons but also the Second and Third Persons.

Exercise 8: Cloze

Here is an extract from Article I-33 of the European Constitution. Fill in the gaps with the auxiliary: shall

Transcript:

To exercise the Union's competences the institutions shall use as legal

instruments, in accordance with Part III, European laws, European framework laws, European regulations, European decisions, recommendations and opinions.

A European law shall be a legislative act of general application. It shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

A European framework law shall be a legislative act binding upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.

A European regulation shall be a non-legislative act of general application for the implementation of legislative acts and of certain provisions of the Constitution. It may either be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, or be binding upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.

A European decision shall be a non-legislative act, binding in its entirety. A decision which specifies those to whom it is addressed shall be binding only on them.

When considering draft legislative acts, the European Parliament and the

Council shall refrain from adopting acts not provided for by the relevant legislative procedure in the area in question.

To exercise the Union's competences the institutions [?] use as legal

instruments, in accordance with Part III, European laws, European framework laws, European regulations, European decisions, recommendations and opinions.

A European law [?] be a legislative act of general application. It [?] be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

A European framework law [?] be a legislative act binding upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but [?] leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.

A European regulation [?] be a non-legislative act of general application for the implementation of legislative acts and of certain provisions of the Constitution. It may either be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, or be binding upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but [?] leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.

A European decision [?] be a non-legislative act, binding in its entirety. A decision which specifies those to whom it is addressed [?] be binding only on them.

When considering draft legislative acts, the European Parliament and the

Council [?] refrain from adopting acts not provided for by the relevant legislative procedure in the area in question.

Exercise 9: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Read the following text:

Despite several warnings in the past that Brussels was losing touch with its citizens, seven out of 10 Europeans say they still do not know how the EU affects their daily lives. A month after French and Dutch voters rejected the EU's new constitution, the European Commission presented a 50-point action plan aimed at improving communication with the public, amid growing concern that the EU has lost touch with its citizens. The "Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe" establishes a set of guidelines for the commission, but the plan itself contains plenty of Eurospeak. The Action Plan aims to engage all stakeholders through mainstreaming of communication in policy formulation and states that clear, simple and precise drafting of Commission proposals is essential if they are to be transparent and understandable for the citizen. The Plan states that only legal text should use legalistic language, that Eurojargon or Eurospeak is often confusing, complicated and elitist, and that there should be a layperson's summary to explain in plain words the personal and societal benefits of each policy.

Nobody had ever told the EU before that it was losing touch with its citizens.

[?]
The Commission is worried that people do not understand how the EU affects them.

[?]
Voters in many countries rejected the new constitution.

[?]
The Action Plan wants those who formulate policy to avoid jargon wherever possible.

[?]
The Commission thinks that citizens need summaries in simple language.

[?]

Exercise 10: Cloze

Type a word from the text to complete the following definitions:

Transcript:

To lose touch with means to lose contact with.

amid means in the middle of.

Anxiety or worry are other words for concern.

Any person or organisation with an interest in or affected by EU policies is called a stakeholder .

Making sure an issue is fully taken into account in all EU policies from the start is called mainstreaming .

A layperson is the person in the street, somebody who is not an expert or specialist.

In plain words means in simple language.

The word societal means relating to the organisation and structure of society.

To lose with means to lose contact with.
[?]
means in the middle of.
[?]
Anxiety or worry are other words for .
[?]
Any person or organisation with an interest in or affected by EU policies is called a .
[?]
Making sure an issue is fully taken into account in all EU policies from the start is called .
[?]
A is the person in the street, somebody who is not an expert or specialist.
[?]
In words means in simple language.
[?]
The word means relating to the organisation and structure of society.
[?]

European Projects

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

If you have to read a document which you suspect contains Eurojargon like 'stakeholder' or 'mainstreaming' and you don't know what these expressions mean, you may find the following websites useful:

Read the following texts and decide whether they are acceptable or not:

Besides its traditional mission of training in the field of family and work legislation, PJJIF assures counseling for work placement and company creation. Thus, European gender mainstreaming directives, taken into consideration by our country too, have become a strong axis of action.
a.
b.

[?]
The association certify credits formed for what students take part at the didactics from the Park, for attribute score inside the formative credit rating for the state.
a.
b.

[?]
This is an integrated resource development company that promotes the advancement of economic prosperity, environmental enhancement and social cohesion within the region. The company was set up by the business people and social partners of the region's main town.
a.
b.

[?]
This is a non-profit association concerned with environmental local balance, the persons employability and the development of employment, the creation of social connections that finally lead to the dynamics of sustainable development.
a.
b.

[?]
The analysis of the local feminine, entrepreneurial experiences appear therefore fundamental premises in order to pick the occupational strong points of the existing enterprises and potentialities, of professional development and conciliation of the times of job and the familiar times, but also in order to find the necessities of information/training and support services in transnational context.
a.
b.

[?]

Exercise 2: Cloze

Fill in the gaps in the text below. For each gap there is only one correct answer.

Transcript:

If you have to write an application, a contract or a project, it is best to use the KISS method. No, this is not a method written by a Hungarian philosopher

KISS means Keep It Short and Simple. Apart from the Action Plan mentioned

above , the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have also published a 'Joint Practical Guide' based on the KISS method for persons involved in the drafting of legislation within the Community institutions. This Guide states that:

Community legislative acts shall be drafted clearly, simply and precisely. It is sometimes easier to draft complicated sentences than make the effort of synthesis necessary to achieve clear wording. However, this effort is essential in order to achieve a text which can be easily understood and translated. Complicated sentences, comprising several phrases, subordinate clauses or parentheses (interpolated clauses), such as this one, are, in general, also to be avoided. Jargon and vogue words are also to be avoided. For example: 'proactive', 'integrated resource management system', 'quasi-abolition of central ex-ante visa controls'.

If you have to write an application, a contract or a project, it is best to use the KISS method. No, this is not a method written [?] a Hungarian philosopher

KISS means Keep It Short and Simple. Apart [?] the Action Plan mentioned

[?] , the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have also published a 'Joint Practical Guide' based [?] the KISS method for persons involved [?] the drafting of legislation within the Community institutions. This Guide states that:

Community legislative acts [?] be drafted clearly, simply and precisely. It is sometimes easier to draft complicated sentences [?] make the effort of synthesis necessary to achieve clear wording. However, this effort is essential in [?] to achieve a text which can be easily understood and translated. Complicated sentences, comprising several phrases, subordinate clauses or parentheses (interpolated clauses), [?] as this one, are, in general, also to be avoided. Jargon and vogue words are [?] to be avoided. For example: 'proactive', 'integrated resource management system', 'quasi-abolition of central ex-ante visa controls'.

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Here is an extract from a document published by the British Council under the title ‘A Survival Kit for European Project Management – Advice for Coordinators of Centralised Socrates Projects’. The language used in the document is a fine example of the KISS method – clear, simple writing. You may find the content useful if you are involved in Project Management. The extract consists of six short texts, A to F. Each short text is presented in two versions: a modified version and the original. In each case the original text is better. Your job is to decide why it is better.

What tasks are involved in project management?

A – Planning the whole project:

Modified	The project plan is of course an integral part of the application

but more refined planning has to take place throughout the lifetime of a project and the general aims and objectives have to be defined and translated into concrete outcomes and products, as well as the major steps which lead to the development of the products having to be packaged and timed in a work plan, all of which must be based on the availability of resources and budget, while of course every project partner should agree on quality criteria of their work.

Original	The project plan is of course an integral part of the application,

but more refined planning has to take place throughout the lifetime of a project. The general aims and objectives have to be defined and translated into concrete outcomes and products. The major steps which lead to the development of the products have to be packaged and timed in a work plan. All this must be based on the availability of resources and budget. Every project partner should agree on quality criteria of their work.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

B – Organising the project:

Modified	Preferably with the help of (written) agreements the different Roles and responsibilities, within the project, should be allocated, according to individual strengths and expertise. Not only have teams - and sub-teams - to be established (at the national and European levels) but also Relations, with the wider project environment, have to be organised.
Original	Preferably with the help of written agreements, the different roles and responsibilities within the project should be allocated according to individual strengths and expertise. Not only have teams and sub-teams to be established at the national and European levels, but also relations with the wider project environment have to be organised.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

C – Building up and leading a team:

Modified	A team which has motivation in which all members have an equal and shared degree of involvement and can have the possibility of relying on each other in a mutual way is a key factor which can contribute to the outcome and/or success of the project. Therefore while on the one hand much time needs to be dedicated to the development of a positive project culture a system of conflict resolution is also necessary.
Original	A motivated team in which all members are equally involved and can rely on each other is a key factor of success. Therefore much time needs to be dedicated to the development of a positive project culture. A system of conflict resolution is also necessary.

Modified

A team which has motivation in which all members have an equal and shared degree of involvement and can have the possibility of relying on each other in a mutual way is a key factor which can contribute to the outcome and/or success of the project. Therefore while on the one hand much time needs to be dedicated to the development of a positive project culture a system of conflict resolution is also necessary.

Original

A motivated team in which all members are equally involved and can rely on each other is a key factor of success. Therefore much time needs to be dedicated to the development of a positive project culture. A system of conflict resolution is also necessary.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

D – Organising and chairing meetings

Modified	Most project coordinators agree that the ongoing synergy of transnational meetings has an important part to play. Accordingly and to achieve the aforesaid outcome, meetings should be organised in a professional way and take the intercultural dimension of a European Project into account. Communication between meetings also needs mainstreaming and careful planning.
Original	Most project coordinators agree that transnational meetings have an important part to play. Accordingly meetings should be organised in a professional way and take the intercultural dimension of a European Project into account. Communication between meetings also needs careful planning.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

E – Monitoring and evaluating

Modified	If quality is to be achieved permanent monitoring of the progress of work and the evaluation of both processes and products are indispensable this should take place in a clear framework of evaluation.
Original	If quality is to be achieved, permanent monitoring of the progress of work and the evaluation of both processes and products are indispensable. This should take place in a clear framework of evaluation.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

F – Administering and managing the budget

Modified	The administrative tasks and the workload framework, which include especially financial management, must not be underestimated, while not only considerable time but also considerable energy can be saved if a clear and transparent reporting system and clear agreements are mainstreamed at the very start of a project. Leveraging the experience of other projects can be extremely valuable.
Original	The administrative workload, especially financial management, must not be underestimated. Considerable time and energy can be saved if a transparent reporting system and clear agreements are introduced at the very start of a project. To use the experience of other projects can be extremely valuable.

The modified version is not as good as the original because:

a.
b.
c.

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should have more confidence in:

reading for information
specialist lexis
writing clearly and concisely