Category B (opt in) ad hoc projects or programmes and ad hoc budgets associated therewith
Article 20
1. One or more participating Member States may inform the Steering Board that they intend to establish an ad hoc project or programme within the Agency's remit, and where appropriate the ad hoc budget associated with it, indicating also the expected added value brought by the Agency. The Steering Board shall be informed of the ad hoc budget, if any, to be associated with the proposed project or programme and details, if relevant, on human resources for such project or programme, as well as of potential contributions by third parties. 2. In the interest of maximising opportunities for cooperation, all participating Member States shall be informed of the ad hoc project or programme, including the basis upon which participation might be expanded, in a timely manner so that any participating Member State may express an interest in joining. Moreover, the initiator(s) of the project or programme will endeavour to make their membership as wide as possible. Participation will be established on a case-by-case basis by the initiators. 3. The ad hoc project or programme shall then be regarded as an Agency project or programme, unless the Steering Board decides otherwise within one month of receiving the information referred to in paragraph 1. 4. Any participating Member State which, at a later stage, wishes to participate in the ad hoc project or programme shall notify the contributing Member States of its intentions. The contributing Member States, within two months of receipt of that notification, shall decide among themselves, having due regard to the basis set out when participating Member States are informed of the project or programme, on the participation of the Member State concerned. 5. The contributing Member States shall take the decisions necessary for the establishment and implementation of the ad hoc project or programme and, where appropriate, the budget associated with it. Where the Union contributes to such a project or programme, the Commission shall participate in the decisions referred to in this paragraph in full compliance with the decision-making procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union. The contributing Member States shall keep the Steering Board informed, as appropriate, of developments relating to such project or programme.