Culture is a relatively new sphere of action for the European Union (EU), at least from a legal standpoint: the legal basis for EU action in this field was only introduced in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty.1 This action is aimed at encouraging and supporting cooperation within Europe in order to bring the European common cultural heritage to the fore.
The Programme has been established to enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans, which is based on a common cultural heritage, through the development of cooperation activities among cultural operators from countries taking part in the Programme, with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship.
The Programme is aimed at three specific objectives:
– promotion of the trans-national mobility of people working in the cultural sector;
– support for the trans-national circulation of cultural and artistic works and products;
– promotion of inter-cultural dialogue.
The Programme has a flexible, interdisciplinary approach and is focused on the needs expressed by cultural operators during the public consultations leading up to its design.
Strands of the Programme
Support for cultural projects (Strand 1) Cultural organisations are given support for projects to work together across borders and to create and implement cultural and artistic activities.
The thrust of this strand is to help organisations, such as theatres, museums, professional associations, research centres, universities, cultural institutes and public authorities from different countries participating in the Programme to cooperate so that different sectors can work together and extend their cultural and artistic reach across borders.
This strand is divided into five categories, which are detailed below.
Strand 1.1: Multi-annual cooperation projects (lasting from a minimum of 36 months to a maximum of 60 months)
The first category seeks to foster multi-annual, trans-national cultural links by encouraging a minimum of six cultural operators from at least six countries taking part in the Programme to cooperate and work within and across sectors to develop joint cultural activities over a period of three to five years. Funds of between a minimum of EUR 200 000 and a maximum of EUR 500 000 per year are available, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost. The funding is intended to help set up or extend the geographical reach of a project and make it sustainable beyond the funding period.
Strand 1.2.1: Cooperation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)
The second category concerns actions shared by at least three cultural operators, working within and across sectors, from at least three countries taking part in the
Programme over a maximum period of two years. Actions that explore means of long-term cooperation are especially targeted. Funds ranging from a minimum of EUR 50 000 and a maximum of EUR 200 000 are available, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost.
Strand 1.2.2: Literary translation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)
The third category concerns support for translation projects. EU support for Literary Translation is aimed at enhancing knowledge of the literature and literary heritage of fellow Europeans by way of promoting the circulation of literary works between countries. Publishing houses can be awarded grants for translations and publication of works of fiction from one European language into another European language. Funds of between EUR 2.000 and EUR 60 000 are available, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost.
Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation projects with Third Countries (lasting up to twentyfour months)
The fourth category seeks to support cultural cooperation projects aimed at cultural exchanges between the countries taking part in the Programme and Third Countries, which have concluded association or cooperation agreements with the EU, provided that the latter contain cultural clauses. Every year one or more Third Country(ies) is/are selected for that particular year. The country(ies) is/are indicated each year on the website of the Executive Agency at the latest 4 months before the deadline for submission indicated in Chapter I.7.
The action must generate a concrete international cooperation dimension. The cooperation projects involve at least three cultural operators, from at least three countries taking part in the Programme and cultural cooperation with at least one organisation from the selected Third Country and involve cultural activities carried out in the selected Third Country. Funds of between EUR 50 000 and a maximum of EUR 200 000 are available, but the ceiling for support from the European Union is limited to 50% of the total eligible costs.
Strand 1.3.6: Support for European cultural festivals
The aim of this strand is to support festivals having a European dimension and contributing to the general objectives of the Programme (ie mobility of professionals, circulation of works and intercultural dialogue).
The maximum amount of the grant is 100.000 €, representing maximum 60% of the eligible costs. The support can be granted for one edition of the festival or for three editions.
Strand 2: Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture
Cultural organisations working, or wanting to work, at European level in the field of culture can receive support for their operating costs.
The grant awarded under this strand is designed to assist with operating costs incurred by these beneficiary organisations in implementing their work programmes.
This profoundly differs from any other grants, which may be awarded under the other strands of the Programme. A more detailed description of support to operating costs and project grants is provided in Chapter III.2.
Three categories of organisations are eligible under this strand (a more detailed description of each category is provided in Chapter VII):
a) Ambassadors
b) Advocacy networks
c) Structured dialogue platforms
The maximum amount of grants that are available varies from EUR 100 000 and EUR 600 000, depending on the category applied for, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 80% of the total eligible costs or of the costs estimated in the proposed work programme.
Strand 3: Support for analyses and for the collection and dissemination of information and for maximising the impact of projects in the field of cultural cooperation
Support from the European Union is available for analysis and dissemination activities that help collect and research results in response to the need for strong quantitative evidence in the cultural sector and evaluate them in the light of the objectives of the Programme. There is also a need to provide information about the Culture Programme to artists and cultural organisations more locally. In this respect Cultural Contact Points10 are funded in all countries taking part in the Programme.
The Programme supports the carrying out of studies and analyses in the field of European cultural cooperation and European cultural policy development. The aim of this support is to increase the volume and quality of information and data to develop comparative data and analysis on cultural cooperation at European level, particularly with regard to the mobility of creators and cultural players, the circulation of works of art and artistic and cultural products and intercultural dialogue.
The Programme also supports the collection and dissemination of information and activities aimed at maximising the impact of projects. It promotes the exchange of experience and good practice and the dissemination of information concerning the Programme as well as trans-European cultural cooperation in the broad sense.
Strand 3.2: Co-operation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis
This category seeks to support cooperation projects between private or public organisations (such as cultural departments of national, regional or local authorities,
cultural observatories or foundations, university departments specialised in cultural affairs, professional organisations and networks) which have direct and practical experience in the analysis, evaluation, or impact assessment of cultural policies at local, regional, national and/or European levels, related to one or more of the 3 objectives of the European Agenda for culture:
- Promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;
- Promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs;
- Promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union's international relations, implementing the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Actions must involve at least three organisations legally established in at least three countries taking part in the Programme.
The maximum amount of the grant is 120.000€ a year, representing maximum 60% of the eligible costs.
Support can be given to the following activities:
- secretariat and coordination of the grouping
- exchange, analysis, comparison and consolidation of existing quantitative and qualitative data and evaluation methods;
- production of proposals and recommendations for new evaluation methods or quantitative and qualitative data. The launching of new specific studies or data collections is not covered.
- reporting and dissemination of findings at the level of the European Union.
Cultural Contact Points
As implementation of the Programme is centralised, it is important to provide at the national level information and guidance to those interested in applying under this Programme.
A list of Contact Points can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/annexes-culture/doc1232_en.htm
Budget
The Programme has a total budget of EUR 400 million19 for the 2007-2013 period. Total yearly appropriations, including for those actions that do not form part of this guide, may vary from around EUR 43 million to about EUR 58 million, depending on the year.
On a proposal by the Commission the annual budget breakdown per strand (in line with the approximations indicated hereafter) is approved by the Programme Committee. Over the whole duration of the Programme, approximately 77% of the total budget is intended to be devoted to Strand 1, 10% to Strand 2 and around 5% to Strand 3. The remaining appropriations are allocated to cover the Programme's general, administrative and technical expenses.
The award of grants is conditional to the adoption of the annual budget from the budgetary authority for the various strands mentioned in this guide. The annual breakdown of funds will be published on the website of the Executive Agency as soon as adopted.
Calendar
The deadlines for submission of applications cover the entire period of the Programme and are scheduled as follows:
| Action | Deadline for submission |
Publication of selection results no later than |
Starting date | Duration |
| Strand 1.2.1 Cooperation projects |
1 October of year n 12:00 CEST |
31 March of year n+1 |
Between 1 May of year n+1 and 30 April of year n+2 |
Min. 36 months to max. 60 months |
| Strand 1.2.2 Literary translation projects |
1 October of year n 12:00 CEST |
28 Fébruary of year n+1 |
Between 1 May of year n+1 and 30 April of year n+2 |
Max. 24 months |
| Strand 1.3.5 Cooperation projects with Third Countries* *the selected Third Countries will be announced every year on the Executive Agency's website |
3 February of year n |
31 July of year n | Between 1 September of year n and 31 August of year n+1 |
Max. 24 months |
| 3 May of year n 12:00 CEST |
31 August of year n | Between 1 November of year n and 31 October of year n+1 |
Max. 24 months | |
| Strand 1.3.6 Support to European cultural festivals |
15 November of year n |
31 March of year n+1 |
One edition of the supported festival, taking place between 1 May of year n+1 and 30 April of year n+2 |
Max. 12 months |
| Strand 1.3.6 Framework partnership (3 years) for European cultural festivals |
15 November 2010 |
31 March 2011 | Three editions of the supported festival, taking place between 1 May 2011 and 30 April 2013 |
3X12 months |
| Strand 2 Annual operating grant for organisations active at European level in the field of Culture: a) Ambassadors; b) Advocacy networks; c) Platforms. |
15 September of year n 12:00 CEST |
28 February of year n+1 |
Financial year n+1 | The financial year |
| Strand 2 Framework partnership (3 years) for organisations active at European level in the field of culture: a) Ambassadors; b) Advocacy networks; c) Platforms. |
15 September 2010 |
28 February 2011 | Financial year 2011 | Financial years 2011-2013 |
| Strand 3.2 Cooperation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis |
1 October of year n 12:00 CEST |
28 February of year n+1 |
Between 1 May of year n+1 and 30 April of year n+2 |
Min 12 months to Max. 24 months |
If the deadline for submission falls on a weekend or public holiday in the applicant's country, no extension will be granted, and applicants must take this into account when planning their submission.
During the period between the deadline for submission of applications and the publication of selection results the following procedures take place:
– assessment and selection of applications;
– for Strand 1.1 only, consultation, within the Programme Committee and the European Parliament, of representatives from the countries taking part in the Programme regarding the selection results, a process which takes a minimum of six weeks.
Application and selection procedure
On-line application system for strand 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.5 and 2
For strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.5 and 2 an online application system has been set up. Proposals must be submitted by the deadline set for each of these strands, 12.00 CEST (see the calendar in Chapter I.7), using the online application form, which is accessible on the website of the Executive Agency. In addition, the application package must be sent by surface mail by the deadline (date as postmark).
The application package has to include the paper copy of the online application form as well as the relevant mandatory annexes. Application packages are not returned at the end of the selection procedure.
Paper application form only for strands 1.3.6 and 3.2
For Strands 1.3.6 and 3.2, the online application form is not available. The paper application form must be used.
The paper application form must be downloaded from the website of the Agency andsent together with the related annexes by the deadline for Strand 1.3.6 and 3.2 (date as postmark) to the Agency by surface mail.
For all strands, the application packages (strands for which there is an online application system) or the paper application form (strands 1.3.6 and 3.2 only) must
be sent by post (date as postmark), by express courier service (as proved by the registered delivery receipt of the mail service), or delivered in person, by applicants themselves not later than 16.00 on the set deadline. In this case, a receipt must be obtained as proof of submission, signed and dated by the official in the central mail department who took delivery. This department is open from 08.00 to 17.00 from Monday to Thursday and from 08.00 to 16.00 on Friday; it is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Commission holidays.
Address to which the application package must be sent (or delivered in person):
Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive AgencyCulture Programme (2007–2013) Programme Strand _______ → [please indicate here strand name and number on which you apply]
Avenue du Bourget 1
(BOUR 04/13)
B – 1140 Brussels
Belgium
For more information: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/programme/programme_guide_en.php
