Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 6: Culture Programme
Chapter 6: Culture Programme
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These pilots allowed the implementation, between 1996 and 1999, of three cultural programmes:
Kalidoscope (1996-1999), which aimed to encourage artistic and cultural creation and
cooperation with a European dimension;
Ariane (1997-1999), which supported the field of books and reading, including translation;
Raphal (1997-1999), the aim of which was to complement Member States' policies in the area
of cultural heritage of European significance.
Finally, preparatory actions were performed in 1999 in order to manage the preparation
of Culture 2000. Culture 2000 was a Community programme established for seven years (20002006). In contrast to the financial instruments that preceded it, Culture 2000 provided grants to
cultural cooperation projects in all artistic and cultural fields.
6.1.2.: New Culture Programme
The new Culture Programme is a Community programme established for seven years
(starting on 1 January 2007 and ending on 31 December 2013).
The EUs Culture programme (2007-2013) has a budget of 400 million for projects and
initiatives to celebrate Europes cultural diversity and enhance our shared cultural heritage
through the development of cross-border co-operation between cultural operators and
institutions.
The general objective of the programme shall be to enhance the cultural area common to
Europeans through the development of cultural cooperation between the creators, cultural
players and cultural institutions of the countries taking part in the programme, with a view to
encouraging the emergence of European citizenship.
The Programme shall be open to the participation of non-audiovisual cultural industries,
in particular small cultural enterprises, where such industries are acting in a non-profit-making
cultural capacity.
The Culture programme aims to achieve three main objectives:
to promote cross-border mobility of those working in the cultural sector;
to encourage the transnational circulation of cultural and artistic output;
to foster intercultural dialogue.
For the achievement of these objectives, the programme supports three strands of activities:
cultural actions;
European-level cultural bodies;
analysis and dissemination activities.
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Special measures, which relate to high-profile actions of considerable scale and scope.
The support to European Capitals of Culture and festivals with a European dimension
fall under this sub-strand.
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.
Co-operation among cultural organisations receives the largest share of the overall programme
budget (approximately 77%).
(a) Multi-annual cooperation projects (lasting over a period of three to five years)
The first sub-category seeks to lay down multi-annual, trans-national cultural links by
encouraging a minimum of six cultural operators from at least six eligible countries to cooperate
and work across sectors to develop joint cultural activities over a period of three to five years.
EU support for the actions is limited to half of the total eligible cost and is set at a maximum of
Euro 500 000 a year. The funding is intended to help set up or extend the geographical reach of a
project and make it sustainable beyond the funding period.
(b) Cooperation measures (projects lasting over a maximum period of two years)
The second sub-category concerns actions shared by at least three cultural operators, working
across sectors, from at least three eligible countries over a maximum period of two years.
Actions that seek to develop long-term co-operation are especially targeted.
EU support for the actions is limited to half of the total eligible cost and is set between Euro
50 000 and Euro 200 000. Literary translation projects are also supported under this sub-strand.
(c) Special measures
The third sub-category refers to high-profile actions of substantial scale and scope. They should
make an impact on European citizens and help to promote a sense of European identity. These
actions are supposed to raise awareness and appreciation among citizens of the richness of
Europe's cultural diversity and to contribute to intercultural dialogue.
For example support for European cultural festivals is allocated under this sub-strand. The aim is
to support festivals that have a European dimension and which contribute to the general
objectives of the Programme (i.e. mobility of professionals, circulation of works and intercultural
dialogue).
The European Capitals of Culture are also supported within this sub-strand. This has grown, over
two decades, into one of Europes major cultural events.
A further aspect of this sub-strand is the award of prizes to celebrate artistic talent among young
Europeans.
Finally, this strand also supports our joint actions in the field of culture with the Council of
Europe.
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The selection procedures as well as the potential beneficiaries of the EU support depend on the
action in question.
Strand II: Support for cultural bodies
Cultural organisations, associations and institutions play a crucial role in promoting culture and
advancing its interests. However, cultural bodies operating at a European level are still few and
far between. This strand of the Culture programme supports cultural bodies which operate or
seek to operate at a European level.
This strand is aimed at promoting a sense of shared cultural experience. To be eligible, applicant
organisations must show a truly European dimension, whether individually or as a network,
association or federation.
Their influence should be felt in at least seven European countries, and preferably at the EU level
as a whole.
With a budget of approximately 10% of the programmes overall budget, it provides cofinancing for the permanent work of these organisations.
Support to cultural organizations
Support is available for organisations engaged in providing representation at EU level, collecting
or disseminating information to encourage trans-European cultural co-operation, networking at
European level for cultural bodies, participating in cultural co-operation projects or acting as
ambassadors for European culture.
One of the advantages of supporting activities of this type is that the work of these bodies can
become a permanent feature of European cultural life. They produce publications, recordings,
and other products which means that their work can continue to circulate even after a specific
event, tour or conference is over.
Strand III: Support for analysis and dissemination activities
To maximise the benefits from the projects which receive EU funding, the results need to be
communicated as widely as possible. It is also important to regularly assess whether the
objectives are being met.
This is precisely the purpose of strand three (about 5% of the programmes budget). It supports
analysis and dissemination activities in three ways.
Firstly, this strand supports studies to help improve understanding of European cultural cooperation and the conditions which help it to flourish. Subjects such as the mobility of cultural
workers, the circulation of works of art and artistic and cultural products, and intercultural
dialogue are of particular interest.
Secondly, the programme supports cultural contact points in each participating country. Their
function is to promote the Culture programme locally and raise awareness of its activities and the
opportunities it offers among potential participants and citizens at large in each participating
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countries.
These culture points also exchange information with national cultural institutions and
organisations, maintain contact with the participants in EU programmes and liaise with other
sources of information.
Lastly, the collection and dissemination of information on the various EU-funded cultural
activities and projects is intended to raise public awareness across the EU of this important field
and to ensure that projects have a maximum impact.
An internet tool, EVE, has been developed whith aims to facilitate the exchange of experience
and good practice about cultural projects as well as projects under the other programmes in the
field of DG Education and Culture
.
This category also supports organisations involved in cultural analysis groupings and
cooperation projects between private or public organisations 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.
From 2011, two cities from two different EU countries will be European Capitals of Culture
each year.
The procedure for choosing a city starts around 6 years in advance though the order of Member
States entitled to host the event is fixed before then and is organised in 2 stages. It involves a
panel of independent experts in the cultural field responsible for assessing the proposals. Once
designated, the preparations of the European Capitals of Culture are monitored.
Its school, PARTS, set up DPARTS in 2001, an assistance scheme for mobility which is
designed to allow foreign students to train there.
DPARTS is a European network for young European dancers and choreographers. Through
establishing facilities for young people, visits by guest artists, summer studios, the allocation of
study grants and workshops DPARTS supports talented young people during their training and
gives them the opportunity to launch themselves into the professional world by presenting their
works.
Objectives
After several years of networking practice DPARTS core objectives are to provide young
artists with the possibility for a good training program and getting access to the professional
world.
DPARTS stands for a double start. There are two crucial starting points in the objective.
Dparts1: to give all talented young Europeans an equal opportunity to take part in the highly
qualified training programme of contemporary dance through an international recruitment and
providing of student grants.
Dparts 2: to offer former students of PARTS the opportunity to become professionally active
and to start building their career through presentation, support and co-production of their work.
The aim of the DPARTS-network is to invest to the maximum in the future of European
contemporary dance.
Project Dates: 01-09-2001 until 31-08-2003. Extended to 29-02-2004
Project Leader: P.A.R.T.S. Performing Arts Research and Training Studios/Brussels (BE)
Website: http://www.rosas.be/Parts/frames_P_about.html
Photos: David Berg
Bibliography:
1.Culture Programme,
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc411_en.htm
2. European Capitals of Culture,
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc413_en.htm
3. Delphi House of Questions,
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/projects/action1/cult_heritage1/house_en.html
4. Departs. Investing in the future of European Dance,
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/projects/action2/performing_arts2/parts_en.html
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In November 2009, the EU Council of Youth Ministers, composed of the 27 Member States of
the European Union, adopted a Resolution on a renewed framework for European cooperation in
the youth field for the next decade. It is based on the Commission's Communication of April
2009 "An EU Youth Strategy: Investing and Empowering".
The new EU Youth Strategy defines two overall objectives of the new framework:
More and equal opportunities for young people in education and in the labour market
Active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of young people
7.1.3.: Priorities
The Youth in Action programme has four permanent priorities and additional annual
priorities which potential projects will have to be aware of as they frame their bids for support:
European Citizenship: A key goal of the programme is to raise awareness in young people that
they are citizens of Europe, as well as citizens of their own countries. The aim is to get youth
actively involved in shaping the future of the European Union. Projects will have to show a
strong European dimension if they are to receive programme backing.
Participation of young people: Youth in Action promotes and supports young peoples
involvement in democratic life, spurring them on to be active citizens who care about their
communities and understand the value of representative democracy.
Cultural diversity: Respect for peoples cultural origins is at the heart of the Youth in Action
programme, as is the desire to fight against racism and xenophobia forces that undermine
European values and peoples solidarity.
Inclusion: The focus is on ensuring that young people with fewer opportunities get access to the
Youth in Action programme, as well as on encouraging projects with a thematic focus on
inclusion.
Annual priorities: In addition to these permanent priorities, each year the focus is also placed on
specific annual priorities. Annual priorities of the Youth in Action Programme are aimed at
better defining the context of implementation of the Programme by clarifying the scope of the
permanent priorities (promoting young people's European citizenship, active participation in
democratic life, cultural diversity and the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities)
and by better anchoring the Programme to topical issues at European level.
For 2010, the annual priorities are:
European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Youth unemployment and promotion of young unemployed people's active participation
in society
Awareness-raising and mobilization of young people around global challenges (such as
sustainable development, climate change, migrations, the Millennium Development
Goals)
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Each exchange must have a theme that is relevant to the daily experiences of the young people
involved but also has a clear European dimension. Themes could cover numerous issues, such as
young people in society, racism and xenophobia, local heritage, drugs, the environment, etc.
In accordance with its inclusion strategy, the Youth in Action programme particularly
encourages youth exchanges involving young people with fewer opportunities.
By participating in a youth exchange, young people go through a non-formal learning
experience, which is recognised through a specific certificate called Youthpass.
(b) Youth Initiatives
Youth Initiatives are projects entirely devised, planned and implemented by young people at
local, regional or national level. The goal of these important non-formal learning experiences is
to stimulate young peoples creativity, enterprise and initiative. Youth Initiatives are aimed
primarily at 18-30 year olds, but 15-18 year olds can take part if accompanied by a coach or
youth worker.
There are two types of initiative: National Youth Initiatives, which are developed by single
groups in their own countries; and Transnational Youth Initiatives where two or more groups
from different European countries are involved. The themes that groups choose to work on must
be relevant to the young people themselves and to the local community. Possible topics include
art and culture, social exclusion, homelessness and unemployment, youth sports and leisure,
media and communications, etc. The European dimension is crucial. This could be highlighted
by ensuring that a chosen theme is examined in a European context. Project teams could also
choose a specific European theme, such as enlargement and its cultural impact on young people.
These strategies offer the chance to promote common European values like equal opportunities,
human rights and democracy.
(c) Youth Democracy Projects
Youth Democracy Projects aim at boosting young peoples involvement in the democratic
process at local, regional and European level.
The objective is to provide young people with ideas about and experiences of democracy, to
spark new national and transnational networks and exchanges of good practice.
Youth Democracy Projects improve young peoples understanding of how democracy works,
helping them to make the most of their right to participate in the decision-making structures of a
democratic society.
Among other things, projects could aim at developing actions to support a structured dialogue
between decision-makers and young people.
Aimed at 13 to 30 year olds, Youth Democracy Projects should focus on such themes as
European citizenship, active participation, cultural diversity, social inclusion, the future of
Europe or other priorities identified in the field of European cooperation in the youth field.
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The participants will acquire knowledge on themes such as the European Constitution, the future
of Europe, racism and human rights or the role of youth in the European society. During the
activities, the participants will be asked to debate the above themes following a participative and
democratic approach where each theme will be discussed from different points of view. The
encounter will also create a space of intercultural interaction for the participants through
teambuilding activities, cultural events and meetings with young people at local level.
Project theme(s): Youth policies, European Awareness
Contact : Vincent COURONNE
Address : ASSOCIATION POUR LE PARLEMENT EUROPEEN DES JEUNES FRANCE
(PEJ
FRANCE)
48, rue de Richelieu
FR-75001 PARIS
Reference: 125160-1.1-FR-3-2005-R3
Grant: 42066
II. BENEFICIARY: LIBERALIS FIATALOK EGYESULETE (Hungary)
Description
The project is a Conference on the European Constitution that will be coordinated by the
Union of Young Liberals of Hungary. The organization addresses young people and promotes
the ideas of liberalism through discussion groups with known personalities, film clubs and
political philosophy courses. Their aim is to encourage young people to become less apolitical
and become involved in civic social life. The youth encounter will take place in Budapest (HU)
where 174 young people from all over Europe will be hosted in the Hungarian Parliament
(64HU, and 4 each from AT, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, IE, IT, LV, LT, LU, MT, PL,
PT, SK, SI, ES, SE, NL, UK, BG, RO and TR). The event will start off with a two day
conference followed by debates conducted in groups and the themes will focus on presenting and
analyzing the EU Constitution. The Constitution will be discussed in relation to topics such as
human and minority rights, the environment, the role of civil and public initiatives. The aim of
the youth encounter is to generate dialogue among young people concerning the above themes
and motivate them to become active citizens. All participants will be requested to make
presentations on the themes of the conference to their local secondary schools, thus diffusing
their knowledge and generating debates to an even wider audience of young people.
Project theme(s): Fight against racism and xenophobia, Equal opportunities, Social exclusion in
general, Youth policies, European Awareness, Environment, Youth information
Contact: Mikls ROSTA
Address LIBERALIS FIATALOK EGYESULETE
Stromfeld Aurl t 28.
HU-1124 BUDAPEST
Reference: 124368-1.1-HU-3-2005-R1
Grant: 50000
Bibliography:
1. European Commission - Youth,
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm
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