22.9.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 286/23

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Call for proposals — ‘Culture’ programme (2007-2013)

Implementation of the programme actions: multi-annual cooperation projects; cooperation measures; special action (third countries); and support for bodies active at European level in the field of culture

2012/C 286/16

INTRODUCTION

This call for proposals is based on Decision No 1855/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006, establishing the ‘Culture’ programme (2007-2013) (1), hereinafter referred to as ‘ “Culture” programme’. The detailed conditions of this call for proposals can be found in the Programme Guide for the ‘Culture’ Programme (2007-2013) published on the Europa website (see point VIII). The programme guide constitutes an integral part of this call for proposals.

I.   Objectives

The ‘Culture’ 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 eligible countries (2), with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship.

The programme is aimed at three specific objectives:

—	promotion of the transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sector,

—	support for the transnational circulation of cultural and artistic works and products,

—	promotion of intercultural 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.

II.   Strands

This call covers the following strands of the ‘Culture’ programme:

1.   Support for cultural projects (strands 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.3.5)

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 ‘Culture’ programme to cooperate so that different sectors can work together and extend their cultural and artistic reach across borders.

This strand is divided into three categories, which are detailed below:

Strand 1.1:   Multi-annual cooperation projects (lasting from three to five years)

The first category seeks to foster multi-annual, transnational cultural links by encouraging a minimum of six cultural operators from at least six eligible countries 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 24 months)

The second category concerns actions shared by at least three cultural operators, working within and across sectors, from at least three eligible countries over a maximum period of two years. Actions that explore means of long-term cooperation are strongly encouraged. Funds of between EUR 50 000 and EUR 200 000 are available, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50 % of the total eligible cost.

Strand 1.3.5:   Special cooperation projects with third countries (lasting up to 24 months)

The third 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 in due course before the deadline for submission.

The action must generate a concrete international cooperation dimension. The cooperation projects involve at least three cultural operators, from at least three eligible countries and cultural cooperation with at least one organisation from the selected third country and/or involve cultural activities carried out in the selected third country. Funds of between EUR 50 000 and maximum EUR 200 000 are available, but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50 % of the total eligible cost.

2.   Literary translation projects (lasting up to 24 months) (strand 1.2.2)

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.

3.   Support for European cultural festivals (lasting up to 12 months) (strand 1.3.6)

The aim of this strand is to support festivals having a European dimension and contributing to the general objectives of the programme (i.e. mobility of professionals, circulation of works and intercultural dialogue).

The maximum amount of the grant is EUR 100 000, representing maximum 60 % of the eligible costs. The support can be granted for one edition of the festival.

4.   Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture (strand 2) (operating grants lasting up to 12 months)

Cultural organisations working, or wanting to work, at European level in the field of culture can receive support for their operating costs. This strand targets organisations that promote a sense of shared cultural experience with a truly European dimension.

The grant awarded under this strand is a support to operating costs incurred for the permanent activities of beneficiary organisations. This profoundly differs from any other grants, which may be awarded under the other strands of the programme.

Three categories of organisations are eligible under this strand:

(a)	ambassadors;

(b)	representation and defence networks;

(c)	structured dialogue platforms.

Maximum funds are available, depending on the category applied for, but EU support is limited to maximum of 80 % of the total eligible costs.

5.   Cooperation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis (lasting up to 24 months) (strand 3.2)

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 three objectives of the European agenda for culture (3):

—	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 (4).

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 EUR 120 000 a year, representing a maximum of 60 % of the eligible costs.

III.   Eligible actions and applicants

The programme is open to the participation of all categories of cultural operators, insofar as the organisations are acting in a non-profit-making capacity. Audiovisual cultural industries and activities (including film festivals), already covered by the MEDIA programme, are not eligible under the ‘Culture’ programme. However, organisations having their main activity in the audiovisual sector and acting in a non-profit-making capacity are eligible under strand 2 of the ‘Culture’ programme, category ‘Networks’, as no such support exists under the MEDIA programme.

Eligible applicants must:

—	be a public (5) or private organisation with legal status, whose principal activity is in the cultural sphere (cultural and creative sectors), and

—	have their registered legal seat in one of the eligible countries.

Natural persons are not eligible to apply for a grant under this programme.

IV.   Eligible countries

Countries eligible under this programme are:

—	EU Member States (6),

—	EEA (7) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway),

—	Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Serbia, Albania and Montenegro.

V.   Award criteria

Strands 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.3.5:

—	the extent to which the project can generate real European added value,

—	the relevance of the activities to the specific objectives of the programme,

—	the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out successfully with a high level of excellence,

—	the quality of partnership between coordinator and co-organisers,

—	the extent to which the activities can produce outputs which achieve the objectives of the programme,

—	the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately communicated and promoted,

—	the extent to which the activities can generate a long-lasting impact (sustainability),

—	international cooperation dimension (only for cooperation projects with third countries, strand 1.3.5).

Strand 1.2.2:

—	the extent to which the project can generate real European added value and the relevance of the activities to the objectives of the programme,

—	the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out with a high level of excellence,

—	the extent to which the results of the proposed activities will be appropriately communicated and promoted.

Strand 1.3.6:

—	European added value and European dimension of the proposed activities,

—	quality and innovative nature of the programming,

—	audience impact,

—	participation of European professionals and quality of the exchanges foreseen between them.

Strand 2:

—	the extent to which the work programme and the subsequent activities can generate a real European added value as well as the European dimension of the proposed activities,

—	the relevance of the work programme and subsequent activities to the specific objectives of the programme,

—	the extent to which the proposed work programme and the subsequent activities are designed and can be carried out successfully with a high level of excellence,

—	the extent to which the proposed work programme and subsequent activities can produce outputs which reach as many people as possible, both directly and indirectly,

—	the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately communicated and promoted,

—	the extent to which the activities can generate an appropriate level of sustainability (long-term results and cooperation) and also to act as multipliers to other possible promoters.

Strand 3.2:

—	the extent to which the project can generate real European added value,

—	the relevance of the activities to the specific objectives of the programme in connection with the European agenda for culture,

—	the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out successfully with a high level of excellence,

—	the quality of partnership between coordinator and co-organisers,

—	the extent to which the activities can produce outputs which achieve the objectives of the programme,

—	the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately communicated and promoted,

—	the extent to which the activities can generate a long-lasting impact (sustainability).

VI.   Budget

The programme has a total budget of EUR 400 million (8) for the 2007-2013 period. The total appropriations for 2013 will be around EUR 60 million.

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.

Foreseen budget 2013 for the following strands:

Strand 1.1	Multi-annual cooperation projects	EUR 24 000 000
Strand 1.2.1	Cooperation projects	EUR 21 100 000
Strand 1.2.2	Literary translation projects	EUR 3 899 263
Strand 1.3.5	Cooperation projects with third countries	EUR 2 650 000
Strand 1.3.6	Support for European cultural festivals	EUR 2 700 000
Strand 2	Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture	EUR 6 100 000
Strand 3.2	Cooperation projects between organisations involved in the impact assessment of cultural policies	EUR 700 000

VII.   Deadlines for applications

Strands		Deadline for submission
Strand 1.1	Multi-annual cooperation projects	7 November 2012
Strand 1.2.1	Cooperation projects	7 November 2012
Strand 1.2.2	Literary translation projects	6 February 2013
Strand 1.3.5	Cooperation projects with third countries	3 May 2013
Strand 1.3.6	Support for European cultural festivals	5 December 2012
Strand 2	Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture	10 October 2012
Strand 3.2	Cooperation projects between organisations involved in the impact assessment of cultural policies	7 November 2012

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.

Submission procedure and the address to which the application package must be sent can be found in the ‘Culture’ programme guide on the websites mentioned under Section VIII below.

VIII.   Further information

The detailed conditions for application can be found in the ‘Culture’ programme guide on the following websites:

Directorate-General for Education and Culture

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm

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(1)  OJ L 372, 27.12.2006.

(2)  See point IV.

(3)  See the Communication on European agenda for culture in a globalizing world, COM(2007) 242 final. http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/culture/l29019_en.htm

(4)  http://portal.unesco.org/fr/ev.php-URL_ID=31038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

(5)  Any body part of whose expenditure is automatically funded by the public treasury, whether from the central, regional or local government budget. Such expenditure, in other words, is covered by public sector funds raised by means of taxation, fines or commission payments regulated by law without the need for recourse to an application procedure which could be an obstacle to the acquisition of those funds. Organisations whose existence depends on public funding and which receive grants year after year but which are theoretically liable not to receive any funding in a given year are not regarded by the Agency as public organisations but as private organisations.

(6)  The 27 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

(7)  European Economic Area.

(8)  Non-EU eligible countries also contribute to the programme's budget.

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