Since the recognition of cultural co-operation as vital aim of EU action in the 90ies, the EU commission launched several funding programmes to support the development of cross-border co-operation between cultural operators and institutions. The current EU’s Culture programme (2007-2013) has a budget of €400 million for projects and initiatives to celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity and enhance our shared cultural heritage. If you are planning to carry out such co-operation project you might wish to apply for EU funding. For further information please download the programme guide for the EU culture programme 2007-2013 here: English German French
The EMC has participatied in several consultationson the new Cultural Programme and formulated different sets of recommendations
STRANDS OF ACTIVITIES
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; and to foster intercultural dialogue. For the achievement of these objectives, the programme supports three strands of activities:
1. Cultural actions
This strand enables a wide range of cultural organisations coming from various countries to cooperate on cultural and artistic projects. This strand includes three sub-categories:
- Multi-annual co-operation projects, running over a period of three to five years.
- Co-operation measures, running over a maximum period of two years.
- Special measures, which relate to high-profile actions of considerable scale and scope. The support to European Capitals of Culture falls under this sub-strand.
2. European-level cultural bodies
This strand supports cultural bodies at European level. They encourage exchanges between cultural organisations in different European countries, identify the European artistic community’s needs, represent the sector in dealing with EU institutions, participate in the public debate on cultural issues, and act as European cultural ambassadors.
3. Analysis and dissemination activities
This strand supports analysis and dissemination activities, which help to raise awareness of the Culture programme and its activities in various ways. The first focus is on providing support for analyses in the field of cultural co-operation and policy development. The second is by supporting cultural contact points which have been established to ensure the effective grassroots dissemination of practical and targeted information on the programme locally in all participating countries. The third focus is on supporting the collection and dissemination of information, so that cultural operators can make use of the output and results of previous EU-funded projects.
(Source: European Commission)
