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

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, 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.

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:
Strand 1.1: Multi-annual Cooperation Projects (lasting from three to five years)
The first category seeks to foster multi-annual, trans-national 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 €200,000 and €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 co-operation are strongly encouraged. Funds of between €50,000 and €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 €50,000 and €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 €2,000 and €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 (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.

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. Co-operation 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:
- 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 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 ( 3 ) 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,
- EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway),
- Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Albania, could become eligible in the future, subject to the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the participation of this country in the Programme.

VI. Budget
The Programme has a total budget of €400 million for the 2007-2013 period. Total yearly appropriations, including for those actions that do not form part of the Programme Guide, may vary from around €43 million to about €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.
Foreseen budget 2012 for the following strands:
Strand 1.1: Multi-annual Cooperation Projects: €20.6 million
Strand 1.2.1: Cooperation projects: €19 million
Strand 1.2.2: Literary Translation Projects: €2.915 million
Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation Projects with Third Countries: €1.5 million
Strand 1.3.6: Support for European Cultural Festivals: €2.7 million
Strand 2: Support for Organisations Active at European Level in the Field of Culture: €6.1 million
Strand 3.2: Cooperation Projects between Organisations Involved in the Impact assessment of Cultural Policies: €7 million.

VII. Deadlines
Strand 1.1: Multi-annual Cooperation Projects: 5 October 2011
Strand 1.2.1: Cooperation projects: 5 October 2011
Strand 1.2.2: Literary Translation Projects: 3 February 2012
Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation Projects with Third Countries: 3 May 2012
Strand 1.3.6: Support for European Cultural Festivals: 16 November 2011
Strand 2: Support for Organisations Active at European Level in the Field of Culture: 15 September 2011
Strand 3.2: Cooperation Projects between Organisations involved in the impact assessment of Cultural Policies: 5 October 2011.

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: DG Education and Culture, EACEA.    

Reference: 2011/C 247/04

(Added 2011-08-25)