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 cul

The Culture programme was 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 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.

This call covers the following strands of the 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)
This 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. Funding of €200,000 - €500,000 per year is available, to a maximum of 50% of total eligible costs. 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)
This 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. Funding of €50,000 - €200,000 is available, to a maximum of 50% of total eligible costs.
Strand 1.3.5: Special cooperation projects with third countries (lasting up to 24 months)
This 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 countries are selected for that particular year.
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. Funding of €50,000 - €200,000 is available, to a maximum of 50% of total eligible costs.

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. Funding of €2,000 - €60,000 is available, to a maximum of 50% of total eligible costs.

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 €100,000, representing 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 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 80% of 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:
— 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 per year, representing 60% of the eligible costs.

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 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.

Countries eligible under this programme are the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Serbia, Albania and Montenegro.

The programme has a total budget of €400 million for the 2007-2013 period. Total appropriations for 2013 will be around €60 million.

The deadlines for submission very according to the strand concerned:
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

Further information is available on the websites of DG Education and Culture and EACEA

Reference: 2012/C 286/16

(Added 2012-09-22)