# C_2006270EN.01001801.xml

| 7.11.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 270/18 |
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7.11.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 270/18

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Conditional Call for proposals — DG EAC No 55/06

Conditional Call for proposals for the organisation and implementation of an annual European Union prize scheme in the field of cultural heritage

(2006/C 270/08)

Reserve Clause

The Commission's proposal for the Culture Programme (2007-2013) has not yet been formally adopted by the European legislator. The Commission has decided to publish this call for proposals now in order to allow for the speedy implementation of this Programme as soon as the legal basis for this Programme has been adopted by the European legislator (which is expected soon), and in order to make it possible for the potential beneficiaries of Community grants to start preparing their proposals in good time.

This call for proposals does not legally bind the Commission. In case of substantial modification of the legal basis by the European legislator, the present call might be cancelled and other calls for proposals with different content and appropriate deadlines for reply may be launched.

More generally, the implementation of the 2007 calls for proposals is subject to the following conditions, whose the implementation is beyond the Commission's control:

| — | the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union of the final text of the legal basis establishing the Programme without substantial amendments; |
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the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union of the final text of the legal basis establishing the Programme without substantial amendments;

| — | the adoption of the annual work programme on the Culture Programme (2007-2013) and the general implementation guidelines, criteria and procedures of selection, after referral of the committee of the Programme; and |
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the adoption of the annual work programme on the Culture Programme (2007-2013) and the general implementation guidelines, criteria and procedures of selection, after referral of the committee of the Programme; and

| — | the adoption of the 2007 budget of the European Union by the budgetary authority |
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the adoption of the 2007 budget of the European Union by the budgetary authority

1.   Introduction

Pending the adoption of the Culture programme (2007-2013), this document is a pre-call for applications for Community support concerning the organisation and award of a European Union prize in the field of cultural heritage conservation and enhancement within the context of the proposed new Culture programme.

With reference to the strand 1.3 of the programme, the purpose of this conditional call is to inform prospective applicant organisations of the European Commission's intention to continue the implementation of this Prize within the context of the proposed Culture programme.

The Culture Programme is a single multi-annual programme for Community measures in the field of culture open to all cultural sectors and all categories of cultural operators.

This programme is based on Article 151 of the EC treaty, which states that the Community shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore.

2.   Objectives and Description

The rich and diverse cultural heritage in Europe is undoubtedly one of the principal areas through which Europeans can identify themselves at local, regional, national and European level. Awareness about this heritage is, therefore, of paramount importance, as it is through this awareness that Europeans can acknowledge its important role in its contribution towards a better knowledge and understanding of the common elements that unite them. This could, in turn, contribute to an improved, intercultural dialogue, mutual knowledge, understanding and respect for each other and, thus, to a stronger sense of European citizenship.

intercultural dialogue,

The preservation and enhancement of the European cultural heritage in all its forms (architectural/archaeological heritage such as buildings, built complexes in rural or urban settings, monuments, movable heritage, archaeological sites, cultural landscapes) is one of the cultural sectors supported by the Culture programme.

In this context, the European Commission wishes to continue the already established annual EU prize with the aim to give public recognition to exemplary initiatives and best practices by either individuals, local communities or organisations, which contribute, at European level, to the protection, conservation, promotion and development of cultural heritage. Special consideration will be given to initiatives and skills having a symbolic/exemplary and/or an educational or social value.

The purpose of the present call is to select a body which will be in entitled to organize, implement and award this EU-prize.

Given this multi-fold aspect of cultural of cultural heritage promotion, the EU Prize could consist of several individual prizes (1) and in the following categories of actions/projects:

1

| — | For a project which concerns the exemplary protection/restoration/enhancement of architectural heritage (single building or built complexes in small rural and island communities) which will either retain its initial use or be used as a place of cultural and educational interest for visitors. The building or built complexes must be accessible to the general public. |
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For a project which concerns the exemplary protection/restoration/enhancement of architectural heritage (single building or built complexes in small rural and island communities) which will either retain its initial use or be used as a place of cultural and educational interest for visitors. The building or built complexes must be accessible to the general public.

| — | For a project concerning the exemplary protection/preservation/enhancement of a cultural landscape, while respecting its authentic historic and cultural character. |
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For a project concerning the exemplary protection/preservation/enhancement of a cultural landscape, while respecting its authentic historic and cultural character.

| — | For a project concerning the exemplary protection/conservation/ restoration of a private or public artistic heritage collection accessible to the general public. |
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For a project concerning the exemplary protection/conservation/ restoration of a private or public artistic heritage collection accessible to the general public.

| — | For a project concerning the exemplary protection/preservation/enhancement of an archaeological site accessible to the general public. |
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For a project concerning the exemplary protection/preservation/enhancement of an archaeological site accessible to the general public.

| — | For a project concerning an exemplary study for the preservation and/or enhancement of cultural heritage (e.g. building, built complexes in rural or urban communities, cultural landscape, archaeological site) accessible to the general public. |
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For a project concerning an exemplary study for the preservation and/or enhancement of cultural heritage (e.g. building, built complexes in rural or urban communities, cultural landscape, archaeological site) accessible to the general public.

| — | For an individual or a group that may consist of individuals, local or central public authorities or non-governmental organisations as a recognition of their arduous and commendable efforts over long periods for the protection/preservation and enhancement of the European cultural heritage. |
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For an individual or a group that may consist of individuals, local or central public authorities or non-governmental organisations as a recognition of their arduous and commendable efforts over long periods for the protection/preservation and enhancement of the European cultural heritage.

The prize may be awarded to either an individual (e.g. conservation/restoration specialist in scientific, technical or craftsmanship terms) or a group that may involve conservation/restoration specialists, owners, local and central public authorities or non-governmental organisations. The prize should consist of a financial award of EUR 15 000 and a diploma with the logos of the EU Culture programme (obligatory) and of the organisation (optional) responsible for the organisation of the prize.

The decision as to the attribution of the prize should be based on the recommendations of a panel of European independent experts representing as many cultural heritage sectors as possible. The applicants are invited to explain in their application how they intend to manage the attribution of the prize (selection and work of the jury).

The prize should provide the greatest visibility and impact possible in terms of its European dimension; hence the presence of the European Union institutions and in particular of the Commission during the prizes' ceremony is essential. The winning projects as well as the best submissions should be given the maximum publicity possible as for example through publications, press, radio and TV coverage, travelling, exhibitions, etc.

3.   Eligible applicants

Applicants must be public or private organisations with a legal status and with extensive experience in the field of cultural heritage preservation and/or enhancement.

Applications from legal entities established in one of the following countries are eligible:

| — | The Member States of the European Union (2) |
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The Member States of the European Union (2)

2

| — | The 3 EEA countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (provided that the relevant decision by the mixt committee of EEA is adopted) |
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The 3 EEA countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (provided that the relevant decision by the mixt committee of EEA is adopted)

| — | The EU candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and the Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia including Kosovo (under United Nations Security Council resolution 1244)) (3) provided that the relevant ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ which regulates their participation in the Community programmes enters into force |
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The EU candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and the Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia including Kosovo (under United Nations Security Council resolution 1244)) (3) provided that the relevant ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ which regulates their participation in the Community programmes enters into force

3

It should be noted that the participation of the EU-candidate countries, the acceding countries and the Western Balkans countries in the Programme is subject to the agreement between the governments of these countries and the European Commission.

4.   Budget and project duration

The budget earmarked for this action is EUR 200 000 maximum towards the total organisation and implementation costs (including the amounts accompanying the eventually awarded Prizes) of each Prize edition. This contribution may not exceed 60 % of the total eligible organisation and implementation costs of each Prize edition submitted by the eventually selected applicant organisation.

The duration of the eligibility period of each EU-Grant agreement will be 15 months.

For the organization of the EU-prize in 2007, the action to be financed must start before 15 November 2007 without fail and finish by 14 February 2009. The starting date for the eligibility of expenditure may under no circumstances be before 1 May 2007.

Community support will be granted on condition that the administrative and financial procedures are properly completed.

5.   Timetable/Deadline

This action will be implemented on an annual basis and for the duration of the Culture programme (2007-2013). The eventually selected organisational entity will be responsible for the organisation and implementation of an annual EU Prize scheme in the field of cultural heritage protection/preservation/enhancement as from the year 2007 and until the year 2013 (included), the end of the Culture programme (2007-2013). The successful applicant organisation will assume the organisation of the first year's EU prize (2007). Only with the explicit approval of the Commission, it may do so for every year until 2013.

Applications must be sent to the Commission no later than 28.2.2007.

6.   Further information

The full text of this conditional call for proposals and the application forms are available on the following website:

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_en.html

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text and be submitted using the form provided.

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(1)  The awarded projects as well as prize winners must come from one of the countries participating in the Programme (see section 3)

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(2)  The European Union has 25 Member states: (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta). Romania and Bulgaria are acceding countries, and they should become Member States from 1 January 2007.

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(3)  Cultural operators are kindly invited to ask the Commission about the state of play concerning these countries.

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