Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (Culture 2000 programme) (98/C 211/08) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(1998) 266 final - 98/0169(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission on 28 May 1998)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular the first indent of Article 128(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189 b of the Treaty,

(1) Whereas culture is an essential element of European integration and contributes to the affirmation and the vitality of the European model of society and to the Community's influence on the international scene;

(2) Whereas, culture tends to expand beyond its traditional boundaries and into the social and economic spheres; whereas, for that reason, it has an important role to play in meeting the new challenges facing the Community, such as globalization, the information society, social cohesion and the creation of employment;

(3) Whereas, in view of the growing importance of culture for European society and the challenges facing the Community at the dawn of the 21st century, it is important to increase the effectiveness and consistency of Community measures in the cultural field by proposing a single guidance and programming framework for the period 2000 - 2004, bearing in mind the need for the Community policies concerned to take greater account of culture; whereas in this respect, the Council Decision of 22 September 1997 (1) calls upon the Commission to make proposals with a view to establishing a single instrument for programming and financing aimed at the implementation of Article 128;

(4) Whereas, if citizens give their full support to and participate fully in European integration, greater emphasis should be placed on their common cultural values and roots as a key element of their identity and their membership of a society founded on freedom, democracy, tolerance and solidarity; whereas a better balance must be achieved between the economic and cultural aspects of the Community so that these aspects can complement and sustain each other;

(5) Whereas the Treaty confers responsibility on the European Union for creating an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe and for contributing 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;

(6) Whereas the Community is consequently committed to working towards the development of a cultural area common to the European people, which is open and varied and founded on the principle of subsidiarity, cooperation between all those involved in the cultural sector, the promotion of a legislative framework conducive to cultural activities and ensuring respect for cultural diversity, and the integration of the cultural dimension into Community policies;

(7) Whereas, to bring to life the cultural area common to the European people, it is essential to encourage creative activities, promote cultural heritage with a European dimension, encourage mutual awareness of the culture and history of the peoples of Europe, and support cultural exchanges with a view to improving the dissemination of knowledge and stimulating cooperation and creative activities;

(8) Whereas there is a need, in this context, to promote greater cooperation with those engaged in cultural activities by encouraging them to enter into cooperation agreements for the implementation of joint projects, to support more closely targeted measures having a high European profile, to provide support for specific and innovative measures and to encourage the establishment of forums for exchanges and dialogue on selected topics of European interest;

(9) Whereas the Kaleidoscope, Ariane and Raphael cultural programmes set out, respectively, in Decision No 719/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) in Decision No 2085/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and in Decision No 2228/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) marked the first positive stage in the implementation of Community action on culture; whereas, however, the Community's cultural endeavours must be simplified and reinforced;

(10) Whereas, in accordance with the Commission's communication 'Agenda 2000`, the effectiveness of measures at Community level must be increased, notably by concentrating the resources available for internal policies - including cultural action - in such a way that they are not dissipated on measures which would not be able to make a significant impact; whereas the Community's cultural action must consequently lead to the implementation, within the cultural area common to the European people, of projects with a genuine Community dimension, visible to the people and having a real impact;

(11) Whereas considerable experience has been acquired, particulary through the evaluation of the first-generation cultural programmes, the wide-ranging consultation of all interested parties and the results of the Cultural Forum of the European Union held on 29 and 30 January 1998;

(12) Whereas the conclusions of the European Council at Copenhagen on 21 and 23 June 1993 called for the opening of Community programmes to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe which have signed association agreements; whereas the Community has signed, with some third countries, cooperation agreements which contain a cultural clause;

(13) Whereas this Decision will establish for the duration of this programme, a financial package which constitutes the privileged reference point referred to in Point 1 of the European Parliament, Council and Commission Declaration of 6 March 1995 (5), for the budgetary authorities in the context of the annual budgetary procedure;

(14) Whereas, in accordance with the subsidiarity and proportionality principles established by Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of the action envisaged, namely the setting-up of a single instrument for the financing and programming of cultural cooperation, cannot be adequately attained by the Member States and may therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the action, be better attained at Community level; whereas this Decision limits itself to the minimum required for the attainment of those objectives and does not go beyond what is necessary to that end;

(15) Whereas this programme should be the only programme operating from the year 2000; whereas therefore Decision No 2228/97/EC should be repealed,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Duration and objectives

A single programming and financing framework for Community measures in the field of culture, hereinafter referred to as 'the Culture 2000 programme`, is hereby established for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004.

The 'Culture 2000` programme shall contribute to the promotion of a cultural area common to the European people, supporting cooperation between creative artists, cultural operators and the cultural institutions of the Member States in order to attain the following objectives:

(a) the mutual knowledge of the culture and history of the European people, by highlighting their common cultural heritage and promoting the role of cultural dialogue;

(b) creativity, the trans-national dissemination of culture and the movement of artists and their works;

(c) the promotion of cultural diversity and the development of new forms of cultural expression;

(d) the contribution of culture to socio-economic development;

(e) the promotion of cultural heritage having European dimensions;

(f) the spread of European cultures into non-member countries and dialogue with other world cultures.

The 'Culture 2000` programme shall ensure an effective linkage with measures adopted under other Community policies and having cultural implications.

Article 2

Types of cultural action

The objectives listed in Article 1 shall be achieved by the following means:

(a) integrated projects covered by structured, multiannual cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) major projects with a European and/or international dimension;

(c) specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

The projects and their implementing measures are described in the Annex.

Article 3

Budget

The finance for implementing the 'Culture 2000` programme for the period referred to in Article 1 shall be ECU 167 million.

The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limit set by the financial perspective.

Without prejudice to any agreements or conventions to which the Community is a party, the organizations or firms receiving support through the 'Culture 2000` programme shall be owned, either directly or through a majority shareholding, by the Member States and/or nationals of Member States and shall remain in their ownership.

Article 4

Implementation

The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the 'Culture 2000` programme.

The Commission shall be assisted by an Advisory Committee made up of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinions delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

Article 5

Non-member states and international organizations

The 'Culture 2000` programme shall be open to participation by the countries of the European Economic Area and also to participation by Cyprus and the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Association Agreements or in the Additional Protocols to the Association Agreements relating to participation in Community programmes concluded or to be concluded with those countries.

The 'Culture 2000` programme shall also permit cooperation with other non-member countries which have concluded association or cooperation agreements containing cultural clauses, on the basis of additional funds made available in accordance with procedures to be agreed with the countries in question.

The 'Culture 2000` programme shall permit joint action with international organizations competent in the field of culture, such as UNESCO or the Council of Europe, on the basis of joint contributions and in accordance with the various rules prevailing in each institution or organization for the realization of the projects listed in Article 2.

Article 6

Evaluation

During 2002 the Commission shall present to Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions a detailed assessment report on the results of the 'Culture 2000` programme, having regard to its objectives, and accompanied if necessary by a proposal for the amendment of this Decision.

On completion of the 'Culture 2000` programme, the Commission shall present a report on its implementation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions.

Article 7

Repeal

Decision No 2228/97/EC is repealed with effect from 1 January 2000.

Article 8

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2000.

(1) OJ C 305, 7.10.1997, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 99, 20.4.1996, p. 20.

(3) OJ L 291, 24.10.1997, p. 26.

(4) OJ L 305, 8.11.1997, p. 31.

(5) OJ C 102, 4.4.1996, p. 4.

ANNEX

The aim of the 'Culture 2000` programme is to encourage creative activity and the knowledge and dissemination of the culture of the European peoples, notably in the field of music, literature, the performing arts, the fixed and movable heritage, and the new forms of cultural expression, by fostering cooperation between cultural organizations and operators and the cultural institutions of the Member States, and by supporting measures which, by their European scope and character, promote the spread of European cultures both inside and outside the Union.

The Commission will regularly define the priorities necessary for the implementation of the programme.

I. Description of measures

1. Integrated projects covered by structured, multiannual transnational cultural cooperation agreements

The Commission will encourage cultural operators, organizations and institutions in the various Member States to join forces and work together to carry out structured, multiannual cultural projects both within the Community and outside it. This will be particularly encouraged through networks. The proposed 'cultural cooperation agreements`, which cover a maximum period of three years, will involve some or all of the following measures:

- Co-productions and other large-scale cultural events (e. g. exhibitions, festivals, etc.), especially in the field of live arts, literature and the artistic heritage, making them accessible to the largest possible number of Community citizens;

- Cultural events (involving the performing arts, the plastic or visual arts, the artistic heritage, etc.) and tours within the Community to bring European culture to a wider audience;

- Measures involving several different cultural disciplines, for example:

- trans-sectoral integrated projects (combining the creative arts, heritage and new technologies, for example) to enhance locations, buildings, sites, events or cultural projects requiring substantial investment;

- cultural operations to impart economic momentum, combining all or part of the occupational process from creation and design to the technical or other jobs essential to the completion of such operations;

- Measures to develop further training and mobility for those engaged in the cultural professions (artists, restorers, museum curators, etc.) in both academic and practical terms, including the use of the new technologies;

- Measures to highlight to citizens the richness and diversity of the cultural heritage (fixed, movable or intangible), to teach Europeans about their common cultural values and roots, to encourage mutual awareness of each other's culture and history and to promote cultural dialogue (studies and research, information, teaching and the dissemination of knowledge, seminars, congresses and meetings on cultural topics of European importance).

The Committee referred to in Article 4 having been consulted, the Community grants support for the implementation of 'cultural cooperation agreements`. This support is intended to cover, in addition to part of the project's financing, the costs entailed by the establishment of lasting multiannual cooperation in a form legally recognized in one of the Member States of the Union. For the agreement to be eligible, operators from at least seven States participating in the 'Culture 2000` programme must be involved in the measures covered by the programme.

Community support may not exceed 60 % of the cultural cooperation agreement's budget. It may not be less than ECU 200 000 or more than ECU 350 000 a year.

This support may be raised by a maximum of 20 % in order to cover the costs of network creation and managing of cooperation agreements.

2. Major projects

These projects, substantial in scale and in scope, should strike a significant chord with the people of Europe and help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community as well as making them aware of the cultural diversity of Europe.

These projects include:

- the European City of Culture, for which the selection procedure is established in the European Parliament and Council Decision of . . .;

- a European Union cultural festival of the performing arts in the country holding the Presidency of the Union;

- the introduction of European Days in certain major international cultural events, so that artists or intellectuals from other Member States or countries associated with the 'Culture 2000` programme can take part;

- enhancement of an event, monument or cultural site which is representative of a common cultural trend, located within the Union, of European importance, of major symbolic value and accessible to the public;

- recognition of great artistic talents;

- as a result of the cultural dialogue both inside and outside the Community, the organization of a Cultural Forum of the European Union;

- the broadcasting across frontiers of major events using the new technologies of the information society, including cross-border television broadcasting of cultural events, such as debates, artistic presentations, art works, etc. (assistance with reception, translation, dubbing, sub-titles, etc.);

- the organization of innovative operations pertaining to education, the arts and culture.

Community support for such projects may not be less than ECU 200 000 or more than ECU 1 million.

3. Specific projects

Each year the Community will support cooperation projects originating with cultural operators from different Member States on the basis of priorities defined after consultation of the Committee referred to in Article 4 of this Decision. These projects, which must involve at least four Member States, must be innovative and experimental and have the following main aims:

- to encourage the emergence and spread, alongside culture in the classic sense, of new forms of cultural expression (nature, solidarity, science, peace, etc.);

- to facilitate access to culture and wider cultural participation by the people of Europe, in all their social and regional diversity, including the most underprivileged, and especially young people;

- to support the creation of multimedia tools, tailored to meet the needs of different publics, and thus make European artistic creation and heritage more visible and more accessible to all;

- to encourage initiatives, discussions and cooperation between cultural and socio-cultural operators working in the field of social integration, especially that of young people;

- to promote the profile of European cultures in third countries, in particular encouraging cooperation between institutes and/or cultural services from the Member States with a presence in third countries, on themes which are of European interest.

Community support for specific measures may not be less than ECU 50 000 or more than ECU 100 000.

II. Coordination with the other Community instruments in the field of culture

The Commission will ensure coordination with other Community instruments active in the cultural sphere through cooperation agreements, major projects and specific projects, mainly with a view to promoting and arranging for collaboration between sectors with common and converging interests, such as:

- culture and tourism (through cultural tourism);

- culture and education (in particular, presentations to schools and colleges of audiovisual and multimedia products on European culture, with commentaries by creative or performing artists);

- culture and employment (encouraging the creation of jobs in the cultural sector, especially in the new cultural areas);

- culture and external relations;

- cultural statistics resulting from an exchange of comparative statistical information at Community level.

III. Communication

Recipients of Community aid must mention this support explicitly, and as prominently as possible, in all information or communications relating to the project.

IV. Technical assistance and accompanying actions

In the execution of the 'Culture 2000` programme, the Commission may have recourse to technical assistance organizations, for which the financing is planned within the total funding of the programme. It may also, under the same conditions, make use of experts or networks of experts. In addition, the Commission may arrange evaluative studies as well as organize seminars, colloquia or other experts' meetings which might assist with the implementation of the programme. The Commission may also organize actions related to information, publication and dissemination.

V. Contact points

The Commission and the Member States will organize and step up the mutual exchange of information for use in the implementation of the 'Culture 2000` programme, by means of cultural contact points which will be responsible for:

- promoting the programme;

- encouraging as many professionals as possible to take part in its projects;

- providing a permanent link with the various institutions providing aid to the cultural sector in the Member States, thus ensuring that the measures taken under the 'Culture 2000` programme complement national support measures.