WRITTEN QUESTION E-1369/98 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE) to the Commission (7 May 1998)

Subject: Grants of financial assistance under the 1997 Raphael programme

The allocation of appropriations for the 1997 Raphael programme raises the following questions:

What procedure is used for allocating appropriations under the Raphael programme?

Who decides on a project's eligibility for assistance?

How is the Raphael committee composed?

How is the panel of international independent experts composed?

In accordance with what criteria are members of that panel chosen?

In accordance with what viewpoints does the panel of experts reach its decisions?

On what basis does the Raphael committee reach decisions?

On the basis of what characteristics are projects eligible for assistance sought out?

What budget is available to the Raphael programme?

How many applicants are requesting assistance under this programme?

How many projects are ultimately being financially supported?

How do the projects supported break down nationally?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1998)

Applications for financing under the Raphael programme are submitted in response to the annual call for proposals published in the Official Journal ((OJ C 219, 18.7.1997; OJ C 97, 31.3.1998. )).

Criteria for eligibility under the programme flow directly from the Parliament and Council Decision No 2228/97/EC establishing a Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage (the Raphael programme) ((OJ L 305, 8.11.1997. )). A group of independent experts analyses the projects presented in the light of these criteria. On the basis of the group's opinion, the Commission adopts the list of projects eligible for Community support and then forwards the list to the Raphael committee in accordance with Article 7 of the above Decision.

Under Article 7(2) the committee consists of two representatives appointed by each Member State and it is chaired by a Commission representative.

In 1997, the group of experts had thirty-eight members (32 from the Member States and 3 from the countries in the European Economic Area) divided into five sub-groups representing each category of measures covered by the call for proposals. The Commission selects the experts from the lists sent in by the Member States on the basis of their reputation and their field of competence. The group analyses and classifies the projects on the basis of the eligibility criteria contained in the call for proposals.

The committee delivers its opinion on the list of projects presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 7 (3) of Decision No 228/89/EC.

In 1997, the projects had to meet the following general criteria: they should present a European dimension, enhance the value of the common cultural European heritage, encourage an interdisciplinary approach for a better enhancement and access to cultural heritage through active cooperation between professionals, and further knowledge and awareness of the public. Specific criteria were applied to each of the five projects covered by the call for proposals.

The Raphael programme has been allocated a total of ECU 30 million for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 with a possible mid-term revision of this amount. The 1998 budget allocated ECU 10.6 million to the programme. In response to the 1997 call for proposals, 841 projects were presented, 92 of which received Community support.

Since the basic principle of the programme is that operators from several Member States cooperate in each project, it is not feasible to breakdown the projects selected by Member State.