WRITTEN QUESTION E-0030/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 January 2001)

Subject: Protection and restoration of historic buildings

A few years ago the Commission (DG X) was in charge every year of managing a programme to protect the architectural and artistic heritage which contributed, albeit partially, to saving many historic monuments from neglect and degradation. The recent Culture 2000 programme does not seem to aim at the same objectives. Are there any other sources of funding, programmes or initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring historic buildings worthy of conservation and use as art training establishments?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2001)

The Honourable Member is referring to the Raphaël programme, the purpose of which was to support projects promoting the conservation, safeguarding and development of the European cultural heritage by means of European cooperation, to support exchanges of experience and the development of measures in the field of cultural heritage, and to improve public access to, participation in and awareness of cultural heritage.

The Culture 2000 programme, while building on the previous programmes (Raphaël, Kaleidoscope and Ariane), both rationalises and strengthens the Community's cultural activities.

As far as heritage is concerned, the Culture 2000 programme seeks to promote sharing and highlighting, at the European level, the common cultural heritage of European significance; disseminating know-how and promoting good practices concerning its conservation and safeguarding(1). This involves supporting projects of cooperation aimed at conserving, sharing, highlighting and safeguarding, at the European level, the common cultural heritage of European significance(2) (Action 1), enhancement of cultural sites and monuments within the Community with a view to raising awareness of European culture(3) (Action 2), and support for projects involving the conservation and safeguarding of the cultural heritage of outstanding importance which contributes to development and dissemination of innovative concepts, methods and techniques at a European level and which can be described as European heritage laboratories (5) (Action 3).

The Commission would also draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the call for applications for the Culture 2000 programme in respect of projects to be launched during 2001 indicates that support will be awarded to approximately 55 projects (within the three categories of actions) aiming to highlight common European cultural heritage (movable and non-movable heritage, architectural and archaeological heritage)(4).

The Culture 2000 programme is the only measure in the field of cultural cooperation whose purpose, among other things, is to safeguard Europe's cultural heritage.

However, as provided for in Article 151(4) (ex Article 128) of the EC Treaty, the Community shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of this Treaty. As a result, almost all parts of the Community budget contain measures which can have or actually have a cultural element. As far as heritage in particular is concerned, mention should be made of measures which fall within the remit of regional policy and research policy.

As regards the Structural Funds, for example, the new Structural Funds Regulation recognises the importance of the cultural dimension of life in promoting cultural development, and in this context, the new Regulation on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) explicitly states that cofinancing is possible for cultural projects (cultural tourism and job creation, investment, systems for the management and modernisation of cultural services and the enhancement of cultural heritage). By way of example, the Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the operational plans of Greece and Portugal for ERDF 2000-2006 earmark investments of 334 million (of which 250 million from the ERDF) and 260 million (of which more than 187 million from the ERDF) respectively for the development of cultural and historical heritage.

One of the priorities of the Leader+ initiative (as part of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)) is to make the most of natural and cultural resources.

Finally, the guidelines produced by the Commission for the Community initiatives Interreg III and Urban II provide for the promotion of the environment and the sound management of the cultural heritage (Interreg III) and the regeneration of existing structures and the preservation and development of the historical and cultural heritage (Urban II).

In the field of research, the 5th Community framework programme for research and technical development features, as part of the energy, environment and sustainable development programme, the measure The city of tomorrow and cultural heritage, which includes, among other things, an approach entitled Protection, conservation and enhancement of European cultural heritage.

(1) Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 February 2000 (OJ L 63, 10.3.2000).

(2) See above page 5.

(3) See above page 6.

(4) OJ C 21, 24.1.2001.

(5) See above page 6.