Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013) {SEC(2004) 954}
Date: 2004-07-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, cultural policy

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 14.7.2004 
COM(2004) 469 final 

2004/0150 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013) 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2004) 954} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND 

1.1 The legal basis 

Article  151  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community  constitutes  the  appropriate 
legal basis for Community action in the field of culture. 

The  article  stresses  the  need  to  comply  with  two  fundamental  concepts:  on  the  one  hand, 
cultural  diversity  while  respecting  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  and,  on  the  other,  promoting 
the  common  cultural  heritage  and  cooperation  between  the  Member  States.  The  aim  is 
therefore  to  encourage  cultural  cooperation  between  the  Member  States  to  supplement  their 
action.  

1.2 Implementation of Article 151 

On the basis of this article, two initial generations of programmes were adopted: initially the 
sectoral  programmes  Kaleidoscope,  Ariane  and  Raphaël1  between  1993  and  1999,  then  a 
single framework programme, Culture 2000,2 adopted in February 2000. These programmes 
all  sought  to  encourage  creativity  and  mobility  among  artists,  access  to  culture  for  as  many 
people as possible, the dissemination of art and culture, intercultural dialogue and knowledge 
of the history of European peoples. 

In parallel, the European Union also supports cultural cooperation organisations and networks 
working on the integration of our continent and the advent of a European civil society3, and 
contributes to the preservation and commemoration of the main sites and archives associated 
with the deportations.4 

Finally, each year since 1985 the EU has appointed one or more European Capitals of Culture, 
which may receive financial support.5 

2. THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW PROGRAMME 

2.1 Important analysis and forward studies 

In order to prepare the new programme, and to provide an overview of the results of actions 
carried  out  in  the  field  of  cultural  cooperation,  evaluations  were  carried  out  on  Community 

1 

2 

3 

4 
5 

See respectively Decisions No 719/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 
1996 (OJ L 99, 20.4.1996), No 2085/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 
1997 (OJ L 291, 24.10.1997) and No 2228/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 
October 1997 (OJ L 305, 8.11.1997). 
See Decisions No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 63, 10.03.2000) 
and No 626/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 99, 3.04.2004). 
See in particular Resolution of the Council of 14 November 1991 on European cultural networks (OJ C 
314, 5.12.1991). 
Decision No 792/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 138, 30.04.2004). 
Initially  conceived  as  an  intergovernmental  initiative,  this  became  a  Community  action  in  the  proper 
sense  with  Decision  No 1419/1999/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  (OJ  L  166, 
1.07.1999). 

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actions  and  programmes  in  the  field  of  culture.6  To  these  evaluations  were  added  many 
contributions  from  the  cultural  sector  and  the  experience  acquired  by  the  Commission  in 
implementing its cultural programmes.  

In  addition,  the  Commission  carried  out  a  wide-ranging  forward  thinking  exercise.  In 
particular, it organised a Forum on cultural cooperation7, set up a group of experts to discuss 
the  future  cultural  programme8  and  organised  a  public  consultation.9  It  also  organised  or 
attended  seminars  on  horizontal  or  sectoral  themes  and  commissioned  various  studies  on 
subjects relating to cultural cooperation.10  

Finally, when drawing up its proposal, the Commission also took into account the work of the 
Council, the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions11. 

2.2 The main results 

This very wide-ranging exercise first of all showed the merits and relevance of cultural action 
by the European Union. 

However, it also revealed a number of shortcomings which the new programme is intended to 
correct. 

2.2.1 European cultural action 

Community  action  is  currently  too  fragmented.  Alongside  the  framework  programme 
“Culture  2000”,  two  main  Community  actions  coexist:  support  for  European  cultural 
organisations and “European Capitals of Culture”. Their link with the programme is too weak 
or  non-existent.  This  dispersal  into  three  actions  harms  the  Community’s  image  with  its 
citizens, who are unaware of the efforts to preserve and expand the influence of their cultures 
and the taking into account of the cultural dimension in the construction of Europe, and above 
all affects overall coherence. 

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11 

Ex  post  evaluation  of  the  former  cultural  programmes  Kaleidoscope,  Ariane  and  Raphaël,  mid-term 
evaluation of Culture 2000, evaluation of organisations of European cultural interest. 
Forum held on 21-22 November 2001 on cultural cooperation in Europe. 
In this context, the group of experts produced a report in June 2003 entitled “Towards a new cultural 
framework programme of the European Union”. 
Public consultation on the future European cultural programme carried out between April and July 2003 
on the Internet. 
Study  on  the  exploitation  and  development  of  the  job  potential  in  the  cultural  sector  in  the  age  of 
digitalisation (June 2001), study on mobility and free movement of people and products in the European 
cultural  sector  (April  2002),  Eurobarometer  studies  on  cultural  participation  in  the  European  Union 
(April 2002), feasibility study concerning the creation of a European observatory of cultural cooperation 
(August 2003), report on the state of cultural cooperation in Europe (October 2003). 
See in particular the Council Resolutions of 25 June 2002 (OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 5) and 19 December 
2002 (OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 5), the resolutions of the European Parliament of 5 September 2001 (OJ C 
72 E, 21.03.2002), 28 February 2002 (OJ C 293 E, 28.11.2002, p. 105) and of 21 October 2002 (OJ C 
300  E,  11.12.2003,  p.  156),  and  the  opinion  of  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  of  9  October  2003 
concerning the extension of the Culture 2000 programme. 

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2.2.2 The Culture 2000 programme 

The  Culture  2000  programme  pursues  too  many  objectives,  given  the  limited  financial 
resources  available  to  it.  This  reduces  its  effectiveness  and  “legibility”,  since  the  many  and 
varied projects supported can provide a feeling of dispersal. 

Compartmentalisation between the various cultural disciplines within Culture 2000 has been 
mentioned as a constraint upon operators, as it does not enable sufficient consideration to be 
given  to  the  changing  situation  in  the  sector  and  therefore  risks  excluding  certain  forms  of 
cultural expression. 

2.2.3 The type of actions supported 

Certain actions are not taken into account by the Community cultural programme. Thus, true 
support  is  currently  lacking  for  a  discussion  of  the  challenges  of  and  resources  for  cultural 
cooperation in Europe. 

3. THE THIRD-GENERATION PROGRAMME 

3.1 A global vision 

The  general  objective  of  Community  action  is  the  achievement  of  a  common  cultural  area 
through  the  development  of  cultural  cooperation  in  Europe.  This  action  will  thus  contribute 
actively to the development of a European identity from the grass roots. 

As the Commission indicated in a recent communication,12 “European citizens are of course 
the  ultimate  target  group  of  all  EU  actions  in  the  field  of  culture.  However,  the  European 
institutions  need  intermediaries  in  order  to  reach  those  citizens  and  to  offer  high  quality 
cultural  actions  with  a  European  dimension”.  These  intermediaries  are  theatres,  museums, 
professional associations, research centres, universities, cultural institutes, the authorities, etc.  

The work referred to above shows that the number of objectives should be reduced and that 
the following three aspects, for which there is a broad consensus, should therefore be given 
priority  support:13  transnational  mobility  for  people  working  in  the  cultural  sector, 
transnational circulation of artistic and cultural works and products and intercultural dialogue. 
Cultural  operators,  and  therefore  citizens,  should  be  given  more  opportunities  to  create 
networks, carry out projects, be more mobile or promote cultural dialogue in Europe and in 
other  regions  of  the  globe.  Projects  supported  by  the  programme  will  need  to  be  on  a 
sufficient scale and offer maximum added value at European level; each project will therefore 
need to pursue at least two of these objectives.  

In relation to the first two generations of cultural action, the proposed programme is intended 
as  a  coherent,  global  and  complete  tool  for  multilateral  cultural  cooperation  in  Europe, 

12 

13 

Making  citizenship  work:  fostering  European  culture  and  diversity  through  programmes  for  Youth, 
Culture, Audiovisual and Civic Participation (COM(2004) 154 final). 
See  inter  alia  the  Council  Resolution  of  21  January  2002  (OJ  C  32,  05.02.2002  p.  1),  the  Council 
Resolution of 19 December 2002 (OJ C13, 18.01.2003, p. 5), the European Parliament resolution of 22 
October  2002  (OJ  C  300  E,  p.156),  the  European  Parliament  resolution  of  4  September  2003,  the 
conclusions  of  the  Forum  on  cultural  cooperation,  the  results  of  the  public  consultation  or  the  report 
from the group of experts of June 2003. 

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capable  of  perceiving  its  full  complexity.  The  programme  provides  for  three  levels  of 
intervention, each addressing three different and complementary strata of cultural cooperation 
and  thus  responding  to  distinct  but  interdependent  needs.  This  is  the  programme’s  main 
innovation: a global vision taking in the cultural sector as a whole and encouraging synergies.  

There is a strand corresponding to each level of intervention.  

The  first  strand  consists  of  direct  financial  support  for  sustainable,  exploratory  or  “special” 
cooperation  projects.14  It  is  essential  in  so  far  as  it  contributes  to  the  dynamism  of  cultural 
activity with a European dimension and takes the form of actions visible to European citizens 
both within and outside the territory of the countries taking part in the programme. This strand 
will also enable the European Union to strengthen its cultural influence at international level 
by encouraging an abundance of projects on the ground.  

However, this action should be supplemented by a more structural intervention in favour of 
cooperation,  going  beyond  the  project-based  approach.  For  this  reason,  the  second  strand  is 
intended  to  fully  integrate  the  Community  action  programme  for  the  promotion  of 
organisations  active  at  European  level  in  the  field  of  culture;  in  particular  by  providing 
operating aid for European organisations working on a sustainable basis in favour of cultural 
cooperation or acting as ”ambassadors” for European culture which have acquired a high level 
of expertise in the field.15 

This  multi-annual  support  should  enable  these  organisations  to  exploit  their  experience  and 
develop  their  activities.  To  ensure  continuity  with  the  programme  of  support  for 
organisations, it will also be worthwhile supporting actions to preserve and commemorate the 
main sites and archives associated with the deportations. 

It  contains 

for  cooperation. 

Finally, the third strand aims to support analysis and information activities, in order to create a 
favourable  environment 
three  complementary  actions 
encompassing  cultural  cooperation  at  different  levels.  The  first  seeks  to  promote  the 
production  of  conceptual  tools  by  supporting  studies  and  analyses  of  cultural  cooperation, 
which  will  provide  a  better  understanding  of  the  phenomenon.  The  second  aims  to  remove 
certain  practical  obstacles  to  cooperation  through  the  development  of  an  Internet  tool  for 
exchanging  information  and  good  practice.16  The  third  provides  for  supporting  “culture 
contact  points”  in  order  to  ensure  targeted,  effective  grass-roots  dissemination  of  practical 
information on the new cultural programme. 

14 

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16 

In  its  opinion  of  9  October  2003,  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  declared  itself  in  favour  of  the 
promotion of cultural activities with a local character and of a high cultural level. In addition, the mid-
term evaluation of the Culture 2000 programme and the evaluation of the previous cultural programmes 
also demonstrated the relevance and coherence of this project-based approach. 
In its resolution of 14 November 1991 (OJ C 314, 5.12.1991), the Council stressed the important role 
played by networks of cultural organisations in cultural cooperation in Europe. 
In its resolution of 21 January 2002 (OJ C 032, 05.02.2002 p. 1), the Council calls on the Commission 
and the Member States to “promote the use of existing networks or of any networks which might be set 
up in the future in the Member States to facilitate cooperation and to exchange information and good 
practice at European level” and to “promote the networking of cultural information to enable all citizens 
to  access  European  cultural  content  by  the  most  advanced  technological  means,  particularly  by 
continuing to encourage the development of the European electronic portal started by the Commission 
and by linking this portal with the digital cultural content that exists in the Member States”. Similarly, 
the  feasibility  study  on  the  establishment  of  a  monitoring  unit  on  cultural  cooperation  has  shown  the 
need  to  organise  the  mass  of  information  available  to  cultural  operators  through  greater  plurality  of 
networks and Internet sites. 

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Each action should be seen in the light of the three specific objectives.  

3.2 The specific objectives of the new programme 

The specific objectives identified below offer a real European added value. This means that 
the pursuit of these objectives by Community actions is fully justified in so far as they could 
not be achieved by action at national level.17 The projects and actions chosen to benefit from 
Community support will all have to meet at least two of them.  

3.2.1 Supporting the transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sector 

The  information  provided  to  professionals  on  the  social,  regulatory  and  tax  provisions 
applicable to a short or long-term stay in another country is still frequently too fragmentary. 
In  order  to  encourage  mobility  for  these  professionals,  it  therefore  appears  essential  to 
promote the establishment of networks, move towards greater coordination and promote the 
dissemination of knowledge and information. 

Two  sorts  of  mobility  will  be  encouraged  by  Community  action  in  the  field  of  culture: 
mobility for the provision or establishment of cultural services (e.g. tours); mobility with the 
aim of training, experiencing other cultures or artistic practices, exchanging experiences. 

3.2.2  Encouraging  the  transnational  circulation  of  works  of  art  and  artistic  and  cultural 

products  

Circulating  works  of  art,  material  or  otherwise,  and  artistic  and  cultural  products  beyond 
national borders involves extra costs for the organiser: transport costs, insurance, prospecting 
new markets, greater effort to publicise works or artists who may be less well-known abroad, 
investment  of  time  in  getting  to  know  the  market  (host  structures,  regulations  and 
administrative formalities, etc.). This objective corresponds to those of the Treaty (Articles 3q 
and 151) and responds to certain basic Community tasks (completion of the internal market, 
strengthening European integration through the creation of a common cultural area). 

3.2.3 Promoting intercultural dialogue 

As an exchange based on openness and equality between cultures, intercultural dialogue leads 
to mutual enrichment and a common search for shared values and interpretations. It can also 
play a fundamental role, particularly in integrating new Europeans from a range of cultures.  

3.3 Resources 

3.3.1 A new, more open instrument 

The new programme is more open in so far as it distances itself from the sectoral approach 
(by artistic and cultural disciplines). Operators will be free to propose projects corresponding 
to their interests and aspirations, whether sectoral or cross-sectoral, in so far as they aim for at 
least  two  of  the  objectives  set  out  above.  No  facet  of  cultural  and  artistic  activity  will 
therefore be excluded a priori.  

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Resolution of 19 December 2002 (OJ C13, 18 January 2003, p. 5) already cited. 

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Community cultural action wishes to open itself up to a wide variety of participants, ranging 
from  administrations  to  networks,  from  cultural  organisations  to  enterprises  in  the  cultural 
sector, enabling cooperation in a wide range of formats. 

Finally,  the  programme  intends  to  be  more  open  to  participants  from  third  countries, 
particularly  countries  covered  by  the  new  neighbourhood  policy,  and  to  support  projects 
running outside the borders of the European Union, thus helping to increase its influence.  

3.3.2 A new, more complete instrument 

The new programme is more complete in that it integrates in a single financial instrument the 
various facets of cultural cooperation. It has three main strands.  

3.3.2.1 First strand: support for cultural actions 

It provides direct support for European cooperation projects of varying length and scale which 
have  at  least  two  of  the  specific  objectives  defined  above.  The  “cooperation  focal  points” 
highlight the sustainable nature of cooperation. Each focal point brings together operators in 
one or more sectors on various multi-annual activities or projects, sectoral or cross-sectoral in 
nature  but  pursuing  common  objectives.  “Cooperation  measures”  are  oriented  towards 
creativity and innovation and open the way to new cooperation projects, which may in some 
cases be pursued within cooperation focal points. Lasting not more than one year, they bring 
together European operators on sectoral or cross-sectoral measures. Finally, “special actions” 
are characterised by their “symbolic” and federative nature. These events, substantial in scale 
and scope, should strike a significant chord with the peoples 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  the  Member  States  and  of  intercultural  and  international  dialogue.  The  “special 
actions” include in particular the “European Capitals of Culture” the European dimension of 
which must be strengthened. 

3.3.2.2 Second strand: support for European organisations active in the field of culture 

Apart  from  direct  support  for  cooperation  projects,  operating  aid  should  be  given  to 
organisations  working  for  cultural  cooperation  or  acting  as  ”ambassadors”  for  European 
culture. The new programme is intended to integrate support for these organisations in order 
to increase the coherence of Community action.  

This also covers actions supported for the preservation and commemoration of the main sites 
and archives associated with the deportations, symbolised by the memorials which have been 
raised  on  the  sites  of  the  former  camps  and  other  large-scale  martyrdom  and  extermination 
sites, and for keeping alive the memory of the victims at these sites. 

3.3.2.3  Third  strand:  support  for  analyses  and  for  the  collection  and  dissemination  of 

information in the field of cultural cooperation  

It is fundamental to have information and figures on developments in cultural cooperation at 
European  level,  particularly  with  regard  to  the  mobility  of  players,  the  circulation  of  works 
and intercultural dialogue. This will deepen knowledge of the phenomenon of cooperation and 
create favourable conditions for it to flourish.  

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Moreover,  the  new  programme  intends  to  encourage  the  development  of  an  efficient 
communication and information tool on the Internet, targeted at the needs of professionals in 
the field of cooperation. 

Finally,  in  order  to  ensure  targeted,  effective  grass-roots  dissemination  of  practical 
information on new cultural programme, it provides for support from “culture contact points”. 
These organs, acting at national level, are established in collaboration with the Member States 
and on a voluntary basis. 

3.4. Towards a more user-friendly programme 

In its above-mentioned communications of 10 February and 9 March 2004, the Commission 
underlined  the  importance  of  profiting  from  the  review  of  the  legal  instruments  to 
significantly  simplify  the  design  and  implementation  of  Community  instruments,  and  to 
rationalise these new programmes as much as possible.  

3.4.1 Simpler methods for beneficiaries 

The  Commission  will  examine  all  means  currently  possible  for  reducing  the  constraints  on 
beneficiaries while respecting the financial rules in force, in particular by:  

- simplifying forms and application methods; 

- making the award procedure more transparent and improving information for applicants; 

- applying the principle of proportionality as much as possible, for example by using flat-rate 
systems for small contributions or for clearly identifiable budgetary items and by limiting the 
requirements  for  verification  of  the  financial  capacity  of  beneficiary  organisations  for  small 
grants. 

3.4.2. Rationalised management 

In order to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme, the Commission will 
entrust  its  management  to  an  executive  agency  under  the  terms  of  the  Council  Regulation 
laying  down  the  statute  for  executive  agencies  to  be  entrusted  with  certain  tasks  in  the 
management  of  Community  programmes18  and  the  “Guidelines  for  the  establishment  and 
operation  of  executive  agencies  financed  by  the  general  budget  of  the  European 
Communities”19 . 

4. CONCLUSION 

The  European  Commission,  guided  by  an  ambition  to  create  a  common  cultural  area, 
respecting  national  and  regional  diversities,  proposes  a  programme  aimed  at  developing 
transnational cultural cooperation through support for cultural cooperation actions, European 
organisations  active  in  the  field  of  culture,  studies  and  analyses  and  information  and 
communication.  

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19 

Council Regulation (EC) No 58/2003 of 19 December 2002, OJ L 11, 16.01.2003. 
C(2003)4645, 12.12.2003. 

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The Commission therefore proposes that the European Parliament and the Council adopt the 
attached Decision concerning the Culture 2007 programme.  

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2004/0150 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013) 

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 151(5) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,20 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,21 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, 

Whereas: 

(1)  It  is  essential  to  promote  cooperation  and  cultural  exchanges  in  order  to  respect  and 
promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and improve knowledge among European citizens 
of European cultures other than their own. Promoting cultural cooperation and diversity thus 
helps to make European citizenship a tangible reality by encouraging direct participation by 
European citizens in the integration process. 

(2)  Culture  should  contribute  to  improving  the  external  visibility  of  the  European  Union  by 
promoting its cultural diversity and the common dimensions of its cultures. 

(3)  For  citizens  to  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, equity, democracy, 
tolerance and solidarity; 

(4) It is also necessary to promote active citizenship and strengthen the fight against exclusion 
in all its forms, including racism and xenophobia. 

20 
21 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 
OJ C […], […], p. […]. 

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(5)  Article  3  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community  stipulates  that,  in  all  the 
activities referred to in this Article, the Community shall aim to eliminate inequalities, and to 
promote equality, between men and women. 

(6)  The  Kaleidoscope,  Ariane,  Raphaël  and  Culture  2000  cultural  programmes,  set  out 
respectively  in  Decisions  No  719/96/EC22,  No  2085/97/EC23,  No  2228/97/EC24  and 
No°508/2000/EC25 of the European Parliament and of the Council, marked positive stages in 
the implementation of Community action on culture. Considerable experience has thus been 
acquired,  particularly  through  the  evaluation  of  these  cultural  programmes.  It  is  at  present 
worthwhile to rationalise and strengthen Community cultural action on the basis of the results 
of these evaluations, the results of consultation with all interested parties and recent work by 
the European institutions. It is therefore appropriate to establish a programme to this end. 

(7)  The  European  institutions  have  themselves  spoken  out  on  many  occasions  on  subjects 
relating to Community cultural action and the challenges of cultural cooperation; in particular 
the resolutions of the Council of 25 June 2002 on a new work plan on European cooperation 
in the field of culture26 and of 19 December 2002 implementing the work plan for European 
cooperation  in  the  field  of  culture,27  the  resolutions  of  the  European  Parliament  of  5 
September  2001  on  cultural  cooperation  in  the  European  Union,28  28  February  2002  on  the 
implementation of the Culture 2000 programme29 and 22 October 2002 on the importance and 
dynamism of the theatre and the performing arts in an enlarged Europe,30 and the opinion of 
the  Committee  of  the  Regions  of  9  October  2003  on  the  extension  of  the  Culture  2000 
programme. 

(8) The Council has stressed the need to adopt a more coherent approach at Community level 
with regard to culture, and that European added value is an essential and determining concept 
in  the  context  of  European  cultural  cooperation,  and  a  general  condition  for  Community 
measures in the field of culture.31 

(9)  In  order  to  make  this  common  cultural  area  for  the  peoples  of  Europe  a  reality,  it  is 
important  to  promote  the  transnational  mobility  of  cultural  players  and  transnational 
circulation of artistic and cultural works and products and to encourage dialogue and cultural 
exchanges. 

(10)  In  this  context,  there  is  a  case  for  promoting  increased  cooperation  between  cultural 
players  by  encouraging  them  to  form  cooperation  focal  points,  enabling  them  to  develop 
common  activities,  provide  support  for  more  targeted  measures  with  a  real  European  added 
value, support symbolic cultural events, support European cultural cooperation organisations 
and encourage analyses on chosen themes of European interest as well as the collection and 
dissemination of information in the field of cultural cooperation. 

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30 
31 

OJ L 99, 20.04.1996, p. 20. 
OJ L 291, 24.10.1997, p. 26. 
OJ L 305, 08.11.1997, p. 31. 
OJ L 63, 10.03.2000, p. 1. 
OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 5. 
OJ C 13, 18.01.2003, p.5. 
OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002. 
OJ C 293 E, 28.11.2002, p. 105. 
OJ C 300 E, 11.12.2003, p.156. 
Resolutions of the Council of 25 June 2002 and 19 December 2003, referred to above. 

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(11) Under the Decision establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture 
event,32  significant  funding  should  be  given  to  this  event,  which  has  a  high  profile  among 
Europeans and helps to strengthen the feeling of belonging to a common cultural area. In the 
context of this event, the accent should be on trans-European cultural cooperation.  

(12) Support should be given to the operation of organisations working for European cultural 
cooperation  and  thus  playing  the  role  of  “ambassadors”  of  European  culture,  based  on  the 
experience acquired by the European Union in the context of Decision No 792/2004/EC of the 
European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of 21  April  2004  establishing  a  Community  action 
programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of culture.33 

(13) It is also worthwhile pursuing the action begun by the European Union in the context of 
Decision  No  792/2004/EC  referred  to  above  in  order  to  help  ensure  European  and 
international protection of Nazi concentration camp sites as historic monuments. 

(14) It is necessary, in order to increase the added value of the Community action, to ensure 
coherence  and  complementarity  between  actions  carried  out  within  the  framework  of  this 
Decision and other relevant Community policies, actions and instruments, in compliance with 
Article 151(4) of the Treaty.  

(15)  It  is  necessary  for  the  programme,  in  compliance  with  the  principle  of  freedom  of 
expression,  to  contribute  to  the  Union’s  efforts  to  promote  sustainable  development  and  to 
combat all forms of discrimination. 

(16) The European Union candidate countries and EFTA countries which are members of the 
EEA  agreement  are  recognised  as  potential  participants  in  Community  programmes  in 
accordance with the agreements concluded with these countries.  

(17) The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 adopted the "Agenda for the 
Western  Balkans:  moving  towards  European  integration",  laying  down  that  Community 
programmes should be open to the countries in the Stabilisation and Association Process on 
the basis of framework agreements to be signed between the Community and these countries. 
If  they  wish,  these  countires  should  be  able,  depending  on  budgetary  considerations  or 
political priorities, to take part in the programme or benefit from a more limited formula for 
cooperation,  on  the  basis  of  supplementary  appropriations  and  specific  procedures  to  be 
agreed between the parties concerned.  

(18) The programme should also be open to cooperation with other third countries which have 
signed agreements with the European Community containing a cultural strand, in accordance 
with procedures to be defined.  

(19) It is appropriate to establish a single financing and programming instrument for cultural 
cooperation, entitled the "Culture 2007 programme", for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 
December 2013. 

(20) Community action is complementary to national or regional action in the field of cultural 
cooperation. Given that the objectives of the action envisaged (transnational mobility of cultural 

32 

33 

Decision 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 establishing a 
Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019. 
OJ L 138, 30.04.2004. 

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12 

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players in Europe, transnational circulation of works of art and cultural and artistic products and 
intercultural  dialogue)  cannot  be  adequately  achieved  by  the  Member  States  owing  to  their 
transnational  character,  and  may  therefore  be  better  achieved  at  Community  level,  the 
Community  may  take  measures,  in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  enshrined  in 
Article  5  of  the  Treaty.  In  accordance  with  the  principle  of  proportionality  as  set  out  in  the 
above-mentioned  Article,  this  Decision  does  not  exceed  what  is  necessary  in  order  to  achieve 
those objectives. 

(21)  Concerning the implementation of Community support, the specific nature of the cultural 
sector in Europe should be taken into account, and particular care should be taken to ensure that 
administrative  and  financial  procedures  are  simplified  as  much  as  possible  and  adapted  to  the 
objectives pursued as well as to practices and developments in the cultural sector. 

(22) It is worthwhile ensuring, within the framework of cooperation between the Commission 
and  the  Member  States,  ongoing  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  this  programme  in  order  to 
enable  readjustments,  particularly  within  the  priorities  for  the  implementation  of  measures. 
The  evaluation  should  include  an  external  evaluation  to  be  conducted  by  independent, 
impartial bodies. 

(23) Suitable measures must be implemented to prevent irregularities and fraud and to recover 
funds which have been lost or transferred or used improperly. 

(24)  This  Decision  should  aim  to  establish,  for  the  entire  duration  of  the  programme,  a 
financial framework which constitutes the prime reference, within the meaning of point 33 of 
the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the 
Commission  of  6  May  1999  on  budgetary  discipline  and  improvement  of  the  budgetary 
procedure.34 

(25)  The  measures  necessary  for  the  implementation  of  this  Decision  should  be  adopted  in 
accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures 
for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission,35 

(26) There should be transitional provisions in order to ensure a smooth transition between the 
programmes  drawn  up  by  Decisions  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  Nos 
508/2000/EC or 792/2004/EC on the one hand and, on the other, the programme established 
by this Decision. 

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Establishment and duration of the programme 

34 
35 

OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p.23. 

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1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

This  Decision  establishes  the  Culture  2007  programme,  a  single  multi-annual 
programme for Community measures in the field of culture, hereinafter referred to as 
"the programme". 

The programme shall be implemented over a period starting on 1 January 2007 and 
ending on 31 December 2013. 

Article 2 

Programme budget 

The  financial  framework  for  the  implementation  of  this  programme  for  the  period 
referred to in Article 1 shall be set at 408 million euro.  

Annual  appropriations  shall  be  authorised  by  the  budgetary  authority  within  the 
limits of the financial perspective. 

Article 3 

Objectives of the programme 

The  general  objective  of  the  programme  shall  be  to  enhance  the  cultural  area 
common to Europeans through the development of cultural cooperation between the 
creators, cultural players and cultural institutions of the countries taking part in the 
programme, with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship. 

2. 

The specific objectives of the programme are: 

(a) 

to promote the transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sector; 

(b) 

to  encourage  the  transnational  circulation  of  works  and  cultural  and  artistic 
products;  

(c) 

to encourage intercultural dialogue. 

Article 4 

The programme's fields of action 

1. 

The objectives of the programme shall be pursued through the implementation of the 
following measures, as described in the annex:  

(a)  Support for cultural actions 

•  Cooperation focal points 

•  Cooperation measures 

•  Special measures 

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14 

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(b)  Support for bodies active at European level in the field of culture and actions 
supported  for  the  preservation  and  commemoration  of  the  main  sites  and 
archives associated with the deportations, symbolised by the memorials which 
have  been  raised  on  the  sites  of  the  former  camps  and  other  large-scale 
martyrdom  and  extermination  sites,  and  for  keeping  alive  the  memory  of  the 
victims at these sites. 

(c)  Support for analyses and the collection and dissemination of information in the 

field of cultural cooperation. 

2. 

These measures shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set out in the 
annex. 

Article 5 

Provisions concerning third countries 

1. 

– 

– 

– 

2. 

– 

The programme shall be open to the participation of the following countries: 

EFTA countries which are members of the EEA, in accordance with the provisions 
of the EEA agreement; 

candidate  countries  benefiting  from  a  pre-accession  strategy  for  entry  to  the 
European  Union,  in  accordance  with  the  general  principles  and  with  the  general 
conditions and procedures for the participation of these countries in the Community 
programmes  established  respectively  in  the  framework  agreement  and  in  the 
decisions of the Association Councils; 

the countries of the Western Balkans in accordance with the procedures defined with 
these countries following the framework agreements to be drawn up concerning their 
participation in Community programmes. 

Provided  that  the  conditions  are  met  and  additional  appropriations  are  paid,  the 
countries referred to in this paragraph shall participate fully in the programme.  

The  programme  shall  also  be  open  to  cooperation  with  other  third  countries  which 
have  concluded  association  or  cooperation  agreements  with 
the  European 
Community  which  include  cultural  clauses,  on  the  basis  of  supplementary 
appropriations and specific procedures to be laid down.  

The countries of the Western Balkans referred to in paragraph 1 which do not wish to 
benefit from full participation in the programme may benefit from cooperation with 
the programme under the conditions laid down in this paragraph. 

Article 6 

Cooperation with international organisations 

The  programme  shall  permit  joint  action  with  international  organisations  competent  in  the 
field of culture, such as UNESCO or the Council of Europe, on the basis of joint contributions 

EN 

15 

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and in accordance with the various rules prevailing in each institution or organisation for the 
realisation of the measures listed in Article 4.  

Article 7 

Complementarity with other Community instruments 

The Commission shall ensure a link between the programme and other Community measures, 
particularly  in  the  fields  of  education,  vocational  training,  youth,  sport,  languages,  social 
inclusion, combating discrimination, and research. 

Article 8 

Implementation 

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall implement the Community actions which form the subject of 
this programme, in accordance with the annex. 

The  following  measures  shall  be  adopted  in  accordance  with  the  management 
procedure referred to in Article 9(2): 

(a) 

(b) 

the  annual  plan  of  work,  including  priorities,  and  the  selection  criteria  and 
procedures; 

the annual budget and the breakdown of funds among the different actions of 
the programme; 

(c) 

the procedures for monitoring and evaluating the programme. 

3. 

All  other  measures  necessary  for  the  implementation  of  this  Decision  shall  be 
adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 9(3). 

Article 9 

Committee 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  a  committee,  composed  of  representatives  of 
the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 

Where  reference  is  made  to  this  paragraph,  Articles  4  and  7  of  Decision 
1999/468/EC  shall  apply,  having  regard  to  the  provisions  of  Article  8  thereof.  The 
period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be two months. 

Where  reference  is  made  to  this  paragraph,  Articles  3  and  7  of  Decision 
1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof. 

4. 

The committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 

EN 

16 

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1. 

2. 

– 

– 

– 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Article 10 

Cultural Contact Points 

The  Cultural  Contact  Points  as  defined  in  point  I.3.3  of  the  Annex  shall  act  as 
implementing  bodies  for  the  dissemination  of  information  on  the  programme  at 
national level, having regard to Article 54(2)(c) and (3) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) 
No 1605/2002. 

The Cultural contact points must respect the following criteria: 

have  an  adequate  number  of  staff,  with  professional  and  linguistic  capacities 
appropriate for work in an environment of international cooperation; 

have  an  appropriate  infrastructure,  in  particular  as  regards  informatics  and 
communications; 

operate  in  an  administrative  context  which  enables  them  to  carry  out  their  tasks 
satisfactorily and to avoid conflicts of interest. 

Article 11 

Financial provisions 

Under  the  terms  of  Article  176(2)  of  Commission  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No 
2342/2002, the Commission may decide, in accordance with the characteristics of the 
beneficiaries and the nature of the actions, whether to exempt them from verification 
of  the  professional  competencies  and  qualifications  required  to  complete  the 
proposed action or work programme.  

Financial  aid  shall  take  the  form  of  grants  to  legal  persons.  Grants  may  in  certain 
cases be awarded to natural persons under the terms of Article 114(1) of the Council 
Financial  Regulation  No  1605/2002.  The  Commission  may  also  award  prizes  to 
natural or legal persons for actions or projects implemented under the programme. In 
accordance  with  Article  181  of  Commission  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No 
2342/2002, and depending on the nature of the action, flat-rate financing and/or the 
application of unit cost rates may be authorised.  

Under  the  terms  of  Article  168(1)  of  Commission  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No 
2342/2002,  specific  activities  by  the  European  Capitals  of  Culture  designated 
pursuant to Decision 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 
of  25  May  1999  establishing  a  Community  action  for  the  European  Capital  of 
Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019, may receive a grant. 

Article 12 

Contribution of the programme to other Community policies 

EN 

17 

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The  programme  shall  contribute  to  the  strengthening  of  the  transversal  policies  of  the 
European Community, particularly by: 

(a) 

promoting the fundamental principle of freedom of expression 

encouraging greater awareness of the importance of contributing to sustainable 

(b) 
development; 

contributing  to  the  elimination  of  all  discrimination  based  on  gender,  race  or 

(c) 
ethnic origin, religion or convictions, disability, age or sexual orientation. 

Particular attention will be given to coherence and complementarity between the programme 
and Community policies in the field of cultural cooperation with third countries. 

Article 13 

Monitoring and evaluation 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  regular  monitoring  of  the  programme.  The  results  of 
the  monitoring  and  evaluation  process  shall  be  utilised  when  implementing  the 
programme. 

Monitoring  shall  include  in  particular  the  drawing  up  of  the  reports  referred  to  in 
paragraph 3(a) and (c). 

The specific objectives may be revised according to the results of monitoring reports. 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  regular,  external  and  independent  evaluation  of  the 
programme.  

The Commission shall submit to  Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social 
Committee and the Committee of the Regions: 

(a) 

an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and on the qualitative and 
quantitative aspects of the implementation of this programme not later than 31 
December 2010; 

(b) 

a  Communication  on  the  continuation  of  this  programme  not  later  than  31 
December 2011; 

(c) 

an ex post evaluation report not later than 31 December 2015.  

Article 14 

Transitional provisions 

Actions initiated before 31 December 2006 on the basis of Decision No 508/2000/EC or of 
Decision No 792/2004/EC shall continue to be administered until their closure in accordance 
with the provisions of these Decisions. 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
 
The  Committee  set  up  under  the  terms  of  Article  5  of  Decision  No  508/2000/EC  shall  be 
replaced by the Committee provided for in Article 9 of this Decision. 

Article 15 

Entry into force 

This  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  20th  day  following  that  of  its  publication  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

19 

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ANNEX 

I. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS 

1. 

FIRST STRAND: SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL ACTIONS  

1.1. Cooperation focal points 

The  programme  shall  support  sustainable  and  structured  cultural  cooperation  focal  points 
between European cultural operators. This support is intended to assist the focal points in their 
start-up  and  structuring  phase  or  in  their  geographical  extension  phase.  The  aim  shall  be  to 
encourage them to establish sustainable foundations and achieve financial autonomy. 

Each  focal  point  should  constitute  at  least  six  operators  from  six  different  countries 
participating  in  the  programme  and  bring  together  operators  from  one  or  more  sectors  for 
various multi-annual activities or projects, sectoral or cross-sectoral in nature but pursuing a 
common objective. 

Each focal point shall be intended to carry out a number of structured, multi-annual cultural 
activities.  These  activities  are  to  be  implemented  throughout  the  duration  of  Community 
financing. They must have at least two of the three specific objectives indicated in Article 3 of 
this Decision. Priority will be given to focal points intending to develop activities meeting the 
three specific objectives in that Article. 

The focal points shall be selected following calls for proposals pursuant to Council Regulation 
(EC, Euratom) No 1605/200236 (hereinafter referred to as the “Financial Regulation”) and its 
implementing  measures.  In  this  context,  selection  will  be  made  on  the  basis,  among  other 
things, of the recognised expertise of co-organisers in their field of activity, their financial and 
operational capacity to carry out the proposed activities, and the quality of these activities and 
the extent to which they meet the general objective and specific objectives of the programme, 
as set out in Article 3 of this Decision. 

The focal points must be founded on a cooperation agreement, i.e. a common document with 
a legal form in one of the participating countries and signed by all co-organisers. 

Community  support  may  not  exceed  50%  of  the  project  budget  and  shall  be  degressive  in 
nature. It may not be more than 500 000 euro a year. This support shall be granted for a period 
of five years. 

By  way  of  illustration,  approximately  36%  of  the  total  budget  allocated  to  the  programme 
shall be devoted to this type of support. 

1.2. Cooperation measures 

The programme shall support sectoral or cross-sectoral cultural cooperation actions between 
European  operators.  Priority  shall  be  given  to  creativity  and  innovation.  Actions  aimed  at 

36 

OJ L 248, 16.09.2002, p. 1. 

EN 

20 

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exploring  avenues  for  cooperation  in  order  to  develop  them  over  the  longer  term  will  be 
particularly encouraged.  

Each  action  should  be  designed  and  carried  out  in  partnership  by  at  least  four  cultural 
operators in three different participating countries, whether these operators come from one or 
more sectors. 

Actions  shall  be  selected  following  calls  for  proposals  pursuant  to  the  Financial  Regulation 
and  its  implementing  measures.  In  this  context,  selection  will  be  made  on  the  basis  of  the 
recognised expertise of co-organisers, their financial and operational capacity to carry out the 
proposed  activities,  the  quality  of  these  activities  and  the  extent  to  which  they  meet  the 
general  objective  and  specific  objectives  of  the  programme,  as  set  out  in  Article  3  of  this 
Decision. 

Community support may not exceed 50% of the project budget. It may not be less than 60 000 
euro  per  year  nor  more  than  200  000  euro  per  year.  This  support  shall  be  granted  for  a 
maximum of 12 months. 

By  way  of  illustration,  approximately  24%  of  the  total  budget  allocated  to  the  programme 
shall be devoted to this type of support. 

1.3. Special actions  

The programme shall also support special actions. These actions shall be special in that they 
should be substantial in scale and scope, strike a significant chord with the peoples of Europe 
and help to increase their sense of belonging to the same community, make them aware of the 
cultural diversity of the Member States, and also contribute to intercultural and international 
dialogue. They must meet at least two of the three specific objectives set out in Article 3 of 
this Decision. 

These  special  actions  shall  also  help  to  raise  the  profile  of  Community  cultural  action  and 
increase the cultural influence of our continent.  

As an example, these “special actions” may include the awarding of prizes, in so far as they 
highlight  artists,  works  or  cultural  or  artistic  achievements,  make  them  known  beyond 
national borders and thus encourage mobility and exchanges.  

In this context, significant support will also be given to the “European Capitals of Culture” in 
order  to  help  implement  activities  stressing  European  visibility  and  trans-European  cultural 
cooperation. 

Support may also be given in this context to cooperation with third countries and international 
organisations, as set out in Articles 5(2) and 6 of this Decision. 

The  examples  given  above  do  not  constitute  an  exhaustive  list  of  measures  likely  to  be 
supported under this sub-strand of the programme. 

The selection procedures for special actions will depend on the action in question. Financing 
will  be  granted  following  calls  for  proposals  and  invitations  to  tender,  except  in  the  cases 
referred to in Articles 54 and 168 of the Financial Regulation. Account will also be taken of 
the  extent  to  which  each  action  meets  the  general  objective  and  specific  objectives  of  the 
programme, as set out in Article 3 of this Decision. 

EN 

21 

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Community support may not exceed 60% of the project budget. 

By  way  of  illustration,  approximately  17%  of  the  total  budget  allocated  to  the  programme 
shall be devoted to this type of support. 

2. 

SECOND STRAND: SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN BODIES ACTIVE AT EUROPEAN LEVEL IN 
THE  FIELD  OF  CULTURE  AND  FOR  ACTION  FOR  THE  PRESERVATION  AND 
COMMEMORATION  OF  THE  MAIN  SITES  AND  ARCHIVES  ASSOCIATED  WITH  THE 
DEPORTATIONS 

This support shall take the form of one of two types of grant: 

- 
either  an  operating  grant  to  co-finance  expenditure  associated  with  the  permanent 
work programme of a body which pursues an aim of general European interest in the field of 
culture or an objective forming part of the European Union's policy in this area (point 2.1); 

- 

or a grant to co-finance a specific action in this area (point 2.2). 

Provision  shall  be  made  for  these  grants  to  be  awarded  on  the  basis  of  annual  calls  for 
proposals. 

By  way  of  illustration,  approximately  10%  of  the  total  budget  allocated  to  the  programme 
shall be devoted to this strand. 

2.1. Support for the operation of organisations of European cultural interest 

Bodies  working  for  cultural  cooperation  by  providing  representation  at  Community  level, 
collecting  or  disseminating  information  for  facilitating  trans-European  Community  cultural 
cooperation,  networking  at  European  level  for  bodies  active  in  the  field  of  culture, 
participating  in  cultural  cooperation  projects  or  acting  as  ambassadors  for  European  culture 
may benefit from this support. 

These bodies must present a real European dimension. In this regard, they must carry out their 
activities at European level, alone or in the form of various coordinated associations, and their 
structure  (registered  members)  and  activities  must  have  a  potential  influence  at  European 
Union level or cover at least seven European countries. 

The beneficiaries of these operating grants shall be selected through a call for proposals. 
This  shall  be  done  on  the  basis  of  matching  the  bodies’  work  programme  with  the 
specific objectives set out in Article 3 of this Decision. 

The total operating grant awarded under this strand of the annex may not exceed 80% of the 
body’s admissible expenditure for the year in which the grant is awarded. 

2.2. Support for action for the preservation and commemoration of the main sites and 
archives associated with the deportations 

Actions  may  be  supported  for  the  preservation  and  commemoration  of  the  main  sites  and 
archives  associated  with  the  deportations,  symbolised  by  the  memorials  which  have  been 
raised  on  the  sites  of  the  former  camps  and  other  large-scale  martyrdom  and  extermination 
sites, and for keeping alive the memory of the victims at these sites. 

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3 

THIRD  STRAND:  SUPPORT  FOR  ANALYSES  AND  FOR  THE  COLLECTION  AND 
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IN THE FIELD OF CULTURAL COOPERATION  

By way of illustration, approximately 5% of the total budget allocated to the programme shall 
be devoted to this strand. 

3.1. Support for analyses in the field of cultural cooperation 

The programme shall support the carrying out of studies and analyses in the field of cultural 
cooperation. The aim of this support shall be to increase the volume of information and data 
on cultural cooperation at European level, particularly with regard to the mobility of cultural 
players,  the  circulation  of  works  of  art  and  artistic  and  cultural  products  and  intercultural 
dialogue. 

Studies  and  analyses  contributing  to  increasing  knowledge  of  the  phenomenon  of  trans-
European cultural cooperation and to creating favourable conditions for it to flourish may be 
supported  under  this  strand.  Projects  aimed  at  collecting  and  analysing  statistics  will  be 
particularly encouraged. 

3.2. Support for the collection and dissemination of information in the field of cultural 
cooperation 

The  programme  shall  support  the  collection  and  dissemination  of  information  via  the 
development of an Internet tool targeted at the needs of culture professionals in the field of 
trans-European cultural cooperation. 

This tool should enable the exchange of experience and good practice and the dissemination 
of  information  concerning  the  cultural  programme  as  well  as  trans-European  cultural 
cooperation in the broad sense. 

3.3. Support for cultural contact points 

In order to ensure targeted, effective grass-roots dissemination of practical information on the 
programme, it shall provide for support from “cultural contact points”. These bodies, acting at 
national level, shall be set up by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States on a 
voluntary basis. 

The task of the cultural contact points shall be to: 

- promote the programme, 

-  facilitate  access  to  the  programme  for,  and  encourage  participation  in  its  activities  by,  as 
many  professionals  and  operators  in  the  cultural  field  as  possible,  by  means  of  an  effective 
dissemination of information; 

- provide an efficient link with the various institutions providing aid to the cultural sector in 
the Member States, thus contributing to complementarity between the measures taken under 
the programme and national support measures; 

- provide information and contact at the appropriate level between operators participating in 
the  programme  and  those  participating  in  other  Community  programmes  open  for  cultural 
projects. 

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II. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT 

The  programme’s  financial  allocation  can  also  cover  expenses  pertaining  to  preparatory, 
monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, required directly for the management and 
the  realisation  of  the  objectives  of  the  programme,  in  particular,  studies,  meetings, 
information  and  publication  actions,  expenses  linked  to  informatic  networks  focusing  on 
information exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expense 
that the Commission may have recourse to for the management of the programme. 

III. CONTROLS AND AUDITS 

For  projects  selected  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  described  in  Article  11(1)  of  this 
Decision, a sampling audit system will be established. 

The beneficiary of a grant shall make available to the Commission all supporting documents 
relating to expenditure for a period of five years reckoned from the date of the final payment. 
The  beneficiary  of  a  grant  shall  ensure  that,  where  applicable,  supporting  documents  in  the 
possession of partners or members are made available to the Commission. 

The Commission may have an audit of the use made of the grant carried out either directly by 
its own staff or by any other qualified outside body of its choice. Such audits may be carried 
out  throughout  the  lifetime  of  the  contract  and  for  a  period  of  five  years  from  the  date  of 
payment of the balance. Where appropriate, the audit findings may lead to recovery decisions 
by the Commission. 

Commission staff and outside personnel authorised by the Commission shall have appropriate 
access  to  the  offices  of  the  beneficiary  and  to  all  the  information,  including  information  in 
electronic format, needed in order to conduct such audits. 

The  Court  of  Auditors  and  the  European  Anti-Fraud  Office  (OLAF)  shall  enjoy  the  same 
rights, especially of access, as the Commission. 

In  order  to  protect  the  European  Communities'  financial  interests  against  fraud  and  other 
irregularities,  the  Commission  may  carry  out  on-the-spot  checks  and  inspections  under  this 
programme  in  accordance  with  Council  Regulation  (Euratom,  EC)  No  2185/96.37  Where 
necessary, investigations shall be conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and 
these shall be governed by Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council.38 

IV. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES 

1. Commission- 

The  Commission  may  organise  seminars,  conferences  or  meetings  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
implementation of the programme, and undertake information, publication and dissemination 
activities  as  appropriate,  as  well  as  the  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  programme.  Such 

37 
38 

OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. 
OJ L 136, 31.05.1999, p. 1. 

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activities  may  be  financed  by  means  of  grants,  or  the  public  procurement  process,  or  be 
organised and financed directly by the Commission. 

2. Contact points 

The Commission and the Member States shall organise on a voluntary basis and reinforce the 
exchange  of  information  useful  for  the  implementation  of  the  programme  via  the  cultural 
contact  points  acting  as  implementing  bodies  at  national  level,  under  the  terms  of  Article 
54(2)(c) and (3) of Regulation No 1605/2002. 

V. OVERALL BUDGET BREAKDOWN 

Breakdown of the annual budget for the programme  

Percentage  of  the 
budget 

Strand 1 (support for projects)  Approx. 77% 

- cooperation focal points  

Approx. 36% 

- cooperation measures 

Approx. 24% 

- special actions  

Approx. 17% 

Strand 
organisations) 

2 

(support 

for 

Approx. 10% 

Strand  3 
information 

-  Analysis  and 

Approx. 5% 

Total operational expenditure 

Approx. 92% 

Programme management 

Approx. 8 % 

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FICHE FINANCIÈRE LÉGISLATIVE 

Domaine(s) politique(s): Education et Culture 

Activité(s): culture et langues 

Intitulé de l'action: programme Culture 2007 

1. 

LIGNE(S) BUDGÉTAIRE(S) + INTITULÉ(S) 

15 04 02 01 - Programme-cadre en faveur de la culture 

15 01 04 07 - Programme-cadre en faveur de la culture - Dépenses pour la gestion 
administrative 

15 01 04 30 – Agence exécutive Education et culture 

2. 

DONNÉES CHIFFRÉES GLOBALES  

2.1. 

Enveloppe totale de l'action : crédits d'engagement 

408,00 millions d'euros  

2.2. 

Période d'application: 

Du 1er janvier 2007 au 31 décembre 2013 

2.3. 

Estimation globale pluriannuelle des dépenses: 

a) 

Échéancier crédits d'engagement/crédits de paiement (intervention financière) 
Millions d'euros (à la 3e décimale) 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 et
exer. 
suiv. 

Total 

40,918 

42,836 

46,751

52,274

57,043

63,673 

71,423

374,918

24,596 

33,874 

36,505

45,429

49,643

58,231  126,640

374,918

Crédits 
d'engagement (CE) 

Crédits  de  paiement 
(CP) 

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26 

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b) 

Assistance technique et administrative (ATA) et dépenses d’appui (DDA) (cf. point 
6.1.2) 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 et
exer. 
suiv. 

Total 

4,082 

4,164 

4,249

4,726

4,957

5,327 

5,577

33,082

4,082 

4,164 

4,249

4,726

4,957

5,327 

5,577

33,082

Crédits 
d'engagement (CE) 

Crédits  de  paiement 
(CP) 

Sous-total a+b 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 et
exer. 
suiv. 

Total 

Crédits 
d'engagement (CE) 

Crédits  de  paiement 
(CP) 

45,0 

47,0 

51,0

57,0

62,0

69,0 

77,0

408,0

28,678 

38,038 

40,754

50,155

54,600

63,558  132,217

408,0

c) 

Incidence  financière  globale  des  ressources  humaines  et  autres  dépenses  de 
fonctionnement (cf. points 7.2 et 7.3) 

(CE)/(CP) 

2,239 

2,239 

2,239

2,240

2,240

2,240 

2,241

15,678

TOTAL a+b+c 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 et
exer. 
suiv. 

Total 

Crédits 
d'engagement (CE) 

Crédits  de  paiement 
(CP) 

47,239 

49,239 

53,239

59,240

64,240

71,240 

79,241

423,678

30,917 

40,277 

42,993

52,395

56,840

65,798  134,458

423,678

2.4 

Compatibilité avec la programmation financière et les perspectives financières 

[X]  Proposition compatible avec la Communication de la Commission concernant 
les moyens budgétaires 2007-2013 - COM (2004) 101 du 10 février 2004 

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27 

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Cette proposition nécessite une reprogrammation de la rubrique concernée des
 perspectives financières,  

y  compris, 
interinstitutionnel. 

le  cas  échéant,  un  recours  aux  dispositions  de 

l’accord 

2.5 

Incidence financière sur les recettes 

[X]  Aucune implication financière sur les recettes (concerne des aspects techniques 

relatifs à la mise en œuvre d'une mesure). 

3. 

CARACTÉRISTIQUES BUDGÉTAIRES 

Nature de la dépense 

Nouvelle 

Participation 
AELE 

Participation 
pays 
candidats 

Rubrique PF

DNO 

CD  

NON 

OUI 

OUI 

3 

4. 

BASE LÉGALE  

Article 151 du Traité CE. 

5. 

DESCRIPTION ET JUSTIFICATION 

5.1 

Nécessité d'une intervention communautaire 

5.1.1  Objectifs poursuivis 

L'objectif  poursuivi  est  de  permettre  à  l'action  communautaire  de  coopération  culturelle  de 
continuer  sur  une  base  renouvelée,  à  la  suite  du  programme  "Culture  2000"39  et  du 
programme  d'action  communautaire  pour  la  promotion  des  organismes  actifs  au  niveau 
européen dans le domaine de la culture40 qui devraient s'achever le 31 décembre 2006.  

Comme  indiqué  à  l'article  3  de  la  proposition  de  décision,  l'objectif  général  du  programme 
proposé est de poursuivre la mise en œuvre de l'article 151 du Traité, en contribuant à la mise 
en valeur d'un espace culturel commun aux Européens par le développement de la coopération 
culturelle  entre  les  créateurs,  les  acteurs  culturels  et  les  institutions  culturelles  des  pays 
participant au programme. 

39 

40 

Le  Programme  Culture  2000  a  été  initialement  fondé  sur  la  décision  du  Parlement  européen  et  du 
Conseil  508/2000/CE  du  14  février  2000  (JO  L63  du  10.3.2000)  établissant  ce  programme  pour  la 
période  2000-2004,  puis  prolongé  de  deux  années  par  la  décision  no  626/2004/CE  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  du  31  mars  2004  modifiant  la  décision  no  508/2000/CE  établissant  le 
programme « Culture 2000 » (JO L 99 du 03.04.2000). 
Décision  du  Parlement  Européen  et  du  Conseil 792/2004/CE  du  21  avril  2004  (JO  L138  du  30  avril 
2004)  établissant  un  programme  d'action  communautaire  pour  la  promotion  des  organismes  actifs  au 
niveau européen dans le domaine de la culture  

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28 

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Compte tenu des considérations qui  précèdent, les effets directs correspondant aux  objectifs 
spécifiques visés par le programme, à court et à moyen terme, peuvent être groupés comme 
suit: 

mobilité transnationale accrue des acteurs de la culture. Deux sortes de mobilité seront 
(a) 
encouragées  :  d’une  part,  la  mobilité  pour  prestation  de  services  culturels  (ex:  tournées)  ou 
établissement et, d’autre part, la mobilité dans le but de se former, de se confronter à d'autres 
cultures ou pratiques artistiques, d'échanger des expériences; 

(b) 
circulation transnationale accrue des œuvres et des produits artistiques et culturels. Il 
s’agit d’aider la circulation des œuvres d’art et des produits artistiques et culturels au-delà des 
frontières  nationales,  qui  entraîne  un  surcoût pour  l’organisateur.  Cet  objectif  correspond  à 
ceux  du  Traité  (articles  3q  et  151)  et  répond  à  certaines  missions  communautaires  de  base 
(finalisation  du  marché  intérieur  et  renforcement  de  l’intégration  européenne  grâce  à  la 
réalisation d’un espace culturel commun, qui serait fondé à la fois sur la diversité nationale et 
régionale et sur les valeurs partagées par les Européens);  

(c) 
dialogue  interculturel  renforcé.  L’objectif  est  de  favoriser  un  échange  fondé  sur 
l’ouverture et l’égalité entre cultures visant à amener, dans le respect des droits fondamentaux 
de la personne humaine et du principe de diversité culturelle, à un enrichissement mutuel et à 
la  recherche  commune  de  valeurs  et  interprétations  partagées  et  visera  notamment  à  mieux 
permettre l'intégration des nouveaux Européens issus de cultures diverses. 

Par  la  nature  même  de  ses  trois  principaux  objectifs,  le  programme  Culture  2007  a  un 
caractère  clairement  multilatéral  et,  partant,  une  valeur  ajoutée  européenne  élevée.  En  effet, 
bien que les autorités nationales ou régionales contribuent à favoriser les échanges culturels, 
une  étude  récente  sur  l’état  de  la  coopération  culturelle  en  Europe  a  montré  que  les 
gouvernements  continuaient  à  axer  leur  politique  culturelle  étrangère  sur  la  coopération 
bilatérale  et  qu’une  poignée  d’Etats  membres  seulement  faisaient  de  la  mobilité  culturelle 
l’une  de  leurs  priorités  ou  encourageaient  au  développement  du  dialogue  trans-culturel  en 
allant au-delà des limites plutôt formelles des accords de coopération culturelle bilatéraux ou 
multilatéraux. 

5.1.2  Dispositions prises relevant de l’évaluation ex ante  

a)  Un  rapport  d'analyse  d'impact  étendue,  intégrant  également  les  exigences  de  l'évaluation 
ex°ante, a été réalisé par les services de la Commission européenne entre septembre 2003 et 
mars 2004.  

Ce  rapport  est  disponible  sur  le  site  internet  Europa41.  Il  inclut  notamment  un  exposé  des 
problèmes  que  le  nouveau  programme  sera  chargé  de  traiter,  une  présentation  des  objectifs 
généraux,  spécifiques  et  opérationnels  de  cette  nouvelle  proposition  et  des  indicateurs 
pertinents, une analyse des différentes options stratégiques et des mécanismes alternatifs, un 
examen  des  risques  et  des  éventuelles  incertitudes  soulevées  par  le  programme  proposé,  un 
exposé des impacts attendus, l'examen de la valeur ajoutée européenne de l'action, les leçons 
tirées  du  passé  et  notamment  des  évaluations  des  programmes  antérieurs,  une  analyse  coût-
efficacité des propositions, etc. 

41 

Document SEC (2004) xxx… 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/other_actions/after_2006/after2006_fr.html 

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b) Brève description des constatations et enseignements tirés de l'évaluation ex ante42. 

L'évaluation  ex  ante  permet  d’abord  de  souligner  le  bien-fondé  et  la  pertinence  de  l’action 
culturelle de l’Union européenne, qui peut à la fois contribuer aux grands objectifs de l'Union 
européenne tels que le renforcement d'un espace de liberté et de citoyenneté en Europe ou le 
développement du dialogue interculturel, et répondre aux besoins particuliers du secteur.  

L’expérience  acquise  à  travers  les  programmes  précédents  et  Culture  2000  a  révélé  que  la 
coopération culturelle est un phénomène dont la complexité tend à s’accroître parallèlement 
au développement des télécommunications et des transports et, d’une manière plus générale, 
au développement du secteur culturel et de la société civile. L’analyse des besoins exprimés 
par  le  secteur  ainsi  que  des  différents  points  de  vue  permet  de  conclure  à  la  nécessité  d’un 
nouveau  programme,  qui  serait  un  outil  global  et  cohérent  en  faveur  de  la  coopération 
culturelle et irait au-delà du soutien direct apporté aux actions culturelles. 

Des observations spécifiques ont été formulées sur un certain nombre de points : 

-  La  nécessité  d’un  budget  culturel  accru.  L’octroi  d’une  aide  communautaire  à  des  projets 
axés  sur  la  coopération  multilatérale  est  éminemment  souhaitable,  étant  donné  que  les  États 
membres  ont  tendance  à  soutenir  essentiellement  des  projets  nationaux  ou  bilatéraux.  Les 
opérateurs ont également souligné la nécessité d’une aide financière à long terme pour mettre 
en place des projets de coopération durables. L’appui au fonctionnement de certains réseaux 
ou associations européennes peut également présenter une importante valeur ajoutée. 

-  La  nécessité  d’une  véritable  stratégie  globale  en  ce  qui  concerne  l'action  culturelle 
européenne et d'une action plus cohérente. Le grand nombre d'objectifs de Culture 2000 s'est 
avéré  déroutant  et  a  été  considéré  comme  dommageable  à  l’efficacité  du  programme.  Les 
opérateurs  ont  également  mentionné  le  fait  que  la  division  du  programme  Culture  2000  en 
différents secteurs ou activités culturels représentait pour eux une contrainte, étant donné que 
certains  projets  pluridisciplinaires  n’entrent  pas  dans  ces  catégories.  Les  priorités  annuelles 
fixées par le programme semblent être une source de « frustration » pour tous ceux qui ne sont 
pas éligibles (ou ne le sont que d'une manière limitée). C’est pour répondre à cette demande 
que  l’approche  sectorielle  a  été  supprimée  dans  le  cadre  du  programme  et  que  le  nombre 
d’objectifs spécifiques a été réduit à trois, considérés comme présentant une véritable valeur 
ajoutée européenne (voir point 5.1.1.). 

-  Un  réel  besoin  d’une  plus  grande  quantité  d’informations  pratiques  et  actualisées  sur  la 
coopération  culturelle43  et  d’une  meilleure  diffusion  des  bonnes  pratiques.  L’attention  a 
fréquemment  été  attirée  sur  le  manque  de  travaux  de  recherche  concernant  la  coopération 
culturelle en Europe. De tels travaux, ainsi que la collecte de données statistiques, aideraient à 
asseoir  la  position  de  la  culture  au  sein  des  politiques  européennes  et  contribueraient 
indirectement à l’essor de la coopération européenne. C’est la raison pour laquelle une partie 
du programme (troisième volet) est consacrée au soutien à des travaux d’analyse et de collecte 
de données dans le domaine de la coopération culturelle. 

42 
43 

Communication sur l'évaluation SEC (2000)1051. 
Etude  sur  la  mobilité  et  la  libre  circulation  des  personnes  et  des  productions  dans  le  secteur  culturel 
européen  et  étude  de  faisabilité  sur  la  création  éventuelle  d’un  observatoire  européen  de  coopération 
culturelle 

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- Il semble nécessaire d’accroître la visibilité de l’action communautaire dans le domaine de 
la culture. Cet objectif pourrait être atteint grâce à un programme plus ciblé et plus cohérent, 
mais  aussi  à  une  meilleure  communication  autour  du  programme  et  des  projets  soutenus. 
C’est  pourquoi  il  a  été  décidé  de  regrouper  au  sein  d’un  seul  programme  des  actions  qui 
relevaient  précédemment  de  programmes  différents.  Par  ailleurs,  le  nouveau  programme 
apportera à un certain nombre de projets un soutien de plus longue durée que les programmes 
précédents  et  renforcera  son  soutien  à  des  actions  emblématiques  telles  que  les  capitales 
européennes de la culture 

-  C’est  en  tenant  compte  de  ces  nécessités  que  la  Commission  a  élaboré  un  nouveau 
programme,  de  troisième  génération,  qui  tire  des  enseignements  des  expériences  passées  et 
explore de nouvelles pistes d’actions. 

5.1.3  Dispositions prises à la suite de l’évaluation ex post 

Les  travaux  d’évaluation  des  programmes  communautaires  antérieurs  dans  le  secteur  de  la 
culture  (évaluation  à  mi-parcours  du  programme  "Culture  2000"  prévue  à  l’article  8  de  la 
décision  n° 508/2000/CE,  évaluation  des  anciens  programmes  Ariane,  Kaléidoscope  et 
Raphaël, évaluation de l'ancienne ligne budgétaire A30-42 intégrée depuis dans le programme 
de  soutien  aux  organismes  actifs  dans  le  domaine  culturel)44  ont  fourni  des  éléments 
d’appréciation dont il a été tenu compte pour juger de la pertinence de proposer un nouveau 
programme. 

Les enseignements du passé peuvent être considérés sous deux angles différents: 

– 

a) les enseignements applicables à la conception du programme 

En  ce  qui  concerne  la  conception  du  programme,  la  Commission  a  bien  pris  note  des 
difficultés  relevées  par  les  évaluations  des  autres  programmes  dans  le  domaine  culturel,  par 
exemple  en  ce  qui  concerne  le  cloisonnement  entre  les  différentes  disciplines  culturelles  au 
sein  du  programme  « Culture  2000 »  mentionné  comme  étant  une  contrainte  pour  les 
opérateurs,  ou  encore  le  nombre  trop  élevé  d'objectifs  qui  a  pu  entraîner  une  dispersion  des 
effets de l'action compte tenu des masses budgétaires relativement limitées. 

– 

b) les enseignements applicables à la gestion du programme 

En  ce  qui  concerne  la  gestion  du  programme,  la  Commission  a  tenu  compte  des  critiques 
figurant  dans  les  évaluations  d'autres  programmes  communautaires  en  envisageant  plus 
particulièrement  des  mécanismes  de  mise  en  œuvre  permettant  une  gestion  simplifiée  et 
allégée. Lors de l'élaboration de la proposition, une attention particulière a été accordée aux 
critiques émises à l'égard de la gestion de la première phase du programme Culture 2000, la 
Commission ayant d'ailleurs depuis adopté des mesures pour y remédier. 

La proposition vise plus particulièrement à éviter dans la mesure du possible: 

44 

Voir rapport d'évaluation réalisé par société PLS Ramboll Management et rapport de la Commission sur 
l'évaluation - COM(2003) 722. 
Voir  aussi  évaluation  ex  post  des  anciens  programmes  culturels  Kaléidoscope,  Ariane  et  Raphaël, 
évaluation des organismes d’intérêt culturel européen. 
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/sources_info/studies_evaluation/studies_fr.html) 

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– les procédures financières complexes, 

– les procédures administratives lourdes,  

– le caractère tardif des décisions relatives à la sélection des bénéficiaires. 

L’adoption du présent programme entraînera une diminution du  nombre de bases juridiques 
actuellement  en  vigueur  dans  le  secteur  culturel,  qui  passeront  de  deux  à  une,  et  de  lignes 
budgétaires, qui seront ramenées de quatre à une. L'existence d'un seul et unique programme 
financier  donnera  une  visibilité  et  une  cohérence  beaucoup  plus  importantes  à  l'action 
communautaire dans le domaine de la coopération culturelle. 

Le programme sera conçu comme un outil global, cohérent et plus convivial en faveur de la 
coopération culturelle. Il sera ouvert à tous les secteurs culturels et artistiques, sans catégories 
préétablies,  et  à  une  plus  grande  variété  d’opérateurs  culturels,  allant  des  administrations 
nationales ou locales aux réseaux et entreprises du secteur culturel. 

La décision législative sera rédigée dans un souci de concision, de simplicité et de souplesse. 
Par  exemple,  aux  fins  d’une  lisibilité  accrue,  certains  articles  de  l'ancienne  décision,  qui 
portaient  sur  des  questions  assez  différentes,  seront  divisés  en  articles  distincts.  Puisque  les 
actions  soutenues  seront  ouvertes  à  tous  les  secteurs  artistiques  et  culturels  et  seront  toutes 
axées sur les trois mêmes objectifs stratégiques, la description des actions soutenues figurant 
dans  les  annexes  sera  plus  courte  et  plus  simple.  Certains  éléments  de  flexibilité  seront 
introduits dans l'article ayant trait aux aspects financiers. 

La  Commission  proposera  certaines  simplifications  pratiques  d’une  grande  importance  pour 
les  bénéficiaires,  telles  que  l’autorisation  de  financements  forfaitaires  pour  de  petites 
contributions ou pour des coûts spécifiques. 

Lors  de  la  mise  en  œuvre  de  ce  programme,  la  Commission  veillera  à  ce  qu'il  reste  aussi 
simple et facile à utiliser que possible. 

5.2 

Actions envisagées et modalités de l'intervention budgétaire 

Le  nouveau  programme  tire  des  enseignements  des  expériences  passées  et  explore  de 
nouvelles  pistes  d’actions.  Il  s’agit  d’un  programme  de  troisième  génération,  après  les 
programmes de la période 1994-1999 (Kaléidoscope, Ariane, Raphaël) et ceux de la période 
2000-2006  (Culture  2000,  et  programme  de  soutien  aux  organismes  actifs  dans  le  domaine 
culturel sur la fin de cette période).  

Durant  la  période  2004-2006,  deux  programmes  d’action  communautaire  vont  en  effet 
coexister dans le domaine culturel, le programme « Culture 2000 » ainsi que le « programme 
d'action communautaire pour la promotion des organismes actifs au niveau européen dans le 
domaine  de  la  culture ».  Cette  proposition  procède  à  une  simplification  de  ce  système 
puisqu’elle  prévoit  l’intégration  de  la  plupart  des  champs  d’action  de  chacun  de  ces 
programmes au sein d’un même programme. 

Par  rapport  aux  deux  premières  générations  de  l’action  culturelle,  le  programme  proposé  se 
veut  donc  un  outil  cohérent,  global  et  complet  en  faveur  de  la  coopération  culturelle 
multilatérale  en  Europe,  capable  d’en  appréhender  toute  la  complexité.  Les  objectifs  du 
programme sont mis en œuvre dans les domaines d'intervention suivants : 

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32 

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– 

Premier volet : soutien à des actions culturelles  

Le  programme  prévoit  un  soutien  direct  à  trois  catégories  de  projets  européens  de 
coopération, de durée et d’ampleur variables. 

•  Les pôles de coopération  

•  Les actions de coopération 

•  Les actions spéciales 

– 

Deuxième  volet :  soutien  à  des  organismes  actifs  au  niveau  européen  dans  le 
domaine culturel 

Ce  volet  permet  d’intégrer  au  sein  du  nouveau  programme  les  actions  de promotion  des 
organismes  actifs  au  niveau  européen  dans  le  domaine  de  la  culture,  qui  font  actuellement 
l’objet d’un programme distinct.  

– 

Troisième  volet :  soutien  à  des  travaux  d’analyse  ainsi  qu’à  la  collecte  et  à  la 
diffusion de l’information dans le domaine de la coopération culturelle  

Ce volet vise à apporter un soutien à des activités d’analyse et à l’information, afin de créer 
un environnement propice à la coopération. Il comporte trois actions complémentaires : 

•  Soutien à des travaux d’analyse dans le domaine de la coopération culturelle 

•  Soutien à la collecte et à la diffusion de l’information dans le domaine de la coopération 

culturelle 

•  Soutien aux points de contact culture 

Toutes ces actions concernent le secteur culturel européen et les opérateurs des Etats membres 
et des autres pays participant au programme qui seront susceptibles de participer à des actions 
de  coopération  culturelle  au  niveau  européen.  De  manière  plus  indirecte,  ce  sont  tous  les 
citoyens européens qui sont visés. 

Les actions seront financées par les moyens suivants : 

– subventions destinées à cofinancer des projets bénéficiant également d'une aide du secteur 
public  et/ou  privé;  le  financement  à  100  %  par  la  Communauté  européenne  ne  sera  pas 
possible; 

– financement à 100 % des achats de services (études, publications ou experts). 

5.3 

Modalités de mise en œuvre 

Les  mécanismes  de  mise  en  œuvre  prévus  dans  la  proposition  suivent  l'approche 
communautaire  classique  en  matière  de  subventions  et  de  cofinancements,  fondée  sur  des 
demandes de financement détaillées. 

La Commission assure la mise en œuvre de ce programme par le biais de ses services et d’une 
agence exécutive. 

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Des  crédits  sont  à  prévoir  pour  couvrir  les  dépenses  administratives  directement  liées  à 
l'objectif du programme (études, réunions d'experts, information et publications, contribution 
aux frais de fonctionnement d'une agence exécutive et autres dépenses d'assistance technique 
et administrative). 

Les financements seront accordés à la suite d'appels à propositions et d'appels d'offres, sauf 
financier. 
dans  des 

et  168  du  Règlement 

relevant  des 

articles  54 

cas 

6. 

INCIDENCE FINANCIÈRE  

6.1 

Incidence  financière  totale  sur  la  partie  B  (pour  toute  la  période  de 
programmation) 

6.1.1 

Intervention financière 

Crédits d'engagement en millions d'euros (à la 3e décimale) 

Ventilation 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Total 

Volet  1  -  soutien  à  des 
projets 

34,265 

35,874 

39,160 

43,790 

47,798 

53,380 

59,893 

314,16
0 

- Pôles de coopération 

16,200 

16,920 

18,360 

20,520 

22,320 

24,840 

27,720  146,880 

- Actions de coopération 

10,800 

11,280 

12,240 

13,680 

14,880 

16,560 

18,480 

97,920 

- Actions spéciales 

7,265 

7,674 

8,560 

9,590 

10,598 

11,980 

13,693 

69,360 

Volet  2  -  soutien  aux 
organismes 

Volet  3  -  Analyse  et 
information 

4,403 

4,612 

5,041 

5,634 

6,145 

6,843 

7,680 

40,358 

2,250 

2,350 

2,550 

2,850 

3,100 

3,450 

3,850 

20,400 

TOTAL 

40,918 

42,836 

46,751 

52,274 

57,043 

63,673 

71,423 

374,918 

6.1.2 

Assistance  technique  et  administrative  (ATA),  dépenses  d'appui  (DDA)  et  dépenses  TI 
(crédits d’engagement) 

Ventilation 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Total 

1) Assistance technique et 
administrative (ATA): 

a)  contribution  à  l’agence 
exécutive 

3,566 

3,638 

3,713 

4,178 

4,399 

4,757 

4,996 

29,247 

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Autre 

b) 
technique 
administrative: 

assistance 
et 

- intra-muros: 

0,171 

0,174 

0,178 

0,182 

0,185 

0,189 

0,193 

1,272 

- extra-muros: 

0,029 

0,030 

0,030 

0,031 

0,031 

0,032 

0,033 

0,216 

Sous-total 1 

3,766 

3,842 

3,921 

4,391 

4,615 

4,978 

5,222 

30,735 

2)  Dépenses 
(DDA): 

d’appui 

a) Études 

0,104 

0,106 

0,108 

0,110 

0,113 

0,115 

0,117 

0,773 

b) Réunion d’experts 

0,061 

0,062 

0,063 

0,064 

0,065 

0,067 

0,068 

0,450 

Information 

c) 
publications 

et 

0,151 

0,154 

0,157 

0,161 

0,164 

0,167 

0,170 

1,124 

Sous-total 2 

0,316 

0,322 

0,328 

0,335 

0,342 

0,349 

0,355 

2,347 

TOTAL 

4,082 

4,164 

4,249 

4,726 

4,957 

5,327 

5,577 

33,082 

Ces dépenses incluent la contribution du programme aux frais de fonctionnement de l'agence 
exécutive Education et culture, notamment les frais de personnel qui seront exposés par cette 
agence au titre de ce programme. Ces dépenses de personnel correspondent à une estimation 
de  26  personnes  (personnel  statutaire  de  l'agence  et  agents  contractuels)  en  2007  et  de  34 
personnes  en  2013;  l'augmentation  de  cet  effectif  au  cours  de  la  période  résulte  de 
l'augmentation des volumes d'activité qui seront confiés à l'agence, du fait de la croissance des 
budgets alloués aux volets dont la gestion lui sera déléguée. 

6.2 

Calcul  des  coûts  par  mesure  envisagée  en  partie  B  (pour  toute  la  période  de 
programmation) 

Crédits d'engagement en millions d'euros (à la 3ème décimale) 

Ventilation 

Type de réalisations / 
outputs 

Nombre de 
réalisations / outputs 

Coût unitaire 
moyen 

Coût total 

Volet 1 - Soutien aux projets 

314,160 

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Pôles de coopération 

->  subventions  à  des 
projets 

80 

1,836 

146,880 

Actions de coopération 

->  subventions  à  des 
projets 

870 

0,113 

97,920 

Actions spéciales 

->  subventions  à  des 
projets 

400 

0,173 

69,360 

Volet 2 - Soutien aux organismes 
actifs au niveau européen dans le 
domaine de la culture 

->subventions 
fonctionnement 

de 

305 

0,132 

40,358 

Volet 3 - Analyse et information 

20,400 

->  subventions  à  des 
projets 

60 

0,143 

8,570 

-> marchés: 

-  Etudes, 
diffusion d’informations 

collecte 

et 

17 

0,200 

3,430 

-> PCC 

182 

0,046 

8,400 

Gestion du programme 

COÛT TOTAL 

Assistance  technique  et 
administrative  (ATA)  et 
dépenses d’appui (DDA) 

33,082 

408,0 

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7. 

INCIDENCE 
FONCTIONNEMENT  

SUR  LES  EFFECTIFS  ET  LES  DÉPENSES  DE 

7.1 

Incidence sur les ressources humaines 

L'estimation  des  dépenses  relevant  de  ce  point  7  est  une  estimation  moyenne  sur  la  période 
2007-2013.  Il  est  envisagé  d’augmenter  les  ressources  humaines  actuellement  affectées  à  la 
gestion  du  programme  Culture  2000  afin  de  prendre  en  compte  l’évolution  des  crédits 
opérationnels affectés au programme; ces ressources humaines passeraient de 16 hommes/ans 
en 2007 à 20 hommes/ans en 2013.  

Effectifs à affecter à la gestion de l’action 
par  utilisation  des  ressources  existantes 
et/ou supplémentaires 

Description  des  tâches  découlant  de 
l’action 

Types d’emplois 

Total 

Nombre d’emplois 

Nombre d’emplois 

permanents 

Temporaires 

Fonctionnaires ou 

Agents 
temporaires 

A 

4 (5) 

B 

3 (5) 

C 

6 (7) 

Autres ressources 

Humaines 

Total 

13 (17) 

4 (5) 

Mise en œuvre du programme 

3 (5) 

6 (7) 

1 

2 

16 (20) 

Support Staff 

National Experts 

7.2 

Incidence financière globale des ressources humaines 

Type de ressources humaines 

Montants en euros  Mode de calcul *  

Fonctionnaires /Agents temporaires 

1 404 000 € 

13 * 108 000 € 

(1 836 000 €) 

(17 * 108 000 €) 

Autres ressources humaines 

108 000 € 

1 * 108 000 € Support Staff 

(indiquer la ligne budgétaire) 

90 000 € 

2 * 45 000 € National Experts 

Total 

1 602 000 € 

(2 034 000 €) 

Les montants correspondent aux dépenses totales pour 12 mois. 

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7.3 

Autres dépenses de fonctionnement découlant de l’action 

Ligne budgétaire 

(n° et intitulé) 

Enveloppe globale (Titre A7) 

A0701 – Missions 

A07030 – Réunions 

Montants en euros 

Mode de calcul 

41 250 € 

5pers. * 10missions * 825 € (average) 

116 000 € 

2meet. * 50pers. * (860 € + 2*(150 €) 

A07031 – Comités obligatoires (1) 

64 500 € 

A07032 – Comités non obligatoires (1) 

A07040 – Conférences 

200 000 € 

3meet. * 25pers. * 860 € (Management 
Committee) 

A0705 – Etudes et consultations 

Autres dépenses (indiquer lesquelles) 

Systèmes d’information (A-5001/A-4300) 

Autres dépenses - partie A (indiquer lesquelles) 

Total 

421 750 € 

Les montants correspondent aux dépenses totales de l’action pour 12 mois. 

(1) Préciser le type de comité ainsi que le groupe auquel il appartient. 

I. 

II. 

Total annuel (7.2 + 7.3) 

2 239 750 € 

Durée de l’action 

7 

III. 

Coût total de l’action (I x II) 

15 678 250 € 

Les  besoins  en  ressources  humaines  et  administratives  seront  couverts  à  l'intérieur  de  la 
dotation  allouée  à  la  Direction  Générale  gestionnaire  dans  le  cadre  de  la  procédure 
d'allocation annuelle.  

L'allocation  de  postes  dépendra  d'une  part,  de  l'organisation  interne  de  la  prochaine 
Commission  et  d'autre  part,  d'une  éventuelle  réallocation  de  postes  entre  services  suite  aux 
nouvelles perspectives financières. 

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8. 

SUIVI ET ÉVALUATION 

8.1 

Système de suivi 

Au niveau de la mise en œuvre du programme, des indicateurs de réalisation ont été définis 
concernant le nombre de projets à soutenir au titre des différents volets. 

Le  système  de  collecte  des  données  relatives  aux  projets  et  actions  cofinancés  par  le 
programme fonctionnera à plusieurs niveaux : 

- les formulaires de demande de subvention; 

- les rapports d'activité et financiers intermédiaires et finaux présentés par les bénéficiaires à 
la Commission et que celle-ci doit approuver;  

- les éventuels audits et visites in situ effectués par le personnel de la Commission. 

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Pour les besoins du suivi, les indicateurs ci-dessous ont été déterminés :  

Objectifs 

Objectif général 

Indicateurs 

Contribuer à l’épanouissement de valeurs 
culturelles  européennes  partagées  sur  la 
base  d'une  coopération  culturelle  accrue 
entre  les  artistes,  les  opérateurs  culturels 
et les institutions culturelles 

Objectifs spécifiques 

Promouvoir la mobilité transnationale des 
artistes et des opérateurs culturels 

•  Attitudes 

des 

bénéficiaires 

du 

programme 

•  Proportion  de  projets  lancés/exécutés 
qui  visent/visaient  expressément  à 
intensifier  les  déplacements  d’artistes 
et d’opérateurs culturels 

•  Nombre  d’artistes  participant,  par  le 
canal  du  programme,  à  des  échanges 
et des collaborations 

•  Nombre 

d’opérateurs 

culturels 
du 
participant, 
programme,  à  des  échanges  et  des 
collaborations 

canal 

par 

le 

•  Proportion  de  projets  correspondants 
menés  à  bien  qui,  s’ils  n’avaient  pas 
bénéficié d’un financement au titre du 
programme,  n'auraient  probablement 
pas  été  entrepris  (sur  la  base  d'une 
enquête 
des 
participants) 

réalisée 

auprès 

Encourager  la  circulation  transnationale 
des  œuvres  d’art  et  des  produits 
artistiques et culturels 

•  Proportion  de  projets  lancés/exécutés 
qui  visent/visaient  expressément  à 
encourager  la  circulation  des  œuvres 
d’art  et  des  produits  artistiques  et 
culturels 

•  Nombre d’œuvres d’art et de produits 
en 
artistiques 
circulation par le canal du programme 

culturels  mis 

et 

•  Proportion  de  projets  correspondants 
qui, s’ils n’avaient pas bénéficié d’un 
financement  au  titre  du  programme, 
n'auraient  probablement  pas 
été 
réalisés  (sur  la  base  d'une  enquête 
effectuée auprès des participants) 

Favoriser le dialogue interculturel 

•  Proportion  de  projets  lancés/exécutés 

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qui  visent/visaient  expressément  à 
favoriser  le  dialogue  interculturel  et 
promouvoir la diversité culturelle 

•  Proportion  de  projets  correspondants 
qui, s’ils n’avaient pas bénéficié d’un 
financement  au  titre  du  programme, 
n'auraient  probablement  pas 
été 
réalisés  (sur  la  base  d'une  enquête 
effectuée auprès des participants) 

Objectifs opérationnels 

Soutenir les actions culturelles via: 

— des pôles de coopération culturelle 

•  Nombre de pôles lancés 

— des actions de coopération 

— des actions spéciales 

Soutenir des organismes européens actifs 
dans le domaine culturel 

Soutenir  des  travaux  d’analyse  ainsi  que 
la  collecte  et  la  diffusion  d’informations 
dans 
la  coopération 
culturelle 

le  domaine  de 

•  Proportion  du  budget  total  alloué  au 
programme  utilisée  pour  soutenir  les 
pôles (objectif indicatif : 36%). 

•  Nombre  d’actions  de  coopération 

lancées 

•  Proportion  du  budget  total  alloué  au 
programme  utilisée  pour  soutenir  les 
(objectif 
actions  de 
indicatif : 24%) 

coopération 

•  Nombre d’actions spéciales lancées 

•  Proportion  du  budget  total  alloué  au 
programme  utilisée  pour  soutenir  les 
actions  spéciales  (objectif  indicatif  : 
17%) 

•  Nombre 

actifs  dans 
soutenus 

d’organismes 

européens 
le  domaine  culturel 

•  Proportion  du  budget  total  alloué  au 
programme  utilisée  pour  soutenir  de 
tels  organismes  (objectif  indicatif  : 
10%) 

•  Nombre  d’études 

et  d’enquêtes 

financées 

•  Nombre de conférences soutenues 

•  Degré 

d’utilisation 

du 

portail 

d’information 

•  Proportion  du  budget  total  alloué  au 
programme  utilisée  pour  soutenir  cet 
(objectif 
opérationnel 
objectif 
indicatif : 5%). 

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8.2 

Modalités et périodicité de l’évaluation prévue 

La  Commission  présentera  au  Parlement  européen,  au  Conseil,  au  Comité  économique  et 
social et au Comité des régions un rapport intermédiaire d'évaluation sur les résultats obtenus 
et sur les aspects qualitatifs et quantitatifs de la mise en œuvre du présent programme (au plus 
tard le 31 décembre 2010) et une Communication sur la continuation du présent programme 
au plus tard le 31 décembre 2011. 

Au  terme  de  l'exécution  du  programme  proposé,  la  Commission  présentera  au  Parlement 
européen,  au  Conseil,  au  Comité  économique  et  social  et  au  Comité  des  régions  un  rapport 
centré sur sa mise en œuvre (rapport d'évaluation ex post au plus tard le 31 décembre 2015).  

Ces rapports d'évaluation mettront en particulier en évidence la création de la valeur ajoutée, 
notamment de nature culturelle et européenne. 

9. 

MESURES ANTI-FRAUDE 

Les  décisions  et  conventions  de  financement  conclues  entre  la  Commission  et  les 
bénéficiaires prévoient que la Commission et la Cour des comptes effectuent des contrôles in 
situ  dans  les  locaux  des  bénéficiaires  d'une  aide  communautaire,  et  confèrent  le  pouvoir 
d'exiger  des  justificatifs  de  toute  dépense  effectuée  au  titre  desdits  conventions,  accords  et 
engagements juridiques dans les cinq ans suivant la fin de la période contractuelle. 

Les bénéficiaires sont assujettis à des obligations de déclaration et de comptabilité financière, 
lesquelles  sont  analysées  sous  l'angle  du  contenu  et  de  l'éligibilité  des  dépenses, 
conformément  à  l'objet  du  financement  communautaire  et  compte  tenu  des  obligations 
contractuelles et des principes d'économie et de bonne gestion financière. 

En annexe aux conventions de financement figurent des informations de nature administrative 
et  financière,  destinées  à  préciser  le  type  de  dépenses  éligibles  dans  le  cadre  de  ces 
conventions. Le cas échéant,  une limitation de  l'intervention communautaire à la  couverture 
de  certains  éléments  de  coût,  réels,  identifiables  et  vérifiables  dans  la  comptabilité  du 
bénéficiaire,  sera  de  nature  à  faciliter  le  contrôle  et  l'audit  (ainsi  que  l'évaluation  pour  les 
besoins de la sélection) des projets subventionnés. 

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