Decision No 1903/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 establishing the Culture Programme (2007-2013)
Date: 2006-12-12
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU action, action programme, cultural cooperation, cultural policy

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DECISION No 1903/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 12 December 2006

establishing the Culture Programme (2007-2013)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO-
PEAN UNION,

in full compliance with the Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the European Union.

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular the first
indent of Article 151(5)
thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of
Regions (1),

the Committee of

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (2),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

is essential

It
to promote cooperation and cultural
exchanges in order to respect and promote the diversity
of cultures and languages in Europe and improve knowl-
edge among European citizens of European cultures
other than their own, while at the same time heightening
their awareness of the common European cultural heri-
tage they share. Promoting cultural and linguistic coop-
eration and diversity thus helps to make European citi-
zenship a tangible reality by encouraging direct participa-
tion by European citizens in the integration process.

An active cultural policy aimed at the preservation of
European cultural diversity and the promotion of
its
common cultural elements and cultural heritage can
contribute to improving the external visibility of
the
European Union.

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, respect
for human dignity and integrity, tolerance and solidarity,

(1) OJ C 164, 5.7.2005, p. 65.
(2) Position of the European Parliament of 25 October 2005 (OJ C 272 E,
9.11.2006, p. 233), Council Common Position of 18 July 2006 (OJ C
238 E, 3.10.2006, p. 18) and Position of the European Parliament of
24 October 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council
Decision of 11 December 2006.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

It is essential that the cultural sector contribute to, and
play a role in, broader European political developments.
The cultural sector is an important employer in its own
right and there is, in addition, a clear link between invest-
ment in culture and economic development, hence the
importance of reinforcing cultural policies at regional,
national and European level. Accordingly, the place of
cultural
taking place
under the Lisbon Strategy should be strengthened, as
these industries are making an increasingly large contri-
bution to the European economy.

industries in the developments

It is also necessary to promote active citizenship and
strengthen the fight against exclusion in all
its forms,
including racism and xenophobia. Improving access to
culture for as many as possible can be a means of
combating social exclusion.

Article 3 of the Treaty stipulates that, in all the activities
referred to in that Article, the Community is to aim at
eliminating inequalities,
and at promoting equality,
between men and women.

The Kaleidoscope, Ariane, Raphaël and Culture 2000
cultural programmes, set out respectively in Decisions
Nos 719/96/EC (3), 2085/97/EC (4), 2228/97/EC (5) and
508/2000/EC (6), marked positive stages in the imple-
mentation of Community action on culture. Considerable
experience has thus been acquired, particularly through
the evaluation of
is at
present worthwhile to rationalise and strengthen Com-
munity 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.

these cultural programmes.

It

(3) Decision No 719/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 29 March 1996 establishing a programme to support artistic and
cultural activities having a European dimension (Kaleidoscope) (OJ L
99, 20.4.1996, p. 20). Decision as amended by Decision No
477/1999/EC (OJ L 57, 5.3.1999, p. 2).

(4) Decision No 2085/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 6 October 1997 establishing a programme of support,
including translation, in the field of books and reading (Ariane) (OJ L
291, 24.10.1997, p. 26). Decision as amended by Decision No
476/1999/EC (OJ L 57, 5.3.1999, p. 1).

(5) Decision No 2228/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 13 October 1997 establishing a Community action
programme in the field of cultural heritage (The Raphael Programme)
(OJ L 305, 8.11.1997, p. 31). Decision as repealed by Decision No
508/2000/EC (OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1).

(6) Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 14 February 2000 establishing the Culture 2000
programme (OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1). Decision as last amended by
Council Regulation (EC) No 885/2004 (OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1).

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(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

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 in Council Resolutions of 25 June 2002 on
a new work plan on European cooperation in the field of
culture (1) and of 19 December 2002 implementing the
work plan for European cooperation in the field of
culture (2), resolutions of the European Parliament of 5
September 2001 on cultural cooperation in the European
Union (3), of 28 February 2002 on the implementation
of the Culture 2000 Programme (4), of 22 October 2002
on the importance and dynamism of the theatre and the
performing arts in an enlarged Europe (5), and of 4
Industries (6), and the
September 2003 on Cultural
opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 9 October
2003 on the extension of the Culture 2000 Programme.

in its abovementioned resolutions, has
The Council,
stressed the need to adopt a more coherent approach at
Community level with regard to culture, and that Euro-
pean 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.

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 the
transnational circulation of artistic and cultural works
and products, and to encourage dialogue and cultural
exchanges.

The Council, in its conclusions of 16 November 2004
relating to the work plan on culture (2005-2006), the
European Parliament in its resolution of 4 September
2003 on Cultural Industries, and the European Economic
and Social Committee in its opinion of 28 January 2004
on cultural
industries in Europe, have expressed their
views on the need to take greater account of the specific
economic and social features of non-audiovisual cultural
industries. Moreover, the preparatory actions for coopera-
tion on cultural matters promoted between 2002-2004
should be taken into account in the new programme.

In this context, there is a case for promoting increased
cooperation between cultural players by encouraging
them to form multi-annual cooperation projects, thus
enabling them to develop common activities, to provide
support for more targeted measures with a real European
added value,
to
support European cultural cooperation organisations and
to encourage analyses on chosen themes of European

to support symbolic cultural events,

(1) OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 5.
(2) OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 5.
(3) OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002, p. 142.
(4) OJ C 293 E, 28.11.2002, p. 105.
(5) OJ C 300 E, 11.12.2003, p. 156.
(6) OJ C 76 E, 25.3.2004, p. 459.

interest, as well as the collection and dissemination of
information and activities aimed at maximising the
impact of projects in the field of European cultural coop-
eration and European cultural policy development.

(13) Under Decision No 1622/2006/EC of

the European
Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 estab-
lishing a Community action for the European Capital of
Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019 (7) 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-Euro-
pean cultural cooperation.

(14)

(15)

(16)

(17)

Support should be given to the operation of organisa-
tions 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 Euro-
pean 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 (8).

It is necessary for the Programme,
in compliance with
the principle of freedom of expression, to contribute to
the European Union's efforts to promote sustainable
development and to combat all forms of discrimination.

The European Union candidate countries and EFTA coun-
tries which are members of the EEA Agreement should
be recognised as potential participants in Community
programmes
agreements
accordance with
in
concluded with those countries.

the

The European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 adopted
the Western Balkans:
the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for
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 Com-
munity and those countries. If they wish, those countries
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 Community containing a cultural strand, in accord-
ance with procedures to be defined.

(7) OJ L 304, 3.11.2006, p. 1.
(8) OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 40.

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(19)

It is necessary, in order to increase the added value of the
Community action, to ensure coherence and complemen-
tarity 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. Particular attention should be paid to
the interface of Community measures in the fields of
culture and education and to actions which promote
exchanges of best practice and closer cooperation at
European level.

the specific nature of

(20) With regard to the implementation of Community
support,
the cultural sector in
Europe should be taken into account, and particular care
should be taken to ensure that administrative and finan-
cial procedures are simplified as much as possible and
adapted to the objectives pursued as well as to practices
and developments in the cultural sector.

(21)

(22)

(23)

The Commission, Member States and the cultural contact
points should work to encourage the participation of
cooperation
smaller operators
projects and the organisation of activities aimed at
bringing together potential project partners.

in the multi-annual

The Programme should bring together the specific quali-
ties and expertise of cultural operators from throughout
Europe. Where necessary, the Commission and Member
States should take measures to address low participation
rates of cultural operators in any Member State or partici-
pating country.

It is worthwhile ensuring, within the framework of coop-
eration between the Commission and Member States,
ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Programme in
order to enable readjustments, particularly within the
priorities
the implementation of measures. The
evaluation should include an external evaluation to be
conducted by independent, impartial bodies.

for

(28)

(29)

(30)

reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interin-
stitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the Euro-
pean Parliament, the Council and the Commission on
budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1).

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
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (2).

The measures necessary for the financial implementation
of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of
25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to
the European Communities (3)
the general budget of
(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Financial Regulation’), and
with Commission Regulation
Euratom) No
2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed
rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 1605/2002 (4).

(EC,

Community action is complementary to national or
regional action in the field of cultural cooperation. Since
the objectives of this Decision, namely to enhance the
European cultural area based on common cultural heri-
tage (transnational mobility of cultural players in Europe,
transnational circulation of works of art and cultural and
artistic products and intercultural dialogue) cannot be
sufficiently achieved by the Member States owing to their
transnational character, and can therefore, by reason of
the scale or effects of the action, be better achieved at
Community level, the Community may adopt measures,
in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out
in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the prin-
ciple of proportionality as set out in that Article, this
Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order
to achieve those objectives.

(31)

There should be transitional provisions in order to ensure
a smooth transition between the programmes drawn up
by Decisions No 508/2000/EC and No 792/2004/EC on
the one hand and, on the other, the Programme estab-
lished by this Decision,

(24)

for monitoring and evaluating the
The procedures
Programme should make use of objectives and indicators
which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
timed.

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

(25)

Suitable measures should be implemented to prevent irre-
gularities and fraud and to recover funds which have
been lost or transferred or used improperly.

Article 1

Establishment and duration

(26)

is appropriate to establish a single financing and
It
programming
cooperation,
for
entitled the ‘Culture Programme’, for the period from
1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

instrument

cultural

(27)

This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the
Programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime

1.
This Decision establishes the Culture Programme, a single
multi-annual programme for Community measures in the field
of culture open to all cultural sectors and all categories of
cultural operators (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’).

(1) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision

2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

(3) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC, Euratom) No 1248/2006 (OJ L 227, 19.8.2006, p. 3).

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The Programme shall be implemented for the period from

2.
1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

These measures shall be carried out in accordance with

2.
the provisions set out in the Annex.

Article 2

Budget

Article 5

Provisions concerning third countries

the
The financial envelope for the implementation of
1.
Programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set
at EUR 400 million.

Annual

appropriations

2.
the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial frame-
work.

authorised by

shall be

Article 3

Objectives

The general objective of

the Programme shall be to
1.
enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans and based on a
common cultural heritage 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.
The Programme shall be open to the participation of non-audio-
visual cultural industries, in particular small cultural enterprises,
where such industries are acting in a non-profit-making cultural
capacity.

2.

The specific objectives of the Programme are:

The Programme shall be open to the participation of the

1.
following countries:

(a) EFTA countries which are members of the EEA, in accord-

ance with the provisions of the EEA Agreement;

(b) candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy
for accession to the 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 in the framework agreements;

(c) the countries of the Western Balkans in accordance with the
procedures defined with these countries following the frame-
work agreements providing for their participation in Com-
munity programmes.

Provided that the conditions are met and additional appropria-
tions are paid, the countries referred to in this paragraph shall
participate fully in the Programme.

2.
The Programme shall also be open to cooperation with
other third countries which have concluded association or coop-
eration agreements with the Community which include cultural
clauses, on the basis of supplementary appropriations and
specific procedures to be laid down.

(a) to promote the transnational mobility of cultural players;

(b) to encourage the transnational circulation of works and

cultural and artistic products;

The countries of the Western Balkans referred to in paragraph 1
(c) 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.

(c) to encourage intercultural dialogue.

Article 4

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, as follows:

— multi-annual cooperation projects,

— cooperation measures,

— special actions;

(b) support for bodies active at European level in the field of

culture;

(c) support for analyses and the collection and dissemination of
information and for activities maximising the impact of
projects in the field of European cultural cooperation and
European cultural policy development.

Article 6

Cooperation with international organisations

joint action with international
The Programme shall permit
organisations competent
such as
UNESCO or the Council of Europe, on the basis of joint contri-
butions and in accordance with the various rules prevailing in
the
each institution or organisation for
measures listed in Article 4.

in the field of culture,

the realisation of

Article 7

Complementarity with other Community instruments

The Commission shall ensure a link between the Programme
and other Community instruments, particularly those relating to
the Structural Funds and those in the fields of education, voca-
tional training, research, information society, citizenship, youth,
inclusion, EU external relations and
sport,
combating all forms of discrimination.

languages, social

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Article 8

Implementation

The Commission shall implement the Community actions
1.
which form the subject of the Programme, in accordance with
the Annex.

The following measures shall be adopted in accordance

2.
with the procedure referred to in Article 9(2):

(a) the annual work plan, including priorities, selection criteria

and procedures;

(b) the annual budget and the breakdown of funds among the

different actions of the Programme;

(c) the

procedures

for monitoring

and

evaluating

the

Programme;

(d) the financial support to be provided by the Community
under Article 4(1)(a), first indent: amounts, duration, distri-
bution and beneficiaries.

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

Article 9

Committee

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

2. 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 set at two months.

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

(b) have an appropriate infrastructure, in particular as regards

information and communications technology;

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

Article 11

Financial provisions

Financial aid shall take the form of grants to legal persons.
1.
Grants may in certain cases be awarded to natural persons
under the terms of Article 114(1) of the Financial Regulation.
The Commission may also award prizes to natural or legal
persons
the
Programme. Depending on the nature of the action, flat-rate
financing and/or the application of unit cost rates may be
authorised.

actions or projects

implemented under

for

The Commission may decide, in accordance with the char-
2.
acteristics 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.

3.
Specific activities by the European Capitals of Culture
designated pursuant to Decision 1419/1999/EC may receive a
grant or a prize.

Article 12

Contribution to other Community objectives

3. 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.

The Programme shall contribute to the strengthening of the
transversal objectives of the Community, in particular by:

4.

The committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 10

Cultural contact points

1.
The cultural contact points as defined in section I.3.1 of
the Annex shall act as implementing bodies for the dissemina-
tion of information on the Programme at national level, having
regard to Article 54(2)(c) and (3) of the Financial Regulation.

The
2.
following criteria:

cultural

contact points

shall

comply with the

(a) promoting the fundamental principle of freedom of expres-

sion;

(b) encouraging greater awareness of the importance of contri-

buting to sustainable development;

(c) seeking to promote mutual understanding and tolerance

within the European Union;

(d) contributing to the elimination of all discrimination based
on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability,
age or sexual orientation.

Particular attention shall be given to coherence and complemen-
tarity between the Programme and Community policies in the
field of cultural cooperation with third countries.

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Article 13

Monitoring and evaluation

Article 14

Transitional provisions

1.
The Commission shall ensure regular monitoring of the
Programme against its objectives. The results of the monitoring
and evaluation process shall be used when implementing the
Programme.

Monitoring shall
reports referred to in paragraph 3(a) and (c).

include in particular the drawing up of the

The specific objectives of the Programme may, on the basis of
the results of monitoring reports, be revised in accordance with
the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty.

The Commission shall ensure regular, external and inde-

2.
pendent evaluation of the Programme.

3.
The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament,
the Council, the European 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 implementa-
tion of the Programme not later than 31 December 2010;

(b) a communication on the continuation of the Programme

not later than 31 December 2011;

(c) an ex post evaluation report not later than 31 December

2015.

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

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 day following that of
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 12 December 2006.

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

Mauri PEKKARINEN

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ANNEX

I.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

1.

First strand: support for cultural actions

1.1. Multi-annual cooperation projects

The Programme shall support sustainable and structured cultural cooperation projects in order to bring together the
specific quality and expertise of cultural operators throughout the whole of Europe. This support is intended to assist
the cooperation projects 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 cooperation project shall
involve at least six operators from six different countries participating in the
Programme. Its purpose shall be to bring together a variety of operators from one or more sectors for various multi-
annual activities, which may be sectoral or cross-sectoral in nature but which must pursue a common objective.

Each cooperation project 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(2). Priority will be given to cooperation projects intending
to develop activities meeting the three specific objectives in that Article.

The cooperation projects shall be selected following calls for proposals pursuant to the Financial Regulation. 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.

The cooperation projects 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 exceed
EUR 500 000 per year for all activities of the cooperation projects. This support shall be granted for a period of
three to five years.

By way of illustration, approximately 32 % 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 exploring avenues for cooperation in order to
develop them over the longer term will be particularly encouraged.

Each action shall be designed and carried out in partnership by at least three cultural operators in three different
participating countries, whether or not these operators come from one or more sectors.

Actions shall be selected following calls for proposals pursuant to the Financial Regulation. 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 objec-
tive and specific objectives of the Programme, as set out in Article 3.

Community support may not exceed 50 % of the project budget. It may not be less than EUR 50 000 nor more
than EUR 200 000. This support shall be granted for a maximum of 24 months.

The conditions set out for this action concerning the minimum number of operators required in order to present
projects, as well as the minimum and maximum amounts for Community support, may be adapted to take account
of the specific conditions of literary translation.

By way of illustration, approximately 29 % 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 Member States, and also contribute to intercul-
tural and international dialogue. They must meet at least two of the three specific objectives set out in Article 3.
These special actions shall also help to raise the visibility of Community cultural action both within and beyond the
European Union. They shall also contribute to raising global awareness of the wealth and diversity of European
culture.

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Significant support will be given to the ‘European Capitals of Culture’ in order to help implement activities stressing
European visibility and trans-European cultural cooperation.

Special actions may also 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.

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

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.

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

By way of illustration, approximately 16 % of the total budget allocated to the Programme shall be devoted to this
type of support.

2.

Second strand: support for bodies active at European level in the field of culture

This support shall take the form of 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 Union's policy in this area.

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.

Support may be given to bodies working for cultural cooperation in one or more of the following ways:

— 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.

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.

This strand shall be open to the bodies supported under Part 2 of Annex I to Decision No 792/2004/EC as well as
any other body active at European level in the field of culture, provided that they meet the objectives set out in
Article 3 of this Decision and comply with the terms and conditions of this Decision.

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.

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

3.

Third strand: support for analyses and for the collection and dissemination of
maximising the impact of projects in the field of cultural cooperation

information and for

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

3.1. 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 on a voluntary
basis according to Article 39 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

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 and by devel-
oping appropriate networking initiatives between themselves,

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

— provide information on other Community programmes open for cultural projects if required.

3.2. Support for analysesin the field of cultural cooperation

The Programme shall support the carrying out of studies and analyses in the field of European cultural cooperation
and European cultural policy development. The aim of this support shall be to increase the volume and quality of
information and data to develop comparative data and analysis on cultural cooperation at European level, particularly
with regard to the mobility of creators and 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 coopera-
tion 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.

3.3. Support for the collection and dissemination of information and for maximising the impact of projects in the field of cultural

cooperation

The Programme shall support the collection and dissemination of information and activities aimed at maximising
the impact of projects 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 make possible the exchange of experience and good practice and the dissemination of information
concerning the Programme as well as trans-European cultural cooperation in the broad sense.

II.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

The Programme's financial allocation may also cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit
and evaluation activities, required directly for the management and the realisation of
the
Programme,
information and publication actions, expenses linked to computer
networks focusing on information exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expense
to which the Commission may have recourse for the management of the Programme.

in particular, studies, meetings,

the objectives of

III. CONTROLS AND AUDITS

For projects selected in accordance with the procedure described in Article 11(2), 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 those of
access, as the Commission.

In order to protect the financial interests of the Community against fraud and other irregularities, the Commission
may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections under the Programme in accordance with Council Regulation
(Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 (1). Where necessary, investigations shall be conducted by OLAF in accordance with
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2).

(1) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

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IV.

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ACTIVITIES AIMED AT MAXIMISING THE IMPACT OF
PROJECTS

1. Commission

The Commission may organise seminars, conferences or meetings in order to facilitate the implementation of the
Programme, and undertake information, publication, dissemination and other activities aimed at maximising the
impact of projects as appropriate, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the Programme. Such 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 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 the Financial Regulation.

3. Member States

Without prejudice to Article 87 of the Treaty, Member States may, if necessary, establish support schemes for indivi-
dual mobility of cultural players in order to address their low participation in the Programme. This support may take
the form of travel grants for cultural operators in order to facilitate the preparatory phase of transnational cultural
projects.

V. OVERALL BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Breakdown of the annual budget for the Programme

Strand 1 (support for cultural actions)

— multi-annual cooperation projects

— cooperation measures

— special actions

Strand 2 (support for bodies active at European level in the field of
culture)

Percentage of the budget

Approximately 77 %

Approximately 32 %

Approximately 29 %

Approximately 16 %

Approximately 10 %

Strand 3 (support for analysis, collection and dissemination of infor-
mation)

Approximately 5 %

Total operational expenditure

Programme management

Approximately 92 %

Approximately 8 %

These percentages are indicative and subject to change by the Committee provided for in Article 9 in accordance
with the procedure referred to in Article 9(2).