Decision No 1983/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)
Date: 2006-12-18
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: European cultural event, acculturation, cultural cooperation, cultural pluralism, cultural policy, economic support, public awareness campaign

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DECISION No 1983/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 18 December 2006

concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)

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

in a diverse, pluralist,

potential
solidarity-based and
dynamic society, not only in Europe but also in the
world.

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,

(4)

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the Opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The Treaty establishing the European Community gives it
the task of creating an ever closer union between the
peoples of Europe and of contributing to the flowering
of the cultures of Member States, while respecting their
national and regional diversity and also highlighting their
common cultural heritage.

The combined effect of the successive enlargements of
the European Union (EU), the increased mobility resulting
from the single market, old and new migratory flows,
more significant exchanges with the rest of the world
through trade, education,
leisure and globalisation in
general, is increasing interactions between European citi-
zens, and all those living in the EU, and the various
cultures, languages, ethnic groups and religions in Europe
and beyond.

(3)

European citizens, and all those living in the EU tempora-
rily or permanently, should therefore have the opportu-
nity to take part in intercultural dialogue and fulfil their

(1) OJ C 185, 8.8.2006, p. 42.
(2) OJ C 206, 29.8.2006, p. 44.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 1 June 2006 (not yet published
in the Official
the Council of
Journal), Common Position of
14 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Posi-
tion of the European Parliament of 12 December 2006 (not yet
published in the Official Journal).

At the heart of the European project, it is important to
provide the means for intercultural dialogue and dialogue
between citizens to strengthen respect for cultural diver-
sity and deal with the complex reality in our societies
identities and
and the coexistence of different cultural
beliefs. Furthermore,
the
contribution of different cultures to the Member States'
heritage and way of life and to recognise that culture and
for learning to live
intercultural dialogue are essential
together in harmony.

is important

to highlight

it

(5)

Intercultural dialogue thus contributes towards achieving
a number of the EU's strategic priorities, in particular by:

— respecting and promoting cultural diversity in Europe,
improving coexistence and encouraging active Euro-
pean citizenship open to the world and based on the
common values in the EU,

— contributing to ensuring equal opportunities and
non-discrimination within the EU by including the
renewed Lisbon strategy, for which the knowledge-
based economy requires people capable of adapting
to changes and benefiting from all possible sources of
innovation in order to increase prosperity,

the renewed Lisbon strategy and,

— emphasising the cultural and educational dimension
of
in so doing,
stimulating the cultural and creative economy in the
EU, which generates growth and creates jobs,

— supporting the EU's commitment to solidarity, social
justice, the development of a social market economy,
cooperation and greater cohesion in the respect of its
common values,

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— enabling the EU to make its voice better heard in the
world and to forge effective partnerships with coun-
tries in its neighbourhood, thus extending a zone of
stability, democracy and common prosperity beyond
the EU, and thereby increasing the well-being and
security of European citizens and all those living in
the EU.

funds, education,

Intercultural dialogue is an important dimension in many
Community policies and instruments in the fields of the
structural
lifelong learning, youth,
culture, citizenship and sport, gender equality, employ-
ment and social affairs, combating discrimination and
social exclusion, combating racism and xenophobia,
policy on asylum and the integration of
immigrants,
human rights and sustainable development, audiovisual
policy and research.

the countries of

It is also an increasing factor in the EU's external rela-
tions, particularly with regard to accession and candidate
countries,
the
candidate countries for association agreements with the
EU and the partner countries of the European neighbour-
hood policy and other third countries, particularly devel-
oping countries.

the western Balkans,

Building on the basis of Community experiences and
initiatives, a fundamental step is promoting the participa-
tion of each citizen, men and women on an equal
footing, of each Member State and of European society as
a whole in an intercultural dialogue, in particular through
the structured cooperation with civil society. It contri-
butes to creating a sense of European identity, by embra-
cing differences and shaping the various aspects of
belonging to a community.

For the purpose of the present Decision, the notion of
‘active European citizenship’ should not cover only citi-
zens of the EU as defined in Article 17 of the EC Treaty,
but any individual living permanently or temporarily in
the EU.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(12)

(13)

(14)

The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue should also
contribute to integrating intercultural dialogue as a hori-
zontal and trans-sectoral priority into Community poli-
cies, actions and programmes and to identify and share
best practices in its promotion. Visible recognition of
best practices and projects in the field of intercultural
dialogue will encourage stakeholders and promote the
idea among civil society.

Cooperation with other international institutions such as
the Council of Europe and UNESCO could be developed
as appropriate,
in particular to take into account their
experience and expertise in promoting intercultural
dialogue.

to ensure complementarity
It will also be important
between the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and
all external aspects of promoting intercultural dialogue
initiatives developed within appropriate
frameworks,
including with those EFTA countries which are party to
the EEA agreement, the countries of the western Balkans
and the partner countries of the European neighbour-
hood policy. It will also be important to ensure comple-
mentarity with any other cooperation initiative with third
in particular developing countries, which is
countries,
relevant to the objectives of the European Year of Inter-
cultural Dialogue.

(15) Actions of intercultural dialogue to be developed within
relevant external relations instruments should inter alia
reflect the mutual interest associated with the exchange
of experiences and values with third countries and
promote mutual knowledge, respect and understanding
of their respective cultures.

(16)

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. The
candidate countries should nevertheless be closely asso-
ciated with actions under the European Year of Intercul-
tural Dialogue through initiatives to promote developing
intercultural dialogue within the relevant frameworks for
cooperation and dialogue, particularly in the context of
the civil society dialogue between the EU and these coun-
tries (1).

(10)

The common values of
Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union.

the EU are those defined in

(17)

(11)

It is essential to ensure complementarity and a horizontal
approach in all Community, national, regional and local
actions with a strong intercultural dialogue dimension,
given that the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
will help to raise their profile and increase their coher-
ence. The planning of these actions, both at Community
and national level, shall take on board, where relevant,
the
the
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007).

from actions

experience

gained

under

This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the
action, a financial envelope constituting the prime refer-
the budgetary authority during the annual
ence for
budgetary procedure, within the meaning of point 37 of
the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006
between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial
management (2).

(1) See Commission communication of 29 June 2005 to the Council, the
European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee
and the Committee of the Regions on civil society dialogue between the
EU and candidate countries.
(2) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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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
conferred on the Commission (1). An advisory committee
is thus considered appropriate to the type and scale of
the action envisaged.

the exercise of

— highlighting the contribution of different cultures and
expressions of cultural diversity to the heritage and ways of
life of the Member States.

The specific objectives of the European Year of Intercul-

2.
tural Dialogue shall be to:

(18)

(19)

be

better

Since the objectives of
this Decision cannot be suffi-
ciently achieved by the Member States and can therefore,
by reason of the need, in particular, for multilateral part-
nerships and transnational exchanges on a Community
scale,
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 principle of proportion-
ality as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go
beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objec-
tives,

at Community

achieved

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Subject

— seek to raise the awareness of all those living in the EU, in
particular young people, of the importance of engaging in
intercultural dialogue in their daily life,

— work to identify, share and give a visible European recogni-
tion to best practices in promoting intercultural dialogue
throughout the EU, especially among young people and chil-
dren,

— foster the role of education as an important medium for
teaching about diversity, increase the understanding of other
cultures and developing skills and best social practices, and
highlight the central role of the media in promoting the
principle of equality and mutual understanding,

— raise the profile, increase the coherence of and promote all
Community programmes and actions contributing to inter-
cultural dialogue and ensure their continuity,

— contribute to exploring new approaches to intercultural
dialogue involving cooperation between a wide range of
stakeholders from different sectors.

The year 2008 shall be designated as the ‘European Year of
Intercultural Dialogue’ to contribute to giving expression and a
high profile to a sustained process of
intercultural dialogue
which will continue beyond that year.

Article 3

Content of measures

Article 2

Objectives

The overall objectives of the European Year of Intercultural

1.
Dialogue shall be to contribute to:

— promoting intercultural dialogue as a process in which all
those living in the EU can improve their ability to deal with
a more open, but also more complex, cultural environment,
in different Member States as well as within each
where,
Member State, different cultural identities and beliefs coexist,

— highlighting intercultural dialogue as an opportunity to
from a diverse and dynamic

contribute to and benefit
society, not only in Europe but also in the world,

— raising the awareness of all those living in the EU, in particu-
lar young people, of the importance of developing an active
European citizenship which is open to the world, respects
cultural diversity and is based on common values in the EU
as laid down in Article 6 of the EU Treaty and the Charter
of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision

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

The measures taken in order to achieve the objectives defined in
Article 2 are set out in the Annex.

They shall include the implementation of the following activities
or the granting of support thereto:

(a) events and initiatives on a European scale aimed at
promoting intercultural dialogue, through involving directly
or otherwise reaching as many people as possible, and high-
lighting achievements and experiences on the theme of the
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue;

(b) events and initiatives at national

level and regional

level
with a strong European dimension aimed at promoting the
objectives of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue,
through directly involving or otherwise reaching as many
people as possible, with particular attention being given to
actions relating to civic education and learning to appreciate
other people and their differences;

(c) information and promotion campaigns, particularly in coop-
eration with the media and civil society organisations at
Community and national
to disseminate the key
level
messages concerning the objectives of the European Year of
Intercultural Dialogue and the recognition of best practices,
especially among young people and children;

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(d) surveys and studies on a Community or national scale and
consultation with transnational networks and civil society
stakeholders to assess and report on the preparation for, and
the effectiveness and impact of, the European Year of Inter-
cultural Dialogue in order to lay the basis for its long-term
follow-up.

Article 4

Cooperation by the Member States

Each Member State shall appoint a national coordination body,
or an equivalent administrative body, responsible for organising
that Member State's participation in the European Year of Inter-
cultural Dialogue.
that
appointment within one month of the adoption of this Deci-
sion.

inform the Commission of

It shall

Each Member State shall ensure that the aforementioned body
involve in an appropriate manner the various parties to intercul-
tural dialogue at national, regional and local level.

The aforementioned body shall ensure the coordination, at
national level, of actions relating to the European Year of Inter-
cultural Dialogue.

Article 5

Implementation

1.
The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 6(2).

Special attention shall be paid to cooperation with the

2.
European institutions, in particular the European Parliament.

Article 6

Committee

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

2. 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.

3.

The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

4.
The national representatives to the Committee shall be
appointed preferably by the national coordination body referred
to in Article 4.

Article 7

Financial provisions

1. Measures which are Community-wide, referred to in part
A of the Annex, may be subsidised up to 80 % of their total
cost from the general budget of the European Union.

The measures referred to in part B of the Annex may be
2.
subsidised up to 50 % of their total cost from the general
budget of the European Union in accordance with the procedure
referred to in Article 8.

3. Measures which are Community-wide, referred to in part
C of the Annex, shall give rise to a procurement contract or the
award of grants financed from the general budget of the Euro-
pean Union.

Article 8

Application and selection procedure

1.
Decisions on the awarding of grants shall be taken by the
Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 6(2). The Commission shall ensure a balanced and fair
distribution between the Member States and among the different
fields of activity involved, while taking into consideration the
quality of the projects proposed.

Grant applications presented under Article 7(2) shall be
2.
submitted to the Commission by the body referred to in Article
4.

Article 9

International organisations

For the purposes of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue,
the Commission may cooperate with appropriate international
organisations,
in particular with the Council of Europe and
UNESCO, taking great care to ensure the visibility of the EU's
participation.

Article 10

Role of the Commission

The Commission shall ensure coherence between the
1.
measures laid down in this Decision and other Community
actions and initiatives.

The Commission shall endeavour to involve the candidate
2.
countries in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, on the
basis of
their participation in a number of Community
programmes including an intercultural dialogue dimension and
by developing specific initiatives in appropriate frameworks,
particularly in the context of civil society dialogue between the
EU and candidate countries.

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The Commission shall ensure complementarity between
3.
the measures taken to achieve the objectives of the European
Year of Intercultural Dialogue and initiatives likely to be devel-
oped within the relevant cooperation and dialogue frameworks
with those EFTA countries which are party to the EEA agree-
ment, the countries of the western Balkans and the partner
countries of the European neighbourhood policy.

infringement of a provision of Community law or any infringe-
ment of a contractual obligation resulting from an act or omis-
sion by an economic operator which has, or would have, the
effect of prejudicing the general budget of the European Union
or budgets managed by the Communities, by an unjustified item
of expenditure.

4.
The Commission shall also ensure complementarity with
any other initiative of cooperation with third countries, in par-
ticular developing countries, relevant for the objectives of inter-
cultural dialogue of the European Year.

Article 11

Budget

1.
this
The financial envelope for the implementation of
Decision for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December
2008 is EUR 10 000 000. Preparatory action shall be limited to
30 % of the overall budget.

3.
The Commission shall reduce, suspend or recover the
amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds
irregularities, particularly non-compliance with the provisions of
this Decision, the individual decision or the contract granting
the financial support in question, or if it transpires that, without
Commission approval having being sought, the action has been
subjected to significant change which conflicts with its nature or
with its implementing conditions.

If the time limits have not been observed or if only part
4.
of the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress
made with implementing an action,
the Commission shall
request the beneficiary to submit observations within a specified
period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory answer, the
Commission may cancel the remaining financial assistance and
demand repayment of sums already paid.

Annual

appropriations

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

authorised by

shall be

5.
Any amount unduly paid shall be repaid to the Commis-
sion. Interest shall be added to any sums not repaid in due time
under
Council
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on
the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the
European Communities (4).

conditions

down

laid

the

in

Article 12

Protection of the Community's financial interests

The Commission shall ensure that, when actions financed
1.
under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of
the Community are protected by the application of preventive
measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activ-
ities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts
irregularities are detected, by effective,
if
unduly paid and,
proportional and dissuasive penalties,
in accordance with
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December
1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial
interests (1), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of
11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspec-
tions carried out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities'
fraud and
other irregularities (2) and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999
concerning investigations conducted by the European Antifraud
Office (OLAF) (3).

interests against

financial

Article 13

Supervision

submit

The beneficiary shall

technical and financial
1.
reports on the progress of work for any action financed under
this Decision. A final report shall also be submitted within
three months of the completion of the action. The Commission
shall determine the form and subject-matter of the reports.

2.
For a period of five years following the last payment in
respect of any action, the beneficiary of financial assistance shall
keep available for the Commission all the supporting documents
regarding expenditure on the action.

2. With regard to the Community actions financed under
this Decision, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1
(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall mean any

(1) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(3) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

The Commission shall take every other step necessary to
3.
verify that the actions financed are carried out properly and in
compliance with the provisions of this Decision and Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002.

(4) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

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Article 14

Monitoring and evaluation

By 31 December 2009 at
the latest, the Commission shall
submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
the
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of
Regions a report on the implementation, results and overall
assessment of the measures laid down in Article 3 to serve as a
basis for future EU policies, measures and actions in this field.

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.

Article 16

Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 18 December 2006

For the European Parliament

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

For the Council

The President

J.-E. ENESTAM

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ANNEX

MEASURES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3

A. CO-FINANCING OF ACTIONS ON A COMMUNITY SCALE

A limited number of emblematic actions on a European scale aimed at raising awareness, particularly among young
people, of the objectives of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue may receive a Community grant of up to
80 % of the total cost.

These actions may consist of particular events, including a Community event to open and close the European Year of
Intercultural Dialogue in cooperation with the Presidencies in office during 2008.

As an indication, approximately 30 % of the total budget allocated will be devoted to these actions.

B. CO-FINANCING OF ACTIONS ON A NATIONAL SCALE

Actions at national level with a strong European dimension may fulfil the conditions for receiving Community aid of
up to 50 % of the total cost.

These actions may relate in particular to the cofinancing of one national initiative per Member State.

As an indication, approximately 30 % of the total budget allocated will be devoted to these actions.

C. ACTIONS ON A COMMUNITY SCALE

1. Information and promotion actions including:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

an information campaign coordinated at Community level and articulated in the Member States, building on
best practices of intercultural dialogue at all levels;

cooperation with the private sector, the media, educational
society to disseminate information on the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue;

institutions and other partners from the civil

the design of a logo and slogans for use in connection with any activity linked to the European Year of Inter-
cultural Dialogue and the production of promotional tools to be made available throughout the Community;

appropriate measures for publicising the results and raising the profile of Community programmes, actions
and initiatives contributing to the objectives of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and to provide a
European recognition to best practices, especially among young people and children;

the dissemination, of teaching materials and tools primarily intended for educational institutions, promoting
exchanges on cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;

the establishment of a web portal to make actions in the field of intercultural dialogue accessible to the
general public and to guide promoters of projects relating to intercultural dialogue through the various rele-
vant Community programmes and actions.

2. Other actions:

Surveys, studies at Community level and consultation with transnational networks and civil society stakeholders to
assess, and report on, the preparation for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in order to lay the basis for
its long-term follow-up.

3. Financing will generally take the form of direct purchase of goods and services by means of open and/or restricted

invitations to tender. It may also take the form of grants.

The financial resources dedicated to Heading C shall not exceed 40 % of the total budget allocated.

D. ACTIONS RECEIVING NON-FINANCIAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Community will grant non-financial support, including written authorisation to use the logo, once developed, and
other materials associated with the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, in initiatives from public or private organi-
sations, in so far as the latter may provide assurances to the Commission that the initiatives in question are or will be
carried out during 2008 and are likely to make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the European
Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Initiatives organised in third countries in association or cooperation with the European
Year of Intercultural Dialogue, without being supported financially by it, may also receive non-financial support from
the Community and use the logo and other materials associated with the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.