Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on a European Year of Cultural Heritage
Date: 2016-08-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Subjects: European cultural event, cultural heritage, promotion of the European idea

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 30.8.2016  COM(2016) 543 final 2016/0259 (COD)   Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on a European Year of Cultural Heritage  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The  ideals,  principles  and  values  embedded  in  the  European  cultural  heritage  constitute  a 
shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, dialogue, cohesion and creativity for 
Europe. Since the adoption of the European Agenda for Culture1 in 2007, cultural heritage has 
been a priority under successive Council Work Plans for Culture, including the current plan 
for the period 2015-20182. Cooperation at European level has taken place mainly through the 
open method of coordination. In 2014, the role of heritage policies for delivering social and 
economic  benefits  was  highlighted  in  the  Council  conclusions  on  cultural  heritage  as  a 
strategic  resource  for  a  sustainable  Europe3  (21  May  2014),  and  in  the  Commission 
Communication  Towards  an  integrated  approach  to  cultural  heritage  for  Europe.4  The 
Communication was welcomed by the Committee of the Regions in its Opinion of 16 April 
20155, and by the European Parliament, which adopted a Resolution on 8 September 20156. 

In  particular,  an  invitation  to  the  Commission  to  propose  a  ‘European  Year  of  Cultural 
Heritage’  was  included  in  the  Council  conclusions  on  participatory  governance  of  cultural 
heritage, adopted on 25 November 20147. The European Parliament made a similar invitation 
in  its  resolution  and  invited  the  Commission  ‘to  designate,  preferably  for  2018,  a  European 
Year of Cultural Heritage’. The Committee of the Regions also echoed that call in its opinion 
and stressed that a European Year of Cultural Heritage would contribute to the attainment of 
shared goals in the pan-European context. 

As  highlighted  in  the  Commission  Communication,  the  contribution  of  cultural  heritage  to 
economic  growth  and  social  cohesion  in  Europe  is  insufficiently  known  and  often 
undervalued. At the same time, the heritage sector in Europe is facing many challenges. These 
include:  decreasing  public  budgets;  declining  participation  in  traditional  cultural  activities; 
increasing environmental and physical pressures on heritage sites; transforming value chains 
and expectations as a result of the digital shift; and the illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts. 

As  with  all  European  Years,  the  main  objective  is  to  raise  awareness  of  the  challenges  and 
opportunities and highlight the role of the EU in promoting shared solutions. In line with the 
objectives  of  the  European  Agenda  for  Culture,  the  European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage 
should have the following overall objectives: 

–  It  shall  contribute  to  promoting  the  role  of  European  cultural  heritage  as  a  pivotal 
component  of  cultural  diversity  and  intercultural  dialogue.  It  should  highlight  the  best 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Resolution of the Council of 16 November 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture (2007/C 287/01) OJ 
C 287, 29.11.2007, p. 1. 
Conclusions  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member  States, 
meeting within the Council, on a Work Plan for Culture 2015-2018 (2014/C/463/02) 
Council  conclusions  of  21  May  2014  on  cultural  heritage  as  a  strategic  resource  for  a  sustainable 
Europe (2014/C 183/08) OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 36. 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European  Social 
and  Economic  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  of  22  July  2014  Towards  an  integrated 
approach to cultural heritage for Europe COM(2014) 477 final. 
Opinion  of  the  European  Committee  of  the  Regions  —  Towards  an  integrated  approach  to  cultural 
heritage for Europe (2015/C 195/04) OJ C 195, 12.6.2015, p. 22. 
European  Parliament  resolution  of  8  September  2015  Towards  an  integrated  approach  to  cultural 
heritage for Europe (2014/2149(INI)) P8_TA(2015)0293 
Council  conclusions  on  participatory  governance  of  cultural  heritage  (2014/C  463/01)  OJ  C  463, 
23.12.2014, p. 1 

EN 

2 

   EN 

                                                 
means to ensure its conservation and safeguarding and its enjoyment by a wider and more 
diversified  public.  This  includes  through  audience  development  measures  and  heritage 
education,  in  full  respect  of  the  competences  of  the  Member  States,  thereby  promoting 
social inclusion and integration. 

–  It  should  enhance  the  contribution  of  European  cultural  heritage  to  the  economy  and 
society, through its direct and indirect economic potential. This includes the capacity to 
underpin the cultural and creative industries and inspire creation and innovation, promote 
sustainable tourism, and generate long-term local employment. 

–  It should  contribute to  promoting cultural  heritage as  an important  element of the EU’s 
international dimension, building on the interest in partner countries for Europe’s heritage 
and expertise. Heritage plays a major role in several programmes in the area of external 
relations,  mainly  —  but  not  exclusively  —  in  the  Middle  East.  The  promotion  of  the 
value  of  cultural  heritage  is  also  a  response  to  the  deliberate  destruction  of  cultural 
treasures in conflict zones8. 

The  European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage  will  offer  opportunities  for  European  citizens  to 
better  understand  the  present  through  a  richer  and  shared  interpretation  of  the  past.  It  will 
stimulate a better evaluation of the social and economic benefits of cultural heritage and of its 
contribution  to  economic  growth  and  social cohesion.  This  can  be  assessed,  for  instance,  in 
terms  of  the  promotion  of  sustainable  tourism  and  urban  regeneration.  It  will  highlight  the 
challenges  and  opportunities  linked  to  digitisation.  It  will  also  contribute  to  addressing  the 
identified  challenges,  through  the  dissemination  of  best  practices  concerning:  safeguarding; 
management;  enhancement;  governance;  and  research  and  innovation  activities.  Recent 
breakthroughs in terms of technological and social innovation in the field of cultural heritage, 
as well as the EU's initiatives in these domains, will be highlighted. 

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

for  conservation,  digitisation, 

The European Year of Cultural Heritage will be implemented using existing EU programmes. 
Cultural  heritage  is  currently  eligible  for  significant  EU  funding  under  several  EU 
programmes 
innovation, 
enhancement and skills. These programmes include: Creative Europe; the European structural 
and investment funds; Horizon 2020; Erasmus+; and Europe for Citizens. Three EU actions 
specifically  dedicated  to  cultural  heritage  are  funded  under  Creative  Europe:  European 
Heritage Days; the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage; and the European Heritage Label. 

research  and 

infrastructure, 

The European Year will be an opportunity to encourage Member States and stakeholders to 
work together to  develop a stronger and  more integrated approach to  cultural heritage.  This 
approach  would  aim  to  promote  and  protect  Europe’s  cultural  heritage,  and  maximise  its 
intrinsic and societal value, and its contribution to jobs and growth. This will be pursued in 
full respect of the subsidiarity principle. 

Similar  to  other  European  Years,  measures  will  include  information  and  promotion 
campaigns,  events  and initiatives  at European, national, regional and local levels. They will 
serve to convey key messages and disseminate information about examples of good practice. 

Every effort will be made to ensure that the activities organised in the course of the European 
Year are tailored to meet the needs and circumstances of each Member State. Member States 

8 

As highlighted in the Joint Communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs 
and Security Policy and the Commission, "Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations", 
JOIN(2016) 29 final 

EN 

3 

   EN 

 
                                                 
are  therefore  invited  to  appoint  a  national  coordinator  responsible  for  organising  their 
participation in the European Year of Cultural Heritage. A European steering group, including 
representatives  of  the  national  coordinators,  will  be  set  up.  The  Commission  shall  convene 
meetings of the national coordinators in order to coordinate the running of the European Year 
and to exchange information regarding its implementation at national and European level. 

2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

The legal basis of the proposal is Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European 
Union (TFEU). This states that the EU ‘shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the 
Member  States,  while  respecting  their  national  and  regional  diversity  and  at  the  same  time 
bringing  the  common  cultural  heritage  to  the  fore’.  The  Union  shall  also  encourage 
'cooperation  between  Member  States'  in  the  field  of  culture  and  if  necessary,  support  and 
supplement their action. 

• 

Subsidiarity  

The  objectives  of  the  proposal  cannot  be  achieved  to  a  sufficient  extent  solely  by  action 
undertaken  by  the  Member  States.  This  is  because  action  at  national  level  alone  would  not 
benefit from the European dimension of exchange of experience and good practice between 
Member  States.  Article  3  of  the  Treaty  on  European  Union  states  that  the  European  Union 
shall respect the Member States' rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and ensure that Europe's 
cultural  heritage  is  safeguarded  and  enhanced.  The  Union  shall  pursue  its  objectives  by 
appropriate  means  commensurate  with  the  competences  which  are  conferred  upon  it  by  the 
Treaties. In addition, Member States' action would benefit from the awareness and visibility 
created within and beyond the EU. 

• 

Proportionality 

The proposed course of action is simple. It relies on existing programmes and on refocusing 
communication activities on the themes of the European Year. It imposes no disproportionate 
management constraints on administrations implementing the proposal. 

EU action will support and complement the efforts of Member States. This action will firstly 
improve the effectiveness of the EU’s own instruments. Secondly, it will act as an enabler by 
encouraging  synergies  and  cooperation  among  Member  States,  cultural  organisations  and 
foundations, and private and public enterprises. 

EU action would not go beyond what is necessary to address the identified problems. 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

A decision of the European Parliament and of the Council is the most appropriate instrument 
to ensure the full involvement of the legislative authority in designating 2018 as the European 
Year of Cultural Heritage. 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Stakeholder consultations 

In  preparing  its  proposal,  the  Commission  conducted  a  series  of  targeted  consultations 
involving a wide range of stakeholders, reflecting the nature of the cultural heritage sector and 
its high  level  of organisation and specialisation, the competences  of the Member States  and 
the  role  of  professional  bodies  and  international  organisations.  In  addition,  the  Commission 
took  special  account  of  the  above-mentioned  Council  conclusions,  the  resolution  of  the 
European Parliament and the opinion of the Committee of the Regions. 

At  EU  level,  policy  developments  on  cultural  heritage  have  recently  benefited  from  a  rich 
debate. This has been facilitated by bodies bringing together authorities in charge of heritage 
policies  in  Member  States.  These  include  the  Reflection  Group  ‘EU  and  cultural  heritage’, 
and  the  European  Heritage  Heads  Forum.  Other  intergovernmental  and  non-governmental 
organisations  include  the  International  Council  of  Museums  (ICOM),  the  International 
Council  on  Monuments  and  Sites  (ICOMOS),  the  International  Centre  for  the  Study  of  the 
Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the Council of Europe. Other 
major  networks  active  in  the  field  include  Europa  Nostra,  the  European  Heritage  Alliance 
3.39, and the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO). 

There have been various other developments. In April 2015, the Ministers of Culture of the 
Council  of  Europe  adopted  the  Namur  Declaration.  In  this,  they  welcomed  the  idea  of  the 
Council  of  the  European  Union  to  organise  a  European  Heritage  Year.  They  asked  that  the 
Council of Europe, and all States Parties to the European Cultural Convention, be invited to 
participate. 

On 29 June 2015, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the European Year of Architectural 
Heritage that was organised in 1975 under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the German 
Cultural Heritage Committee (Deutsches Nationalkomitee für Denkmalschutz) hosted a public 
discussion in Bonn on the proposal for a European Year, in conjunction with the session of 
the World Heritage Committee. 

Another relevant discussion was organised in April 2015 by Europa Nostra’s Brussels Office 
with a selected group of chief executive officers of member organisations. At its June 2015 
General  Assembly,  the  entire  membership  of  Europa  Nostra  discussed  the  purpose  of  a 
European Year for Cultural Heritage and the main actions that could be developed. This was 
organised in Oslo, in the presence of the European Commission. 

Stakeholders were also consulted in the framework of the open working group ‘EYCH 2018’, 
organised  by  the  German  Cultural  Heritage  Committee  and  the  Federal  Government 
Commissioner  for  Culture  and  the  Media.  This  resulted  in  a  concept  paper  (Sharing 
Heritage’10)  that  was  taken  into  account  in  preparing  this  proposal.  The  discussion  was 
conducted  with  members  of  the  Reflection  Group  ‘EU  and  Cultural  Heritage’,  including 
experts  from  the  national  administrations  of  Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Germany,  France,  Greece, 
Italy,  Luxembourg,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  the  Netherlands,  Norway,  Poland,  Spain,  Sweden, 
Switzerland,  and  the  United  Kingdom.  Additional  experts  came  from  Estonia,  Austria, 
Portugal,  and  Slovakia;  and  from  various  organisations  with  observer  status,  including  the 
European  network  on  cultural  management  and  policy  (ENCATC),  Europa  Nostra,  and  the 
Network of European Museum Organisations and others. 

9 

10 

An  alliance  bringing  together  networks  and  organisations  in  the  field,  coordinated  by  Europa  Nostra. 
Alliance 3.3 refers to Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU)  
http://www.sharingheritage.de/en/main/ 

EN 

5 

   EN 

                                                 
A seminar on ‘A European Year for Cultural Heritage: sharing heritage, a common challenge’ 
was organised in Brussels on 28 October 2015 by the Permanent Representations of Italy and 
Spain  to  the  EU.  Stakeholder  organisations  such  as  Europa  Nostra,  national  authorities  and 
experts also participated. 

The proposal was further discussed at meetings of the above-mentioned Reflection Group in 
Luxembourg  on  23-24  September  2015,  in  Rome  on  30  November  –  1  December  2015,  in 
The  Hague  on  9  May  2016,  and  at  the  meeting  of  the  European  Heritage  Heads  Forum  in 
Bern  on  19-20  May  2016.  Finally,  another  discussion  took  place  in  the  framework  of  the 
European Culture Forum 2016 on 19 April 2016. 

• 

Collection and use of expertise 

The initiative will draw on independent analyses and studies, in particular the report Cultural 
Heritage  Counts  for  Europe.11  This  was  the  result  of  a  two-year  comprehensive  project, 
funded by the EU Culture Programme, to gather evidence of the value of cultural heritage and 
of its impact on Europe’s economy, culture and society, and the environment. 

It  will  also  draw  on  the  report  of  the  Horizon  2020  expert  group  on  cultural  heritage  
Getting cultural heritage to work for Europe12 and the Strategic Research Agenda developed 
by the Joint Programming Initiative Cultural Heritage and Global Change.13 The initiative will 
eventually  draw  on  the  Horizon  2020  Social  Platform  on  Cultural  Heritage  and  European 
Identities, CULTURALBASE, a multiannual stakeholder consultation initiative14, as well as 
drawing on the establishment of new European Research Infrastructures, such  as  DARIAH- 
ERIC  (Digital  Research  Infrastructure  for  Art  and  Humanities)  and  E-RIHS  (European 
Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science)15. 

Work  Package  9:  Culture  and  Tourism  of  the  Ex  post  evaluation  of  Cohesion  Policy 
programmes 2007-2013, focusing on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 
Cohesion  Fund  (CF)  found  that  investing  in  culture  and  tourism  can  boost  a  region’s 
economy and improve social inclusion. 

The  Ex  post  evaluation  of  the  7th  EU  Framework  Programme  2007-2013  (FP7),  the  EU’s 
research  funding  programme  between  2007  and  2013,  concluded  that  the  programme  was 
effective in boosting excellent science and strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness. 
In so doing, it contributed to growth and jobs in Europe in areas that are typically a national 
endeavour.  FP7  supported  research,  more  than  180  M€,  in  various  aspects  of  European 
cultural  heritage  (tangible,  intangible  and  digital)  under  the  themes  Environment,  Social 
Sciences  and  Humanities,  Digital  Cultural  Heritage,  Industrial  Technologies,  International 
cooperation  and  (E)-infrastructure.  This  existing  body  of  knowledge  should  be  further 
exploited.  

• 

Impact assessment 

No impact assessment is needed, since the objectives of the proposed initiative fall within the 
objectives  of  existing  Union  programmes.  The  European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage  can  be 

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/news/2015/0612-cultural-heritage-counts_en.htm. 
http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/getting-cultural-heritage-to-work-for-europe-pbKI0  115128/. 
http://www.jpi-culturalheritage.eu/wp-content/uploads/SRA-2014-06.pdf. 
http://www.culturalbase.eu 
ESFRI, Strategy Report on Research Infrastructures, Roadmap 2016.  

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
 
                                                 
implemented within existing budget limits by using those programmes that provide for setting 
funding  priorities  on  an  annual  or  multiannual  basis.  The  proposed  initiative  would  not 
commit the Commission to any specific actions of a legislative nature. Nor would it have any 
significant social, economic or environmental impact beyond that of the existing instruments. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

No  additional  funding  is  sought  for  the  European  Year.  This  initiative  does  not  require 
additional EU budget. The flexibility for setting priorities on an annual or multiannual basis in 
the relevant programmes is  sufficient to  envisage an awareness-raising campaign on a scale 
similar to previous European Years 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
 
2016/0259 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on a European Year of Cultural Heritage 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union  (TFEU),  and  in 
particular Article 167 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions16,  

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

The  ideals,  principles  and  values  embedded  in  the  European  cultural  heritage 
constitute a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, dialogue, cohesion 
and  creativity  for  Europe.  Cultural  heritage  plays  a  role  in  the  European  Union,  as 
stated in the preamble to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which states that the 
signatories  draw  ‘inspiration  from  the  cultural,  religious  and  humanist  inheritance of 
Europe’. 

Article  3.3  TEU  states  that  the  European  Union  shall  respect  its  rich  cultural  and 
linguistic  diversity,  and  ensure  that  Europe’s  cultural  heritage  is  safeguarded  and 
enhanced. 

Article  167(1)  TFEU  gives  the  European  Union  the  task  of  contributing  ‘to  the 
flowering  of  the  cultures  of  the  Member  States,  while  respecting  their  national  and 
regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the 
fore’. Union action is to be aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States 
and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their action, inter alia, in the area of 
improving the knowledge and dissemination of the culture and history of the European 
peoples,  and  in  the  area  of  conservation  and  safeguarding  of  cultural  heritage  of 
European significance (Article 167(2) TFEU). 

(4) 

As  highlighted  by  the  European  Commission  in  its  Communication  ‘Towards  an 
integrated  approach  to  cultural  heritage  for  Europe’17,  cultural  heritage  is  to  be 
considered a shared resource and a common good held in trust for future generations, 
whose care is a common responsibility of all stakeholders. 

(5) 

Cultural heritage is of great value to European society from a cultural, environmental, 
social  and  economic  point  of  view.  Thus,  its  sustainable  management  constitutes  a 

16 
17 

OJ C , , p. . 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European  Social 
and  Economic  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  of  22  July  2014  Towards  an  integrated 
approach to cultural heritage for Europe COM(2014) 477 final. 

EN 

8 

   EN 

                                                 
(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

strategic choice for the 21st century, as stressed by the Council in its Conclusions of 
21 May 2014 on 'cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe'.18 
Its  contribution  in  terms  of  value  creation,  skills  and  jobs,  and  quality  of  life  is 
undervalued. 
Cultural heritage is central to the European Agenda for Culture19. It is one of the four 
priorities for European cooperation on culture for the period 2015-2018, as set out in 
the current Work Plan for Culture, adopted by the Council on 25 November 2014.20 

Cultural heritage encompasses a broad spectrum of ‘resources inherited from the past 
in all forms and aspects — tangible, intangible and digital (born digital and digitised), 
including  monuments,  sites,  landscapes,  skills,  practices,  knowledge  and  expressions 
of  human  creativity,  as  well  as  collections  conserved  and  managed  by  public  and 
the 
private  bodies  such  as  museums, 
aforementioned Conclusions of 21 May 2014. 

libraries  and  archives’,  as  stated 

in 

Cultural  heritage  has  been  forged  over  time  by  the  synthesis  and  combination  of 
cultural  expressions  of  the  various  civilisations  that  have  populated  Europe.  A 
European Year will help to encourage and promote understanding of the importance of 
the  protection  and  promotion  of  the  diversity  of  cultural  expressions.  One  way  to 
achieve this would be through educational and greater public awareness programmes, 
in line with the obligations of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the 
Diversity  of  Cultural  Expressions21  adopted  by  UNESCO  on  20  October  2005,  to 
which the EU is a party. 

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the EU and 
most of Member States are party, states in Article 30 on participation in cultural life, 
recreation,  leisure  and  sport  that  States  Parties  recognise  the  right  of  persons  with 
disabilities to take part on an equal basis with others in cultural life, and that they shall 
take  all  appropriate  measures  to  ensure  that  persons  with  disabilities  inter  alia  enjoy 
access  to  places  for  cultural  performances  or  services,  such  as  theatres,  museums, 
cinemas,  libraries  and  tourism  services,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  enjoy  access  to 
monuments and sites of national cultural importance. 

(10)  The  European  Access  City  Award  has  shown  the  feasibility  and  good  practices  of 
making  cities  cultural  heritage  accessible  for  people  with  disabilities,  elderly  people, 
and  those  with  reduced  mobility  or  other  types  of  temporary  impairments,  in  ways 
which respect their nature and values. 

(11)  Cultural heritage can have an important role for community cohesion at a time when 
cultural  diversity  is  increasing  in  European  societies.  New  participatory  and 
intercultural  approaches  to  heritage  policies  and  educational  initiatives  that  attribute 
equal  dignity  to  all  cultural  heritages  have  the  potential  to  increase  trust,  mutual 
recognition and social cohesion. 

18 

19 

20 

21 

Council  conclusions  of  21  May  2014  on  cultural  heritage  as  a  strategic  resource  for  a  sustainable 
Europe (2014/C 183/08) OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 36. 
Resolution of the Council of 16 November 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture (2007/C 287/01) OJ 
C 287, 29.11.2007, p. 1. 
Conclusions  of  the  Council  and  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Governments  of  the  Member  States, 
meeting  within  the  Council,  on  a  Work  Plan  for  Culture  (2015-2018)  (2014/C  463/02)  OJ  C  463, 
23.12.2014, p. 4. 
Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005, Paris, 20 
October 2005 

EN 

9 

   EN 

                                                 
(12)  This  is  also  recognised  in  the  Agenda  2030  for  Sustainable  Development22  which 
acknowledges  global  citizenship,  cultural  diversity  and  intercultural  dialogue  as 
overarching principles of sustainable development.  It recognises that all cultures and 
civilizations  can  contribute  to,  and  are  crucial  enablers  of,  sustainable  development. 
Culture is explicitly mentioned in several Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 
Agenda:  for  example  Goal  4  (Education),  Goal  5  (Gender),  Goal  8  and  Goal  12  in 
relation to tourism (Sustainable growth/Consumption patterns) and in particular Goal 
11 (Cities-Heritage). 

(13)  The increased recognition at international level of the need to put people and human 
values at the centre of an enlarged and cross-disciplinary concept of cultural heritage 
reinforces the need to foster wider access to cultural heritage. This can be achieved by 
reaching out to different audiences and by increasing accessibility to places, buildings, 
products,  and  services,  taking  into  account  special  needs  and  the  implications  of 
demographic change. 

(14)  Policies  for  the  maintenance,  restoration,  conservation,  re-use,  accessibility,  and 
promotion  of  cultural  heritage,  and  cultural  heritage  related  services,  are  primarily 
national,  regional  or  local  responsibilities.  Nonetheless,  cultural  heritage  has  a  clear 
European dimension and is addressed in several EU policies beyond the cultural ones. 
These  include  the  following  policies:  education,  agriculture  and  rural  development, 
regional  development,  social  cohesion,  maritime  affairs,  environment,  tourism,  the 
digital agenda, research and innovation, and communication. 

(15) 

In  order  to  fully  realise  their  potential  for  European  economies  and  societies,  the 
safeguarding,  enhancement  and  management  of  heritage  resources,  which  cut  across 
several public policies, need effective multilevel governance and better cross-sectoral 
cooperation.  This  involves  all  stakeholders,  including  public  authorities,  private 
individuals, civil society organisations, NGOs and the voluntary sector. 

(16)  The  Council,  in  its  Conclusions  of  25  November  201423,  invited  the  Commission  to 

consider presenting a proposal for a ‘European Year of Cultural Heritage’. 

(17)  The  European  Parliament,  in  its  resolution  of  8  September  2015,  recommended 

designating, preferably for 2018, a European Year of Cultural Heritage.24 

(18)  The European Committee of the Regions, in its opinion of 16 April 201425, welcomed 
the  proposal  of  the  Council  for  a  'European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage',  stressing  its 
contribution to the attainment of shared goals in the pan-European context. 

(19)  Declaring a European Year of Cultural Heritage is an effective way of raising public 
awareness,  disseminating  information  about  good  practices  and  promoting  research 
and  innovation  as  well  as  policy  debate.  By  creating  an  environment  for 
simultaneously  promoting  these  objectives  at  Union,  national,  regional  and  local 
levels, it can achieve greater synergy and a better use of resources. 

22 

23 

24 

25 

United Nations Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015 Transforming our 
world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 
Council  conclusions  on  participatory  governance  of  cultural  heritage  (2014/C  463/01)  OJ  C  463, 
23.12.2014, p. 1 
European  Parliament  resolution  of  8  September  2015  towards  an  integrated  approach  to  cultural 
heritage for Europe (2014/2149(INI)) P8_TA(2015)0293. 
Opinion  of  the  European  Committee  of  the  Regions  —  Towards  an  integrated  approach  to  cultural 
heritage for Europe (2015/C 195/04) OJ C 195, 12.6.2015, p. 22. 

EN 

10 

   EN 

                                                 
(20)  Heritage is also a field of intervention in several programmes in the area of external 
relations — mainly but not exclusively in the Middle East. The promotion of the value 
of cultural heritage is also a response to the deliberate destruction of cultural treasures 
in  conflict  zones26.  It  will  be  important  to  ensure  complementarity  between  the 
European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage  and  all  external  relations  initiatives  developed 
within appropriate frameworks. Actions to protect and promote cultural heritage under 
relevant external relations instruments should, amongst other things, reflect the mutual 
interest associated with the exchange of experiences and values with third countries. It 
will promote mutual knowledge, respect and understanding of the respective cultures. 

(21)  While  this  Decision  is  addressed  to  Member  States,  Enlargement  countries  should 
nevertheless  be  closely  associated  with  actions  under  the  European  Year  of  Cultural 
Heritage.  The  involvement  of  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  countries  and  other 
partner countries should also be sought, as appropriate. This can be pursued under the 
relevant  frameworks  for  cooperation  and  dialogue,  particularly  in  the  context  of  the 
civil society dialogue between the EU and these countries. 

(22)  The  safeguarding,  conservation  and  enhancement  of  the  European  cultural  heritage 
comes  under  the  objectives  of  existing  Union  programmes.  Therefore,  a  European 
Year can be implemented by using these programmes under their existing provisions 
and  setting  funding  priorities  on  an  annual  or  multiannual  basis.  Programmes  and 
policies  in  fields  such  as  culture,  education,  agriculture  and  rural  development, 
regional  development,  social  cohesion,  maritime  affairs,  environment,  tourism,  the 
Digital  Single  Market  Strategy,  research  and  innovation,  and  communication 
contribute directly and indirectly to the protection, enhancement, innovative re-use and 
promotion  of  the  European  cultural  heritage,  and  may  support  the  initiative  in 
accordance with their respective legal frameworks. 

(23)  The  objective  of  this  Decision  is  to  support  the  efforts  of  Member  States  to  protect, 
safeguard,  enhance,  re-use  and  promote  the  European  cultural  heritage.  Since  this 
cannot  be  sufficiently  achieved  by  Member  States  alone,  given  the  need  for 
transnational  exchange  of  information  and  the  Union-wide  dissemination  of  good 
practice,  but  can  be  better  achieved  at  Union  level,  the  European  Union  may  adopt 
measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the 
Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set 
out  in  that  Article,  this  Decision  does  not  go  beyond  what  is  necessary  in  order  to 
achieve that objective. 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

Subject matter 

The  year  2018  shall  be  designated  as  the  ‘European  Year  of  Cultural  Heritage’  (hereinafter 
referred to as the ‘European Year’). 

Article 2 

Objectives 

26 

As highlighted in the Joint Communication of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs 
and Security Policy and the Commission, "Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations", 
JOIN(2016) 29 final 

EN 

11 

   EN 

                                                 
1. In line with the objectives of the European Agenda for Culture, the overall objectives of the 
European  Year  shall  be  to  encourage  and  support  —  notably  through  the  exchange  of 
experience and  good practices — the  efforts of the Union, the Member States, regional and 
local  authorities  to  protect,  safeguard,  re-use,  enhance,  valorise  and  promote  the  European 
cultural heritage in the European Union (EU). In particular: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

It  shall  contribute  to  promoting  the  role  of  European  cultural  heritage  as  a  pivotal 
component  of  cultural  diversity  and  intercultural  dialogue.  It  should  highlight  the 
best means to ensure its conservation and safeguarding and its enjoyment by a wider 
and more diversified public. This includes through audience development measures 
and  heritage  education,  in  full  respect  of  the  competences  of  the  Member  States, 
thereby promoting social inclusion and integration. 

It  shall  enhance  the  contribution  of  European  cultural  heritage  to  the  economy  and 
the  society,  through  its  direct  and  indirect  economic  potential.  This  includes  the 
capacity  to  underpin  the  cultural  and  creative  industries  and  inspire  creation  and 
innovation, promote sustainable tourism, enhance social cohesion and generate long-
term employment. 

It  shall  contribute  to  promoting  cultural  heritage  as  an  important  element  of  the 
Union’s  international  dimension,  building  on  the  interest  in  partner  countries  for 
Europe’s heritage and expertise. 

2. The specific objectives of the European Year of Cultural Heritage shall be to: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

encourage  approaches  that  are  people-centred,  inclusive,  forward-looking,  more 
integrated,  and  cross-sectoral,  to  make  heritage  accessible  to  all  and  to  ensure  the 
safeguarding, conservation, innovative re-use and enhancement of cultural heritage; 

promote  innovative  models  of  multilevel  governance  and  management  of  cultural 
heritage, involving all stakeholders, including public authorities, private individuals, 
civil society organisations, NGOs and the voluntary sector; 

promote debate, research and innovation activities and exchange of good practices on 
the  quality  of  conservation  and  safeguarding  of  cultural  heritage  and  on 
contemporary  interventions  in  the  historical  environment  as  well  as  promoting 
solutions which are accessible for all, including for persons with disabilities; 

highlight  and  stimulate  the  positive  contribution  of  cultural  heritage  to  society  and 
the economy through research and innovation, including an EU level evidence base 
and through the development of indicators and benchmarks; 

encourage  local  development  strategies  that  tap  into  the  potential  of  heritage, 
including through the promotion of sustainable cultural tourism; 

support  the  development  of  specialised  skills  and  improve  knowledge  management 
and knowledge transfer in the heritage sector, taking into account the implications of 
the digital shift; 

promote heritage as a source of inspiration for contemporary creation and innovation, 
and highlight the potential for cross-fertilisation and stronger interaction between the 
cultural and creative sectors and communities and the heritage sector; 

raise  awareness  of  the  importance  of  the  European  cultural  heritage  through 
education  and  lifelong  learning,  in  particular  by  targeting  young  people  and  local 
communities; 

EN 

12 

   EN 

(i) 

(j) 

highlight the potential of international cooperation in matters of cultural heritage for 
developing  stronger  ties  with  countries  outside  the  EU,  and  encourage  intercultural 
dialogue, post-conflict reconciliation and conflict prevention;  

promote  research  and  innovation  on  cultural  heritage;  facilitate  the  uptake  and 
exploitation  of  research  results  by  all  stakeholders,  in  particular  public  authorities 
and the private sector, and facilitate the dissemination of research results to a broader 
audience; and 

(k) 

encourage synergies between the Union and Member States, including strengthening 
initiatives to prevent the illegal trafficking of cultural goods. 

Article 3 

Content of measures 

1.  The  measures  to  be  taken  to  achieve  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  2  shall  include  the 
following  activities  at  European,  national,  regional  or  local  level  linked  to  the  objectives  of 
the European Year: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

conferences,  events  and  initiatives  to  promote  debate  and  raise  awareness  of  the 
importance and value of cultural heritage and to facilitate engagement with citizens 
and stakeholders;  

information,  education  and  awareness-raising  campaigns  to  convey  values  such  as 
diversity  and intercultural  dialogue using evidence  from Europe’s rich heritage and 
to stimulate the general public’s contribution in heritage protection and management 
and more generally in achieving the objectives of the European Year; 

sharing  of  experience  and  good  practices  of  national,  regional  and 
local 
administrations,  and  other  organisations,  to  disseminate  information  about  cultural 
heritage; and 

undertaking  studies  and  research  and  innovation  activities  and  the  dissemination  of 
their results on European or national scale. 

2.  The  Commission  and  the  Member  States  may  identify  other  activities  which  could 
contribute to the objectives of the European Year set out in Article 2 and allow references to 
the  European  Year  to  be  used  in  promoting  those  activities  in  so  far  as  they  contribute  to 
achieving those objectives. 

Article 4 

Coordination at national level 

Each  Member  State  shall  appoint  a  national  coordinator  responsible  for  organising  its 
participation in the European Year. The coordinator shall ensure the coordination of relevant 
activities at national level. 

Article 5 

Coordination at Union level 

The Commission shall convene meetings of the national coordinators in order  to coordinate 
the running of the European Year and to exchange information regarding its implementation 
at national and European level. 

EN 

13 

   EN 

Article 6 

International Cooperation 

For  the  purpose  of  the  European  Year,  the  Commission  shall  cooperate  with  competent 
international  organisations,  in  particular  with  UNESCO  and  the  Council  of  Europe,  while 
ensuring the visibility of the EU’s participation. 

Article 7 

Funding 

Co-financing  at  European  level  of  activities  in  support  of  the  European  Year  shall  be  in 
accordance with the applicable rules, and within the existing possibilities for priority setting 
on an annual or multiannual basis, to existing programmes, in particular the Creative Europe 
programme.  Where  appropriate,  other  programmes  and  policies,  within  their  existing  legal 
and financial provisions, may also support the European Year. 

Article 8 

Monitoring and evaluation 

 By 31 December 2019, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on 
the  implementation,  results  and  overall  assessment  of  the  initiatives  provided  for  in  this 
Decision. 

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

Article 9 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

Article 10 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

14 

   EN 

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1.  Title of the proposal/initiative  

1.2.  Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure 

1.3.  Nature of the proposal/initiative  

1.4.  Objective(s)  

1.5.  Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.6.  Duration and financial impact  

1.7.  Management mode(s) planned  

2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

2.2.  Management and control system  

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

3. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

3.1.  Heading(s)  of  the  multiannual  financial  framework  and  expenditure  budget 
line(s) affected  

3.2.  Estimated impact on expenditure  

3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on expenditure  

3.2.2. Estimated impact on operational appropriations  

3.2.3. Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 

3.2.4. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework 

3.2.5. Third-party contributions  

3.3.  Estimated impact on revenue

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1. 

Title of the proposal/initiative  

European Year of Cultural Heritage 
Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure27  

1.2. 

POLICY  AREA(S):  EDUCATION  AND  CULTURE  ACTIVITY 
CREATIVE EUROPE 

(-IES): 

1.3. 

Nature of the proposal/initiative  

X The proposal/initiative relates to a new action  

  The  proposal/initiative 
project/preparatory action28  

relates 

to  a  new  action 

following  a  pilot 

 The proposal/initiative relates to the extension of an existing action  

 The proposal/initiative relates to an action redirected towards a new action  

1.4. 

Objective(s) 

1.4.1.  The  Commission's  multiannual 

strategic  objective(s) 

targeted  by 

the 

proposal/initiative  

No multiannual strategic objective considering the specificity of the initiative which 
is a European Year  

1.4.2. 

Specific objective(s) and ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned  

Specific objective No 

(a) It shall contribute to promoting the role of European cultural heritage as a pivotal 
component  of  cultural  diversity  and  intercultural  dialogue.  It  should  highlight  the 
best means to ensure its conservation and safeguarding and its enjoyment by a wider 
and more diversified public. This includes through audience development measures 
and  heritage  education,  in  full  respect  of  the  competences  of  the  Member  States, 
thereby promoting social inclusion and integration. 

(b) 
It shall enhance the contribution of European cultural heritage to the economy 
and the society, through its direct and indirect economic potential. This includes the 
capacity  to  underpin  the  cultural  and  creative  industries  and  inspire  creation  and 
innovation, promote sustainable tourism, enhance social cohesion and generate long-
term employment. 

It shall contribute to promoting cultural heritage as an important element of the 
(c) 
Union’s  international  dimension,  building  on  the  interest  in  partner  countries  for 
Europe’s heritage and expertise. 

ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned 

15.04 – Creative Europe 

27 
28 

ABM: activity-based management; ABB: activity-based budgeting. 
As referred to in Article 54(2) (a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation. 

EN 

16 

   EN 

                                                 
1.4.3.  Expected result(s) and impact 

Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. 

- Information and promotion campaigns, events and initiatives at European, national, 
regional and local levels to convey key messages and disseminate information about 
examples  of  good  practice,  including  of  the  role  of  the  EU  in  promoting  shared 
solutions. 

-  Raising  awareness  of  the  importance  of  cultural  heritage  for  EU  citizens  and  
strengthening its contribution to growth and jobs and social cohesion at national and 
European level -  

-  Highlight  the  challenges  and  enhance  the  opportunities  concerning  safeguarding, 
conservation  and  management  of  cultural  heritage,  including  those  linked  to 
digitisation 

1.4.4. 

Indicators of results and impact  

Specify the indicators for monitoring implementation of the proposal/initiative. 

Number of outputs in the framework of the information campaign  

1.5. 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term  

Short-term: Better information on the importance of cultural heritage as an asset for 
the EU as well as of the role of the EU in safeguarding it 

Long-term:  Greater  awareness  among  the  citizens  of  the  importance  of  cultural 
heritage and greater recognition of the positive role of the EU   

1.5.2.  Added value of EU involvement 

- Strengthening the awareness of the importance of the European cultural heritage in 
terms of economic growth  and social cohesion 

-  Raise  awareness  of  the  challenges  and  opportunities  and  highlight  the  role  of  the 
EU in promoting shared solutions 

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past 

The  European  Years  organised  over  the  last  10  years  have  proven  their  value  as 
effective  awareness  raising  instruments  which  had  an  impact  on  both  the  general 
public  and  multipliers  and  have  created  synergies  between  different  areas  of 
intervention at EU and Member States level. 

1.5.4.  Compatibility and possible synergy with other appropriate instruments 

The European Year of cultural heritage will act as a reference point for several Union 
programmes  such  as  the  Creative  Europe  programme,  the  European  Structural  & 
Investment  Funds,  Horizon  2020  (including  the  digital  elements  of  heritage 
preservation  and  valorisation),  Erasmus+  and  Europe  for  Citizens.  Creative  Europe 
also  funds  three  EU  actions  specifically  dedicated  to  cultural  heritage:    European 
Heritage Days; the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage; and the European Heritage Label.  

EN 

17 

   EN 

1.6. 

Duration and financial impact  

X Proposal/initiative of limited duration  

–  X  Proposal/initiative in effect from 01/01/2018 to 31/12/2018 

–  X  Financial impact from 2017  to 2018 

 Proposal/initiative of unlimited duration 

–  Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY, 

–  followed by full-scale operation. 
1.7.  Management mode(s) planned29  

X Direct management by the Commission 

–   by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;  

–    by the executive agencies  

 Shared management with the Member States  

 Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to: 

–   third countries or the bodies they have designated; 

–   international organisations and their agencies (to be specified); 

–  the EIB and the European Investment Fund; 

–   bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209 of the Financial Regulation; 

–   public law bodies; 

–   bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that 

they provide adequate financial guarantees; 

–   bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with 
the  implementation  of  a  public-private  partnership  and  that  provide  adequate 
financial guarantees; 

–    persons  entrusted  with  the  implementation  of  specific  actions  in  the  CFSP 

pursuant to Title V of the TEU, and identified in the relevant basic act. 

– 

If more than one management mode is indicated, please provide details in the ‘Comments’ section. 

Comments  

[…] 

[…] 

29 

Details  of  management  modes  and  references  to  the  Financial  Regulation  may  be  found  on  the 
BudgWeb site: https://myintracomm.ec.testa.eu/budgweb/EN/man/budgmanag/Pages/budgmanag.aspx 

EN 

18 

   EN 

                                                 
2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

Specify frequency and conditions. 

Work Programme of the European Year  

Establishment of a Steering Committee  

2.2.  Management and control system  

2.2.1.  Risk(s) identified  

- Lack of visibility of the initiatives 

- Too high expectations with regard to the limited budget  

2.2.2. 

Information concerning the internal control system set up 

Regular risk assessment in the framework of Steering Committee   

2.2.3.  Estimate of the costs and benefits of the controls and assessment of the expected level 

of risk of error  

[Pour mémoire] 

[Pour mémoire] 

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

Specify existing or envisaged prevention and protection measures. 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that,  when  actions  financed  under  this  Decision  are 
implemented, the financial interests of the Union are protected by the application of 
preventive  measures  against  fraud,  corruption  and  any  other  illegal  activities,  by 
effective checks and by the recovery of the amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities 
are detected, by effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties. The Commission is 
authorised  to  carry  out  checks  and  verifications  in  situ  under  this  Decision,  in 
compliance  Council  Regulation  (Euratom,  EC)  No  2185/96  of  11  November  1996 
concerning  on-the-spot  checks  and  inspections  carried  out  by  the  Commission  in 
order  to  protect  the  European  Communities'  financial  interests  against  fraud  and 
other  irregularities.  If  need  be,  investigations  shall  be  carried  out  by  the  European 
Anti-Fraud  Office  and  shall  be  governed  by  Regulation  (EC)  No  1073/1999  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations 
conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)  

EN 

19 

   EN 

3. 

3.1. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

Heading(s)  of  the  multiannual  financial  framework  and  expenditure  budget 
line(s) affected  

  Existing budget lines  

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. 

Budget line 

Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework 

Heading 3: Security and citizenship 

Type of  
expenditure 

Diff./Non-
diff.30 

Contribution  

from 
EFTA 
countries
31 

from 
candidate 
countries32 

from third 
countries 

within the 
meaning of 
Article 21(2)(b) of 
the Financial 
Regulation  

3 

15  04  02-  Culture  sub-programme  — 
Supporting  cross-border  actions  and 
promoting  transnational  circulation  and 
mobility  

  New budget lines requested  

Diff. 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. 

Budget line 

Type of 
expenditure 

Contribution  

Diff./Non-
diff. 

from 
EFTA 
countries 

from 
candidate 
countries 

from third 
countries 

within the 
meaning of 
Article 21(2)(b) of 
the Financial 
Regulation  

Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework 

30 
31 
32 

Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non-diff. = Non-differentiated appropriations. 
EFTA: European Free Trade Association.  
Candidate countries and, where applicable, potential candidate countries from the Western Balkans. 

EN 

20 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3.2. 

Estimated impact on expenditure  

[This  section  should  be  filled  in  using  the  spreadsheet  on budget  data  of  an  administrative  nature  (second  document  in  annex  to  this 
financial statement) and uploaded to CISNET for interservice consultation purposes.] 

3.2.1. 

Summary of estimated impact on expenditure  

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Heading of multiannual financial  
framework  

Number 

[3] Heading Security and citizenship 

Year 
N33 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as 
necessary to show the duration 
of the impact (see point 1.6) 

TOTAL 

1.000 

3.000 

0.500 

1.900 

1.100 

0.500 

4.000 

4.000 

DG: EAC 

 Operational appropriations  

15  04  02  –  creative  Europe  –  Culture  Sub-
programme 

Commitments 

Payments 

(1) 

(2) 

(1a) 

(2a) 

Appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature  financed  from  the 
envelope of specific programmes34  

Number of budget line 

TOTAL appropriations 
for DG EAC* 

Commitments 

Payments 

(3) 

=1+1a 
+3 

=2+2a 

+3 

33 
34 

EN 

Year N is the year in which implementation of the proposal/initiative starts. 
Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, 
direct research. 

21 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 TOTAL operational appropriations  

Commitments 

Payments 

  TOTAL  appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature 
financed from the envelope for specific programmes  

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADING <….> 
of the multiannual financial framework 

Commitments 

=4+ 6 

Payments 

=5+ 6 

1.000 

0.500 

3.000 

1.900 

1.100 

0.500 

If more than one heading is affected by the proposal / initiative: 

 TOTAL operational appropriations  

Commitments 

Payments 

  TOTAL  appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature 
financed from the envelope for specific programmes  

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADINGS 1 to 4 
of the multiannual financial framework 
(Reference amount) 

Commitments 

=4+ 6 

1.000 

3.000 

Payments 

=5+ 6 

0.500 

1.900 

1.100 

0.500 

4.000 

4.000 

4.000 

4.000 

EN 

22 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heading of multiannual financial  
framework  

5 

‘Administrative expenditure’ 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as 
necessary to show the duration 
of the impact (see point 1.6)  

TOTAL 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

DG: EAC 

 Human resources  

 Other administrative expenditure  

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

TOTAL DG EAC 

Appropriations  

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

TOTAL appropriations 
under HEADING 5 
of the multiannual financial framework  

(Total  commitments  = 
Total payments) 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Year 
N35 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as 
necessary to show the duration 
of the impact (see point 1.6) 

TOTAL 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADINGS 1 to 5* 
of the multiannual financial framework  

Commitments 

Payments 

*Heading  5:  Costs 

for  administration, 

including  human 

resources,  will  be  assured  by 

internal 

redeployment 

inside  DG  EAC.

35 

Year N is the year in which implementation of the proposal/initiative starts. 

EN 

23 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3.2.2.  Estimated impact on operational appropriations  

–    The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations  

–  X  The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below: 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

OUTPUTS 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Enter as many years as necessary to show the 
duration of the impact (see point 1.6) 

TOTAL 

o
N

Cost  N

o

Cost 

o
N

Cost 

o
N

Cost  N

o

Cost  N

o

Cost  N

o

Cost 

Total 
No 

Total 
cost 

Indicate 
objectives and 
outputs  

 

Type36 

Average 
cost 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 137… 

- Output 

- Output 

- Output 

Comm
n 
Semin
ars 

0.3 

0.25 

2 

4 

0.600 

1.000 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Subtotal for specific objective No 1 

6 

1.600 

0 

0 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 2 ... 

- Output 

- Output 

Comm
unicati
on 

Semin
ars and 
confer
ences 

0.3 

2 

0.600 

0 

0 

0.25 

3 

0.750 

0 

0 

Subtotal for specific objective No 2 

5 

1.350 

0 

0 

0.600 

1.000 

1.600 

0.600 

0.750 

1.350 

36 
37 

Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.: number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 
As described in point 1.4.2. ‘Specific objective(s)…’  

EN 

24 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 3 ... 

- Output 

- Output 

Comm
unicati
on 

Semin
ars and 
confer
ences 

0.3 

1 

0.300 

0 

0 

0.25 

3 

0.750 

0 

0 

Subtotal for specific objective No 3 

4 

1.050 

0 

0 

TOTAL COST 

Outputs 

0.300 

0.750 

1.050 

4.000 

Communication campaign: this may include VNRs, video clips, visual identity, website, PR activities, social media, promotion material, 
publications and printing, studies and other awareness-raising activities 

Seminars and conferences: this may include opening and closing conferences, lectures, workshops, high level events, journalists' seminars, side 
events and other gatherings both in Brussels or in Member States 

Cost structure 

Based on previous experience in other culture-related actions, notably in the framework of the Creative Europe programme, it has been estimated 
that the average cost of a communication campaign on a EU level is around EUR 300,000, and that of a seminar may vary between EUR 100,000 
and EUR 400,000 depending on the scope and number of attendees, so it has been assumed that the average cost of the seminars which will be 
organised in the framework of the European Year of Heritage may reasonably amount to EUR 250,000 

EN 

25 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2.3.  Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 

3.2.3.1.  Summary  

–    The  proposal/initiative  does  not  require  the  use  of  appropriations  of  an 

administrative nature  

–  X  The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative 

nature, as explained below: 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Year 
N 38 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as necessary to show the 
duration of the impact (see point 1.6) 

TOTAL 

HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework 

Human resources  

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Other administrative 
expenditure  

Subtotal HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

Outside HEADING 539 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

Human resources  

Other expenditure  
of an administrative 
nature 

Subtotal  
outside HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

TOTAL 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

The  appropriations  required  for  human  resources  and  other  expenditure  of  an  administrative  nature  will  be  met  by 
appropriations from the DG that are already assigned to management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the 
DG,  together  if  necessary  with  any  additional  allocation  which  may  be  granted  to  the  managing  DG  under  the  annual 
constraints.
allocation 

procedure 

budgetary 

light 

and 

the 

of 

in 

38 
39 

Year N is the year in which implementation of the proposal/initiative starts. 
Technical  and/or  administrative  assistance  and  expenditure  in  support  of  the  implementation  of 
EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct research. 

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3.2.3.2.  Estimated requirements of human resources 

–    The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources.  

–  X  The  proposal/initiative  requires  the  use  of  human  resources,  as  explained 

below: 

Estimate to be expressed in full time equivalent units 

Ye
ar 
N+
3 

Enter 
as 
many 
years 
as 
necessa
ry to 
show 
the 
duratio
n of the 
impact 
(see 
point 
1.6) 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year N+2 

 Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff) 

XX 01 01 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s 
Representation Offices) 

1 

1 

1 

XX 01 01 02 (Delegations) 

XX 01 05 01 (Indirect research) 

10 01 05 01 (Direct research) 

 External staff (in Full Time Equivalent unit: FTE)40 

XX 01 02 01 (AC, END, INT from the ‘global 
envelope’) 

XX 01 02 02 (AC, AL, END, INT and JED in the 
delegations) 

XX 01 04 yy 41 

- at Headquarters 

- in Delegations  

XX 01 05 02 (AC, END, INT - Indirect research) 

10 01 05 02 (AC, END, INT - Direct research) 

Other budget lines (specify) 

TOTAL 

1 

1 

1 

XX is the policy area or budget title concerned. 

The human resources required will be met by staff from the DG who are already assigned to management of the 
action  and/or  have  been  redeployed  within  the  DG,  together  if  necessary  with  any  additional  allocation  which 
may  be  granted  to  the  managing  DG  under  the  annual  allocation  procedure  and  in  the  light  of  budgetary 
constraints. 

Description of tasks to be carried out: 

Officials and temporary staff 

Formulating and coordinating with other services the work plan of the Year; drawing 
up  the  terms  of  reference  for  service  and  purchase  contracts  and  accompanying  the 
selection process; ensuring the interinstitutional coordination; preparing briefings and 
speeches for Commissioner and DG; ensuring input for press work; accompanying ex-

40 

41 

AC=  Contract  Staff;  AL  =  Local  Staff;  END=  Seconded  National  Expert;  INT  =  agency  staff; 
JED= Junior Experts in Delegations.  
Sub-ceiling for external staff covered by operational appropriations (former ‘BA’ lines). 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
External staff 

post evaluation 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
3.2.4.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  

–  X  The  proposal/initiative  is  compatible  the  current  multiannual  financial 

framework. 

–    The proposal/initiative will entail reprogramming of the relevant heading in the 

multiannual financial framework. 

Explain what reprogramming is required, specifying the budget lines concerned and the corresponding 
amounts. 

–    The  proposal/initiative  requires  application  of  the  flexibility  instrument  or 

revision of the multiannual financial framework. 

Explain what is required, specifying the headings and budget lines concerned and the corresponding 
amounts. 

3.2.5.  Third-party contributions  

–  X The proposal/initiative does not provide for co-financing by third parties.  

–  The proposal/initiative provides for the co-financing estimated below: 

Appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as necessary 
to show the duration of the 
impact (see point 1.6) 

Total 

Specify  the  co-financing 
body  

TOTAL appropriations 
co-financed  

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3. 

Estimated impact on revenue  

–  X  The proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue. 

–    The proposal/initiative has the following financial impact: 

 

 

on own resources  

on miscellaneous revenue  

Appropriation
s available for 
the current 
financial year 

Budget revenue line: 

Article …………. 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Impact of the proposal/initiative42 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

Enter as many years as necessary to show 
the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) 

For miscellaneous ‘assigned’ revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected. 

Specify the method for calculating the impact on revenue. 

42 

As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net 
amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 25 % for collection costs. 

EN 

30 

   EN