Culture 2007-2013 programme

The Culture 2007 programme has now been finalised and set out below are the key features of the programme. Details of the criteria that will be used to award grants for EU cultural projects are expected to be finalised by the European Commission in the early autumn.

On this basis, organisations can start now to begin planning their project and finding partners. EUCLID, the UK contact point for EU cultural funding is encouraging organisations to start preparing their bids for the seven year programme. Organisations are strongly urged to do this as there is the possibility that the call may be announced with a very short timescale before the deadline, in order to try and "catch up" with the fact that the timetable is now running behind and especially as they will probably need to find partners.The first call for proposals under the new Culture 2007 programme is not expected until February 2007.

In summary, to be eligible for support from Culture 2007, projects will need to meet the following criteria:

• They can be focused on any cultural area - there are now no separate strands for different cultural areas - proposals can cover any cultural area, or can link together different cultural areas to generate unique and innovative projects
• They must have something uniquely European about them (i.e. not just a tour of a UK performance or exhibition)
• They must be developed and implemented by at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different eligible countries(currently the 25 Member States, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria and Romania – and also new "candidate countries" including Croatia and Turkey)
• They can last either for 1-2 years or, in exceptional cases, for 3-5 years
• They are likely to have a total budget of between €100-400,000 (1 year projects) or up to €1m per year (3-5 year projects)
• They can receive, from Culture 2007, a maximum of 50% of the total budget for the project
• They cannot spend project funds on buildings or buying new equipment - Culture 2007 can only fund projects

Background
The Council of Ministers has approved two new EU cultural programmes, Culture 2007 and Media 2007, with budgets of €400 million and €750 million respectively. The two programmes were rubber stamped by Ministers without debate and will both run for seven years.

The budget for Culture 2007 will be broken down as follows:

• funding for cultural activities - 77%;
• financing of cultural bodies active at EU level - 10%; and
• the collection and dissemination of information - 5%.

The Media 2007 programme, meanwhile, will provide aid for film and television productions, including the development and distribution of audiovisual works. It aims to preserve and enhance cultural diversity in the EU, to improve Europeans’ access to audiovisual culture, to increase the distribution of European productions within and beyond the EU and to boost the sector's competitiveness.

The budget for Media 2007 will be broken down as follows:

• distribution of audiovisual works - 55%;
• development of new films and television programmes - 20%;
• training of audiovisual staff - 7%;
• audiovisual pilot projects - 4%; and
• activities covering several of the above - 5%.

More information and advice is available online at:
http://www.culture2007.info

Euclid Cultur€uro Seminars
Cultur€uro Seminars will highlight not only current and future EU funding opportunities but also ways in which cultural organisations can build partnerships, access other European sources of funding and deal with the challenges of the latest EU rules and regulations. The seminars will encompass:

• A brief overview of the EU - knowing how it works can help you know what's in it
• A summary of EU funding programmes from 2007 including the new trans-national and Structural Funds, and - for the first time - summary information on new rural opportunities arising from the revised CAP regulations:
• An overview of non-EU opportunities, including European trusts and foundations, as well as bursaries, grants and awards
• Key requirements for EU programmes and tips for developing a proposal
• Tips for building partnerships across Europe, including inside advice on where and how to start, and to foster, new relationships

The seminars run from 2-5 pm (registration from 1.30pm). The cost to attend is £80 plus VAT (a total of £94).

The seminars will take place in 13 major cities across the UK including in Belfast at BelfastCity Council – 28 November 2006

For information, and to book a place, contact Peter Mok on 0700 038 2543, or e-mail peter@euclid.info

Alternatively to book online please click here

The Web site is at www.euclid.info