European Funding Opportunities

This presentation outlines general information on the current opportunities for funding

projects, both in the Eurozone – by looking at project funding under the Culture

programme – and also briefly at the opportunities in Latin America which may be

relevant to delegates from this region.

The first mention of culture in an EU context was made in 1992 – the definition stresses

the importance of a European common cultural heritage and respect for national and

regional diversity, and the importance of co-operation with other countries, including

those outside the EU.

The Culture programme 2007 to 2013 has a budget of €408m. Its three main objectives

are to encourage the trans-national mobility of people, the circulation of works and

cultural and artistic projects, and intercultural dialogue (which was the focus of the 2008

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue).

The Culture programme offers three strands of support, the first strand being cultural

actions and projects including work with third countries, and also special actions (e.g.

Support for European Capitals of Culture). The second offers some support to key

European organisations – networks, festivals, cultural “ambassadors” and some “policy

platforms”. The third strand supports a range of communication and research activities.

Within the first strand, there are four sub-strands which provide support for projects:

Strand 1.1 supports multi-annual co-operation projects involving a minimum of 6

partners and lasting 3-5 years

Strand 1.2.1 supports co-operation projects involving a minimum of 3 partners

and lasting 1-2 years

Strand 1.2.2 supports literary translation projects

Strand 1.3 supports co-operation projects involving a minimum of 3 European

partners plus one or more partners in a third country (the eligible third countries

being nominated by the EC).

The types of projects supported by the Culture programme include performances and

exhibitions resulting from European cooperation between cultural operators or those

projects which encourage the mobility of artists, particularly when they are young

professionals. A particular focus is on training sessions for the exchange of knowledge,

cultural and artistic actions, promoting intercultural dialogue and those projects initiated

by non audiovisual culture industries.

Cultural areas covered by the funding include the visual arts (e.g. design, video art,

architecture, etc); performing arts (for example theatre, dance, music, street theatre

etc.) and cultural heritage (e.g. movable heritage, built heritage, non-material heritage,

historical archives and libraries, archaeological heritage, underwater heritage, cultural

sites and cultural landscapes).

The strategic target of the programme is to strengthen European cultural cooperation by

supporting cultural actions that can demonstrate strengths in the following key target

areas:

the extent to which the project can generate real European added value

the relevance of the activities to the specific objectives of the programme

the extent to which the activities proposed are designed and can be carried out

successfully with a high level of excellence

the quality of partnership between coordinator and co-organisers

the extent to which the results of activities proposed will be

appropriately communicated and promoted

the extent to which the activities can generate a long lasting

impact (sustainability)

The jury members will then award points in each of the above target areas in order to

arrive at the projects that will be selected for support.

This programme began on 1st January 2007. The latest Programme Guide was

announced in June 2008 as a standard text which will now not change until the end of

the programme at the end of 2013. Project deadlines are 1 October for co-operation and

multi-annual projects (strands 1.1 and 1.2.1), 1 February for literary translation projects,

and 1 May for projects involving third countries. Depending on the strand, the selection

process will take from 3-6 months.

In terms of partners required, the co-operation projects require a minimum of 3 partners

from 3 different countries – the co-operation projects with third countries also require 3

European partners plus at least one partner from the third country. The multiannual

projects (lasting 3-5 years) require a minimum of 6 partners, from 6 different countries.

Of these partners, one will take the role of lead organiser, and the others are known as

co-organisers.

What is meant by lead-organisers and co-organisers? Essentially a lead organiser has

the responsibility of being the legal co-signatory for any contracts awarded by the EC.

The lead partner carries out the overall coordinating role in the design and

implementation of the project. The co-organisers must come from one of the eligible

countries and should also help generate some of the match funding via their own

resources, grants or other sources. They should obviously have a real and genuine

involvement in the project design and implementation.

There is also scope for “associate” partner organisations who have no formal role in the

application, but who can participate in the activities. Associate partners can come from

the eligible countries but can also come from other parts of the world as well. These are

known as “non eligible / third country” (NETC) partners. A maximum of 15% of the

project costs can be spent on the costs of their involvement in the project.

There are a number of ways of finding partners, including via:

The many European cultural networks, listed at http://network.culture.info.

The various Cultural Contact Points / Technical Assistance Offices, listed at

http://ccp.culture.info

Key networks and organisations in specific EU countries – these can be

accessed via http://europe.culture.info

Partner search databases – there are links to these from www.culturefund.eu –

and EUCLID also operates a partners Bulletin Board: http://partners.culture.info

European officers within local authorities

The Brussels offices of UK regions and cities (listed at http://ukbo.culture.info)

EC organised meetings.

For organisations looking for funding, the following issues are key for consideration

while assessing the strength of the application, and before completing the form:

Is it European?

Is it culturally strong & significant?

Is it unique / new / different?

Is it a matter of presentation?

Results are what count.

For whom is the impact beneficial?

It must be stressed that the cultural impact is significant.

Must involve a strong partnership between countries

How does it link to broader EU goals and targets?

Looking at the key issues with partnerships: these should be strong between the

countries and reflect the commitment of the project to be European. The partnership

should be clear in its structure and therefore clear in the role of each partner, who

should bring new and different strengths to the project, while enabling each partner to

have a rough equivalent role. It is important to stress that although the lead partner has

more responsibility to help reach the project aims and objectives, there must be a

demonstration of collective ownership. Communication is vital between the partners

and this is also reflected in the application and the communication with supporting

bodies like the culture partners.

With regard to the financial aspects, the EC will contribute a maximum of 50%. For 1-2

year projects this amounts to between €50K and €200K overall, and up to €500K per

annum for 3-5 year projects.

It is in the applicants’ interest to be as accurate as possible at all sections of the

application. Projects cannot make a profit or surplus, and costs must be incurred during

the lifetime of the project. This can include a maximum 7% of "indirect" costs (i.e.

overheads). As mentioned earlier, activities in non-eligible third countries (NETCs) or

the involvement of individuals from NETCs can be covered up to a maximum of a 15%.

There can be a period of insecurity from the deadline until the notification of success or

otherwise - during this period it is important to try and avoid any financial risk by not

agreeing to any commitments until the results are announced – especially for the lead

organiser who is the legal signatory. Payments to partners (amounts and dates) should

be agreed with all partners and any plan should take into account the fact that the final

payment will come late – only after the final reports (including financial reports) have

been received and accepted by the Commission.

It is clearly stated that contributions in kind are excluded, however the costs of staff

seconded to the project are eligible, provided that the costs correspond to actual

salaries and statutory costs; that there is a revised job description and that the salary

records clearly show the split between real jobs and project work. It is not allowed to

record free donations as “in kind” contributions – rather 'cash must be seen to flow' with

real invoices being received and paid and real cash being received as donations or

sponsorship. Note that all other income does not have to be finally confirmed at the

time of the application, though it will need to be before the contract is signed and the

project can start. It is also suggested that extra materials and other "supporting

documentation" (e.g. letters of endorsement from locally important people – mayors,

MEPs, etc.) be included with the application.

The official Cultural Contact Point in the lead/co-lead country is available as often as is

needed to take questions and queries. It is advised to do this before filling the

application.

There are additional EU funding opportunities in ‘all developing countries’ - For the

period 2007-2013 the thematic programme 'Investing in People' contains a financial

envelope of € 50 million to support cultural actions. The focus for the programme is the

support of activities that supplement EC supported geographic cooperation and that

focus on existing country and regional programmes within third countries.

This thematic programme aims are reduction of poverty and for the improvement of

social cohesion. It supports activities under four pillars: 1. good health for all; 2.

education, knowledge and skills; 3. gender equality; and 4.other aspects of human and

social development (employment and social cohesion, children, youth and culture). The

last of these pillars is relevant to the cultural sector and includes activities to protect

cultural diversity.

A recent announcement of two national programmes for Latin America for the

programming period 2009-13. The first of these concerns the social impact of

Information and Communication Technology - partial financing available from the EU of

a total of €31m for ICT programmes.

The second national programme for Latin America is Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 (total

financing of over €950 million), a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of

higher education providing support to cultural exchange and those projects aiming at

enhancing the attractiveness, profile, visibility and image of European higher education

worldwide.

The EU External Assistance programmes include the Latin America region. Europeaid

(http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm) hosts a list of current calls for proposals

and procurement notices. Further information on external assistance and its relation to

culture is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/human-social-

development/culture/index_en.htm

EUCLID as UK Cultural Contact Point offers free advice and electronic resources and

provides regularly updated information regarding all aspects of the Culture programme.

The free electronic newsletter Alert! provides updated information on deadlines and

announcements for EU funding programmes – anyone can register for this via the

EUCLID website – www.euclid.info – and deadlines are also listed on

http://deadline.culture.info.

Presented by Michael Roach – 12/12/2008