1. 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

2. • 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)

3. 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:

4. • 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?

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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