Europe in the field of culture

The European Union’s institutions play an increasingly prominent role in the decision-making process of its member states. Therefore it is one of EFA's priorities to strengthen the relationship with these bodies including the representatives of the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission and the Committee on Education and Culture of the European Parliament.

The following provides a brief overview of documents, institutions and their activities in the field of culture, programmes etc.

Legal Documents

• The Communication European agenda for culture in a globalizing world (10 May 2007): founded on three common sets of objectives: cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue; culture as a catalyst for creativity; and culture as a key component in international relations.
• Commission Report on the implementation of the European Agenda for Culture (19 July 2010) and Commission Working Document "The European Agenda for Culture – progress towards shared goals" (accompanying document to the Commission Report on the implementation of the European Agenda for Culture)
• Treaty of Lisbon (December 2007): Article defining the European Union's action in the field of culture is Article 167 (previously Article 151)
• Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (March 2010)
• Library of policy documents of DG Education & Culture for more information

European Commission

• Directorate General for Education and Culture: The homepage of DG Education and Culture includes general information about the different programmes, actions, activities, publications and a link to the Directory of DG EAC.
• Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. Its role is to manage European funding opportunities and networks in the fields of education and training, citizenship, youth, audiovisual and culture (decision setting up the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency for the management of Community action in the fields of education, audiovisual and culture in application of Council Regulation (EC) No 58/2003 (2009/336/EC), repealing Decision 2005/56/EC).
• Website of the EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mrs Androulla Vassiliou: includes information on Mrs Vassiliou’s profile, mission and cabinet.
• Culture website of the European Commission: includes all information about the EU's cultural policy, programmes, actions, news, conferences etc.
• Website on the EU Culture Programme 2007-2013: includesinformation on the Union's current cultural funding programme.
• Cultural Contact Points: Cultural contact points have been established in the Member States and in most of the other countries taking part in the programme. They are responsible for promoting the programme, facilitating the participation of as many cultural professionals as possible, ensuring an exchange of information with national cultural institutions, maintaining contact between the participants in the various Community programmes.
• Culture Sector Platforms: In the framework of the European Agenda for Culture, the European Commission launched three cultural platforms: the Platform for Intercultural Europe; the Platform on Access to Culture; and the Platform on the Potential of Culture and Creative Industries. EFA is on the Board of the platform "Access to Culture" and leading the working group "Participation/Audience".
• European Capitals of Culture: website includes information on the programme including the Study on the European Cities and Capitals of Culture and the European Cultural Months (1995-2004) by Robert Palmer.
• European Culture Portal: The website informs about different cultural activities (music, dance, heritage restoration, etc.) as well as about Community action (cultural cooperation, funding for cultural facilities, international cooperation, etc.).

European Parliament

• Committee on Culture and Education: website includes the Committee's meeting calendar, hearings, adopted reports, the list of Members of the European Parliament involved in the Committee on Education and Culture etc.

Council of the European Union:

• Education, Youth and Culture Council of the European Union: The website includes press releases, meetings, links to the conclusions of the different Council meetings and an overview of future EU Presidencies.
• Council Conclusions on the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue in the external relations of the Union and its Member States.

Council of Europe

• The Council of Europe although not a European Union institution is the continent's oldest political organisation, founded in 1949. Its aim is, among others, to promote awareness of a European identity based on shared values and cutting across different cultures. Its activities in the field of cultural cooperation can be consulted at the Council's website.

European Cultural Foundation (ECF)

• Active in culture and the arts as well as the media, and with an impressive track record in education, the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) is Europe's only independent, non-national and pan-European cultural foundation. Have a look at the EFC website which informs you about events, grants, cultural policy, programmes etc.

Funding possibilities for Culture in other EU Programmes:

• EU Citizenship programme: promotes dialogue between different cultures in Europe and supports efforts to forge a common European identity
• Lifelong Learning programme: For instance, many projects funded under the Socrates programme and its predecessors have supported educational or training projects in the cultural field.
• New Youth in Action programme: promotes linguistic and cultural diversity.
• EU Structural Funds: Culture plays a key role in European economies, and there are many opportunities for the cultural sector, particularly when the project contributes to the development and social cohesion.
• Common Agricultural Policy: a cultural dimension under the ‘Leader +’ initiative to help rural communities make the best use of natural and cultural resources.
• MEDIA programme: Audiovisual works are a crucial channel for the transmission of our cultural, social and democratic values. The MEDIA programme aims to encourage the development of the European audiovisual industry.
• Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7): supports culture directly and indirectly through its various specific programmes, in particular in the realm of the social sciences and humanities.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.