In April 2013, the European Commission published a call for proposals (EAC/S07/2013) in view to co-finance a European Platform for Festivals. This pilot project seeks to capitalise on the potential of festivals in order to maximise their contribution to various EU policies, including for instance innovation, social inclusion, education and intercultural dialogue. By promoting the visibility of Europe's unique values, the European Platform for festivals also seeks to increase the European dimension of festivals and through them, to reach a large number of citizens across Europe. The Commission received 12 applications which were evaluated by an evaluation committee, and, as announced in the call, selected one project: Europe for Festivals - Festivals for Europe (EFFE): A European Platform for Festivals, proposed by the European Festivals Association (EFA).

Project description and objectives

The EFFE platform aims to reward European cultural festivals for their outstanding contribution to European cultural life and their sustainable impact on societal development offering the EU an instrument to involve as many European cultural festivals as possible into a joint programme. It will identify and promote festivals’ best practices that reflect the values set by the EFFE work programme ultimately inspiring action and progress in all arts and cultural festivals. It will allow European citizens access to the information of a brand of top cultural festivals united in a European platform which will be communicated worldwide, in line with the European Agenda for Culture to promote Europe globally as a vibrant place of arts and culture.

Activities foreseen in the work programme of the EFFE platform include, amongst others:

• European Festival Label: granted to as many festivals as possible based on a number of criteria elaborated by the EFFE platform (inclusive)
• European Festival Award: given to a selected number of festivals who match a number of criteria set by the EFFE platform
• Biennial European Festival Award Gala: presents Award winners, Label recipients announced, launch of European Festival Guide
• European Festival Guide: publication in online/offline formats to promote labelled/awarded festivals
• Media Campaign: a comprehensive, international communication plan that covers all project phases
• Outreach Programme: promotes and reflects on award winning practices and includes a research project deepening, monitoring and evaluating the process and impact of EFFE
• Festival Hubs all over Europe and an International Festivals Jury of eminent arts/culture/business/political leaders will be established to steer the selection process of festivals. The extensive network of EFA will ensure its reach to the national level and multiply the results.

Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe: A European Platform for Festivals offers a possibility for the European Union to recognise and celebrate the inspirational work that festivals across Europe carry out every day.