UE 2007 2013 Culture Program May 2010 en

CULTURE PROGRAMME
Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PROGRAMME GUIDE
CULTURE PROGRAMME (2007 – 2013)
May 2010
Directorate-General for Education and Culture

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
May 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE GENERAL ......................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER I Introduction...................................................................................... 6
I.1 Background .................................................................................................. 6

I.2 Purpose of the Programme Guide................................................................ 6
I.3 Objectives and strands of the culture programme ........................................ 8
I.3.1 Objectives of the programme ....................................................................... 8
I.3.2 Strands of the Programme ........................................................................... 8
I.4 Links with years devoted to specific themes at european level .................. 12
I.5 Who manages the Programme? ................................................................ 12
I.5.1 The European Commission........................................................................ 12
I.5.2 The Executive Agency................................................................................ 12
I.5.3 Cultural Contact Points............................................................................... 13
I.6 Budget........................................................................................................ 14
I.7 Calendar, 2008-2013.................................................................................. 15
CHAPTER II Application and Selection Procedure ......................................... 17
II.1 Submission of applications......................................................................... 17

II.2 Selection procedure ................................................................................... 18
II.2.1 Eligibility criteria common to all strands managed by the agency .............. 18
II.2.1.1 Countries taking part in the Programme..................................................... 18
II.2.1.2 Eligible applicants....................................................................................... 19
II.2.1.3 Other eligibility criteria ................................................................................ 19
II.2.1.4 Legal status ................................................................................................ 20
II.2.2 Exclusion criteria ........................................................................................ 21
II.2.3 Selection criteria......................................................................................... 22
II.2.3.1 Operational and financial capacity.............................................................. 22
II.2.3.2 External audit report to be submitted with the application .......................... 24
II.2.4 Award criteria ............................................................................................. 24
II.3 Consultation of the Programme Committee and the European Parliament 24
II.4 Award of grant ............................................................................................ 25
II.5 Publication of selection results ................................................................... 25
CHAPTER III Financial and other conditions.................................................... 26
III.1 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 26

III.1.1 Grant amount ............................................................................................. 26
III.1.2 Co-financing ............................................................................................... 26
III.1.3 No double financing.................................................................................... 26
III.1.4 Eligibility period – non-retroactivity ............................................................. 27
III.1.5 No-profit rule .............................................................................................. 27
III.1.6 Guarantee .................................................................................................. 28
III.2 Types of grants........................................................................................... 29
III.3 How the grant is calculated ........................................................................ 29
III.3.1 Budget-based financing.............................................................................. 29
III.3.1.1 Eligible costs .............................................................................................. 30
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III.3.2 Flat-rate financing....................................................................................... 33

III.4 Grant agreement or grant decision............................................................. 33
III.4.1 Grant agreement ........................................................................................ 33
III.4.2 Grant decision ............................................................................................ 34
III.4.3 Obligations arising from the grant agreement and grant decision .............. 34
III.4.4 Observance of deadlines............................................................................ 34
III.5 Implementation contracts / subcontracting ................................................. 34
III.6 Reporting obligations.................................................................................. 35
III.7 Certificate in respect of the final financial statements................................. 36
III.8 External audit report ................................................................................... 36
III.9 Payment procedures .................................................................................. 37
III.10 Audits ......................................................................................................... 38
III.11 Visibility, publicity, exploitation and dissemination of results ...................... 38
III.11.1 Visibility and publicity ................................................................................. 38
III.11.2 Exploitation and dissemination of results ................................................... 39
III.12 Search for partners and information on actions already financed .............. 40
III.13 Legal Basis................................................................................................. 40
PART TWO SPECIFIC STRANDS...................................................................... 41
CHAPTER IV Cooperation projects (Strand 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.3.5) ..................... 41
IV.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 41

IV.2 Submission of applications......................................................................... 42
IV.3 Specific eligibility criteria ............................................................................ 42
IV.3.1 Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1)........................................... 42
IV.3.1.1 Eligible applicants....................................................................................... 42
IV.3.1.2 Eligible projects .......................................................................................... 42
IV.3.2 Cooperation projects (Strand 1.2.1) ........................................................... 43
IV.3.3 Cooperation projects with third countries (Strand 1.3.5)............................. 43
IV.4 Selection criteria......................................................................................... 45
IV.5 What are the award criteria? ...................................................................... 45
IV.6 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 48
IV.7 Use of Grant Agreement or Grant Decision................................................ 48
IV.8 Payment arrangements .............................................................................. 48
IV.8.1 Pre-financing .............................................................................................. 48
IV.8.2 Final payment............................................................................................. 49
CHAPTER V Literary translation projects (Strand 1.2.2) ................................. 51
V.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 51

V.2 Submission of applications......................................................................... 51
V.3 Specific eligibility criteria ............................................................................ 51
V.3.1 Who is eligible to apply?............................................................................. 51
V.3.2 What projects are eligible? ......................................................................... 51
V.3.3 Eligible languages ...................................................................................... 52
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V.3.4 Documents to be submitted to comply with the eligibility criteria ................ 54

V.4 What are the award criteria? ...................................................................... 55
V.5 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 56
V.5.1 Flat-rate financing....................................................................................... 57
V.5.2 Budget-based financing for poetry only ...................................................... 59
V.6 Grant Agreement / Grant Decision ............................................................. 59
V.7 Payment arrangements .............................................................................. 59
V.7.1 Pre-financing .............................................................................................. 59
V.7.2 Final payment............................................................................................. 59
CHAPTER VI Support for European Cultural Festivals (Strand 1.3.6) ............. 61
VI.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 61

VI.2 Annual or multi-annual support .................................................................. 61
VI.3 Submission of applications......................................................................... 62
VI.4 Specific eligibility criteria ............................................................................ 62
VI.4.1 Eligible applicants....................................................................................... 62
VI.4.2 Eligible projects .......................................................................................... 62
VI.5 Selection criteria......................................................................................... 63
VI.6 What are the award criteria? ...................................................................... 63
VI.7 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 64
VI.8 Use of Grant Agreement or Grant Decision................................................ 65
VI.9 Payment arrangements .............................................................................. 65
VI.9.1 Pre-financing .............................................................................................. 65
VI.9.2 Final payment............................................................................................. 65
CHAPTER VII Support for organisations active at European level in the field of
culture (Strand 2)........................................................................... 66
VII.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 66

VII.1.1 Three categories ........................................................................................ 66
(a) Ambassadors ........................................................................................ 66
(b) Advocacy networks ............................................................................... 66
(c) Structured-dialogue platforms (restricted) ............................................. 66
VII.1.2 Annual or multi-annual support .................................................................. 68
VII.2 Submission of applications......................................................................... 68
VII.3 Specific eligibility criteria ............................................................................ 69
VII.3.1 Who is eligible to apply?............................................................................. 69
VII.4 What are the award criteria? ...................................................................... 70
VII.5 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 75
VII.5.1 Limitation of budget increases in relation to previous financial years ......... 75
VII.5.2 Ceilings ...................................................................................................... 75
VII.5.3 Gradual reduction of operating grants (degressivity rule)........................... 76
VII.6 How the grant is calculated ........................................................................ 76
VII.6.1 Flat-rate financing....................................................................................... 77
VII.6.2 Budget-based financing.............................................................................. 80
VII.7 Payment arrangements .............................................................................. 80
VII.7.1 Pre-financing .............................................................................................. 80
VII.7.2 Final Payment ............................................................................................ 80
CHAPTER VIII Cooperation projects between organisations involved in
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cultural policy analysis (Strand 3.2) ............................................ 82
VIII.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 82

VIII.2 Submission of applications......................................................................... 83
VIII.3 Specific eligibility criteria ............................................................................ 83
VIII.3.1 Eligible applicants....................................................................................... 83
VIII.3.2 Eligible projects .......................................................................................... 84
VIII.4 Selection criteria......................................................................................... 84
VIII.5 What are the award criteria? ...................................................................... 84
VIII.6 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 87
VIII.7 Use of Grant Agreement or Grant Decision................................................ 87
VIII.8 Payment arrangements .............................................................................. 88
VIII.8.1 Pre-financing .............................................................................................. 88
VIII.8.2 Final payment............................................................................................. 88
CHAPTER IX Glossary (key words) .................................................................... 89
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PART ONE GENERAL
CHAPTER I Introduction
I.1 Background
Culture is a relatively new sphere of action for the European Union (EU), at least
from a legal standpoint: the legal basis for EU action in this field was only introduced
in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty.1 This action is aimed at encouraging and
supporting cooperation within Europe in order to bring the European common cultural
heritage to the fore.
The European Commission (hereafter ‘the Commission’) encourages culture2 in two

ways:
– through policies, chiefly cultural policy,3 but also by mainstreaming the cultural
dimension in other areas of EU interest such as for instance in competition or
industrial policy;
– and through financial support, primarily via the Culture Programme (2007-
2013)4 (hereafter ‘the Programme’), but also via other actions such as for
example within the framework of regional policy.5
The two aspects are closely linked as the Programme has been designed to serve
policy development in the cultural field and ultimately to promote common cultural
values aiming to enhance the cultural heritage shared by Europe’s peoples.
This Programme Guide focuses on most parts of the Culture Programme, all other
EU actions or activities are outside its remit. It applies from the day of its publication6
on the Education Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency’s website7 (hereafter
‘the Executive Agency’). The English version is the original text. The Commission
reserves the right to amend the Programme Guide as appropriate to take account,
inter alia, of the Commission’s work programme and the EU Council’s Work Plan on
culture. Any updated version will be published on the Executive Agency’s website.
I.2 Purpose of the Programme Guide

This Programme Guide aims to assist all those interested in developing projects or
receiving financial support for their permanent activities within the Culture
1
Article 151b of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
2
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
3
Culture policy website: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-policy-development/doc397_en.htm
4
Established for the period 2007-2013 by European Parliament/Council Decision No 1855/2006/EC of
12 December 2006 and published in the EU Official Journal, L 372 on 27 December 2006.
5
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm
6
The announcement of the Programme Guide is published in the EU Official Journal: C 141/27 of
7.6.2008.
7
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm
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May 2010
Programme (2007-2013). It helps them understand both the objectives and the
strands of the Programme and therefore the types of activities that can (or cannot) be
supported.
It also seeks to give detailed information on what is needed to apply and what level of
grant can be offered.
The guide offers an explanation of the selection procedure and of general rules
relevant to those applications for EU grants that are selected at the end of this
procedure.
Based on the above, this guide contains all the essential conditions to apply for
funding under the Culture Programme,8 thus providing cultural operators with the
whole set of funding opportunities under this Programme until 2013.
Secondly, in the interests of stability and predictability, this guide includes a Calendar
for the submission and assessment of applications, which shall be valid for the entire
duration of the Programme. This will facilitate more effective and longer-term
planning for organisations interested in developing activities under this Programme.
Thirdly, the guide incorporates all the simplification measures that have been
introduced in the current Culture Programme. At the same time, it provides a detailed
and stable definition of all requirements each type of project is supposed to match.
The applicability of this guide, however, is subject to fulfilment of the following

conditions:
– adoption by the Commission of the annual work programme for the Culture
Programme, following its transmission to the Programme Committee;
– adoption by the European Parliament and Council of the funding required for
the Culture Programme in the framework of the annual budget of the
European Union.
This guide also groups together the Programme’s features that are common to all
strands and so provides a better overview of how each strand relates to the
Programme’s general objectives.
All forms or documents needed to apply for funding can be downloaded via the
Internet addresses provided in the relevant Chapters of this guide for ease of access
for applicants.
8
As an exception, one or more calls for proposal might still be published separately for specific actions
not covered by this Programme Guide or integrated in subsequent versions of this Guide.
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I.3 Objectives and strands of the Culture Programme
I.3.1 Objectives of the Programme

The Programme has been established to enhance the cultural area shared by
Europeans, which is based on a common cultural heritage, through the development
of cooperation activities among cultural operators from countries taking part in the
Programme,9 with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship.
The Programme is aimed at three specific objectives:

– promotion of the trans-national mobility of people working in the cultural
sector;
– support for the trans-national circulation of cultural and artistic works and
products;
– promotion of inter-cultural dialogue.
The Programme has a flexible, interdisciplinary approach and is focused on the
needs expressed by cultural operators during the public consultations leading up to
its design.
The activities supported within the Programme belong to three main typologies,
which correspond to the strands of the Programme. They are outlined in Part Two of
this guide, which lists all criteria and application requirements.
A short description of each strand is provided hereafter.
I.3.2 Strands of the Programme
Support for cultural projects (Strand 1)

Cultural organisations are given support for projects to work together across borders
and to create and implement cultural and artistic activities.
The thrust of this strand is to help organisations, such as theatres, museums,
professional associations, research centres, universities, cultural institutes and public
authorities from different countries participating in the Programme to cooperate so
that different sectors can work together and extend their cultural and artistic reach
across borders.
This strand is divided into five categories, which are detailed below.
Strand 1.1: Multi-annual cooperation projects (lasting from a minimum of

36 months to a maximum of 60 months)
The first category seeks to foster multi-annual, trans-national cultural links by

encouraging a minimum of six cultural operators from at least six countries taking
part in the Programme to cooperate and work within and across sectors to develop
9
See Chapter II.2.1.1 for the list of eligible countries.
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joint cultural activities over a period of three to five years. Funds of between a
minimum of EUR 200 000 and a maximum of EUR 500 000 per year are available,
but EU support is limited to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost. The funding
is intended to help set up or extend the geographical reach of a project and make it
sustainable beyond the funding period.
Strand 1.2.1: Cooperation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)
The second category concerns actions shared by at least three cultural operators,
working within and across sectors, from at least three countries taking part in the
Programme over a maximum period of two years. Actions that explore means of
long-term cooperation are especially targeted. Funds ranging from a minimum of
EUR 50 000 and a maximum of EUR 200 000 are available, but EU support is limited
to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost.
Strand 1.2.2: Literary translation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)
The third category concerns support for translation projects. EU support for Literary
Translation is aimed at enhancing knowledge of the literature and literary heritage of
fellow Europeans by way of promoting the circulation of literary works between
countries. Publishing houses can be awarded grants for translations and publication
of works of fiction from one European language into another European language.
Funds of between EUR 2.000 and EUR 60 000 are available, but EU support is
limited to a maximum of 50% of the total eligible cost.
Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation projects with Third Countries (lasting up to twenty-

four months)
The fourth category seeks to support cultural cooperation projects aimed at cultural
exchanges between the countries taking part in the Programme and Third Countries,
which have concluded association or cooperation agreements with the EU, provided
that the latter contain cultural clauses. Every year one or more Third Country(ies)
is/are selected for that particular year. The country(ies) is/are indicated each year on
the website of the Executive Agency at the latest 4 months before the deadline for
submission indicated in Chapter I.7.
The action must generate a concrete international cooperation dimension. The
cooperation projects involve at least three cultural operators, from at least three
countries taking part in the Programme and cultural cooperation with at least one
organisation from the selected Third Country and involve cultural activities carried out
in the selected Third Country. Funds of between EUR 50 000 and a maximum of
EUR 200 000 are available, but the ceiling for support from the European Union is
limited to 50% of the total eligible costs.
Strand 1.3.6: Support for European cultural festivals:
The aim of this strand is to support festivals having a European dimension and
contributing to the general objectives of the Programme (ie mobility of professionals,
circulation of works and intercultural dialogue).
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The maximum amount of the grant is 100.000 €, representing maximum 60% of the
eligible costs. The support can be granted for one edition of the festival or for three
editions.
Strand 2: Support for organisations active at European level in the field of

culture
Cultural organisations working, or wanting to work, at European level in the field of

culture can receive support for their operating costs.
The grant awarded under this strand is designed to assist with operating costs
incurred by these beneficiary organisations in implementing their work programmes.
This profoundly differs from any other grants, which may be awarded under the other
strands of the Programme. A more detailed description of support to operating costs
and project grants is provided in Chapter III.2.
Three categories of organisations are eligible under this strand (a more detailed
description of each category is provided in Chapter VII):
a) Ambassadors
b) Advocacy networks
c) Structured dialogue platforms
The maximum amount of grants that are available varies from EUR 100 000 and
EUR 600 000, depending on the category applied for, but EU support is limited to a
maximum of 80% of the total eligible costs or of the costs estimated in the proposed
work programme (see Chapter VII.5.2 for support ceilings).
Strand 3: Support for analyses and for the collection and dissemination of
information and for maximising the impact of projects in the field of cultural
cooperation
Support from the European Union is available for analysis and dissemination
activities that help collect and research results in response to the need for strong
quantitative evidence in the cultural sector and evaluate them in the light of the
objectives of the Programme. There is also a need to provide information about the
Culture Programme to artists and cultural organisations more locally. In this respect
Cultural Contact Points10 are funded in all countries taking part in the Programme.
The Programme supports the carrying out of studies and analyses in the field of
European cultural cooperation and European cultural policy development. The aim of
this support is to increase the volume and quality of information and data to develop
comparative data and analysis on cultural cooperation at European level, particularly
with regard to the mobility of creators and cultural players, the circulation of works of
art and artistic and cultural products and intercultural dialogue.
The Programme also supports the collection and dissemination of information and
activities aimed at maximising the impact of projects. It promotes the exchange of
10
See Chapter I.5.3 for more details.
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experience and good practice and the dissemination of information concerning the
Programme as well as trans-European cultural cooperation in the broad sense.
Strand 3.2: Co-operation projects between organisations involved in cultural

policy analysis
This category seeks to support cooperation projects between private or public

organisations (such as cultural departments of national, regional or local authorities,
cultural observatories or foundations, university departments specialised in cultural
affairs, professional organisations and networks) which have direct and practical
experience in the analysis, evaluation, or impact assessment of cultural policies at
local, regional, national and/or European levels, related to one or more of the 3
objectives of the European Agenda for culture11:
- Promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;
- Promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon
Strategy for growth and jobs;
- Promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union's international relations,
implementing the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the
Diversity of Cultural Expressions.12
Actions must involve at least three organisations legally established in at least three
countries taking part in the Programme.
The maximum amount of the grant is 120.000€ a year, representing maximum 60%
of the eligible costs.
Support can be given to the following activities:
secretariat and coordination of the grouping
exchange, analysis, comparison and consolidation of existing quantitative and
qualitative data and evaluation methods;
production of proposals and recommendations for new evaluation methods or
quantitative and qualitative data. The launching of new specific studies or data
collections is not covered.
reporting and dissemination of findings at the level of the European Union.
11
See the Communication on European agenda for culture in a globalizing world, COM (2007) 2004
final. http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/culture/l29019_en.htm
12
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=31038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
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I.4 Links with years devoted to specific themes at European level

The Programme also aims to build links with the activities related to years that are
devoted to a specific theme at European level.
2010 : Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
2011: Year of Volunteering
I.5. Who manages the Programme?
I.5.1 The European Commission
The Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) is responsible for the
Programme and directly manages some of its activities. Responsibility for most
activities, however, is delegated to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive
Agency13, which is also based in Brussels, Belgium. The Executive Agency operates
under the supervision of the Commission.
The following activities, all falling under Strand 1.3 of the Programme, and Strand 3.3
for the last one, are managed directly by the Commission and do not form part of this
guide. Specific guidelines for these activities are available on the Commission's
website (please refer to the footnotes for the relevant webpages):
– support for the European Capitals of Culture,14
– awarding of European prizes in the cultural field,15
– support for cooperation with international organisations,16
– special actions,17
– support for the collection and dissemination of information and for maximising
the impact of projects in the field of cultural cooperation (Strand 3.3).18
I.5.2 The Executive Agency
All other activities within the Programme, as listed here below, are implemented by
the Executive Agency. They are all governed by this guide except the support for
cultural contact points and the support for analyses in the field of cultural cooperation
(strand 3.2).
13
Commission decision of 26.04.2007 delegating powers to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture
Executive Agency with a view to performance of tasks linked to the implementation of Community
programmes in the fields of education, audiovisual and culture including in particular the
implementation of appropriations entered in the Community budget N° C(2007) 1842, such as
modified the 26th May 2008.
14
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc413_en.htm
15
16
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-policy-development/doc403_en.htm
17
18
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– Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1 – see Chapter IV for more

details)
– Cooperation projects (Strand 1.2.1 – see Chapter IV for more details)
– Literary translation projects (Strand 1.2.2 – see Chapter V for more details)
– Cooperation projects with Third Countries (Strand 1.3.5 – see Chapter IV for
more details)
– Support for European cultural festivals (Strand 1.3.6) (see Chapter VI for more
details)
– Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture
(Strand 2) (see Chapter VII for more details)
– Support for Cultural Contact Points (Strand 3.1)
– Support for analyses in the field of cultural cooperation (Strand 3.2)
– Co-operation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy
analysis (Strand 3.2) (see Chapter VIII for more details)
I.5.3 Cultural Contact Points
As implementation of the Programme is centralised, it is important to provide at the

national level information and guidance to those interested in applying under this
Programme.
While this guide is meant to respond to general information needs, the Cultural
Contact Points have been established in all countries taking part in the Programme to
provide those organisations wishing to apply with the necessary guidance on the
Programme's functioning and concrete assistance in preparing their applications.
They are responsible for promoting the Programme and facilitating access to it, in
order to ensure targeted, effective grass-roots dissemination of practical information
on its implementation, its activities and funding possibilities.
Co-financed by both the Culture Programme and each participating country, those
Contact Points also help project promoters in their dissemination activities.
A list of Contact Points can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/annexes-culture/doc1232_en.htm
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I.6 Budget
The Programme has a total budget of EUR 400 million19 for the 2007-2013 period.
Total yearly appropriations, including for those actions that do not form part of this
guide, may vary from around EUR 43 million to about EUR 58 million, depending on
the year.
On a proposal by the Commission the annual budget breakdown per strand (in line
with the approximations indicated hereafter) is approved by the Programme
Committee. Over the whole duration of the Programme, approximately 77% of the
total budget is intended to be devoted to Strand 1, 10% to Strand 2 and around 5% to
Strand 3. The remaining appropriations are allocated to cover the Programme's
general, administrative and technical expenses.
The award of grants is conditional to the adoption of the annual budget from the
budgetary authority for the various strands mentioned in this guide. The annual
breakdown of funds will be published on the website of the Executive Agency as
soon as adopted.
19
Non-EU countries taking part in the Programme also contribute to the Programme's budget.
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I.7. Calendar, 2008-2013

The deadlines for submission of applications cover the entire period of the
Programme and are scheduled as follows:
Action Deadline for Publication of Starting date Duration

submission selection
results
no later than
Strand 1.1 1 October of 31 March of year Between 1 May Min. 36 months to
Multi-annual cooperation projects year n n+1 of year n+1 and 30 max. 60 months
12:00 CEST April of year n+2
Strand 1.2.1 1 October of 28 Fébruary of Between 1 May Max. 24 months
Cooperation projects year n year n+1 of year n+1 and 30
12:00 CEST April of year n+2
Strand 1.2.2 3 February of 31 July of year n Between Max. 24 months
Literary translation projects year n 1 September
of year n and
31 August of year
n+1
Strand 1.3.5 3 May of year n 31 August of year n Between Max. 24 months
Cooperation projects with Third 12:00 CEST 1 November of year
Countries* n and 31 October of
*the selected Third Countries will be year n+1
announced every year on the Executive
Agency's website
Strand 1.3.6 15 November of 31 March of year One edition of the Max. 12 months
Support to European cultural year n n+1 supported festival,
festivals taking place
between 1 May
of year n+1 and 30
April of year n+2
Strand 1.3.6 15 November 31 March 2011 Three editions of 3X12 months

Framework partnership (3 years) for 2010 the supported
European cultural festivals festival, taking place
between 1 May
2011 and 30 April
2013
Strand 2 15 September of 28 February of year Financial year n+1 The financial year
Annual operating grant for year n n+1
organisations active at European 12:00 CEST
level in the field of
Culture: a) Ambassadors;
b) Advocacy networks; c) Platforms.
Strand 2 15 September 28 February 2011 Financial year 2011 Financial years

Framework partnership 2010 2011-2013
(3 years) for organisations active at
European level in the field of
culture: a) Ambassadors;
b) Advocacy networks; c) Platforms.
Strand 3.2 1 October of 28 February of Between 1 May Min 12 months to
Cooperation projects between year n year n+1 of year n+1 and 30 Max. 24 months
organisations involved in cultural 12:00 CEST April of year n+2
policy analysis
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If the deadline for submission falls on a weekend or public holiday in the applicant's
country, no extension will be granted, and applicants must take this into account
when planning their submission.
During the period between the deadline for submission of applications and the
publication of selection results the following procedures take place:
– assessment and selection of applications;

– for Strand 1.1 only, consultation, within the Programme Committee and the
European Parliament, of representatives from the countries taking part in the
Programme regarding the selection results, a process which takes a minimum
of six weeks.
Only after those procedures can the applicants be informed about the outcome of the
selection process (see Chapter II.5).
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CHAPTER II Application and selection procedure
II.1 Submission of applications
On-line application system for strand 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.5 and 2
For strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.5 and 2 an online application system has been set
up. Proposals must be submitted by the deadline set for each of these strands, 12.00
CEST (see the calendar in Chapter I.7), using the online application form, which is
accessible on the website of the Executive Agency. In addition, the application
package must be sent by surface mail by the deadline (date as postmark).
The application package has to include the paper copy of the online application form
as well as the relevant mandatory annexes. Application packages are not returned at
the end of the selection procedure.
Paper application form only for strands 1.3.6 and 3.2
For Strands 1.3.6 and 3.2, the online application form is not available. The paper
application form must be used.
The paper application form must be downloaded from the website of the Agency and
sent together with the related annexes by the deadline for Strand 1.3.6 and 3.2 (date
as postmark) to the Agency by surface mail.
For all strands, the application packages (strands for which there is an online
application system) or the paper application form (strands 1.3.6 and 3.2 only) must
be sent by post (date as postmark), by express courier service (as proved by the
registered delivery receipt of the mail service), or delivered in person, by applicants
themselves not later than 16.00 on the set deadline. In this case, a receipt must be
obtained as proof of submission, signed and dated by the official in the central mail
department who took delivery. This department is open from 08.00 to 17.00 from
Monday to Thursday and from 08.00 to 16.00 on Friday; it is closed on Saturdays,
Sundays and Commission holidays.20
No changes to the dossier can be made after the deadline for the submission of
applications. However, if there is a need to clarify certain aspects, the Executive
Agency may contact the applicant for this purpose.
20
1 January (New Year's Day), 2 January (day after New Year's Day), Easter Monday, 1 May (Labour
Day), 9 May (Europe Day), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, 21 July (Belgian National Holiday),
15 August (Assumption Day), 1 November (All Saints' Day), 24 December (p.m. – Christmas Eve),
25 December (Christmas Day), 31 December (New Year's Eve).
17
May 2010
Address to which the application package must be sent (or delivered in person):
Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency

Culture Programme (2007–2013)
Programme Strand _______ → [please indicate here strand name and number on which you apply]
Avenue du Bourget 1
(BOUR 04/13)
B – 1140 Brussels
Belgium
II.2 Selection procedure

The awarding of grants from the European Union is subject to the principles of
transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination. On this premise, specific sets
of criteria have been defined with a view to ensuring a transparent selection
procedure (i.e. eligibility criteria, exclusion criteria, selection criteria, award criteria.
Throughout the selection procedure, information about the outcome of individual
applications may not be given.
Proposals are assessed in accordance with a general procedure, which is completed
through the following steps.
II.2.1 Eligibility criteria common to all strands managed by the Agency

Proposals are first assessed to ensure that they fully comply with the eligibity criteria
that apply to all strands of the Programme as well as with the specific eligibility
criteria applicable to each strand.
The following paragraphs describe the eligibility criteria that apply to all strands of the
Programme. Please refer to the appropriate chapters for the list of criteria that apply
to each strand.
II.2.1.1 Countries taking part in the Programme

To be eligible, applicants must have their head office in one of the countries taking
part in the Programme.
The countries taking part in the Programme are:
– the Member States of the European Union,21

– the countries of the EEA22 (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway);
– the applicant countries for accession to the European Union (Croatia, Turkey,
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoni(a), Serbia and Montenegro.
21
The following are the 27 Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
22
European Economic Area.
18
May 2010
In the Western Balkans Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina may become eligible in
future, provided they conclude a memorandum of understanding laying down details
of their respective participation in the Programme.23
Countries that do not feature in the above list of countries taking part in the
Programme are categorised as ‘Third Countries’.
II.2.1.2 Eligible applicants
The Programme is open to the participation of all categories of cultural operators,

insofar as the organisations are acting in a non-profit-making capacity.
Audiovisual cultural industries and activities (including film festivals), already covered
by the MEDIA Programme, are not eligible under the Culture Programme.
However, organisations having their main activity in the audiovisual sector and acting
in a non-profit-making capacity are eligible under strand 2 of the Culture Programme,
category "Networks", as no such support exists under the MEDIA Programme.
II.2.1.3 Other eligibility criteria

A proposal is eligible if (for strands 1.3.6 and 3.2 see below):
– it is submitted online and the application package is sent by surface mail no
later than the deadline for submission of proposals shown in the Calendar set
out in Chapter I.7 (date as postmark or mail service stamp); proposals sent by
fax or e-mail are not eligible;
– it is written in one of the official languages of the EU;24
N.B. However, for the purpose of speeding up the assessment procedure (and
with no prejudice whatsoever to the assessment itself), it is recommended that
applications be submitted in one of the three working languages of the
Commission (English, French or German);
– it is submitted using the online application form (e-form),

– the application package contains the signed requested attachments (original
signatures of the person authorised to enter into legally binding commitment
on behalf of the applicant organisations), an official cover letter, the printed
online application form, all annexes to the application form and the requested
supporting documents; proposals that are not complete and valid (i.e. original
documents missing) by the prescribed submission deadline are not eligible.
23
More information on developments relating to these ‘Third Countries’ is published on the Executive
Agency website at http://eacea.ec.europa.eu
24
These are listed at http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/languages/index_en.htm
19
May 2010
A project submitted under strands 1.3.6 or 3.2 is eligible if:
– it is sent no later than the deadline for submission of proposals shown in the
Calendar set out in Chapter I.7 (date as postmark or mail service stamp);
proposals sent by fax or e-mail are not eligible;
– it is written in one of the official languages of the EU;25
N.B. However, for the purpose of speeding up the assessment procedure (and
with no prejudice whatsoever to the assessment itself), it is recommended that
applications be submitted in one of the three working languages of the
Commission (English, French or German);
– it is submitted using the official application form, duly completed and signed as
required (original signatures of the person authorised to enter into legally
binding commitment on behalf of the applicant organisations); handwritten
proposals are not eligible;
- it contains an official cover letter, the original application form, all annexes to
the application form and the requested supporting documents; proposals that
are not complete and valid (i.e. original documents missing) by the prescribed
submission deadline are not eligible.
If any of the above conditions are not met by the deadline set for submission of
proposals, the application is considered ineligible and is thus excluded from the
selection process.
The Executive Agency reserves the right to reject any incomplete proposal.
II.2.1.4 Legal status
In order to demonstrate that their legal status is eligible, applicants must provide the
following documents together with the application form:
Legal entities governed by public law

the Legal Entity identification form* duly completed and signed
a copy of the official document attesting to the establishment of the public-law
entity, such as the legal instrument, statutory decree or decision
25
These are listed at http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/languages/index_en.htm
20
May 2010
Legal entities governed by private law

the Legal Entity identification form* duly completed and signed26
a copy of the official document attesting to the establishment of the private-
law entity, such as official journal or trade register (this document must show
the name, address and registration number of the private-law entity)
a copy of the certificate of liability to VAT (in countries where the trade
register number and the VAT number are identical, only one of these
documents is required)
articles of association
* Legal Entity identification forms may be downloaded at the following address:
http://www.ec.europa.eu/budget/execution/legal_entities_en.htm
II.2.2 Exclusion criteria
Applicants must state that they are not in any of the situations described in Articles
93(1), 94 and 96(2)(a) of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of
the European Union27 (hereafter ‘the Financial Regulation’) set out below.
Applicants are excluded from participating in the Programme if they are in any of the
following situations:
– they are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by
the courts, have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended
business activities, are the subject of proceedings concerning those matters,
or are in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for
in national legislation or regulations;
– they have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct
by a judgment which has the force of res judicata;
– they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means
which the contracting authority can justify;
– they have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security
contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions
of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the
26
Please do not indicate any VAT number if you are not subject to VAT.
27
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 as amended.
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/budget/index_en.htm
21
May 2010
contracting authority or those of the country where the contract is to be

performed;
– they have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata
for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal
activity detrimental to the EU financial interests;
– they are subject to an administrative penalty referred to in Article 96(1) of the
Financial Regulation.
Applicants cannot be granted financial support if, on the date of the grant award
procedure, they:
– are subject to a conflict of interests

– are guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the
contracting authority as a condition of participation in the grant award
procedure, or fail to supply this information;
– find themselves in one of the situations of exclusion, referred to in Article 93(1)
of the Financial Regulation, for this grant award procedure;
– and they are subject to the penalty consisting in the exclusion from contracts
and grants financed by the budget for a maximum period of ten years.
In accordance with Articles from 93 to 96 of the Financial Regulation, administrative

and financial penalties may be imposed on applicants who are guilty of
misrepresentation or are found to have seriously failed to meet their contractual
obligations under a previous contract award procedure.
By signing their application, applicants certify that they are not in any of the situations
referred to in Articles 93(1), 94 and 96(2)(a) of the Financial Regulation.
II.2.3 Selection criteria
II.2.3.1 Operational and financial capacity

Proposals which comply with the eligibility and exclusion criteria are subject to an in-
depth evaluation on the basis of the operational and financial capacity of the
applicant organisations.
This makes it possible to assess whether:
– the applicant organisations have the professional skills and qualifications to

complete the proposed activities (operational capacity).
22
May 2010
For that purpose, applicants must submit:
an activity report covering the past two years (approximately ten pages per
activity report)28;
the curriculum vitae of the person(s) responsible for the overall

coordination/implementation of the proposed action on behalf of each
organisation involved or for the implementation of the work Programme of
the organisation (maximum four pages per curriculum vitae).
- the applicant organisations have stable and sufficient financial resources to

maintain the proposed activities throughout the duration of the project or the
year for which the grant is awarded, and to participate in their funding
(financial capacity).
For that purpose, applicants must submit:
the Financial Identification form duly completed and certified by the

bank (original signatures required).
This document can be downloaded at the following address:

http://ec.europa.eu/budget/execution/ftiers_en.htm
the Financial Capacity form for their country.
This document can be downloaded at the following address (please

refer to each specific Strand on this web site):
for applications for action grants exceeding EUR 25 000, the

balance sheet as well as the profit and loss account for the last
financial year for which the accounts have been closed (these
should not be more than 18 months old).
for applications for operating grants, the balance sheet as well as

the profit and loss account for the last financial year for which the
accounts have been closed (these should not be more than 18
months old).
The last two requirements do not apply to public organisations and

international organisations under public law established by intergovernmental
agreements and specialist agencies created by such organisations.
28
The official activity report is sufficient. Applicants are recommended to submit a summary in English,
French or German for the purpose of speeding up its assessment in cases where the activity report is
in another official language of the European Union.
23
May 2010
II.2.3.2 External audit report to be submitted with the application
Grant for projects (Strand 1)
If the amount of the requested European Union grant is EUR 500 000 or more, the
application must also be accompanied by an audit report produced by an approved
external auditor, certifying the accounts for the last available year (these should not
in any circumstances be more than 18 months old).
This applies to the applicant’s (coordinator’s) accounts only (balance sheet and profit
and loss account).
Operating grants (Strand 2)
If the amount of the requested operating grant is EUR 100 000 or more, the
application must also be accompanied by an audit report produced by an approved
external auditor, certifying the accounts for the last available year (these should not
in any circumstances be more than 18 months old).
N.B. This requirement does not apply to public organisations and international
organisations under public law, to establishments of secondary or higher education
or, in the case of agreements involving several beneficiaries, to beneficiaries with
joint and several liability.
II.2.4 Award criteria
The award criteria form the basis for assessing the artistic and cultural quality of the
proposals in relation to the general and specific objectives of the Programme as well
as the focus and characteristics of each strand. The award criteria are defined for
each strand (see Part Two).
Eligible proposals are assessed by an evaluation committee. The evaluation
committee is composed of Executive Agency and Commission officials and is
assisted by independent experts from the countries taking part in the Programme.29
The evaluation committee makes a proposal for the distribution of the grants. It
proposes a list of organisations or projects meriting a grant on the basis of their
assessment score and of the available budgetary resources.
II.3 Consultation of the Programme Committee and the European Parliament

In the case of projects relating to Strand 1.1, all selections, the list of co-financing
proposals is submitted to the Programme Committee, composed of representatives
of the eligible countries, for their opinion and is subsequently transmitted to the
European Parliament so that the latter can exercise its right of scrutiny.
This consultation process takes a minimum of six weeks.
29
The independent experts are selected on the basis of an open call for expression of interest.
24
May 2010
II.4 Award of grant

Only after completion of the procedure mentioned above, is the selection process
finalised and can the list of proposals selected for co-financing be published.
Up to the limits of funds available, eligible proposals with the highest score receive a
grant.
Selected applicants receive a Grant Agreement / Grant Decision quoting the amount
of the grant awarded by the European Union and setting out the conditions under
which the grant is awarded (for more information on the Grant Agreement / Grant
Decision please refer to Chapter III.4).
II.5 Publication of selection results

The list of selected proposals is published on the website of the Executive Agency:
Unsuccessful applicants receive a letter stating the score of their proposal and the
reasons why their application was not selected.
25
May 2010
CHAPTER III Financial and other conditions
III.1 Financial conditions
As with all grants from the European Union, financial contributions awarded under
the Culture Programme are subject to the provisions of the Financial Regulation. The
application of these provisions is compulsory.
The present chapter sets out the rules which apply to all grants under the Culture
Programme.
In Part Two, you can find more specific rules, which additionally apply to all grants
awarded under each individual strand.
III.1.1 Grant amount
Under no circumstances will the amount awarded exceed the amount applied for.
The amount granted by the Grant Agreement / Grant Decision is a maximum, which
cannot be increased in any circumstances.
The final amount of the grant is calculated after assessment of the final report and
can be reduced on inspection of the actual implementation of the action.
The beneficiary’s bank account, and that of the co-organiser, where applicable, must
make it possible to identify sums paid by the Executive Agency.
III.1.2 Co-financing
The EU grant cannot finance the entire costs of the action. Applicants must show
their commitment to the action by finding additional financing sources other than the
EU grant. This can be done, for example, by fund-raising activities, by adding own
resources, or by requesting grants from other organisations (e.g. local, regional or
national authorities, foundations, etc.). Proof of co-financing must be included in the
final report. Grants awarded at a flat rate (see Chapter III.3) are not affected by this
rule.
III.1.3 No double financing
Each individual action is entitled to receive one, and only one, grant from the budget.
of the European Union. An organisation may be awarded only one operating grant
per financial year.
Organisations which have applied or plan to apply for another grant from the
European Union under the Culture Programme or under any other programme of the
European Union should indicate this clearly in their application and must inform the
Executive Agency of the outcome of their parallel application.
If an organisation receives an operating grant and wishes to receive a project grant
too, a distinction must be made between two kinds of configuration:
26
May 2010
1. The organisation is proposing the implementation of a specific project beyond the

scope of the work programme on the basis of which the operating grant has been
awarded and possesses administrative and accounting resources that will enable it to
manage both operations reliably and identifiably.
In this case, the costs borne by the organisation in the performance of its diverse
activities are assigned, depending on their purpose, to either the operating budget or
the specific project budget. Costs arising from general expenditure, however, cannot
ever be imputed to the budget of the specific project, since these costs are deemed
to have been covered already by the operating grant.
2. The organisation is proposing the implementation of a project within the scope of
the activities envisaged in the work programme on the basis of which the operating
grant has been awarded.
In this case, costs arising from general expenditure and staff costs cannot ever be
imputed to the budget of the specific project, since these costs are deemed to have
been covered already by the operating grant.
III.1.4 Eligibility period – non-retroactivity
The eligibility period for expenditure resulting from the implementation of a co-
financed action is specified in the Grant Agreement / Grant Decision.
No grant may be awarded retrospectively for action(s) already completed.
A grant may be awarded for an action, which has already begun only if the applicant
can demonstrate the need to start the action before the agreement/decision has been
signed. In any case, the action cannot start before the starting date mentioned in
Chapter I.7 for each strand of the Programme.
III.1.5 No-profit rule30
Grants awarded, including operating grants, must not have the purpose or the effect
of producing a profit. In practical terms this means that, if the total receipts of an
action are higher than the final total costs of the action, the grant from the European
Union will be reduced accordingly after the analysis of the final report, taking into
consideration the information contained in the grant agreement signed by the
beneficiary (Article 173 of the Regulation laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of the Financial Regulation: 'The budget for the action or the
operating budget attached to the application shall have revenue and expenditure in
balance, subject to provisions for possible variations in exchange rates, and shall
indicate the costs which are eligible for financing from the Community budget’).
Existence of a profit may bring about recovery of amounts previously paid.
Literary-translation projects (Strand 1.2.2) obtaining a grant calculated on the basis of
flat-rate funding (see Chapter III.3.2) are not affected by this rule.
30
For further details, please see the ‘no-profit rule’ in Article 165 of the Regulation laying down
detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation.
27
May 2010
III.1.6 Guarantee
The Executive Agency may require any organisation which has been awarded a
grant to provide a guarantee first, in order to limit the financial risks linked to the pre-
financing payment.
On the basis of an analysis of the financial-capacity form and the official accounts of
the organisation (see Chapter II.2.3.1), the Executive Agency decides whether a
guarantee is required.
The purpose of this guarantee is to make a bank or a financial institution, third party
or the other beneficiaries stand as irrevocable collateral security for, or first-call
guarantor of, the grant beneficiary's obligations.
This financial guarantee, denominated in euros (hereafter ‘EUR’), must be provided
at the time of signature of the grant agreement by an approved bank or financial
institution established in one of the Member States. If the beneficiary is established in
a non-Member State that is taking part in the Programme, the Executive Agency may
agree that a bank or financial institution established in that country may provide the
guarantee if it considers that the bank or financial institution offers equivalent security
and characteristics as those offered by a bank or financial institution established in a
Member State.
The guarantee may be replaced by a joint and several guarantee provided by a third
party or by a joint guarantee provided by the beneficiaries of an action who are
parties to the same Grant Agreement / Grant Decision.
The guarantee shall be released as the pre-financing is gradually cleared against
interim payments or payments of balances to the beneficiary, in accordance with the
conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement / Grant Decision.
If an organisation is not in a position to provide a guarantee, it may nevertheless
continue with the implementation of the project but will not receive any pre-financing
when the contract is signed.
Pre-financing may be made available to the said organisation during the
implementation of the programme and in accordance with the terms of the grant
agreement or grant decision following the submission of an interim report. The
interim report shall comprise a progress report on the technical execution of the
project and interim financial statements, that is to say financial accounts and a list of
invoices, thereby providing a summary of progress in the implementation of the
project and a review of the financial position.
This requirement does not apply to the public organisations and international
organisations under public law described in Chapter II.2.3.1.
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May 2010
III.2 Types of grants
Within the Culture Programme there are two types of grants:
- grants for projects (multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1), cooperation

projects (Strand 1.2.1), literary-translation projects (Strand 1.2.2), cultural-
cooperation projects with Third Countries (Strand 1.3.5), support to European
cultural festivals (strand 1.3.6) and co-operation projects between organisations
involved in cultural policy analysis (strand 3.2)); projects are actions with a limited
lifetime during which proposed specific activities are implemented. Project costs
must be directly linked to the implementation of the proposed specific activities;
- grants for operating costs (structural support) of an organisation active at
European level in the field of culture (Strand 2); operating grants are different from
project grants in that they provide financial support for costs required for the
proper conduct of the usual and permanent activities of an organisation; these
costs include staff costs, the cost of internal meetings, publications, information
and dissemination, travel costs arising from the implementation of the work
programme, rental payments, depreciation and other costs directly linked to the
organisation's work programme.
III.3 How the grant is calculated
The grant is calculated on the basis of either:

- a detailed budget (see Chapter III.3.1)
or
- flat-rate financing31 (see Chapter III.3.2).
III.3.1 Budget-based financing
Budget based grants are calculated on the basis of a balanced, detailed estimated
budget, drawn up in EUR. Applicants from countries outside the "euro zone" must
use the official exchange rate (accounting rate) published by the Commission's
Directorate-General of Budget32 for the month preceding the submission of their
application.
The calculation of the final grant amount is based on a detailed final financial
statement accompanied by supporting documentation for expenditure and receipts.
The maximum grant may not exceed a maximum rate of eligible costs for the action
concerned. There is a maximum grant for the various different strands. For details,
see specific strands in Part Two.
31
This type of co-funding is subject to a decision of the Commission.
32
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/info euro
29
May 2010
Accordingly, a defined percentage of the total estimated eligible expenses

(depending on the specific action) must be financed from sources other than the
budget of the European Union. Applicants must provide proof that the remainder of
the total cost of the action is covered by co-financing.
The budget attached to the application form must have income and expenditure in
balance and clearly show the costs that are eligible for financing from the EU budget.
Applicants must indicate, by filling in the spaces provided for this purpose in the
application form and/or the budget, the sources and amounts of any other funding
received or applied for the same financial year for the same actions or for any other
actions and for regular activities. For strand 1, they must indicate the income
generated by the project, the financial contributions from the co-organisers (as
indicated in the mandates) and funding from the associated partners, sponsoring etc.
Proof of co-financing amounts already secured at the date of submission must be
sent together with the application package. Co-financing amounts already secured
must be indicated in the income part of the budget (chapter 3.b for action grants,
chapter 2 for operating grants).
Co-financing amounts which have not been secured at the date of submission must
be indicated under chapter 3.a of the budget for action grants (income part, co-
ordinator's self financing) or chapter 2 of the budget for operating grants.
Beneficiaries and, in the case of projects presented under Strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.5
and 3.2, co-organisers shall implement actions as described in the grant application.
Prior agreement in writing of the Executive Agency must be obtained for any
amendment to the action. The inclusion in the final financial statement of expenses
not set out in the grant application may lead the Executive Agency to demand the
return of all or part of the grant.
III.3.1.1 Eligible costs
Eligible costs of the action are costs actually incurred by the beneficiary or, where
applicable, the co-organiser which meets the following criteria:
- they are incurred during the duration of the action as specified in the Grant
Agreement / Grant Decision, with the exception of costs relating to final reports
and certificates on the action's financial statements and underlying accounts;
- they are connected with the subject of the agreement and they are indicated in
the estimated overall budget of the action;
- they are necessary for the implementation of the action which is the subject of the
grant;
- they are identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the accounting
records of the beneficiary and determined according to the applicable accounting
standards of the country where the beneficiary is established and according to the
usual cost-accounting practices of the beneficiary;
- they comply with the requirements of applicable tax and social legislation;
30
May 2010
- they are reasonable and, justified and comply with the requirements of sound
financial management, in particular economy and efficiency;
The internal accounting and auditing procedures of the beneficiary or co-organiser

must permit direct reconciliation of the costs and income declared in respect of the
action with the corresponding accounting statements and supporting documents.
Eligible costs are split into two main categories:
Eligible direct costs
Eligible direct costs are those costs which are directly linked to the implementation of
the action and which can therefore be booked to it directly. This includes in particular:
- the cost of staff assigned to the action, comprising salaries, plus social security
charges and other statutory costs included in their remuneration, provided that this
cost does not exceed the average rates corresponding to the usual remuneration
policy of the beneficiary or, where appropriate, that of the co-organiser;
For staff partly involved in the action, only the percentage of the allocated time
is eligible. The participation of staff in the action must be proven by
secondment contracts, job descriptions, attendance records (i.e. time sheets)
or any other evidence. The corresponding salary costs of personnel of national
administrations are eligible to the extent that they are related to the cost of
activities which the relevant public authority would not carry out if the action
concerned was not undertaken.
Note: for several actions there are ceilings regarding staff costs, which can
be found in the application form for the specific strand.
– travel and subsistence costs and/or allowances for staff involved in the operation
and implementation of the action; these must be in line with the beneficiary's
usual practice on travel costs or, where appropriate, that of co-organisers. If these
costs are considered to be extravagant, they shall be revised downwards and
capped in accordance with the scales approved annually by the European
Commission33;
– rental or purchase cost of durable equipment (new or second-hand); the
equipment concerned must be written down in accordance with the tax and
accounting rules applicable to the beneficiaries and where appropriate, to
co-organisers and generally accepted for equipment of the same type; only the
proportion of the depreciation of the equipment corresponding to the duration of
the action and the rate of actual use for purposes of the action may be taken into
account, except where the nature and/or the context of its use justifies different
treatment;
33
For further details regarding the daily allowance, please see the Executive Agency's website.
31
May 2010
– cost of consumables and supplies;

– cost of the certification of the final financial statements and of the audit report of
annual accounts, if applicable (see Chapter III.7);
– costs arising from contracts awarded by the beneficiary or the co-organisers for
the purpose of carrying out the action (subcontracting and award of procurement
or service contracts, see Chapter III.5);
– costs arising directly from requirements imposed by the implementation of the
action (dissemination of information, specific evaluation of the action, audits,
translations, reproductions, etc.), including, where applicable, the costs of any
financial services (especially the cost of financial guarantees).
Note I:
For actions involving costs relating to a Third Country (i.e. costs relating to
natural persons citizens of a Third Country, organisations based in a Third
Country and activities taking place in a Third Country), the relevant costs
incurred by the beneficiary and/or the co-organiser must not exceed 15% of the
total eligible budget.
This rule does not apply to projects submitted under Stand 1.3.5,
Cultural Cooperation projects with Third Countries.
Note II:
Costs incurred by associated partners and cost incurred by partners in the Third
Country are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or refunded by the
beneficiary and/or the co-organiser.
Eligible indirect costs (administrative/operating costs)

These are general administrative/operating costs which are incurred by the
beneficiary, or, where applicable, the co-organisers and which can be regarded as
chargeable to the action.
For projects only, a flat-rate amount, not exceeding 7% of the eligible direct costs,
is eligible under indirect costs. In addition, a second ceiling applies to multi-annual
cooperation projects (Strand 1.1): indirect costs for the latter may not exceed
EUR 180 000 for the entire duration of the project.
For projects, indirect costs are not eligible when the beneficiary or, where applicable,
the co-organisers also receive an operating grant awarded under the budget of the
European Union.
Ineligible costs
- return on capital
- debts and debt service charges
- provisions for losses or potential future liabilities
- interest owed
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- doubtful debts
- exchange rate (accounting rate) losses
- VAT, unless the beneficiary shows that it cannot be recovered
- costs declared and covered in connection with another action or work programme
receiving a grant from the European Union
- excessive or reckless expenditure
- contributions in kind (see glossary)
III.3.2 Flat-rate financing
Flat rates have been introduced to simplify grant management for the beneficiary.
They will be evaluated on the basis of their results and may be developed or
modified.
Under this system, the grant is calculated either:
- on the basis of a fixed amount (up to a maximum) per page to be translated for
literary-translation projects (Strand 1.2.2);
or
- on the basis of a fixed amount (up to a maximum) per person working for the
implementation of the organisation’s work programme – support for organisations
active at European level in the field of culture (Strand 2, Operating Grants).
The fixed amounts per page or person are used as a calculation method to set the
maximum amount of the grant. The beneficiary is responsible for deciding how to
maximise the utility of the grant for the implementation of the project or work
programme. A simplified budget is required but there is no need to submit a detailed
financial statement.
A grant calculator, inserted in the specific application forms, enables applicants to
calculate the potential grant automatically.
III.4 Grant agreement or grant decision
Support from the European Union for successful proposals takes the form of a Grant
Agreement or a Grant Decision concluded between the Executive Agency and the
beneficiary.
III.4.1 Grant agreement
The Grant Agreement (in two originals), drawn up in EUR, sets out the terms and
conditions governing the grant. It may be amended during the eligibility period of the
action. The Grant Agreement can be annual or multi-annual. A specific form of a
multi-annual agreement is the Framework Partnership Agreement. A Framework
Partnership Agreement formalises a partnership relationship between the Executive
Agency and the partner for 3 years, to enable the selected organisation to achieve its
long-term objectives. The Framework Partnership Agreement is used for Strands
1.3.6 (festivals) and 2 (operating grants), and is implemented through specific annual
agreements.
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III.4.2 Grant decision
The Grant Decision is a unilateral act awarding a grant to a beneficiary. The reason
for replacing the Grant Agreement by a decision is a simplification of procedures.
Contrary to the Grant Agreement, the beneficiary does not have to sign the decision
and can start the action immediately upon receipt. The decision thus speeds up the
administrative process.
– Grant Decisions are used for literary-translation projects (stand 1.2.2).
A model of the Grant Agreement (for project or operating grants), Framework

Partnership Agreement and Grant Decision can be found on the website of the
Executive Agency.
III.4.3 Obligations arising from the grant agreement and grant decision
By submitting a grant application form the applicant organisation commits itself to all
of the conditions specified in the section of the Programme Guide regarding their
specific action as well as the general rules stipulated in this chapter of the
Programme Guide, including the General Conditions, annexed to the Grant
Agreement / Grant Decision.
Any changes to the planned activities must be submitted to the Executive Agency in
writing for prior approval. No changes having the effect of altering the main concept
of the planned activities are allowed.
III.4.4 Observance of deadlines
Should the beneficiary wish to postpone one or more actions, so that they finish later
than specified in the Grant Agreement / Grant Decision, an official request must be
presented to the Executive Agency. It must explain why the delay has come about
and indicate the proposed modified timetable. Requests will be examined by the
Executive Agency and – if accepted – an amendment to the Grant Agreement / Grant
Decision shall be sent to the beneficiary. Requests for an extension of more than
three months will normally not be accepted. The end date for Strand 2 (operating
grants) cannot be extended, as it is linked to the financial year.
III.5 Implementation contracts / subcontracting
III.5.1 Definition
Particularly for the purposes of paragraph III.3.1.1 above, ‘sub-contracting’ shall

mean any service provided, in return for payment, to the body receiving the grant or,
in the event of a coordination project, to the co-organisers, by a natural or legal
person which has separate legal personality from the body receiving the grant or
these co-organisers.
Under this definition, any service provided by an associated partner of the body
receiving the grant or the co-organisers shall be considered as subcontracting.
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In contrast, notwithstanding the above definition, the services provided by the

following persons shall not be considered as subcontracting, irrespective of the link
these persons have with the body receiving the grant or the co-organisers:
- public bodies;
- artists and lecturers or speakers.
III.5.2 Subcontracting restrictions
The management of the action and, in particular (but not exclusively), its design,
preparation, implementation, coordination, monitoring, the drafting of reports, as well
as the management of relations between the coordinator and the partners and
between the partners themselves, may not, under any circumstances, be
subcontracted.
As described in section II.2.3.1 of this Guide, the body receiving the grant or the
co-organisers must have the necessary capacity to carry out the action and to
manage it itself.
In contrast, the above restriction does not preclude the body receiving the grant or
the co-organisers resorting to subcontracting for specific technical services requiring
specialised skills (relating to the legal, accounting, tax, human resources fields, etc.).
The costs incurred by the body receiving the grant or the co-organisers for this type
of services may therefore be considered eligible costs provided they meet all the
other criteria of the Financial Regulation applicable to the budget of the Union and of
paragraph III.3.1.1 of this guide and, specifically, provided they are necessary for the
implementation of the action.
III.5.3 Conditions under which the beneficiary and/or the co-organisers may
award subcontracting contracts
Where implementation of the action requires subcontracting or the awarding of a

procurement or service contract, the beneficiary and, where applicable, its
co-organisers must obtain competitive tenders from potential contractors (at least 5
offers) if the value of the contract exceeds EUR 60 000 and award the contract to the
bidder offering best value for money, observing the principles of transparency and
equal treatment of potential contractors and taking care to avoid conflicts of interest.
The beneficiary and, where applicable, its co-organisers must clearly document the
tendering procedure, submit a copy of the relevant documents together with the final
report at the end of the action and retain them for audit purposes.
The total amount of contracts may not exceed one half of the grant awarded by the
European Union.
III.6 Reporting obligations
Payment of pre-financing amounts other than those paid when the Grant Agreement
or Decision is signed and of the balance of the grant shall be made after checking
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and acceptance of the interim / final statement and supporting documentation for
expenditure, and after approval by the Executive Agency on the interim or final report
on implementation of the action. For the final payment, a payment request from the
beneficiaries is required. For details please see Chapter III.8 as well as specific
additional requirements under the headings Payment Arrangements for each of the
different strands.
III.7 Certificate in respect of the final financial statements
For strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.5, 1.3.6 and 3.2 the final financial statements (annex III
and the list of invoices) have to be certified by a registered and independent external
auditor or, in the case of public bodies, by a competent and independent public
officer.
It shall be attached to the request for final payment made by the beneficiary and shall
be worded as follows:
‘The costs declared by the beneficiary / co-organisers in the financial statements on
which the request for payment is based are real, accurately recorded and eligible in
accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement / Grant Decision.’
III.8 External audit report
An audit report in respect of the financial statements and underlying accounts of the
co-ordinator (for strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.5 and 3.2) / the selected organisation (for
other strands) is compulsory for balance payments in the following cases:
(a) grants for an action of EUR 750 000 or more

(b) (b) operating grants of EUR 100 000 or more.
For projects that do not fall into either of these two categories, only a certificate in
respect of the financial statements is required.
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III.9 Payment procedures

Pre-financing
A first pre-financing payment is transferred to the beneficiary within 45 days of the

date when the Executive Agency signs the Grant Agreement and all the requested
guarantees are received, if applicable. Pre-financing may be divided into a number of
instalments. For more details, please see the rules governing the specific strands.
For Grant Decisions, the beneficiary should confirm his intention to implement the
action, by written notice within ten calendar days from the notification of the Grant
Decision. A pre-financing payment shall be made within 45 days following the receipt
of this confirmation and, if applicable, following the date of receipt of all necessary
guarantees. If written confirmation is not received by the Executive Agency a single
payment shall be made based upon the final report. The pre-financing payment is
intended to provide cash flow to the beneficiary and, where applicable, to the
co-organisers.
If the pre-financing paid into the bank account of the beneficiary and, where
applicable, of the co-organisers give rise to interest or equivalent profits in
accordance with the legislation of the country where the account is held, and
provided that the amount of pre-financing is more than EUR 50 000, such interest
shall be recovered by the Executive Agency.
Final payment
The Executive Agency shall establish the amount of the final payment to be made to
the beneficiary, on the basis of the final report.
Where applicable, the beneficiary is required to reimburse any excess amounts paid
by the Executive Agency. Please see the rules governing the specific strands.
If the beneficiary is established in a country outside the ‘euro zone’, the expenses
should be converted into EUR, using the official euro exchange rate34 (accounting
rate), in accordance with the following rules:
Strand 1:
Where the eligibility period laid down by the Grant Agreement or Decision is 12
months or less, the applicable rate of exchange is that of the month in which the final
report is to be submitted.
Where the eligibility period laid down by the Grant Agreement or Decision is longer
than 12 months and provision is made for only one pre-financing payment, the
applicable exchange rate is that of the month which coincides with the middle of the
eligibility period.
Where the eligibility period laid down by the Grant Agreement or Decision is longer
than 12 months and provision is made for two pre-financing payments, the applicable
34
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/inforeuro/
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exchange rate is that of the month in which the application for the second pre-
financing payment is submitted.
If the co-ordinator or one of the co-organisers from the "euro zone" has incurred a
cost in another currency (for example for a trip to a non euro country), the reference
month for the exchange rate is the one during which the payment was made.
Strand 2:
The applicable exchange rate is that of the seventh month of the financial year.
III.10 Audits
Selected projects may be subject to audits. The responsible person in the

organisation undertakes to provide evidence that the grant from the European Union
has been used correctly. The Executive Agency, the European Commission, and the
Court of Auditors of the European Communities, or any body mandated by them,
may check the use made of the grant, at any time during the term of the Grant
Agreement / Grant Decision and during a period of five years following the date of the
final payment.
III.11 Visibility, publicity, exploitation and dissemination of results
III.11.1 Visibility and publicity
All activities funded have to contribute to promoting the Programme. Enhancing

visibility means that references to actions and products funded within the Programme
must clearly indicate that they have received support from the European Union. This
support should also be made known through the media.
Beneficiaries and co-organisers should make use of all opportunities to ensure

appropriate media coverage (local, regional, national and international) for their
actions, before and during their implementation.
The objective is to ensure that all participants are aware of the fact that they are
involved in the Culture Programme, but also to show the wider public that the
European Union is supporting a high-quality project of direct interest to them.
Visibility is mainly to be ensured while the action takes place. It should therefore be
integrated into the planning of the action. The coordinator and co-organisers must
clearly acknowledge the grant from the European Union in all publications or in
conjunction with actions for which the grant is used.
Furthermore, they are required to give prominence to the name and logo of the
European Union, the European Commission, and the Culture Programme on all their
publications, posters, programmes and other products realised under the co-financed
action(s).
If this requirement is not fully complied with, the beneficiary’s grant may be reduced
proportionally.
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The names and logos can be downloaded from the following website:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/about/logos_en.htm
The beneficiaries authorise the Executive Agency and the Commission to publish the
following information for publicity of the Programme:
- name and address of the coordinator and co-organisers;
- amount awarded and rate of co-financing;
- content of the co-financed action;
- a summary of the results achieved;
- a concise presentation of the co-financed action and what it entailed, aimed at the
general public; this presentation is provided by applicants upon submission of the
application and shall be updated when the action has been completed;
- photographs and other promotion and publicity materials on the assisted project.
III.11.2 Exploitation and dissemination of results
Exploitation and dissemination of the results of an action or actions can be defined as

the process undertaken with a view to optimising their value, strengthening their
impact and making the largest possible number of persons benefit from them.35
A web-based tool called EVE has been devised for the purpose of disseminating
information on projects funded in the framework of education and culture
programmes and publicising the results of such projects.
To this end, space is made available on the EVE platform for the presentation of
each project and its results.
The platform will be available from March 2009 on the following
website: www.ec.europa.eu/eve.
The organisers of each project supported by this Programme should make the
necessary efforts to ensure its exploitation. All operators involved should carry out
activities aimed at making the results of their action or actions more visible, better
known and sustainable.
To this end, they should produce material facilitating the dissemination and
exploitation of results, like flyers, DVDs, websites, publications, etc. With a view to
ensuring the promotion of the Culture Programme and enhancing the visibility of
assisted projects, beneficiaries shall undertake to provide the European Commission
or the Executive Agency on request with at least three high-resolution (300 dpi)
photographs illustrating their project.
Because of these activities, the results of an action will continue to be useful and
have a positive effect on the largest possible number of people once the action has
come to an end.
35
A more complete glossary of dissemination and exploitation activities is available on:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/valorisation/glossary_en.html
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By planning exploitation as an integral part of their action or actions, the beneficiary

and, where applicable, the co-organisers will increase the quality of their work and
actively contribute to the overall impact of the Programme.
Both the visibility and exploitation aspects shall be taken into account in the
qualitative assessment of applications.
The organisers of multi-annual cooperation projects shall provide in their budget for a
yearly trip to Brussels or to any other venue indicated by the Commission or the
Executive Agency, to showcase their projects at the invitation of the Agency or the
Commission. The cost of this trip shall be incorporated into their budget at the
application stage.
III.12 Search for partners and information on actions already financed
Information on organisations and activities that are already financed under the
Culture Programmes is available on the following websites:
Culture Programme, 2007-2013:

Culture 2000 Programme (2000-2006):

III.13 Legal basis
The following rules, including any future updates or amendments to which they might
be subject, are applicable to the administration and financing of the Programme:
- Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 of 23 April 2007 amending

Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of Council Regulation (EC, EURATOM) No 1605/2002 on the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities;
- Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 as
amended by Commission Regulation (EC, EURATOM) No 1261/2005 and
Commission Regulation 1248/2006 of 7 August 2006 (Regulation laying down
detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation);
- European Parliament and Council Decision No 1855/2006/EC of 12 December
2006 establishing the Culture Programme (2007-2013), published in the EU
Official Journal No L 372 on 27 December 2006.
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PART TWO SPECIFIC STRANDS
CHAPTER IV Cooperation projects (Strand 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.3.5)
IV.1 Introduction
Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1), Cooperation projects (Strand 1.2.1)
and Cooperation projects with Third Countries (Strand 1.3.5) can be realised in all
areas of cultural activity. These projects are intended to enhance the common
European cultural area with a view to encouraging the emergence of a sense of
European citizenship. In addition, Cooperation projects with Third Countries should
create understanding between European culture and the cultures of Third Countries.
Who is a Coordinator, a Co-organiser, an Associated Partner and a Partner in

the Third Country?
Cultural operators may be involved in the implementation of Multi-annual cooperation
projects and Cooperation projects in the following capacities:
- Coordinator: a cultural operator from an eligible country, who undertakes a
coordinating role during the implementation of the project. This role is translated
into an overall responsibility for carrying out the action in accordance with the
Grant Agreement, as well as a concrete and essential involvement in the design,
implementation and financing of the project. The coordinator acts as the legal co-
signatory for the Grant Agreement.
- Co-organiser: a cultural operator from a country taking part in the Programme

involved in the design and implementation of the project and contributing to its
funding. The involvement of each co-organiser must be clearly indicated in the
application form.
In addition, each co-organiser must sign a mandate by which the signatory grants
power of attorney to the coordinator to act in his name and for his account during
the implementation of the project and undertakes to provide a particular financial
contribution to the project. The mandates signed by all the co-organisers are
attached to the application and, if the project is selected, annexed to the Grant
Agreement.
Merely supplying goods or services for the project, whether or not on a contractual
basis, does not confer the status of a co-organiser.
- Associated Partner: a cultural operator from a country taking part in the

Programme or a Third Country, who takes part in the implementation of the
proposed activities of a project, but not to the same extent and at the same level
of participation as a co-organiser; in particular, an associated partner is not
required to contribute financially to the project; costs incurred by Associated
Partners are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or refunded by the
coordinator and/or co-organisers.
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- Partner in the Third Country (Strand 1.3.5): to be considered as a Partner in

the selected Third Country, a cultural operator must have its legal registered seat
in the selected Third Country, should participate in the design and implementation
of the proposed activities and sign the cooperation agreement. Costs incurred by
partners in the Third Country are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or
refunded by the coordinator and/or the co-organisers.
IV.2 Submission of applications
Submission deadline
Applications may be sent every year no later than the date indicated in the calendar
in Chapter I.7.
How to apply
Please refer to Chapter II.
IV.3 Specific eligibility criteria
IV.3.1 Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1)
To be eligible, applications must meet the specific criteria enumerated below. For the
eligibility criteria that are common to all strands of the Programme, please refer to
Chapter II.2.1.
IV.3.1.1 Eligible applicants
The only eligible applicants are public36 or private organisations with legal personality
whose main activity is in the cultural field (areas of cultural or creative activity) and
whose head office is in one of the countries taking part in the Programme.
IV.3.1.2 Eligible projects
To be eligible, projects must:

- have a duration of not less than 36 months and not more than 60 months;
- involve the co-ordinator and a minimum of five co-organisers, the six of them
drawn from six different countries taking part in the Programme;;
36
A public organisation is defined as any body part of whose expenditure is automatically funded by
the public treasury, whether from the central, regional or local-government budget. Such
expenditure, in other words, is covered by public-sector funds raised by means of taxation, fines or
commission payments regulated by law without the need for recourse to an application procedure
which could be an obstacle to the acquisition of those funds. Organisations whose existence
depends on public funding and which receive grants year after year but which are theoretically liable
not to receive any funding in a given year are not regarded by the Agency as public organisations
but as private organisations.
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- be based on a cooperation agreement concluded between the participating

co-organisers and the coordinator; this agreement is signed by the coordinator and
the co-organisers and describes the nature of their cooperation;
- be the subject of an application containing a signed mandate for each co-
organiser listing his essential obligations;
- be the subject of an application requesting a grant of no less than EUR 200 000
and no more than EUR 500 000 for each year of activity;
- be the subject of an application containing a balanced budget, i.e. one in which
expenditure equals receipts, and adhere to the ceiling for co-financing by the
European Union, set at 50% of the total eligible budget.
IV.3.2 Cooperation projects (Strand 1.2.1)
Chapter II.2.1).

- have a duration of not more than 24 months;
- involve the co-ordinator and a minimum of two co-organisers, the three of them
drawn from three different countries taking part in the Programme;
- be the subject of an application containing a signed mandate for each co-organiser
listing his essential obligations;
- be the subject of an application requesting a grant of no less than EUR 50 000 and
no more than EUR 200 000;
IV.3.3 Cooperation projects with Third Countries (Strand 1.3.5)
Chapter II.2.1).
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- have a duration of not more than 24 months;
- involve the co-ordinator and a minimum of two co-organisers, the three of them
drawn from three different countries taking part in the Programme;
- be the subject of an application containing a signed mandate for each co-organiser
listing his essential obligations;
- involve cultural cooperation with at least one partner from the selected Third
Country; at least 50% of the project activities should take place in that country;
costs incurred in a non selected third country are not eligible under this strand;
- be based on a cooperation agreement concluded by the participating cultural
operators (coordinator, co-organiser and partner(s) in the Third Country or
Countries); this agreement is signed by the coordinator, the co-organisers and the
partner or partners in the Third Country and describes the nature of their
cooperation;
- be the subject of an application requesting a grant of no less than EUR 50 000 and
no more than EUR 200 000;
Note I:
The projects referred to in Chapters IV.3.1 to IV.3.3 must not consist fully and
exclusively in the production and maintenance of websites, the production of
magazines and newspapers, the organisation of conferences or meetings and the
production of studies and reports. Projects of this type are not eligible.
Note II:
Proposals for projects submitted by cultural operators who, in their capacity as
coordinators (beneficiaries) are receiving funding for a current Multi-annual
cooperation project in the framework of the Culture Programme are not eligible.
Explanation: This means that a coordinator of an ongoing Multi-annual cooperation
project is not eligible to become the coordinator of a Multi-annual cooperation project
IV.4 Selection criteria
(strand 1.1) or a Cooperation project (strand 1.2.1) or a Cooperation project with
Third Countries
Operational and (strand 1.3.5)
financial unless the eligibility period of the current Multi-annual
capacity
cooperation project is over when the eligibility period of the other project begins.
(please see Chapter II.2.3 - Selection Criteria)
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IV.4 Selection criteria
Operational and financial capacity
IV.5 What are the award criteria?
Awarding of a grant is not only dependent on the examination of the eligibility and
exclusion criteria and the operational and financial capacity of the organisation(s).
The final selection decision will be determined in particular on the basis of the award
criteria.
The award criteria comprise qualitative and quantitative indicators and are as follows:
(1) the extent to which the project can generate real European added value
(2) the relevance of the activities to the specific objectives of the Programme
(3) the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out
successfully with a high level of excellence
(4) the quality of partnership between coordinator and co-organisers
(5) the extent to which the activities can produce outputs which achieve the
objectives of the Programme
(6) the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately
communicated and promoted
(7) the extent to which the activities can generate a long lasting impact
(sustainability)
(8) international cooperation dimension (only for Cooperation projects with Third
Countries, Strand 1.3.5)
Projects will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 100 points and will be ranked
according to their merit.
(1) European added value (0-20 points for strands 1.1 and 1.2.1; 0-15 points
for strand 1.3.5)
According to the general objectives of the Programme, the proposed activities are
supposed to enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans through the
development of cultural cooperation between artists, stakeholders and cultural
institutions in the countries taking part in the Programme. In this respect, the
following factors will be assessed:
- The way the objectives, methodology and nature of the cooperation among
cultural operators demonstrate an outlook that goes beyond local, regional or
even national interests to develop synergies at Europe-wide level;
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- The way proposed activities may have a greater effect and their objectives can be
better achieved at European level than at national level;
- The way cooperation and partnership are based on mutual exchange of
experiences and would lead to a final result that differs qualitatively from the sum
of the several activities undertaken at national level, thus producing real
multilateral interaction which promotes the achievement of shared objectives;
- Particular attention will be paid to projects allowing cooperation involving
organisations that have not previously received any funding from the European
Union or cooperative activities that have been specifically designed to carry out
the project in question.
(2) Relevance to the specific objectives of the Programme (0-20 points for
strands 1.1 and 1.2.1; 0-15 points for strand 1.3.5)
The extent to which the proposed activities can promote the specific objectives of the
Programme will be assessed. These are:
- supporting the trans-national mobility of people working in the cultural sector;
- encouraging the trans-national circulation of artistic and cultural works and
products;
- encouraging intercultural dialogue.
Particular attention will be paid to projects that meet two out of the three specific
objectives of the Programme.
A higher degree of attention will be paid to projects that meet all three specific
objectives as outlined above.
(3) Excellence of proposed cultural activities (0-20 points for strands 1.1 and
1.2.1; 0-15 points for strand 1.3.5)
Projects not only have to meet the Programme's objectives, but also have to be
carried out successfully with a high quality level of activities. In this respect, the
– The degree of originality, innovation and creativity of the proposed activities;
– The skills and experience of the persons in charge of the management and
implementation of activities;
– The relevance of the proposed activities in terms of the target
audience/beneficiaries, the impact on the general public and the social dimension
of the activities.
(4) Quality of partnership (0-10 points)
The cooperation between cultural operators is at the basis of the Programme. In this
respect, the following factors will be assessed:
- The level of cooperation and commitment of each co-organiser in the design,
implementation and financing of the project: the number of co-organisers,
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geographical distribution of the participating organisations, actual role in the

cooperation;
- The role and contribution of each co-organiser to project management : method
of management applied to the proposed activities, clarity of the tasks assigned to
the staff and clear description of the role of each co-organiser involved in the
project;
- The consistency between the proposed activities, the budget allocated to each
of them and the staff available to implement the project;
- The quality of application and budget: seriousness and completeness of the
application, clarity and relevance of proposed methodology, clarity of the project
description in terms of objectives-activities-outputs and detailed nature of the
budget breakdown.
(5) Expected level of outputs (0-10 points)
The proposed activities have to reach as many people as possible, both directly or
indirectly. In this respect, the following factors will be assessed:
- The number of persons and/or different (European) countries, which might
benefit directly and indirectly from the results of the proposed activities;
- The level of the cross-sectoral dimension of the project in terms of range and
intensity of the participation of different sectors.
(6) Communication and promotion of activities (0-10 points)
The results of proposed activities have to be appropriately disseminated and

promoted, beyond any legal obligation to use the logos of the European Union. In this
- The relevance of the communication plan with respect to the type of the project
and the target audience;
- The relevance and adequacy of the budget assigned to the
communication/dissemination/promotion plan with respect to the direct and
indirect impact expected;
- The methodology used to ensure the visibility of the proposed activities, the
detailed communication/dissemination/promotion plan and the various
promotional tools (website, press, brochures, radio, etc.) used.
(7) Long-term impact – sustainability (0-10 points)
Projects are supposed to generate long-term results and cooperation, and also to act
as multipliers for other possible promoters. In this respect, the following factors will
be assessed:
- The potential of the proposed activities to result in continued, sustained
cooperation, in complementary activities or in permanent benefits at European
level, and to contribute on a long-term basis to the development of cooperation
between cultures in Europe;
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The potential of the proposed activities to generate other future initiatives of cultural
cooperation at both European and infra-European levels.
Only for Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation projects with Third Countries:
(8) International cooperation dimension (0-15 points)
Particular attention will be given to projects which demonstrate a concrete dimension

of international cooperation. To this effect, the projects shall involve an active
cooperation of at least one partner in the selected Third Country.
Preference will be given to projects associating a number of partners, higher than the
minimum level referred to in Chapter IV.3.3.
IV.6 Financial conditions
The budget shall include eligible costs incurred by the coordinator and/or the
co-organisers in connection with the management and implementation of the project.
For more information on financial rules applicable, including in particular a detailed
description of the budget and an account of eligible and non-eligible costs, please
refer to Chapter III.3.
The awarded grant is calculated on the basis of the estimated budget and can cover
up to 50% of the eligible costs.
IV.7 Use of Grant Agreement or Grant Decision
Grant Agreements are used (see Chapter III.4).
IV.8 Payment arrangements
IV.8.1 Pre-financing
N.B. If a bank guarantee is required, the conditions associated with the payment
arrangements here below are not the same (for more information on guarantees, see
Chapter III.1.6).
In the case of Strands 1.2.1 and 1.3.5, one single pre-financing payment is made
within 45 days following the date on which the Agency signed the Grant Agreement.
In the case of Strand 1.1, more than one pre-financing payment may be made (see
the box below).
The first payment is made within 45 days following the date on which the Agency
signed the Grant Agreement. The others are made after the submission of an interim
report. The interim report shall comprise a technical progress report on the execution
of the project and interim financial statements, that is to say financial accounts and a
list of invoices, thereby providing a summary of progress in the implementation of the
project and a review of the financial position.
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For Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1) lasting 36 months
(3 years), pre-financing payments shall be made in the following way:
an initial pre-financing payment representing 40% of the awarded grant will

be made within 45 days of the date of signature of the Grant Agreement by
the Executive Agency, on the condition that all the requested guarantees
have been received (if applicable);
a second pre-financing payment representing 40% of the awarded grant will
be made within 45 days of the date of approval by the Executive Agency of
the payment request by the coordinator, accompanied by the interim report.
For Multi-annual Cooperation projects (Strand 1.1) lasting 37 months (more

than 3 years) to 60 months (5 years), pre-financing payments shall be made
in the following way:
an initial pre-financing payment representing 30% of the awarded grant shall
be made within 45 days of the date of signature of the Grant Agreement by
the Executive Agency, on the condition that all the requested guarantees
have been received (if applicable);
a second pre-financing payment representing 30% of the awarded grant shall
the payment request by the coordinator, accompanied by the interim report;
a third pre-fiinancing payment representing 20% of the awarded grant shall

the payment request by the co-ordinator, accompanied by the interim report.
Note
The second and third pre-financing payment shall be made when at least 70% of the
previous pre-financing instalments have been consumed. In case the consumption
of the pre-financing payments is less than 70%, the amount of the new pre-financing
payment shall be reduced by the unused amounts of the previous pre-financing
payment.
For Cooperation projects (Strand 1.2.1) and Cooperation projects with

Third Countries (Strand 1.3.5), a pre-financing payment shall be made in
the following way:
A pre-financing payment corresponding to 70% of the awarded grant shall be
made in accordance with the procedure described in Chapter III.8.
IV.8.2 Final payment
The Executive Agency shall establish the amount of the final payment on the basis of
the final report.
In order to receive the final payment, the beneficiary must submit a final report by the
deadline specified in the Grant Agreement. The final report shall contain a final
49
May 2010
technical implementation report, thereby providing a full account of the results of the
project, as well as a final financial statement including a list of invoices. Please refer
to Chapter III.7 for the rules governing the certification of final financial statements.
Copies of the project products (i.e. publications, posters, invitations, DVDs,
CD-ROMs, T-shirts, etc.), as well as any publicity material, shall be submitted
together with the final report.
A pre-formatted document for the technical implementation report which helps
structure and target the relevant information, as well as an automatic tool which links
up the final financial statement with the list of invoices and facilitates the calculation
of costs, are provided on the website of the Executive Agency for the use of
beneficiaries.
If the eligible costs actually incurred by the coordinator/co-organisers during the
period of eligibility are lower than anticipated, the Executive Agency shall apply the
rate of co-financing quoted in the Grant Agreement. This may lead to a reduction of
the awarded grant.
Where applicable, the beneficiary will be required to reimburse any excess amounts
paid by the Executive Agency.
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May 2010
CHAPTER V Literary translation projects (Strand 1.2.2)
V.1 Introduction
The purpose of this strand is to stimulate the widest circulation of European literature
among European citizens by supporting the translation of high-quality European
literature into the different languages of the countries participating in the Programme.
Applications made by publishers or publishing houses wishing to translate the works
of authors who have won the European Union Prize for Literature are encouraged.
Furthermore, in order to foster European integration, special attention will be given to

the circulation of literary works written in languages of countries that have joined the
European Union since 2004.
V.2 Submission of applications
When to apply
Applications may be sent every year in accordance with the calendar in Chapter I.7.
How to apply
Please refer to Chapter II (Applications).
V.3 Specific eligibility criteria
To be eligible, projects must fulfil the criteria listed below in addition to. the eligibility
criteria that are common to all strands of the Programme (please refer to
Chapter II.2.1).
V.3.1 Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- be public or private publishing houses or publishing groups (they cannot be

natural persons);
- have their registered legal seat in one of the countries taking part in the
Programme.
-
V.3.2 What projects are eligible?
- An eligible project consists in the proposal of one or up to a maximum of ten

works of fiction to be translated from one European language (the source
language) into another European language (the target language).
- Only translation expenses are eligible.
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May 2010
- Only works of fiction are eligible, irrespective of their literary genre, such as
novels, tales, short stories, plays, poetry or comic strips. Non-fiction works are not
eligible, e.g. tourist guides, autobiographies, biographies, essays or works related
to human sciences (such as History, Philosophy, Economy etc.) and more
generally works related to other sciences (such as Physics, Mathematics etc.).
- The original works must be written by authors who are nationals of or residents in
a country taking part in the Programme with the exception of works written in
Latin and ancient Greek.
- Works must have been previously published.
- Works must not have been previously translated into the target language.
- Selected applicants will have to demonstrate that they own the rights to the
literary work(s) proposed for translation. This means that the applicant will have to
provide the transfer of rights contract duly dated and signed before the signature
of the legal commitment by the Executive Agency.
- The translation activities must start within the period indicated in the calendar set
out in Chapter I.7.
- The duration of the project shall not exceed 24 months. Duration must be
understood from the start date of the translation of the 1st work until the
publication date of the last translated work.
- The grant amount requested for a project must be between EUR 2 000 and EUR
60 000.
V.3.3 Eligible languages
Eligible languages are the official languages of the countries taking part in the
Programme plus Latin and ancient Greek. The official languages referred to in this
case are the official languages as defined by the Constitution or by the basic law of
the respective country.
Works of fiction to be translated shall comply with the following requirements:
- Translation shall be made from one European language into one target European
language;
- Translation of national literature from one into another official language of the
same country is not eligible;37
- The target language is the translator's mother tongue (except in cases of lesser
used languages if the publisher provides sufficient explanation).
37
For example, the translation into Irish Gaelic by an Irish publisher of a book written in English by an
Irish author would not be an eligible project.
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May 2010
53
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V.3.4 Documents to be submitted to comply with the eligibility criteria
The eligibility of a project will be assessed on the basis of the documentation

requested under the eligibility criteria that are common to all strands of the
Programme (see chapter II.2.1) and of the following documentation and materials to
be provided by the applicants:
- copy of each original book proposed for translation; photocopies could

exceptionally be accepted in the case of precious and rare works;
- curriculum vitae of the translators to be used;
- A declaration of honour signed by the legal representative of the applicant
certifying that:
o The works proposed for translation have been previously published;
o The works proposed for translation have not been previously translated
into the target language;
o The works proposed for translation have been written by authors who
are nationals of or residents in a country taking part in the Programme
with the exception of works written in Latin and ancient Greek ;
o The target language is the translator's mother tongue (Except in cases
of lesser used languages if the publisher provides sufficient
explanation);
o The publishing house or publishing group commits itself to use the
translator(s) envisaged in the application. Should the application be
selected the applicant shall provide the Executive Agency with a copy
of the contract between the publisher and the translator for each book
proposed for translation.
o The translation activities will not start before September 1st of the year
of application;
o The publishing house or publishing group owns the rights to the literary
work(s) proposed for translation or will own the rights before the
signature of the legal commitment by the Executive Agency. Should the
application be selected the applicant shall provide the Executive
Agency with a copy of the contract.
A model of the declaration of honour is provided for in the application form. The
declaration of honour commits the applicant organisation to comply with the
mentioned eligibility criteria. In case of selection and in case that these declarations
are found not to be complied with, the grant allocated will be cancelled and the
amounts already paid, if any, will have to be reimbursed.
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May 2010
V.4 What are the award criteria?
After the assessment of the operational and financial capacity of the organisation, the
proposal will be evaluated on the basis of the following award criteria comprising
qualitative and quantitative indicators:
(1) the extent to which the project can generate real European added value and the
relevance of the activities to the objectives of the Programme
(2) the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out with a
high level of excellence
(3) the extent to which the results of the proposed activities will be appropriately
(1) The extent to which the project can generate real European added value
and the relevance of the activities to the objectives of the Porgramme (0-
40 points)
According to the objectives of the Programme, the proposed activities are supposed
to enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans in the countries taking part in the
Programme. In this respect, the following factors will be assessed:
- the extent to which the choice of works to be translated demonstrates an outlook

that goes beyond local, regional or national interests;
- the extent to which the project aims at enhancing the knowledge of European
literature by Europeans;
- the extent to which the project aims at encouraging the international circulation of
literary works; In other words, the extent to which the project contributes to the
mobility of European Literary works;
- the extent to which the project aims at encouraging inter-cultural dialogue.
- in order to foster European integration, special attention will be given to the

translation of works written in languages of countries that have joined the
European Union since 2004, by authors who are nationals of or residents of these
countries;
- special attention will be given to the works of authors who have won the
European Union Prize for Literature.
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May 2010
(2) The extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be
carried out successfully with a high level of excellence (0-40 points)
In order to meet the objectives of the Programme, translations also have to be

carried out successfully with high quality standards. In this respect, the following
questions will be assessed:
- the literary quality of the work to be translated;
- the quality of the publishing house as regards its general publishing policy and its
translation policy;
- the skills and experience of the professional translators;
- the quality of the application: seriousness and completeness of the application,
clarity and relevance of the proposed methodology, clarity and feasibility of the
proposed timetable for implementation and cost-effectiveness of each work
proposed for translation.
(3) The extent to which the results of the proposed activities will be
appropriately communicated and promoted (0-20 points)
In this respect, the following factors will be assessed:

- the relevance of the communication plan with regard to the type of project, the
target audience and the objectives of the Programme;
- the number of translated copies which will be published, taking into account the
size of the country or countries where the translated work is to be published and
the average readership level for the genre concerned.
- the methodology used to ensure the visibility of the proposed activities, the
detailed communication/dissemination/promotion plan and the various promotional
tools (such as website, press and brochures).
V.5 Financial conditions
Calculation of the grant:

- the grant is calculated on the basis of a predetermined flat rate that applies to the
following genres of fictional literature: novels, tales, short stories, plays, comic
strips, etc.;
- in the case of works of poetry only, the grant is calculated on the basis of a
detailed budget; in this case, the grant may cover the cost of translation, provided
that the said cost does not exceed 50% of the total cost of translating and
publishing the book or books in question.
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V.5.1 Flat-rate financing38
The grant shall correspond to the amount resulting from multiplication of the number
of pages in the original work by the rate for each target language.
The rates have been fixed at a level that does not incur the risk of generating profit or
exceeding the general ceiling fixed in the Culture Programme 2007-2013 (i.e. 50% of
the translation and publication costs of a literary work). Flat-rates per target language
have been calculated on the basis of actual costs of translation per page of 1500
characters without space. The rates differ per target language. The rates are
regularly updated.
Flat rates applicable to the languages of the countries taking part in the Programme39
are the following (shown here in alphabetical order of the language codes):
38
Commission Decision C(2008) 2781.
39
The rates cover all official languages of the countries concerned. For example, the Spanish rate
also applies to Catalan and Basque. For the languages of the countries of the former Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, such as Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and FYROM, a single rate applies.
57
May 2010
The rates are regularly updated.
Rate per
Language Code40 page in
EUR
Bulgarian BG 13,83
Czech CS 13,27
Danish DA 26,56
German DE 25,99
Greek EL 19,16
English EN 25,35
Spanish ES 22,01
Estonian ET 19,80
Finnish FI 25,43
French FR 24,70
Gaelic GA 26,82
Hungarian HU 19,44
Icelandic IS 33,70
Italian IT 27,87
Lithuanian LT 17,06
Latvian LV 19,22
Maltese MT 17,66
Dutch NL 24,12
Norwegian NO 24,53
Polish PL 16,70
Portuguese PT 16,66
Romanian RO 9,64
Slovakian SK 13,05
Slovenian SL 15,83
Swedish SV 29,71
Turkish TR 9,17
Croatian HR 15,77
Montenegrin 15,98
Macedonian MK 15,91
Serbian SR 16,16
A grant calculator in the application form calculates the maximum grant
automatically. A simplified budget forecast has to be submitted. No detailed financial
statement of costs is required with the final report.
40
ISO code 639-1
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May 2010
Example:
Calculation of the total grant:
- one book in Romanian with 350 pages to be translated into Dutch (NL): 350 x
23.38 (flat rate for NL): the total calculated grant is EUR 8 183.
V.5.2 Budget-based financing for poetry only
The grant amount is calculated on the basis of a balanced, detailed budget estimate,
expressed in EUR, clearly showing the translation costs for each book.
It covers translation costs, provided these costs do not represent more than 50% of
the total translation and publishing costs.
Eligible direct costs
The only eligible costs are those relating to the actual payment to the translators,
fees or actual salaries plus social-security charges and other statutory costs included
in their remuneration, provided that these costs do not exceed the average rates
corresponding to the usual remuneration policy of the beneficiary.
V.6 Grant Agreement / Grant Decision
For this strand, Grant Decisions are used (see Chapter III.4)
V.7 Payment arrangements
V.7.1 Pre-financing
N.B. If a bank guarantee is required, the conditions governing the payment

procedures below will differ. See Chapter III.1.6 for more details.
For a grant equal to or exceeding EUR 20 000, a pre-financing payment representing
70% of the awarded grant is made in accordance with the procedure described in
Chapter III.8.
V.7.2 Final payment
The Executive Agency establishes the amount of the final payment on the basis of
the final report. The documents required for final payment are as follows:
(a) Flat-rate financing:

- the final report to be completed for each translation, which must indicate the name
of the translator;
- one copy of each translated and published work.
(b) Budget-based financing – poetry only:

- the final report to be completed for each translation, which must indicate the
59
May 2010
name of the translator;

- the final financial statement, including supporting documents which clearly
indicate amounts with and without VAT;
- one copy of each translated and published work.
For poetry only:
If the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary during the action are lower
than anticipated, the Executive Agency shall apply the rate of co-financing quoted in
the Grant Decision to the actual eligible costs incurred.
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May 2010
CHAPTER VI Support for European cultural festivals (Strand 1.3.6)
VI.1 Introduction
The purpose of this strand is to support European cultural festivals with a view to:
1. encouraging exchanges of experience through the mobility of European

professionals in the cultural field
2. promoting the circulation of cultural works by giving access to non-national

European cultural works to the largest possible audience
3. promoting intercultural dialogue
VI.2 Annual or multi-annual support
Organisations can choose to apply for either of the following types of grant:
(a) support for one edition of the festival (every year until 2012)
Organisations may submit an application for an annual grant every year until the end
of the Programme (please see the calendar in Chapter I.7). Organisations which
receive a multi-annual grant through a partnership do not have to apply for an annual
grant for the duration of the partnership.
or
(b) support for three editions of the festival - partnership (for three years,
2011-2013)
Organisations wishing to establish a long-term cooperation relationship with the
Executive Agency are invited to submit an application for a partnership. The next
application date for such a partnership is 2010. The partnership formalises the
organisation’s relationship with the Executive Agency for three years, from 2011 to
2013, to enable it to achieve its long-term objectives.
Organisations that wish to apply for a partnership should submit, in addition to a
detailed annual application for the first 12 months (i.e. for 2011), a three-year action
plan setting out the objectives, priorities and expected results (achievements) for the
period 2011–2013 as well as the strategy and the actions to be implemented to
ensure that the objectives and results are achieved. The action plan should provide
in particular a breakdown of the objectives/results and actions for each of the three
years.
In 2012 and 2013, the selected organisation will, at the request of the Executive
Agency, submit a simplified application for a grant with a detailed description and the
corresponding budget for 2012 and 2013. The application agreed on jointly by the
two parties will serve as the basis for the award of the specific grant for the relevant
year.
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May 2010
If the same organisation decides in 2010 to submit applications under the two options
(a) and (b) described above, and if these two applications are both selected, priority
will be given to the partnership.
VI.3 Submission of applications
When to apply
- Applications for an annual grant: applications are possible every year up to 2012.
- Applications for a three-year partnership agreement: applications can only be

made in 2010.
For calendar details please see Chapter I.7.
How to apply
VI.4 Specific eligibility criteria
Chapter II.2.1.
VI.4.1 Eligible applicants
Applicants must be public41 or private organisations with legal personality whose

main activity is in the cultural field (areas of cultural or creative activity) and whose
head office is in one of the countries taking part in the Programme.
Their main activity must consist of festival organisation.
VI.4.2 Eligible projects
Only festivals having held at least five editions on the date on which the application is
submitted are eligible.
The programming of the previous year and the provisional programming of the year
for which the support is asked must include works from at least seven countries
41
A public organisation is defined as any body part of whose expenditure is automatically funded by
the public treasury, whether from the central, regional or local-government budget. Such
expenditure, in other words, is covered by public-sector funds raised by means of taxation, fines or
commission payments regulated by law without the need for recourse to an application procedure
which could be an obstacle to the acquisition of those funds. Organisations whose existence
depends on public funding and which receive grants year after year but which are theoretically liable
not to receive any funding in a given year are not regarded by the Agency as public organisations
but as private organisations.
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May 2010
taking part in the Programme. This coverage will be checked on the basis of the
official catalogue of the previous year, which has to be provided together with the
application form and the provisional programming of the year for which the support is
asked.
Please note that film festivals are not eligible, as there is a specific support dedicated
to film festivals within the MEDIA Programme.
To be eligible, projects must also:

- have a duration of no more than 12 months and support one edition of the festival;
- be the subject of an application requesting a grant of no more than EUR 100 000;
European Union, set at 60% of the total eligible costs.
VI.5 Selection criteria
VI.6 What are the award criteria?
criteria.
1. European added value and European dimension of the proposed activities
2. Quality and innovative nature of the programming
3. Audience impact
4. Participation of European professionals and quality of the exchanges foreseen

between them
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May 2010
(1) European added value and European dimension of the proposed

activities (0-25 points)
With regard to this award criterion, the cultural and geographic diversity of the
programming will be taken into account, namely the proportion in the programming
of works from countries participating in the Programme and the number of countries
represented in the programming
(2) Quality and innovative nature of the programming (0-25 points)
Will be taken into account: the scale, the nature and originality of the programming
with regard to other European festivals, the programming structure as well as the
innovative aspect of actions carried out in terms of the development of the applicant's
festival with regard to other European festivals.
(3) Audience impact (0-25 points)
Will be taken into account: the scale of the audience and the actions implemented
towards the audience in order to promote European works to the public.
(4) Participation of European professionals and quality of the exchanges

foreseen between them (0-25 points)
Will be taken into account: the size, the nature and diversity of professional
attendance.
VI.7 Financial conditions

Support under this strand will be allocated following the procedure of focussed
management.
Under this procedure, although the decision to award a grant is taken on the basis
of an assessment of the whole action and a corresponding global budget is
submitted, only costs relating to the European dimension of the action are eligible.
The following categories of costs are eligible:
1. Costs related to the presentation of European non national works (such as
scenery, costumes, translation and sub-titling costs etc.).
2. Travel and accommodation costs for professionals and amateurs accompanying
a European non national work (artistic, technical and management teams)
3. Fees for artists performing in European non national works
4. Costs relating to the organisation of workshops between European
professionals (limited to 15% of the eligible costs)
5. Costs relating to the development, translation, printing and dissemination of the
official catalogue and brochure.
6. Communication costs (website, media plan,…) (limited to 15% of the eligible
costs
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May 2010
The applicant must provide a full budget for the entire action, including a financing
plan and the budget of eligible costs to be financed by the Culture Programme
The awarded grant is calculated on the basis of the estimated eligible costs and can
cover up to 60% of the eligible costs.
VI.8 Use of Grant Agreement or Grant Decision

VI.9 Payment arrangements
VI.9.1 Pre-financing
Chapter III.1.6).
The pre-financing payment corresponding to 70% of the awarded grant shall be
made in accordance with the procedure described in Chapter III.9. is within 45 days
following the date on which the Agency signed the Grant Agreement.
VI.9.2 Final payment

the final report.
of costs, are provided on the website of the Executive Agency for the use of
beneficiaries.
If the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary during the period of eligibility
are lower than anticipated, the Executive Agency shall apply the rate of co-financing
quoted in the Grant Agreement. This may lead to a reduction of the awarded grant.
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May 2010
CHAPTER VII Support for organisations active at European level in the

field of culture (Strand 2)
VII.1 Introduction
The purpose of this strand is to co-finance expenditure relating to the long-term work
programme of organisations pursuing an aim of general European interest in the field
of culture or an objective forming part of the EU policy in this area.
Three categories of organisations are eligible under this strand. An organisation can
only apply under one of those categories.
VII.1.1 Three categories
(a) Ambassadors
Organisations which, through their influence in the cultural field at European level,
have a clear aptitude to be European ‘representatives’ of European culture and, as
such, can fulfil their role of European Cultural Ambassadors.
The organisations particularly referred to in this category are orchestras, choirs,
theatre groups and dance companies whose activities have a real European
dimension. The organisation’s activities must be carried out in at least seven
(b) Advocacy networks

Advocacy networks entrusted by the associated members of the network and which
ensure a significant representation of a specific category or specific categories of
cultural operators or cultural fields at European level. The networks must have been
in existence for at least one year.
The networks should gather members which are legally established in at least fifteen
countries taking part in the Programme. Alternatively, when networks are composed
of organisations representing cultural operators at national level (such as national
federations) the network shall reach a substantial representation in at least ten
(c) Structured-dialogue platforms (restricted)

In the framework of the European Cultural Agenda,42 support can be provided for
organisations actively engaging in a structured dialogue with the European
Commission on the basis of a specific process as well as to groupings developing
policy analysis supporting the objectives of this Agenda, and more particularly with
the five priority areas for action for the period 2008-2010 endorsed at European
level43 by the Council.
42
Resolution of the Council of 16 November 2007 on a European agenda for culture, 2007/C 287/01
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0242:FIN:EN:PDF
43
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2007:287:0001:0004:EN:PDF
66
May 2010
The five priorities are:

- improving the conditions for the mobility of artists and other professionals in the
cultural field;
- promoting access to culture, especially through the promotion of cultural heritage,
cultural tourism, multilingualism, digitisation, synergies with education (in
particular arts education) and greater mobility of collections;
- developing data, statistics and methodologies in the cultural sector and improving
their comparability;
- maximising the potential of cultural and creative industries, in particular that of
small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs);
- promoting and implementing the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and
Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.44
This category is strictly restricted to structured-dialogue platforms established further

to specific calls for expression of interest published by the Commission45 and that
comply with the specifications related to those calls. The platforms concerned will be
invited to apply by the Agency.
The platforms comprise bodies from civil society engaged in a structured dialogue
with the Commission in the framework of the European Cultural Agenda. They must
respond to specific criteria, policy priorities and themes defined by the Commission in
each of the calls for expression of interest referred to above.
The platforms shall be composed of non-governmental organisations active in the

cultural field (such as networks, foundations, professional organisations) at a
European level. Members of the platform must collectively represent cultural
operators and other organisations established in at least fifteen countries taking part
in the Programme.
If the platform as such does not possess legal personality, a member organisation
must be mandated in writing to represent it and coordinate its work programme (see
VII.3.1. for more details).
Breakdown of the budget between categories

The available budget is allocated provisionally to the three categories as follows:
- Ambassadors: approximately 55% of the available budget
- Advocacy networks: approximately 40% of the available budget
- Platforms: approximately 5% of the available budget
44
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-
URL_ID=31038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
45
The first call was published in March 2008. See: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/pdf/doc1203_en.pdf
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May 2010
These percentages are indicative. Based on the quality of the applications received,
the Executive Agency reserves the right to apply different percentages.
VII.1.2 Annual or multi-annual support
Organisations can choose to apply for either of the following types of grant:
(a) an annual operating grant (every year until 2012)

Organisations may submit an application for an annual operating grant every year
until the end of the Programme (please see the calendar in Chapter I.7).
Organisations which receive a multi-annual grant through a partnership do not have
to apply for an annual grant for the duration of the partnership. For example, an
organisation which receives a multi-annual grant for 3 years from 2008 to 2010 does
not have to apply in 2008 or 2009 for the years 2009 or 2010.
or
(b) a partnership (for three years, 2011-2013)
Organisations wishing to establish a long-term cooperation relationship with the
Executive Agency are invited to submit an application for a partnership. The next
application date for such a partnership is 2010. The partnership formalises the
organisation’s relationship with the Executive Agency for three years, from 2011 to
2013, to enable it to achieve its long-term objectives.
Organisations that wish to apply for a partnership should submit, in addition to a
detailed annual work programme for the first 12 months (i.e. for the 2011 financial
year), a three-year action plan setting out the objectives, priorities and expected
results (achievements) for the period 2011–2013 as well as the strategy and the
actions to be implemented to ensure that the objectives and results are achieved.
The action plan should provide in particular for a breakdown of the objectives/results
and actions for each of the three years.
In 2011 and 2012, the selected organisation will, at the request of the Executive
Agency, submit a simplified application for a grant with a detailed work programme
and the corresponding budget for 2012 and 2013. The work programme agreed on
jointly by the two parties will serve as the basis for the award of the specific operating
grant for the relevant year.
If the same organisation decides in 2010 to submit applications under the two options
(a) and (b) described above, and if these two applications are both selected, priority
will be given to the partnership.
VII.2 Submission of applications
When to apply
- Annual operating grants: applications are possible every year up to 2012.
- Partnerships: applications can only be made in 2010.
For calendar details please see Chapter I.7.

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How to apply
VII.3 Specific eligibility criteria
To be eligible, projects must fulfil the criteria enumerated below. For the eligibility
criteria that are common to all strands of the Programme, please refer to
Chapter II.2.1).
VII.3.1 Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible organisations must:
- be a public or private, independent organisation having legal personality;

international, national, regional or local public authorities, such as municipalities,
provinces or regions, are ineligible, as are natural persons;
- have their registered office in one of the countries taking part in the Programme;
- be a non-profit-making organisation;
- have a legal mandate in the field of culture, in other words be pursuing an aim of
general European interest in the field of culture or an objective forming part of the
policy of the European Union in that field;
- have submitted only one application for an annual operating grant per deadline. If
an organisation submits more than one application for an annual operating grant,
they will all be considered to be ineligible.
Ambassadors must:
- have possessed legal personality for at least two years on the date on which the
application was submitted;
- pursue their activities in at least seven countries taking part in the Programme;
Advocacy networks must:
- have possessed legal personality for at least one year on the date on which the
application was submitted;
- form a network of members legally established in at least 15 countries taking part
in the Programme;
- form a network of members legally established in at least ten countries taking part
in the Programme in cases where networks comprise organisations representing
national cultural operators.
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May 2010
Structured-dialogue platforms must:

- have been established further to a specific call for expression of interest
published by the Commission46 and comply with the specifications related to
those calls. The platforms concerned will be invited to apply by the Agency.
- be legally established or
- be represented by a member organisation legally established and duly mandated
by the chair of the platform to submit the application, represent the platform in the
framework of the selection process and coordinate the grouping (the mandate
must be signed by the chair of the platform);
- comprise non-governmental organisations active in the culture field at a
transnational European level;
- comprise members collectively representing European operators and other
organisations established in at least 15 countries taking part in the Programme.
- 3 Platforms currently fulfil the above criteria47.
The activities to be taken into consideration in the calculation of the grant are those
which relate to the permanent activities of the organisation and which are relevant to
the objectives of the Culture Programme and to the structured dialogue with the
Commission as specified in the calls for expression of interest. The work programme
will therefore cover only such activities. Consequently, any supplementary or ad hoc
project which does not meet these criteria or which is already covered by a European
or other grant will not be part of the work programme. Moreover, activities that
generate costs in countries not taking part in the Programme must not account for
more than 15% of the total cost of implementing the work programme (see Chapter
III.3.1.1).
VII.4 What are the award criteria?
Awarding a grant is not only dependent on assessment of the eligibility, exclusion

and selection criteria (see Chapter III). The final selection decision will be determined
on the basis of the type of proposal submitted (annual operating grant or partnership)
assessed on the basis of the award criteria.
In the case of applications for
(a) an annual operating grant, the selection decision will be taken on the basis of
the content and impact of the detailed work programme for the financial year in
question;
(b) a partnership, the selection decision will be taken on the basis of the content
46
The first call was published in March 2008. See: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/pdf/doc1203_en.pdf
47
Platform on Access to Culture; Platform for Intercultural Europe; Platform of Cultural and Creative
Industries.
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and impact of the three-year action plan (2011-2013) and the detailed annual
work programme for 2011 and its consistency with the organisation's three-
year action plan, with due regard to the award criteria defined below.
For all categories, applications will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 100 points and
will be ranked according to their merit
The award criteria are as follows:
(1) the extent to which the work programme and the subsequent activities can
generate a real European added value as well as the European dimension of
the proposed activities
(2) the relevance of the work programme and subsequent activities to the specific
(3) the extent to which the proposed work programme and the subsequent activities
are designed and can be carried out successfully with a high level of
excellence
(4) the extent to which the proposed work programme and subsequent activities
can produce outputs which reach as many people as possible, both directly
and indirectly
(5) the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately
(6) the extent to which the activities can generate an appropriate level of
sustainability (long-term results and cooperation) and also to act as multipliers
to other possible promoters
Award criteria common to all 3 categories
Excellence of proposed cultural activities (criterion 3, 20 points)

The extent to which the proposed work programme and the subsequent activities are
designed and can be carried out with a high level of excellence. Proposals not only
have to meet the criteria and the objectives of the Culture Programme, but also have
to be carried out to a high standard. In this respect, the following factors will be
assessed:
- the skills and experience of the persons in charge of the management and
- the relevance of the proposed activities in terms of representing European culture
at its highest level, the impact on both the European audience and the general
public and the social dimension of the activities;
- the clarity of the proposed activities and their consistency with the operational and
financial capacity of the organisation;
- the quality of the application and the budget and estimated level of
expenditure: seriousness and completeness of the application, clarity and
relevance of proposed methodology, clarity of the project description in terms of
objectives and activities;
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May 2010
- outputs and detailed nature of the budget breakdown in the case of applications
for budget-based grants.
Communication and promotion of activities (criterion 5, 0-15 points)
promoted. In this respect, the following factors will be assessed:
- the relevance of the communication plan with regard to the type of the activity and
the target audience;
- in the case of applications for budget-based grants, the relevance and adequacy
of the budget assigned to the communication/dissemination/promotion plan with
regard to the expected direct and indirect impact;
- the methodology used to ensure the visibility of the proposed activities, the
detailed communication/dissemination/promotion plan and the various promotional
tools used, such as website, press, brochures and radio.
Sustainability (criterion 6, 0-10 points)

The activities of the cultural organisations are supposed to generate the greatest
possible long-term results and cooperation and also to act as multipliers for other
possible promoters. In this respect, the following factors will be assessed:
- the extent to which the experience gained by the implementation of past and
recent activities ensured a long term sustainability with a real European added
value;
- the potential of the proposed activities to result in continued, sustained
level and to contribute on a long-term basis to the development of cooperation
- the potential of the proposed activities to generate other future initiatives which
aim to promote international mobility of people working in the cultural sector, to
encourage supranational circulation of cultural and artistic works and products and
to encourage dialogue between cultures.
Award criteria specific to each of the three categories
(a) Ambassadors:
European added value and European dimension of the proposed activities
(criterion 1, 0-20 points)
The following factors will be assessed:
- how the objectives, methodology and nature of the proposed activities
demonstrate an outlook that goes beyond local, regional or even national interests
to work towards an aim of representing general European interests in the field of
culture;
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May 2010
- the extent to which the proposed activities may have a greater effect and their
objectives can be better achieved at European level than at national level;
- the extent to which the organisation through the influence of its activities at a
European level, fulfils the role of European Cultural ‘Ambassador’ and, as such, its
aptitude to be a real ‘representative’ of European culture;
- the extent to which the planned activities are designed to nurture this European
dimension.
Relevance to the specific objectives of the Programme (criterion 2, 0-20 points)

The extent to which the proposed activities contribute to the mobility of people and
works and contribute to intercultural dialogue will be assessed.
Expected level of outputs (criterion 4, 0-15 points)

- the number of persons who might benefit directly and indirectly from the results of
the proposed activities;
- the number of European countries that will benefit from the proposed activities,
including the number of countries, sites and venues that will host the activities;
- the number of associates and sectors that may be effectively and permanently
represented at European level.
(b) Advocacy networks:

to work towards an aim of networking, providing advocacy and establishing
structured dialogue in the general European interest in the field of culture;
- the extent to which the proposed activities may have a greater impact and their
objectives be better achieved at European level than at national level;
- the extent to which the applicant network represents bodies active in countries
taking part in the Programme or Third Countries and disseminates information on
the activity of the European Union, more particularly in order to promote European
cultural cooperation;
- the extent to which the planned activities are designed to nurture this European
dimension.

The extent to which the advocacy and dialogue activities can contribute to structuring
and nurturing debates on the development of a European shared cultural area
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May 2010
and give a stronger voice to the cultural field in Europe at both the sectoral
and individual levels will be assessed.

- the number of persons who might benefit directly and indirectly from the results of
the proposed activities;
- the number of European countries that will benefit from the proposed activities,
including the number of countries, sites and venues that will host the activities;
- the number of associates and sectors that may be represented at European level
and the expected results of contacts with the institutions of the European Union.
(c) Structured dialogue platforms

- how each of the member of the platform contributes through its network and
experience of cultural policies to diversifying and enlarging the perspective of the
platform on the thematic priority defined in the call for expression of interest;
to work towards an aim of better understand the impact of cultural policies in the
general European interest;
- the extent to which communication activities related to the dissemination of results
can reach out to interested stakeholders at European level.
- the relevance of the proposed activities to contribute to the structured dialogue

with the Commission on the theme specified in the call for expression of
interest.
- the extent to which the proposed activities can contribute to structuring and
nurturing policy debates on the development of a European shared cultural
area, and particularly on the objectives of the European Cultural Agenda, will
be assessed.
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May 2010

- the number of consultation processes and recommendations which may result
from the work of the platform.
- the number of actors and organisations who might benefit directly and indirectly
from the results of the proposed activities.
VII.5 Financial conditions
The rate of co-financing provided by the European Union may not exceed 80% of the
operating costs in respect of the submitted work programme.
As a consequence, at least 20% of the total operating budget for the work
programme must be funded from other sources.
VII.5.1 Limitation of budget increases in relation to previous financial years
To ensure a transparent allocation of the budget available for operating grants to

organisations active at European level in the field of culture and in order to avoid
unjustified inflation of the budget, the principle of limiting expenditure estimates in
relation to previous financial years shall be applied.
The estimated expenditure on the implementation of the work programme may not
increase by more than 10% the actual expenditure incurred during year n-2, 48 or else
it will be capped at that level. The estimated expenditure will be assessed against the
profit and loss account for that year.
If the actual expenditure incurred in the year preceding the last year for which
accounts have been closed (year n-3) was higher than in year n-2, the limitation of
the provisional budget may be calculated by using n-3 as the reference year.
This rule applies for annual as well as Multi-annual Operating Grants.
VII.5.2 Ceilings
Without prejudice to the maximum 80% co-financing rule or to the provisions of the
Financial Regulation, the grant requested by each applicant must not exceed the
following scales defined for each category:
48
Year n is the year for which the grant application is made.
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May 2010
(a) Ambassadors:
Estimated expenditure on implementation Maximum grant amount

of the work programme
under EUR 100 000 EUR 75.000

from EUR 100 000 to EUR 149 999 EUR 80 000
from EUR 800 000 to EUR 1 200 000 EUR 480 000
above EUR 1 200 000 EUR 600 000
(b) Advocacy networks and (c) Platforms:

Estimated expenditure on implementation Maximum grant amount
of the work programme
under EUR 100 000 EUR 75 000

above EUR 150 000 EUR 120 000
VII.5.3 Gradual reduction of operating grants (Degressivity Rule)
In accordance with Article 113(2) of the Financial Regulation, operating grants are
gradually decreased when they are renewed.
This rule is applied as follows:
Where the co-financing rate exceeds 5%, the co-financing rate for year n will be one
percentage point lower than the rate for year n-1. A 60% rate in year n is therefore
reduced to 59% in year n+1.
Where the co-financing rate is 5% or lower, the co-financing rate for year n will be
reduced by 5% of the co-financing rate for year n-1. Example A: a co-financing rate
of 5% for year n is reduced to 4.75% for year n+1. Example B: a rate of 4% for year n
falls to 3.8% in year n+1.
The same rule applies over the three years of a framework partnership agreement.
VII.6 How the grant is calculated
For the calculation of the operating grant, applicant organisations can choose
between two systems of financing: flat-rate financing (see Chapter VII.6.1) or the
traditional budget-based financing (see Chapter VII.6.2).
Flat-rate financing has been introduced to simplify the calculation of the grant.
Instead of the traditional system in which the grant is calculated on the basis of a
detailed budget, the flat-rate system provides a fixed amount per staff member of the
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May 2010
organisation. This saves time and offers the organisation greater flexibility in the use
of the grant. The flat-rate system changes the way in which the grant is calculated,
rendering a detailed budget superfluous. All the other conditions (limitation of the
growth of expenditure from one year to the other, the maximum thresholds and the
degressivity rule), however, continue to apply to the flat-rate system.
VII.6.1 Flat-rate financing49
General provisions
Under this system, the grant is calculated on the basis of a fixed amount per staff
member employed by the organisation on a full-time and/or part-time basis for the
purpose of implementing the proposed work programme up to a defined ceiling. It
covers all persons working on the implementation of the work programme proposed
by the organisation, such as managerial, secretarial and auxiliary staff on its payroll,
but excludes subcontractors, volunteers and persons on practical training courses.
Musicians and other artists may be included in the calculation even if they are not
formally staff members and receive only a per diem allowance and/or reimbursement
of travel costs. The grant calculated in this way is deemed to cover all of the
organisation’s operating costs up to the prescribed ceiling.
The organisation may use the grant to implement the proposed annual work
programme without being limited by pre-defined budget-heading thresholds, which
provides more flexibility.
The Executive Agency bases the calculation of the grant on the actual number of
staff employed by the organisation for the implementation of the proposed work
programme in the year for which the organisation receives the grant. Organisations
have to prove the number of these staff members at the end of the financial year in a
certificate endorsed by an approved auditor. They must also submit their annual
accounts, which are to be certified in cases where the grant amounts to
EUR 100 000 or more.
Calculation of the grant amount
The applicant organisation bases the calculation of the grant on the number of
person/years assigned to the implementation of the work programme. It can calculate
this number using the total number of staff days worked and dividing them by 220,
i.e. the number of working days per year.
One year = 220 working days
One working day = at least 7½ hours
Only the working days of persons certified in the audit certificate described above are
taken into account in the final calculation of the grant.
The flat rate is variable depending on the country in which the organisation is based,
thereby reflecting cost levels in each country.
The flat rate to be applied is that of the country where the organisation has its main
49
Commission Decision C(2008) 2729.
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activities, which is defined as the country where at least 50% of the permanent staff
of the organisation works. Usually this is the headquarters.
Flat rates applicable to all categories in the countries taking part in the Programme:
Rate per Rate per

Countries person in Countries person in
Codes Codes
EUR EUR
Austria AT 42.747 Liechtenstein LI 47.289
Belgium BE 39.905 Lithuania LT 21.460
Bulgaria BG 14.318 Luxembourg LU 47.289
Cyprus CY 33.213 Latvia LV 19.866
Czech Republic CZ 27.874 FYROM MK 11.302
Germany DE 40.078 Malta MT 26.453
Denmark DK 41.638 Montenegro 11.302
Estonia EE 23.367 Netherlands NL 46.457
Greece EL 32.693 Norway NO 47.289
Spain ES 35.571 Poland PL 19.554
Finland FI 40.633 Portugal PT 26.349
France FR 37.443 Romania RO 16.295
Croatia HR 21.738 Serbia RS 11.302
Hungary HU 22.327 Sweden SE 41.603
Ireland IE 46.942 Slovenia SI 31.515
Iceland IS 41.811 Slovakia SK 25.031
Italy IT 35.363 Turkey TR 15.775
United Kingdom UK 40.286
The rates are regularly updated.

A ready reckoner in the application form can be used to calculate the requested
maximum grant. In order to allow for the inclusion of part-time staff the reckoner is
based on person/days. The amount calculated with the ready reckoner is the
maximum possible grant request before application of the rules referred to in Chapter
VII.5.
As the no-profit rule (see Chapter III.1.5) applies, organisations should not ask for the
maximum indicated by the reckoner if they can foresee that the amount in question
will leave them with a surplus.
The Executive Agency reserves the right to propose a co-financing amount lower
than the amount requested by the applicant.
Under the flat-rate system, applicants have to submit only the following
documentation:
(a) Ex ante (on submission of the application):
- closed profit and loss accounts for the latest available year, certified by an
approved external auditor in the case of requests for grants amounting to
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EUR 100 000 or more; these accounts should not be older than 18 months;
- the work programme proposed by the organisation, describing the activities that
fall within the scope of the Culture Programme;
- a statement of expenditure on the implementation of the project in year n-2 in
cases where the organisation engages in activities outside the scope of the
Culture Programme;
- a summarised provisional statement of expenditure and income, including the
estimated number of staff for the relevant year.
(b) Ex post (on submission of the final report)

- a report giving details of the implementation and results of the work programme
(the final report);
- profit and loss accounts for the year in respect of which the grant was received
(annual accounts), certified by an approved external auditor in cases where the
grant amounts to EUR 100 000 or more;
- a declaration certified by an approved external auditor indicating the number of
people (person/years and person/days) having worked on the implementation of
the work programme.
These documents serve to verify the actual number of assigned staff and whether or
not the organisation made a profit out of the operating grant, which details form the
basis for the calculation of the final grant.
Example of the calculation of a grant under the flat-rate system:

Calculation of the total grant
An Austrian organisation whose proposed work programme covers the entire range
of its activities applies for a grant in 2008 within the Ambassadors category. Its most
recent closed and certified profit and loss accounts show total expenditure of
EUR 286 000. It indicates provisional expenditure of EUR 290 000 for the year 2008
and five staff members on the payroll (consisting of two full-time employees, one
employee working half days and artists employed for 15% of the working day, all of
whom are employed for 220 days a year.
(1) Application of the rule limiting expenditure increases
With provisional expenditure of EUR 290 000, the organisation respects the rule
limiting increases in annual expenditure to 10% (see Chapter VII.5.1).
(2) Application of the flat rate
5 staff members x EUR 40 295 (flat rate for Austria) makes a potential grant of
EUR 201 475.
(3) Application of the grant ceiling
As the organisation’s total costs in the preceding year were EUR 290 000, the
maximum grant it can request would be EUR 160 000 (see Chapter VII.5.2 on grant
ceilings).
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The maximum amount the organisation could apply for is thus EUR 160 000.
As the no-profit rule (see Chapter III.1.5) continues to apply, this means that the
Executive Agency is obliged to reduce the grant if the annual accounts are likely to
show a surplus at the end of the year. Organisations should take this into account
when applying for a grant. In the example mentioned above, the Austrian
organisation should not apply for the maximum grant of EUR 160 000 if it knows
already that the amount in question will leave it with a surplus in its annual accounts
but should request a lower amount.
(4) Application of the degressivity rule
According to the Financial Regulation, operating grants also have to decrease over
time. In the case of the Austrian organisation, imagine it received in the previous year
an operating grant of EUR 143 000 (50% of its total costs in that year). In that case
the new grant cannot represent more than 49% of its total expenditure. As a result
the maximum grant it can request would be EUR 142 100 (49% of EUR 290 000),
which would mean a reduction of EUR 900 in relation to the previous year.50
VII.6.2 Budget-based financing
The amount of the grant is calculated on the basis of a balanced, detailed forecast
budget, drawn up in EUR, for the implementation of the proposed work programme in
each budgetary year. The information a budget should contain as well as the
definition of eligible costs is described in Chapter III.3.1 on budget-based financing.
The rules described in Chapter VII.5 apply: limitation of the growth of the budget,
grant ceilings, degressivity and no-profit rules.
VII.7 Payment arrangements
VII.7.1 Pre-financing
N.B. If a bank guarantee is required, the conditions governing the payment

procedures below will differ. See Chapter III.1.6 for more details.
A pre-financing payment, as defined in the Grant Agreement, will be transferred to
the beneficiary within 45 days of the date when the Executive Agency signs the Grant
Agreement and all the requested guarantees are received.
VII.7.2 Final payment
The Executive Agency establishes the amount of the final payment on the basis of
the final report.
Documents to be submitted for flat-rate financing:
- the final activity report containing details of the implementation and results of the
50
Depending on the actual situation of an organisation, this reduction may be more or less significant.
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work programme;
grant amounts to EUR 100 000 or more;
- a declaration certified by an approved external auditor indicating the number of
people having worked on the implementation of the work programme.
If the organisation has not fully implemented the agreed work programme or made a
surplus, the grant will be reduced.
Documents to be submitted for budget-based financing:
- the final activity report containing details of the implementation and results of the
work programme;
- the final financial statement of the eligible costs actually incurred, following the
structure of the estimated budget;
- a full summary statement of the receipts and expenditure of the work programme
(list of invoices);
grant amounts to EUR 100 000 or more.
Please refer to Chapter III.7 for the rules governing the certification of final financial
statements.
If the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary during the financial year are
lower than anticipated, the Executive Agency applies the rate of co-financing quoted
in the Grant Agreement to the actual costs. Where applicable, the beneficiary will be
required to reimburse any excess amounts paid by the Executive Agency in the form
of a pre-financing payment.
If the organisation has not fully implemented the agreed work programme or made a
surplus, the grant will be reduced.
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CHAPTER VIII Cooperation projects between organisations involved in

cultural policy analysis (Strand 3.2)
VIII.1 Introduction
Strand 3.2 seeks to support cooperation projects between private or public

organisations (such as cultural departments of national, regional or local authorities,
cultural observatories or foundations, university departments specialised in cultural
affairs, professional organisations and networks) which have direct and practical
experience in the analysis, evaluation, or impact assessment of cultural policies at
local, regional, national and/or European levels, related to one or more of the 3
objectives of the European Agenda for culture51:
- Promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;
- Promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon
Strategy for growth and jobs;
- Promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union's international relations,
implementing the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the
Diversity of Cultural Expressions.52
Actions must involve at least three organisations legally established in at least three
Support can be given to the following activities:
secretariat and coordination of the grouping
exchange, analysis, comparison and consolidation of existing quantitative and
qualitative data and evaluation methods;
production of proposals and recommendations for new evaluation methods or
quantitative and qualitative data. The launching of new specific studies or data
collections is not covered.
Who is a Coordinator, a Co-organiser, an Associated Partner

Cultural operators may be involved in the implementation of these Cooperation
projects in the following capacities:
- Coordinator: a cultural operator from an eligible country, who undertakes a
coordinating role during the implementation of the project. This role is translated
into an overall responsibility for carrying out the action in accordance with the
Grant Agreement, as well as a concrete and essential involvement in the design,
51
See the Communication on European agenda for culture in a globalizing world, COM (2007) 2004
final. http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/culture/l29019_en.htm
52
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-
URL_ID=31038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
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implementation and financing of the project. The coordinator acts as the legal co-
signatory for the Grant Agreement.
- Co-organiser: a cultural operator from a country taking part in the Programme

involved in the design and implementation of the project and contributing to its
funding. The involvement of each co-organiser must be clearly indicated in the
application form.
In addition, each co-organiser must sign a mandate by which the signatory grants
power of attorney to the coordinator to act in his name and for his account during
the implementation of the project and undertakes to provide a particular financial
contribution to the project. The mandates signed by all the co-organisers are
attached to the application and, if the project is selected, annexed to the Grant
Agreement or Grant Decision.
Merely supplying goods or services for the project, whether or not on a contractual
basis, does not confer the status of a co-organiser.
- Associated Partner: a cultural operator from an eligible country who takes part in
the implementation of the proposed activities of a project, but not to the same
extent and at the same level of participation as a co-organiser; in particular, an
associated partner is not required to contribute financially to the project; costs
incurred by Associated Partners are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or
refunded by the coordinator and/or co-organisers.
VIII.2 Submission of applications
Submission deadline
Applications may be sent every year no later than the date indicated in the calendar
in Chapter I.7.
How to apply
Please refer to Chapter II.
VIII.3 Specific eligibility criteria
Chapter II.2.1.
VIII.3.1 Eligible applicants
The only eligible applicants are public or private organisations with legal personality
and whose head office is in one of the countries taking part in the Programme.
The main activity of the applicant must be in the field of Culture.
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VIII.3.2 Eligible projects

- have a duration of 12 to 24 months;
- involve a minimum of three organisations (the co-ordinator and at least two co-
organisers and/or associated partners) drawn from three different countries taking
part in the Programme;
- when the application involves co-organisers, contain a signed mandate for each
co-organiser listing his essential obligations;
- be based on a cooperation agreement concluded by the participating
organisations (coordinator, co-organiser and/or associated partner); this
agreement is signed by the coordinator, the co-organisers and the associated
partners and describes the nature of their cooperation;
- request a grant of no more than EUR 120 000 for each year of activity;
- contain a balanced budget, i.e. one in which expenditure equals receipts, and
adhere to the ceiling for co-financing by the European Union, set at 60% of the
total eligible budget.
VIII.4 Selection criteria
VIII.5 What are the award criteria?
criteria.
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1. the extent to which the project can generate real European added value
2. the relevance of the activities to the specific objectives of the Programme in
connection with the European Agenda for culture
3. the extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out
successfully with a high level of excellence
4. the quality of partnership between coordinator and co-organisers
5. the extent to which the activities can produce outputs which achieve the
6. the extent to which the results of proposed activities will be appropriately
7. the extent to which the activities can generate a long lasting impact
(sustainability)
(1) European added value (0-20 points)
The criterion "European added value" will be assessed taking into account the
following factors:
to work towards an aim of better understanding the impact of cultural policies in
the general European interest;
- how each of the organisations involved in the cooperation project contributes
through the planned activities and its experience in analysis, evaluation or impact
assessment of cultural policies to diversifying and enlarging the perspective on
one or more of the 3 objectives of the European Agenda for culture;
- the extent to which this European dimension is sought by the planned activities.
(2) Relevance to the specific objectives of the Programme (0-20 points)
The criterion "Relevance to the specific objectives of the Programme in connection

with the European Agenda for culture" will be assessed taking into account the
following factors:
- the relevance of the proposed activities to contribute to the implementation of
the objectives of the European Agenda for culture
- the extent to which the proposed activities can contribute to structuring and
nurturing policy debates on the objectives of the European Cultural Agenda.
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(3) Excellence of proposed cultural activities (0-20 points)
The criterion "Excellence of proposed activities" will be assessed taking into account
the following factors:
The extent to which the proposed activities are designed and can be carried out with
a high level of excellence. Proposals not only have to meet the criteria and the
objectives of the Culture Programme in connection with the European Agenda for
culture, but also have to be carried out to a high standard. In this respect, the
– the skills and experience of the persons in charge of the management and
– the clarity of the proposed activities and their consistency with the capacity and
experience of the organisations involved.
(4) Quality of partnership (0-10 points)
The cooperation between cultural operators is at the basis of the Programme. In this
- The level of cooperation and commitment of each co-organiser in the design,
implementation and financing of the project: the number of co-organisers and/or
partners, geographical distribution of the participating organisations, actual role in
the cooperation;
- The role and contribution of each co-organiser and/or partner to project
management : method of management applied to the proposed activities, clarity
of the tasks assigned to the staff and clear description of the role of each co-
organiser and/or partner involved in the project;
- The consistency between the proposed activities, the budget allocated to each
of them and the staff available to implement the project;
- The quality of application and budget: seriousness and completeness of the
application, clarity and relevance of proposed methodology, clarity of the project
description in terms of objectives-activities-outputs and detailed nature of the
budget breakdown.
(5) Expected level of outputs (0-10 points)
The criterion "Expected level of output" will be assessed taking into account the
following factors:
- the quantity and quality of new evidence, data consolidations and/or analysis and
methodological recommendations which may result from the project.
- the number of actors and organisations who might benefit directly and indirectly
from the results of the proposed activities.
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May 2010
(6) Communication and promotion of activities (0-10 points)

promoted, beyond any legal obligation to use the logos of the European Union. In this
- The relevance of the communication plan with respect to the type of the project
and the target audience;
- The relevance and adequacy of the budget assigned to the
communication/dissemination/promotion plan with respect to the direct and
indirect impact expected;
- The methodology used to ensure the visibility of the proposed activities, the
detailed communication/dissemination/promotion plan and the various
promotional tools (website, press, brochures, radio, etc.) used.
- The extent to which communication activities related to the dissemination of
results can reach out to interested stakeholders at national and European level.
(7) Long-term impact – sustainability (0-10 points)
Projects are supposed to generate long-term results and cooperation, and also to act
as multipliers for other possible promoters. In this respect, the following factors will
be assessed:
- The potential of the proposed activities to result in continued, sustained
level, and to contribute on a long-term basis to the development of cooperation
- The potential of the proposed activities to generate other future initiatives of

cross-border European cultural cooperation.
VIII.6 Financial conditions
The budget shall include eligible costs incurred by the coordinator and/or the
co-organisers in connection with the management and implementation of the project.
For more information on financial rules applicable, including in particular a detailed
description of the budget and an account of eligible and non-eligible costs, please
refer to Chapter III.2.
The awarded grant is calculated on the basis of the estimated budget and can cover
up to 60% of the eligible costs.
VIII.7 Use of grant agreement or grant decision
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May 2010
VIII.8 Payment arrangements
VIII.8.1 Pre-financing
Chapter III.1.6).
One single pre-financing payment corresponding to 70% of the awarded grant is
made within 45 days following the date on which the Agency signed the Grant
Agreement in accordance with the procedure described in Chapter III.9.
VIII.8.2 Final payment
the final report.
of costs, are provided for the use of beneficiaries.
If the eligible costs actually incurred by the coordinator/co-organisers during the
period of eligibility are lower than anticipated, the Executive Agency shall apply the
rate of co-financing quoted in the Grant Agreement. This may lead to a reduction of
the awarded grant.
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May 2010
CHAPTER IX Glossary (key words)

N.B. Entries are presented in alphabetical order.
Associated Partner: a cultural operator from a country taking part in the Programme
or from a Third Country who participates in the implementation of the proposed
activities of a project, but not to the extent and level of participation of a co-organiser.
Costs incurred by associated partners are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or
refunded by the coordinator and/or co-organisers.
Award criteria: these criteria form the basis for assessing the quality of the
proposals with regard to the objectives and requirements set out for each
Programme strand. They comprise both quality and quantity elements, each of which
is assigned a specific weight.
Bank account: this is the beneficiary's bank account or sub-account, denominated in

EUR, through which any payments linked to the action shall be made. The Executive
Agency will create a file with details of this bank account or sub-account based on
the Financial Identification Form supplied by the coordinator.
Beneficiary: the organisation legally responsible for the implementation of the action
and recipient of the grant.
Budgetary authority: the European Council and the European Parliament establish
the budget of the European Union on the basis of a proposal from the European
Commission.
Call for proposals: this is one of the means of implementing Community

programmes. A call for proposals is published annually and specifies a number of
elements: the objectives pursued and the annual budget allocated to the type of
action concerned, the eligibility, exclusion, selection and award criteria, as well as the
relevant supporting documents to be submitted, conditions for obtaining funding from
the European Union, conditions for the submission of proposals, possible start-up
dates for co-financed actions and the timetable for the award procedure. Calls for
proposals are published on the website of the Institutions of the European Union and
in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Programme Guide contains the
individual calls for proposals for the strands referred to in Part Two.
Certificate on final financial statements: for strands 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.5 and 1.3.6, the
final financial statements (annex III and the list of invoices) have to be certified by a
registered and independent external auditor or, in the case of public bodies, by a
competent and independent public officer.
The certificate shall be attached to the request for final payment submitted by the
beneficiary and shall certify: "The costs declared by the beneficiary/co-beneficiary in
the financial statements on which the request for payment is based are real,
accurately recorded and eligible in accordance with the terms of the Grant
Agreement".
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May 2010
Conflict of interests: according to the Financial Regulation (Article 52),

1. All financial actors and any other person involved in budget implementation,
management, audit or control shall be prohibited from taking any action which may
bring their own interests into conflict with those of the Communities. Should such a
case arise, the person in question must refrain from such actions and refer the matter
to the competent authority.
2. There is a conflict of interests where the impartial and objective exercise of the
functions of a financial actor or other person, as referred to in paragraph 1, is
compromised for reasons involving family, emotional life, political or national affinity,
economic interest or any other shared interest with the beneficiary.’
Contribution in kind: A contribution in kind is any contribution made by a third party

which is not paid by the beneficiary and the co-organisers (ie costs which are not
recorded in the accountancy of the co-ordinator and/or co-organisers for strands 1.1,
1.2.1, 1.3.5, 1.3.6 and 3.2) / beneficiary of the grant agreement for the other strands).
It may be contributions in the form of durable capital goods and equipment, raw
materials, unpaid charity work by a private individual or corporate body, or staff
seconded from another organisation (other than the coordinator/co-organisers or the
beneficiary organisation) receiving remuneration from the organisation of origin.
Contributions in kind shall not constitute eligible costs.
Cooperation agreement: this refers to strands 1.1, 1.3.5 and 3.2. These projects
must be based on a cooperation agreement, i.e. a common document having a legal
form valid in one of the countries taking part in the project and signed by the relevant
coordinator and co-organisers and by the partner or partners in the third country and
attached to the application. This document describes precisely the objectives of the
project, the activities which will be implemented in order to achieve these objectives
and the role of each co-organiser (including the coordinator) in the design and
implementation of the project, as well as the amount of their financial contribution.
Coordinator (beneficiary): a cultural operator from a country taking part in the

Programme, who performs a coordinating role during the implementation of the
project. This role is translated into an overall responsibility for carrying out the
activities in accordance with the Grant Agreement/Grant Decision, as well as a
concrete and essential involvement in the design, implementation and financing of
the project. The coordinator acts as the legal co-signatory of the Grant Agreement.
Co-organiser: a cultural operator from a country taking part in the Programme with a
concrete and essential involvement in the design, implementation and financing of
the project. The involvement of each co-organiser must be clearly indicated in the
application form. Sole delivery of either services or goods with respect to the project,
whether on a contractual basis or not, is not considered in-line with the definition of
co-organiser.
Depreciation of equipment: in the event of the purchase of equipment used for the
purposes of the project or the co-financed annual work programme, depreciation
shall be applied. Only depreciation during the eligibility period, as defined in the
Grant Agreement, is an eligible direct cost, to the extent that the equipment is
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May 2010
specifically used for the project or in relation to the activities of the work programme
co-financed. The depreciation rules to be applied are the national tax and accounting
rules of the beneficiary organisation.
Direct costs: eligible direct costs are those costs which can be identified as specific
costs directly linked to the implementation of the project or the work programme and
which can therefore be booked to it directly.
Eligible budget: the budget of a proposal must be in EUR and consist of two
parts: the estimated costs eligible for funding by the European Union and the
estimated income (including the requested grant). The budget must be always in
balance (expenditure = income). It must be presented in accordance with the model
attached to the application form for each strand.
Eligible costs: necessary, specific and reasonable expenditure incurred by the

beneficiary/co-organisers in implementing the co-financed action or by the
beneficiary organisation in implementing the activities defined in its annual work
programme. It must be recorded in the accounts in accordance with the applicable
accounting principles. The internal accounting and auditing procedures must permit
direct reconciliation of the costs and revenue declared in respect of the action with
the corresponding accounting statements and supporting documents.
Eligibility criteria: the eligibility criteria are set out for each Programme strand and
are verified during the first step of the selection process of submitted proposals. Only
proposals which comply with the corresponding eligibility criteria are subject to an in-
depth assessment on the basis of selection and award criteria.
Eligibility period: the period during which eligible costs must be generated, that is
costs which are necessary for the implementation of the action or the co-financed
work programme and give rise to an obligation to pay. The period of eligibility is
stipulated in the Grant Agreement/Grant Decision.
Exclusion criteria: these criteria are of a general nature and are pertinent to all
applicants of grants awarded by the Commission. Applicants must certify that they
comply with the provisions set out in Articles 93(1), 94 and 96(2)(a) of the Financial
Regulation.
External audit: When submitting an application: if the requested grant amounts to

EUR 500 000 or more in the case of a project grant or EUR 100 000 in the case of an
operating grant, the application must be accompanied by an external audit report
produced by an approved auditor. This must include certified audited accounts of the
last financial year available (not older than 18 months). The following are exempted
from this obligation: public organisations in line with the definition of this Programme
Guide; international organisations under public law; secondary or higher education
establishments; beneficiaries with joint and several liability (in case of Grant
Agreements/Grant Decisions involving several beneficiaries).
When submitting a request for payment: the financial accounts of the co-ordinator or
beneficiary of the grant agreement (balance sheet and profit and loss accounts) of
the last financial year have to be certified by a registered and independent external
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May 2010
auditor or, in the case of public bodies, by a competent and independent public
officer. The external audit report shall be attached to any request for payment
(including further pre-financing payments) in the following cases:
(a) grants for actions of EUR 750 000

(b) operating grants of EUR 100 000 or more.
For projects that do not belong to either of the above categories, only an audit
certificate relating to the financial statements (annex III and list of invoices) is
required.
Financial capacity of the applicant: this is one of the selection criteria which are
assessed during the process for the selection of submitted proposals. Applicants
must have stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain their activity
throughout the period during which the action is being carried out and to participate in
its funding. In order to facilitate the verification of financial capacity, the Financial
Capacity Form must be submitted. If an applicant’s financial capacity is judged
insufficient, the Executive Agency may reject the application, request additional
information (for example a signed declaration from an associated partner confirming
the amount of cofinancing), require a guarantee or propose a Grant Agreement/Grant
Decision without pre-financing.
Financial Identification Form: the Executive Agency services cannot award a grant,
nor can they authorise pre-financing of final payments, as long as the particulars of
beneficiaries have not been recorded and centrally validated. For that purpose,
applicants must submit a Financial Identification Form which would allow verification
of the bank account associated with the Grant Agreement/Grant Decision. This form
must be signed by the account holder and certified by the bank (i.e. official stamp of
the bank and signature of a representative of the bank).
Financial year: the period covered by the annual accounts of an organisation, in

most cases from 1 January until 31 December.
Flat rates: these are used to calculate the total amount of the grant in the case of
operating grants (Strand 2) and literary-translation projects (Strand 1.2.2). Under this
system, the grant is calculated on the basis of a fixed amount: e.g. a fixed amount
per page or a fixed amount per staff member of an organisation.
Grant Agreement: funding of meritorious proposals by the European Union may

take the form of a Grant Agreement between the Executive Agency and the
beneficiary. The Grant Agreement sets out the terms and conditions governing the
awarded grant and takes effect upon signature by the last of the two parties, i.e. the
Executive Agency. It may be amended during the eligibility period of the action.
Grant Decision: funding of meritorious proposals by the European Union may take
the form of a Grant Decision, which is signed unilaterally by the Executive Agency.
The Grant Decision sets out the terms and conditions governing the awarded grant. It
may be amended during the eligibility period.
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May 2010
Indirect costs (administrative/operating costs): these are eligible costs which are
not identifiable as specific costs directly linked to the implementation of the action
(i.e. cannot be booked to it directly), but which can be identified and justified as
having been incurred in connection with the action. They may include costs such as
rent, heating, electricity, gas, communication costs and postage.
Legal entity: to be eligible, applicants must be legal entities, i.e. private or public
organisations with legal personality. To make it possible to ascertain whether
applicants are legal entities, the Legal Entity Form, together with the appropriate
supporting documents (i.e. articles of association or statutory decree) must be
submitted.
Mandate: this is applicable to Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1),

cooperation projects (1.2.1), cooperation projects with Third Countries (1.3.5) and
cooperation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis (3.2).
By virtue of the Grant Agreement, the coordinator has full responsibility for the action
vis-à-vis the Executive Agency. Each co-organiser must sign this document by which
the signatory grants power of attorney to the coordinator to act in their name and for
their account during the implementation of the action. The co-organiser's financial
contribution to the project must be indicated in the mandate. The mandate must be
attached to the application and is annexed to the Grant Agreement.
Operational capacity: this is one of the selection criteria which are assessed during
the process for the selection of submitted proposals. Applicants must have the
professional skills and qualifications required to complete the proposed action or
work programme. To that effect, an activity report and the curricula vitae of the
persons responsible for the implementation of the proposed work programme or
action on behalf of each applicant organisation must be submitted as part of the
application.
Partner in the selected Third Country (Strand 1.3.5): to be regarded as a partner

in the selected Third Country, a cultural operator must have its legal registered seat
in the selected Third Country, should participate in the design and implementation of
the proposed activities and sign the cooperation agreement. Costs incurred by
partner(s) in the Third Country are not eligible, unless they are directly paid or
refunded by the coordinator and/or the co-organisers. The list of selected third
countries for each year is published in the Executive Agency's website at least 4
months before the submission deadline.
Programme Committee: based on the decision establishing the Culture

Programme, the Commission and the Executive Agency are assisted by a committee
comprising representatives of the countries taking part in the Programme when
drawing up the Programme (i.e. Programme Guide and the list of proposals selected
for co-financing). This committee is kept informed or is invited to deliver its opinion on
relevant proposals.
Public organisation: any body part of whose expenditure is automatically funded by

the public treasury, whether from the central, regional or local-government budget.
Such expenditure, in other words, is covered by public-sector funds raised by means
of taxation, fines or commission payments regulated by law without the need for
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May 2010
recourse to an application procedure which could be an obstacle to the acquisition of

those funds. Organisations whose existence depends on public funding and which
receive grants year after year but which are theoretically liable not to receive any
funding in a given year are not regarded by the Agency as public organisations but
as private organisations.
Ready reckoner: this facility is available for literary translation projects (Strand 1.2.2)
and operating grants (Strand 2). It is included in the specific application forms and
permits instant calculation of the applicable amounts.
Right of scrutiny: the European Parliament has a right of scrutiny over

implementing measures falling under the co-decision procedure (i.e. decisions taken
by the Council and Parliament on the basis of a proposal from the Commission). In
order to exercise this right, Parliament has one month to examine a draft measure
before the Commission takes the formal decision. The time limit starts as soon as the
proposed implementing measure (i.e. list of proposals selected for co-financing) is
transmitted to Parliament after consultation of the Programme Committee.
Selected third country: they are the target country/(ies) for Cultural Cooperation
projects with Third countries (Strand 1.3.5). The project must involve at least one
partner legally registered in that country and have activities taking place in that
country (at least 50%). Every year one or more Third Country/(ies) is/are selected.
The country(ies) selected each year are indicated on the website of the Executive
Agency at the latest 4 months before the deadline for submission indicated in
Chapter I.7
Selection criteria: these criteria serve as the basis for the assessment of the
operational capacity and the financial capacity of applicant organisations to complete
the proposed action or work programme (see also Operational capacity and Financial
capacity).
Strand: specific action for which provision is made for co-financing by the European
Union in the Culture Programme for 2007-2013.
Subcontracting (implementation contracts/awarding of procurement

contracts): any services and/or goods provided for the proposed action or work
programme by a party other than the applicant organisations and paid for or
reimbursed in full by the applicant organisations, irrespective of the form of legal
agreement made between them and the third party. Subcontracting parties must be
listed in the application form, and the direct costs linked to the activities carried out by
these parties must be clearly indicated in the budget. The total amount of
procurement contracts shall not exceed half of the grant awarded.
Third Country: any country other than the countries taking part in the Programme.
94

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CULTURE PROGRAMME

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

CULTURE PROGRAMME (2007 – 2013)

Directorate-General for Education and Culture

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency

PART ONE GENERAL ......................................................................................... 6

I.1 Background .................................................................................................. 6

CHAPTER II Application and Selection Procedure ......................................... 17

II.1 Submission of applications......................................................................... 17

CHAPTER III Financial and other conditions.................................................... 26

III.1 Financial conditions.................................................................................... 26

III.3.2 Flat-rate financing....................................................................................... 33

PART TWO SPECIFIC STRANDS...................................................................... 41

CHAPTER IV Cooperation projects (Strand 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.3.5) ..................... 41

IV.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 41

CHAPTER V Literary translation projects (Strand 1.2.2) ................................. 51

V.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 51

V.3.4 Documents to be submitted to comply with the eligibility criteria ................ 54

CHAPTER VI Support for European Cultural Festivals (Strand 1.3.6) ............. 61

VI.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 61

VII.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 66

cultural policy analysis (Strand 3.2) ............................................ 82

VIII.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 82

CHAPTER IX Glossary (key words) .................................................................... 89

PART ONE GENERAL

The European Commission (hereafter ‘the Commission’) encourages culture2 in two

I.2 Purpose of the Programme Guide

The applicability of this guide, however, is subject to fulfilment of the following

I.3 Objectives and strands of the Culture Programme

I.3.1 Objectives of the Programme

The Programme is aimed at three specific objectives:

I.3.2 Strands of the Programme

Support for cultural projects (Strand 1)

Strand 1.1: Multi-annual cooperation projects (lasting from a minimum of

The first category seeks to foster multi-annual, trans-national cultural links by

Strand 1.2.1: Cooperation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)

Strand 1.2.2: Literary translation projects (lasting up to twenty-four months)

Strand 1.3.5: Cooperation projects with Third Countries (lasting up to twenty-

Strand 1.3.6: Support for European cultural festivals:

Strand 2: Support for organisations active at European level in the field of

Cultural organisations working, or wanting to work, at European level in the field of

Strand 3.2: Co-operation projects between organisations involved in cultural

This category seeks to support cooperation projects between private or public

I.4 Links with years devoted to specific themes at European level

I.5. Who manages the Programme?

I.5.1 The European Commission

I.5.2 The Executive Agency

– Multi-annual cooperation projects (Strand 1.1 – see Chapter IV for more

I.5.3 Cultural Contact Points

As implementation of the Programme is centralised, it is important to provide at the

I.7. Calendar, 2008-2013

Action Deadline for Publication of Starting date Duration

Strand 1.3.6 15 November 31 March 2011 Three editions of 3X12 months

Strand 2 15 September 28 February 2011 Financial year 2011 Financial years

– assessment and selection of applications;

CHAPTER II Application and selection procedure

II.1 Submission of applications

Paper application form only for strands 1.3.6 and 3.2

Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency

the curriculum vitae of the person(s) responsible for the overall

the Financial Identification form duly completed and certified by the

the Financial Capacity form for their country.

for applications for action grants exceeding EUR 25 000, the

for applications for operating grants, the balance sheet as well as