Culture 2000 programme for the period 2000-2004

OBJECTIVE: establish the first European Community Framework Programme in support of culture (2000-2004). SUBSTANCE: the 'Culture 2000' programme seeks to rationalize and improve the effectiveness of cultural cooperation initiatives through a single financing and programming instrument replacing the three current programmes, KALEIDOSCOPE, ARIANE and RAPHAEL (the first two expiring on 31 December 1998). The total budget of the programme is ECU 167 m for a five year period (from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004). The programme seeks to encourage cooperation between creative artists, cultural operators and cultural institutions in the Member States with a view to achieving the following specific objectives: - the mutual knowledge of the cultural history of the European people thus revealing their common cultural heritage and encouraging cultural dialogue; - encouraging creativity, the international dissemination and greater movement of artists and their creations; - the promotion of cultural diversity and the development of new forms of cultural expression, - the contribution of culture to socioeconomic development; - highlighting the European importance of the cultural heritage; - encouraging European cultures in third countries and dialogues with other cultures around the world. In accordance with these objectives, the Commission will regularly define the necessary priorities. The type of cultural actions eligible for support are: 1) integrated projects covered by structured multiannual cultural cooperation agreements involving several Member States (for example, co-productions and other large scale cultural events, measures to develop further training and mobility for those engaged in the cultural professions, measures involving several different cultural disciplines, measures to improve knowledge of our common cultural heritage; 2) major projects with a European and/or international dimension (for example, the European City of Culture, the creation of a European Union Cultural Festival, the performing arts in the country holding the Presidency of the Union, the cross-border television broadcasting of cultural events, measures to promote cultural dialogue, etc.); 3) Specific innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries (for example, measures to encourage the emergence of new forms of cultural expression such as peace or nature, measures to encourage wider cultural participation by the people of Europe, the creation of multimedia tools to make artistic creation more accessible, measures to promote the profile of European cultures in third countries, etc.). These measures are implemented by the Commission assisted by an advisory committee. 'Culture 2000' is open to participation by the countries of the European Economic Area, Cyprus, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and other countries which have included cooperation agreements containing cultural clauses. It also promotes joint action with UNESCO or the Council of Europe. The programme should be coordinated with and complementary to other Community instruments in the cultural sector (tourism, education, employment, external relations etc.). Measures are being envisaged to give a higher profile to the Community dimension of the measures taken. In addition, the contact points will be set up in the Member States in order to improve communications with the professional experts concerned regarding 'Culture 2000'. An interim report (2002) and a final report (2004) will be drawn up to assess the results of the programme. The reports will be forwarded to the Council and European Parliament. �