Frequently Asked Questions

What do the terms ”European Added Value” and ”European Dimension” mean?

European added value is required in order to obtain financial support for a project from the EU funds.
Evaluation criteria are as follows:
- internal European context for a project;
- participation of as many citizens as possible (key words: high participation of citizens,
access to culture, ...);
- endeavour to establish a new model that could also be used in other countries;
- multilateral co-operation and highlighting of common cultural roots;
- convergence and divergence of a common European culture;
- as many participating countries as possible;
- the course of the project and its structure should be planned for the long term with the possibility for further development;
- the more European aspects a project has, the better.

What is necessary in order to obtain financial support for projects in the literary translation field?

For supporting literary translations projects, the number of partners can be lower than three and the project may also be submitted by only one organisation. Applications in this category must include at least 4 translation works and a maximum of 10 . These must not have previously been translated into into the mother language.

Where can I obtain necessary information and application forms for the CULTURE 2000 programme?

Application forms together with all the necessary information can be obtained at Europe-North of the European Commission at the web site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/c2000condition_en.html or from the Cultural Contact Point Slovakia, Phone: + 421 2 59391324, e-mail: ccp@culture.gov.sk

How should I complete the application form properly?

Applications must be typed using a typewriter or computer. Forms completed by hand will not be accepted. Application can be prepared on a computer (in Word or PDF format). In this case, it is easier to make changes during preparation. However, neither the content nor the structure of the form may be changed. However, boxes may be added in the case of the financial plan.

Where should I send the application form?

Applications must be sent directly to the European Commission in Brussels by post or through a courier service. Applications sent by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.

Address:
European Commission
Policy development in the cultural sphere – Culture 2000 Framework Programme
B-100 – Bureau 5/21
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B- 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel
BELGIUM

Applications must be sent no later than the deadline specified in the call for applications for the respective year, the date of the postmark or courier service stamp is decisive. Applications sent after this deadline will not be accepted by the European Commission.

Who should sign the application?

Applications must be signed and dated by both the organiser and co-organisers.
N.B. Only original signatures are valid. Not those transmitted through a facsimile machine.

May I submit one project for various categories at the same time?

Each project can only be submitted for one field and one category. Projects without exact specifications in the application will be automatically excluded.

What are the most common mistakes made when submitting the application form?

- no signatures or originals of signatures are missing;
- insufficient number of co-organisers;
- organiser or co-organiser are not legal entities;
- financial plan does not balance (incomes do not equal expenditures);
- application sent after the deadline for submission of applications;
- projects starts after the final date specified by the Commission;
- required annexes not attached to the application.

How long should my project last?

Projects in the annual co-operation category must last for a maximum of one year (12 subsequent months). Multiannual co-operation projects must last for a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 36 months (24 or 36 subsequent months respectively). Applications must contain the exact dates for the beginning and the end of projects.

How much can I obtain in support for my project from the European Union?

The European Commission will contribute a maximum of 50% (for annual co-operation projects) and 60% (multiannual co-operation projects) of the total costs of the project. For annual projects, the minimum EU support is 50,000 euro and the maximum is 150,000 euro. For multiannual projects the maximum EU contribution is 300,000 euro per year.

What other possibilities are there for financing the remaining 40% or 50% of the total costs?

The organiser must cover the remaining 40% or 50% from other sources (sponsorship, own resources, contributions from co-organisers). The budget must always be balanced and it must be evident from the application that financing by organisers and co-organisers is guaranteed.

What is obligatory co-funding by co-organisers?

The partners specified in the application as co-organisers of the project must each contribute to the financing of the project in the amount of 5% of the total costs of the project. As a result of this, the project's partners are closer connected with the project and, therefore, mutual co-operation must be well considered in advance. Co-organisers give their consent to co-funding in the application, where they must complete and sign the declaration by co-organisers.

May I ask for financial support for my project from other EU programmes?

Projects included in the CULTURE 2000 programme may not benefit from other EU funds or programmes. The only exemption concerns extensive projects covering many areas and consisting of many parts; in such a case, the individual parts may be considered separate projects, however, the risk of double financing must be excluded.

What is most important when preparing the financial plan?

The most important criterion of the financial plan is that it must be balanced , i.e. the total expenditure must equal the total income.

How should I complete the individual parts of the financial plan?

Expenditures are divided into six parts, where each part contains rows for individual items. Tables may be extended, if necessary. Each part must contain subtotals.
With regard to part 2 General expenditure (administrative), be aware that these costs may not exceed 7% of the total amount of other expenditures, i.e. Parts 1 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 = total amount of other expenditures, and part two may not be higher than 7% of this sum.
When required in the application (i.e. parts 3, 4, 5 and 6), detailed calculations for all amounts exceeding 5000 euro must be provided on separate sheets of paper (marked as Annex A, B, D, E respectively).

Are there any restrictions to travel expenses?

There are no limits to travel expenses and subsistence costs in connection with the implementation of the project provided that these expenditures are realistic and directly linked to the project activities.