The published proposals represent the first phase of a long negotiations process that will lead to the adoption of the new funds in 2013. The set of documents is made up of the "common general provisions" for all funds and "specific provisions" for each of the funds, and as expected they are closely aligned to deliver on the
EU2020 strategy objectives.
The position of culture within the new legislative package is very weak - it is referred to only once and in quite narrow terms of cultural heritage in the European Regional Development Fund.
The European Social Fund completely fails to recognise the contribution of culture to local and regional development. On the other hand, as the current regulations are quite broad, there are still some points of entry for culture, especially for cultural and creative industries under the different objectives of the funds, in particular in terms of 'social innovation' and 'smart specialisation'.
Considering that
the first Cohesion Policy framework proposals are already on the table, it is important that cultural operators start to advocate and lobby at the national and regional levels
NOW by setting up meetings with the appropriate authorities on national and regional level - to question the weak position of culture in the first set of documents and advocate for a stronger position of culture in the national and regional contracts that each Member State will sign with the EU.
Culture Action Europe will be gathering more in-depth knowledge on the issues relevant for culture in the next Cohesion Policy framework in the upcoming weeks. Once the Common Strategic Framework is published, Culture Action Europe should be able to provide you with a more detailed analysis and further recommendations for action.
Meanwhile, those of you who have expertise on the structural funds and would like to work more closely with the office on this campaign objective, please write directly to ewa.majczak@cultureactioneurope.org.