Information society, eContent: European digital content, linguistic diversity. 2001-2004 programme

PURPOSE : to present a Multiannual Community programme to stimulate the development and use of European digital content and to promote linguistic diversity. CONTENT : Digital content plays a predominant role in the evolution towards an information society, substantially contributing to economic growth and employment, and enhancing the professional, social and cultural developments of the citizens of Europe. The multiannual programme is designated the European Digital Content for Global Networks ("the programme") and has the following objectives: - creating favourable conditions for the commercialisation, distribution and use of European digital content on the global networks, thus stimulating economic activity and enhancing employment prospects; - stimulating the use of Europe's content potential, and in particular public sector information; - promoting multilingualism in digital content on the global networks and increasing the export opportunities of European content firms and in particular SME's through linguistic customisation; - contributing to the professional, social and cultural development of the citizens of the Union and facilitating the economic and social integration of citizens in the candidate countries in the information society. To attain these objectives, the following actions will be undertaken: - stimulating the exploitation of public sector information; - enhancing linguistic and cultural customisation - supporting market enablers, which includes bridging the funding gap and rights trading; - support actions. The programme will run from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005. The total budget requested is EUR 5 million.�