Kaleidoscope: Community action programme 1996-1998 to support artistic and cultural activities with a European dimension

- OBJECTIVE: implementation of a cultural action programme, called KALEIDOSCOPE, designed to encourage artistic and cultural creation through cooperation and to promote knowledge and dissemination of the culture and cultural life of the European nations. - COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council decision 719/96/EC establishing a programme to support artistic and cultural activities having a European dimension (Kaleidoscope) - SUBSTANCE: . Duration and objectives of the programme: KALEIDOSCOPE has been established for an initial period of 3 years (1 January 1996 - 31 December 1998), it being understood that this will be followed by a new programme when the period comes to an end. It aims to support and supplement the activities of the Member States in the area of culture, taking into account the principle of subsidiarity and the national and regional diversity of the States. It covers the following areas: - encouragement for creative artistic endeavour with a European dimension by artists in the various Member States, - support for innovative cultural projects, - further training for artists and other cultural operators, within their organizations inter alia, and intensification of exchanges, - improvement of mutual knowledge among European cultures and development of the intercultural dialogue. . Cooperation: the programme is open to the associated countries in Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and other third countries with which the Community has concluded association or cooperation agreements. . Coherence and complementarity: the programme is implemented in coherence with other compatible Community measures, such as SOCRATES and LEONARDO. . Budget: the programme is provided with a budget of ECU 26.5 million for the period in question. . Implementation: the Commission is responsible for implementing the plan with the help of a committee made up of representatives of the Member States, whose role is a mixed one depending on the area in question (advisory and management). . Report: 2 years after the implementation of KALEIDOSCOPE the Commission, after consulting the committee, is to present a report assessing the programme to the European Parliament and the Council, with appropriate proposals for the continued implementation of the measures in the light of the experience acquired. . Measures that can be funded: measures which can be funded under KALEIDOSCOPE are listed in an annex to the decision: - action 1: support for events and cultural projects carried out in partnership or in the form of networks by cultural operators from at least 3 Member States, - action 2: large-scale European cooperation projects (i.e. significant projects with a European dimension and having a major impact); these projects must be carried out by cultural operators from more than 3 Member States and must be of a duration of no more than 3 years). Activities organized in the context of 9 May (Europe Day) are eligible under this action. - action 3: participation by third countries: cooperation projects carried out by at least 2 Member States and a third country. - action 4: support for the European City of Culture and European Cultural Month (the decision states that as of 2001 a new programme devoted entirely to this type of event will be implemented), - action 5: specific measures aimed at improving cultural cooperation between those engaged in cultural work. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 01.01.1996. �