Brussels, 10/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU27 warmly welcomed the new programme, Creative Europe, proposed by the European Commission for the period 2014-2020, which groups under one and the same umbrella the current programmes in the fields of culture and audiovisual policy (Culture, MEDIA and MEDIA Mundus). Several member states still have difficulties with a number of elements, especially the breakdown of the budget (the Commission is proposing a total envelope of €1.8 billion, i.e. +37% compared to the budgets currently granted to the three programmes), but there is “real support”, Danish Culture Minister Uffe Elbaek said with pleasure. The Presidency has been able to endorse a general partial guideline on this dossier, which does not cover the financial section to be discussed at a later date. The dossier has now been sent back to the European Parliament for first reading.
The Commission proposes a new financial instrument for helping the creative sector, namely a guarantee fund intended to cover the granting of bank loans to small operators. Although most member states welcome the proposal, they are also calling for details regarding the way it works. Objectives must be clear and transparent. The new mechanism must be directed at all companies, including micro companies, must not favour money-making projects rather than other projects that bring in fewer proceeds, and not be a substitute for current support. A number of member states believe, moreover, that it will be necessary to select banks that best understand the cultural projects and their aims. Member states also welcome the Commission's desire to achieve simplification. Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has said she is delighted to note that there is agreement with the Commission to bring existing initiatives under one single section in a concern for simplification. She reassured member states that they need not be concerned about the guarantee fund. The latter, she said, will complete existing support to foster creativity, not replace that support. Neither will it promote the largest players to the detriment of the smallest, she stressed. Vassiliou added that the project is new and that details have still to be discussed, especially once discussions on the budget have begun. Finally, the commissioner considers that the intrinsic value of culture does not rule out is economic value, and that both values can exist together at the same time in the aims set out in the proposal. The Creative Europe programme is made up of three sections: (1) a transversal chapter that encompasses the new loan guarantee instrument, as well as measures in favour of transnational cooperation; (2) a Culture chapter; and 3) a MEDIA chapter. The simplified programme aims to promote cultural diversity and improve competitiveness in the culture and creation sectors. It seeks to develop the transnational circulation of works and players, enlarge the scope of the programme to the public, and contribute to the objectives set out in EUROPE 2020 strategy by using the economic potential of the creative sector to best advantage. (IL/transl.jl)