Culture and the European Neighbourhood Policy

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)  applies to the EU's immediate neighbours by land or sea – Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine.   

On bilateral level, the policy is implemented through ENP Action Plans agreed between the EU and each partner. These set out an agenda of political and economic reforms, including also cultural provisions, with short and medium-term priorities. Implementation of Action Plans is jointly promoted and monitored through sub-committees. 

The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) offers opportunities in the field of culture, including through cross-border cooperation programmes (cooperation with Russia is also covered).

New forms of technical assistance have been extended to ENP partners (previously available only for new Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries). In this context, opportunities under TAIEX and Twinning) can be used in the field of culture.

Funding opportunities for ENP countries were opened up under a Special Action of the Culture Programme in 2009  and  2010.

In total, 30 projects were funded for an amount of 4.771.526 EUR. The funded projects covered fields such as performing arts, cultural heritage, multimedia and new technologies, architecture, visual arts, design and applied arts.

On regional level, the ENP is further supported by forms of cooperation such as the Eastern Partnership, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership  and the Black Sea Synergy.