Driven by the ambition to help partner countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Investing in People programme aims at improving people's living standards and well-being, in particular in the poorest and least developed countries and the most disadvantaged sections of the population.

It pursues a broad approach to development, poverty reduction and social cohesion, through the following four pillars: 1) good health for all; 2) education, knowledge and skills; 3 )gender equality; and 4) other aspects of human and social development, including culture; employment and social cohesion; youth and children.

Under the pillar "Other aspects of social and human development", the Culture component covers the following aspects:

• promotion of inter-cultural dialogue, cultural diversity and respect for the equal dignity of all cultures;
• promotion of international cooperation to stimulate the contribution of cultural industries to economic growth in developing countries;
• promotion of respect for social, cultural and spiritual values of indigenous peoples and minorities to enhance equality and justice in multi-ethnic societies;
• supporting culture as a promising economic sector for development and growth.

As reflected in the priorities identified in the Investing in People Multi-annual Indicative Programme for 2007-2010, the programme promotes access to local culture along with protection and promotion of cultural diversity, in order to contribute to mutual understanding and dialogue between peoples and cultures, to encourage cultural diversity, to serve as a reminder that all cultures deserve the same dignity and to strengthen cooperation and experience-sharing in the various fields of culture, education and research. This holding true in general, special attention needs to be paid to the protection of the social, cultural and spiritual values of indigenous peoples and minorities to fight social inequalities and injustices in multi-ethnic societies.

In line with the objectives of the Investing in People programme, initiatives under the theme 'Access to local culture, protection and promotion of cultural diversity' are expected to contribute to social cohesion and economic growth in developing countries, as well as to fight against discrimination.

In this light, this call for proposals aims at:

1. strengthening local culture, access to culture and dissemination of culture and, in exceptional cases, supporting protection of cultural heritage in imminent danger;
   
2. promoting all forms of cultural expression which contribute to the fight against discrimination, be it gender-based, ethnic, religious, as well as discrimination recognised in traditional and customary practices.

The proposals should contribute to one or several of the following specific objectives:

• to contribute to the development and production of cultural events promoting local culture in developing countries;
• to improve access of people in developing countries to local and foreign culture;
• to promote dissemination of cultural production from developing countries towards the EU and other developing countries and regions;
• to promote intercultural dialogue and all forms of cultural expression in respect of cultural diversity and gender equality, as well as religious and ethnic diversity;
• to raise awareness on the role of culture in social cohesion and in fighting all forms of discrimination, including those accepted by customary law;
• to promote the exchange of expertise and best practices between cultural actors and promoters;
• to support capacity-building in the cultural sector at local and regional level;
• to preserve cultural heritage at risk in a short term.

Indicative types of eligible activities:

• production and promotion of multi-regional cultural festivals and other cultural events,
• promotion and dissemination activities,
• information campaigns,
• international, regional and national forums,
• academic and artistic exchanges,
• awareness-raising activities,
• networking, training and exchange of experiences,
• cross-border cultural cooperation,
• support to capacity-building (training, exchange of expertise),
• identification and planning activities,
• monitoring of cultural diversity,
• rehabilitation of cultural heritage in danger.

Overall project budget: EUR 7 300 000 from the 2008 budget (plus, potentially, an additional amount of EUR 5 000 000 from the 2009 budget)

Size of grants:

Minimum amount: EUR 250 000

Maximum amount: EUR  1 000 000

Co-financing rate: 90%

In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

·         be legal persons and

·         be non-profit making and

·         belong to one of the following categories:

• non-State actors (NSAs);
• public or parastatal bodies, local authorities and consortia thereof or associations representing them;
• international (intergovernmental) organisations, as defined by Article 43 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation of the European Community

Deadline for submission of Concept Notes: 9 April 2009