Monthly Archives: April 2020
Answers of the European Commission to Frequently Asked Questions
The Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sports and Culture published answers to frequently asked questions concerned with the Creative Europe programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The questions are categorised with regards to calls, selected projects and current users of the programme, as well as general questions.
More on questions and answers can be read in the FAQ document.
Applying Deadlines Extended
Due to difficulties in working and communication brought about by the Corona virus, deadlines for applications for three competitions of the sub-programme Creative Europe Culture have been extended:
– The competition “Strengthening Cultural Cooperation and Competitiveness of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Western Balkans” is open until 28th April at 5 p.m.
– Two competitions Music Moves Europe, for support to projects of education in the field of music and support to projects of co-creation, have been extended until 30th April at 1 p.m.
The deadline for application to the call for projects of translation of literary works remains to be 5th May, as it was announced earlier. More information about the competitions can be found on our website, in the News and Events section.
Team of the Culture Desk Serbia is offering support to cultural institutions and organisation interested in applying. Follow the posts on our website, soon there will be announcements of calls for online training. If you need advice, you can contact us with a call to schedule a Skype meeting at any time that suits you.
Photo: Victor J Blue, The New York Times
Coronavirus: consequences for the European Commission Programme Implementation
European Commission published guidelines for programme users with regards to all changes in projects conditioned by the coronavirus.
If the spreading of coronavirus COVID-19 disrupted project realisation or compliance with legal obligations, the first step for all programme users is to notify the Executive Agency (EACEA) by sending an email to the responsible person on the project who they are usually contacting or by sending an email to the official contact of the action with a detailed description of the problem and its influence on project implementation.
In any case, the following flexibility measures will apply:
1) Granting current activity expenses
In cases where individuals are prevented from participating in programmes, meetings and events, for example due to recent contact with a person infected with the virus, or who recently visited an area considered high risk, EACEA can consider eligible* travel expenses or accommodation expenses which cannot be cancelled and which are not refunded from other sources, with the condition that programme users submit appropriate accompanying documents (primarily the proof that they asked for a refund and were denied one).
2) In the case COVID-19 is preventing the conducting of activities
If compliance to contractual obligations is disrupted due to COVID-19 (for example due to unavailability of key staff, impossibility of performing work in the zone affected by the virus or any other case which can be considered to be force majeure), EACEA can accept the replacement of activities or delayed execution. It is required that the programme user submits a justified request to amend the agreement, including extending the period of its implementation/execution.
Documents
Programme users should collect and keep all the relevant documentation that can be required at a later time to prove / justify any decision made concerning project realisation (especially from the financial standpoint).
* under the condition they comply with the general conditions of eligibility defined in the agreement.
Follow the website of EACEA in order to stay informed about all the novel measures.
