2003-03-06 - Netherlands
S.T.E.P. Beyond
ECF's new Mobility Scheme: Encouraging cross-border cultural cooperation and exchange between the current European Union, the countries joining the EU in 2004, and the future EU's eastern neighbours.

The new mobility scheme launched in February 2003 offers grants to individuals to contribute to this goal.

What kind of initiatives does the European Cultural Foundation support?
The new ECF mobility fund, S.T.E.P. beyond (Supporting Travel for European Projects), is a vital part of its action line Enlargement of Minds, which tackles the cultural challenges presented by EU enlargement. By contributing to certain costs, it supports initiatives that help to prepare cross-border projects in the field of culture and the arts. It allows the individuals/cultural partners involved to establish real cooperation and possibly enter a long-term partnership.

GUIDELINES
What costs are covered?
The S.T.E.P. beyond fund will make a contribution to the travel costs, visa costs, and in certain cases the accommodation costs of those awarded a grant.

Who can apply?
Professional Artists
Cultural operators
Cultural journalists
Cultural translators
Cultural researchers

What countries can you travel to or from and for what purpose?
The countries involved are those currently in the European Union, the countries joining in 2004, and twelve countries that will not be joining the EU then. These countries are specified below.
The fifteen EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
The ten acceding countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia.
The non or not-yet acceding countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine.

The Fund will consider applications which encourage one of the following:
EXPLORATION, COOPERATION, or NETWORKING (please indicate the relevant category in your application form).

For more info please check the European Cultural Foundation's site.
Source: Artservis by Alenka Pirman - Slovenia