23.4.2018   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 103/1

(1)

Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) established the Creative Europe Programme (2014 to 2020) to support the European cultural and creative sectors.

(2)

The particularity of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) lies in the fact that it is a European orchestra that transcends cultural boundaries and is composed of young musicians selected in accordance with demanding quality criteria through a rigorous annual audition process in all Member States. It is the only orchestra in the Union that recruits from all Member States.

(3)

Since its creation, the EUYO has contributed to promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual respect and understanding. The EUYO has acted as a cultural ambassador for the Union in showcasing the richness and diversity of European cultures, and emerging talents. It has also contributed to the knowledge of European musical heritage, the circulation of European works and the mobility of young European talents beyond national and European borders.

(4)

The EUYO provides regular training for young musicians through a residence programme and offers performance opportunities, thus reinforcing their international careers and developing their skills under the guidance of renowned conductors.

(5)

The EUYO should continuously diversify its revenues by actively seeking financial support from sources other than Union funding in order to guarantee its sustainability and with a view to reducing its dependence on Union funding. The EUYO should therefore ensure cost efficiency in its management.

(6)

The EUYO should seek to increase its visibility, including in both traditional and digital media, and to perform at European events and across more Member States.

(7)

The EUYO should, in collaboration with its national associate partners, increase awareness of annual auditions with a view to achieving a more balanced representation of musicians from all Member States within the orchestra.

(8)

The EUYO's activities should be in line with the objectives of the Creative Europe Programme, in particular its objective of supporting audience development, and with the priorities of the Culture Sub-programme. The EUYO should therefore actively engage in audience development, paying particular attention to young people.

(9)

The EUYO was founded following a resolution of the European Parliament of 8 March 1976 (4) and is thus distinct among orchestras in Europe.

(10)

The contribution of the EUYO has been recognised by Member States and by Union institutions, including by successive Presidents of the Commission and of the European Parliament.

(11)

Due to its specific status, strategic objectives and activities that go beyond the sole interest and benefit of one or several Member States and clearly demonstrate a European added value, the EUYO qualifies as a body identified by a basic act within the meaning of point (d) of Article 190(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 (5), which allows grants to be awarded without a call for proposals.

(12)

Financing should be exceptionally granted to the EUYO until the end of the Creative Europe Programme on 31 December 2020.

(13)

The EUYO should therefore be included, as an exception, among the measures benefitting from support from both the Culture Sub-programme and the Cross-sectoral Strand of the Creative Europe Programme.

(14)

In order to ensure the smooth functioning of the EUYO, it should be able to benefit from support as soon as possible, in particular for costs incurred in 2018 prior to the entry into force of this Regulation. This Regulation should therefore apply retroactively from 1 January 2018.

(15)

Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in Article 13(1), the following point is added:

(2)

in Article 15(1), the following point is added: