11/05/2009

On May 7, MEPs approved, in accordance with the co-decision procedure, a €15m funding package for the MEDIA MUNDUS programme, whose objective is to strengthen international competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry and foster collaboration with third countries in this field. The programme is based on pilot projects initiated by the European Parliament in 2008 and 2009.

The MEDIA MUNDUS programme (2011-2013) proposed by the European Commission aims to:
• develop the exchange of information and, through training programmes and scholarships, promote transnational working networks between professionals in order to facilitate third countries’ access to markets and develop solid, long-term commercial relationships;
• increase the competitiveness and transnational distribution of audiovisual works across the world;
• increase the international circulation and visibility of audiovisual works as well as the demand, from audiences (in particular young viewers), for culturally diverse audiovisual content.

These objectives were approved by the co-decision report drafted by Ruth Hieronymi (EPP-ED, Germany). This was adopted by a large majority: 484 votes in favour, 16 against and 25 abstentions.

Before the vote, the rapporteur stated: “Cultural works should not be considered mere commercial goods; they are vectors of European identity”.

Moreover, MEPs insisted on the necessary “coherence and complementarity between the programme and other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular the coordination with the MEDIA 2007 programme and external cooperation programmes with third countries… “.

MEPs also asked that the Member States’ Committee of Representatives be responsible for allocating Community funds of over €200,000 for training and over €300,000 for competitiveness, distribution and circulation support.