The Committee on Culture and Education adopted the report by Silvia COSTA (S&D, IT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 establishing the creative Europe programme (2014 to 2020).
As a reminder, the proposal aims to include a reference to the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) in Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 establishing the creative Europe programme (2014 to 2020) to support for the European cultural and creative sectors.
The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows.
Members stated that the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) shall be is composed of young musicians selected in all Member States. They also considered that the EUYO should:
- provide regular training for young musicians through a residence programme and offers performance opportunities in festivals and tours within the European Union and at an international level;
- seek financial support from sources other than Union funding, in order to guarantee its sustainability and gradual independence from Union funding;
- ensure cost-efficiency in its management;
- increase its visibility at European events and perform in more Member States, including in cooperation with audiovisual network;
- guarantee the transparency of the selection process and reinforce the visibility of annual auditions with a view to achieving a greater balance between the number of musicians from each Member State and the total population thereof;
- actively engage in audience development and engagement with special attention to young audiences in the Member States, reinforce the visibility of its activities and operate in accordance with Union policy objectives;
- have as Honorary President the President of the European Parliament and promote the idea of a Europe founded on peace, culture and mutual understanding, and Europe's rich musical heritage.
Members called for financing to be exceptionally granted to the EUYO for the period until the end of the current Creative Europe Programme.