The European Cultural Foundation, ECF, is an independent, non-national and pan-European foundation. Its mission is to add a cultural and human dimension to the economic, technical and legal processes of European integration. The Foundation develops programmes to encourage respect for cultural diversity.
History
The ECF was founded in 1954 by the Swiss Philosopher Denis de Rougemont Ito to ‘promote cultural and educational activities and research of a multinational nature and European character'. Its first president was Robert Schuman. In 1960 the foundation's headquarter was moved from Geneva to Amsterdam.
Activities
The ECF promotes artistic and cultural activities in Europe and across its borders as a contribution to civil society through
- Grants
- The ECF is awarding grants to artists and others in the cultural sector for projects that are clearly European in nature.
- Programmes
- Art for Social Change - brings artists and young people together
- Policies for Culture - strengthen the cultural sector in South East Europe
- One Minutes Junior - one-minute video project for young people
- New European Deal - journalistic exchange and cooperation
- Cultural policy development
- The ECF is lobbying for a European cultural policy and for funds, programmes and tools to stimulate cultural cooperation within the ‘Wider Europe’ and across the Mediterranean.
