According to Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Union shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaties, in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of its cultures. The European Agenda for Culture of 16 November 2007 – amongst its other objectives – advocates the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as well as the promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union’s international relations. These objectives regarding culture are also in line with the Europe 2020 strategy. Intercultural dialogue and support for the mobility of artists are, therefore, cornerstones of cultural policy at the EU level.

According to Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Union shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaties, in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of its cultures. The European Agenda for Culture of 16 November 2007 – amongst its other objectives – advocates the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as well as the promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union’s international relations. These objectives regarding culture are also in line with the Europe 2020 strategy. Intercultural dialogue and support for the mobility of artists are, therefore, cornerstones of cultural policy at the EU level.

The active promotion of the mobility of artists and cultural professionals by the European Union and its Member States contributes to the formation of a common European cultural space, cultivates a sense of belonging, fosters participation in the European project and contributes to European integration. Residency programmes for artists play a specific and crucial role in this context.

Under the Council Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010, a first OMC (Open Method of Coordination) group of national experts dealing with artists’ mobility issued in 2010 a report on ‘Improving the Conditions to Support the Mobility of Artists and Culture Professionals’ with recommendations to the European Commission, the EU Member States and the cultural sector.

Taking into account these recommendations, artists’ mobility continued to be a policy priority under the Council Work Plan for Culture 2011-2014. A series of actions and instruments, including the OMC, have been used to tackle mobility-related issues.