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NV 017 /2023 NOTE VERBALE Barcelona, 15 March 2023 El Secretariado de la Union por el Mediterráneo saluda atentamente a la Embajada de la Republica en Madrid y tiene el honor de remitir la carta que S.E. el Sr. Nasser Kamel, secretario general de la Union por el Mediterráneo, dirige a la Excma. Sra. Piret Hartman, Ministra de Cultura de la República de Estonia. El Secretariado de Union por el Mediterráneo ruega a la Embajada de la Republica de Estonia que se transmita dicha carta a S.E. la ministra. El Secretariado de la Union por el Mediterráneo aprovecha esta ocasión para reiterar a la Embajada de la Republica de Estonia en Madrid el testimonio de su más alta consideración. Embajada de la Republica de Estonia en Madrid Palacio de Pedralbes - Pere Duran Farell, 11 - 08034 Barcelona - Spain T. (+34) 93 521 41 02 www.ufmsecretariat.org H.E. Mrs. Piret Hartman Minister of Culture Republic of Estonia Barcelona, 10 March 2023 Subject: The Mediterranean Capital of Culture is born! Excellency, As you might know, following the Conference of the Ministers of Culture of the Mediterranean, convened by the Italian Ministry of Culture on 16 and 17 June 2022 in Naples, Italy, the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat was invited to promote new regional initiatives to foster the development and regeneration of culture across our region, “including the establishment of a Mediterranean Capital of Culture, on the European Capital of Culture model, in coordination with the EEAS”. This echoed a similar call made by more than 200 youth and civil society representatives in Marseille, France, on 7 and 8 February 2022 in the framework of the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens held at the initiative of President Macron, where they entailed the creation of a Capital of the Mediterranean label. Building on this unique momentum of shared ambition, the UfM Secretariat and the Anna Lindh Foundation have strived in 2022 to adopt a new initiative entitled ‘the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture’, to strengthen the recently launched “Day of the Mediterranean” and further enhance the diversity and sense of common identity across the Euro-Mediterranean region. We are very happy to share with you, Excellency, that the initiative has been endorsed by the 43 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Union for the Mediterranean at the 7th UfM Regional Forum, last 24 November 2022 in Barcelona. The Ministers agreed that, as of 2023, UfM member states will designate on an annual basis two "Mediterranean Capitals of Culture", one from the North and one from the South, to further promote people-to-people interaction and contribute to a better mutual understanding across our dear common sea. You can find the final concept note of the initiative for your reference attached. In light of the strong cultural dimension of the initiative, and responding to the call endorsed in Naples, we look very much forward to count on your support in the development of this initiative in the next couple of months, as well as during the launch of its first call this spring. We would very much appreciate if you can designate a focal point within your Ministry to follow-up on these endeavours and receive further information on its developments. Allow us, Excellency, to avail ourselves of this opportunity to express the assurances of our highest consideration. Sincerely Yours, HRH Rym Al-Ali HE Nasser Kamel President Secretary General Anna Lindh Foundation Union for the Mediterranean MEDITERRANEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE CAPITALE MEDITERRANEENNE DE LA CULTURE FINAL CONCEPT NOTE 18 NOVEMBER 2022 1. Background On the occasion of the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens, held in Marseille in February 2022, and as part of the "Plaidoyer Méditerranée 2030", led by around 200 Mediterranean young representatives from civil society, the working group put forward a proposal to “create a “Mediterranean event- which “would take place over a full year by conferring to a Mediterranean city the designation of Capital of the Mediterranean. This Mediterranean capital would be the centre for the unification of talents from all the countries around the region, by organizing within its territory various cultural, sporting, economic, academic, and social events (…). It would stimulate networking and exchanges, promote talents and innovations of Mediterranean actors, while stimulating investment into infrastructure and land planning. Beside employment and professional mobility opportunities, the organisation of such event would enhance the role of citizens' initiatives and the civil society”. In their Declaration of 17 June 2022 in Naples, Ministers of Culture of the Euro- Mediterranean region called to “promote new joint initiatives to foster culture-led development and regeneration, on the model of the European Capital of Culture, in coordination with the EEAS and the Union for the Mediterranean, taking into account similar initiatives. Taking the conceptualisation of these initiatives further, and in view of convergence, synergy and complementarity, ALF decided to join the efforts of the UfM and to merge 1 its own "EuroMed Capital for Dialogue Award"1 in the proposed concept for the annual designation of a “Mediterranean Capital of Culture”2. In taking this work forward together (UfM and ALF), similar existing initiatives around the world were analysed to draw inspiration, notably: - The ‘European Capital of Culture’ (since 1985) : https://europa.eu/youth/get- involved/intercultural-understanding/being-european-capital-of-youth-or-of- culture - The ‘African Capital of Culture’ (since 2018): https://africapitales.org/en/ - The ‘Capital of Arab Culture’ (since 1996): http://www.alecso.org/nsite/en/mn- culture-2/projects-and-programs/capitals-of-arab-culture - The ‘Capital Americana de la Cultura’ (since 1998) : http://www.cac- acc.org/news.php?id=141 - The ‘East Asia Cities of Culture’ (since 2012) : https://tcs-asia.org/data/etcData/MEC_1592466882.pdf 2. Concept a) Definition The " Mediterranean Capital of Culture" will be two cities designated by the 42 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean for one calendar year, during which a program structured around cultural, socio-economic and sporting events will highlight the heritage of the cities, their respective Mediterranean identities and their respective Euro-Mediterranean dimension. This program will culminate with the “Day of the Mediterranean” on 28 November. 1 - “EuroMed Capital for Dialogue Award”: In 2021 the Anna Lindh Foundation launched a EuroMed Capital for Dialogue Award. It international recognition of cities that implement intercultural policies and actions and have a vision to improve cultural diversity and Euro-Mediterranean social and cultural collaborations. The awarded capital is also a reference to inspire dialogue at local and regional level in the Euro-Mediterranean region. 2 The initiative has already been included in the Annual Work Programme 2022 approved by the ALF BoG in June 2022 and is also already part of the ALF's Action Grant Phase VI signed with DG NEAR for 2022- 2025. 2  b) Scope The programs of the "Mediterranean Capitals of Culture" will be organised by respective local authorities (normally the city councils), supported by cultural institutions, schools/universities, sport institutions, civil society organisations etc. The program may include, for example, conferences and seminars on key themes for the region, civic and popular initiatives, concerts and exhibitions that celebrate the Mediterranean. The scheduled events should be rich and varied enough to involve the entire population with a view to promoting the common regional identity to all citizens and to make them aware of ongoing regional projects of their direct interest. In this vein, the main aim of the programme for the designated cities should be to: ➢ Enhance the richness and diversity of the Euro-Mediterranean region and contribute to a better mutual understanding of its peoples ➢ Highlight the Euro-Mediterranean identity of the city while promoting its own historical and cultural heritage ➢ Strengthen the sense of Euro-Mediterranean community ➢ Promote local action and that of civil society, which is increasingly dynamic and active, within the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation ➢ Develop the network of territorial cooperation in the Mediterranean while uniting the members of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership ➢ Provide platforms to address issues of socio-economic, cultural and identity concerns ➢ Create a bond between selected North and South cities Selected cities will be supported by the ALF and UfM Secretariat by providing best practice where required as well as contacts, including via the ALF network of networks of civil society. 3  3. Process, Methodology, Roles and responsibilities a) Responsibilities The yearly exercise will be jointly led by the UfMand the ALF. An Advisory committee will be set up, composed of a representative each of the following organisations: UfM Secretariat; ALF SG; ARLEM. Its first task will be to develop Terms of References for the process of initiation, selection and organisation (modelled, where applicable on the ALF framework of the first edition of the “Euromed Capital for Dialogue Award”), which will be submitted for validation by UfM Senior Officials. The Advisory Committee will also be responsible for the preliminary assessment of candidatures against the definition of criteria (generic as in the TOR, and specific as in the yearly calls for candidature) before their selection by UfM Senior Officials. b) Sequence Based on a proposal by the UfM Secretariat and ALF, following endorsement by UfM Senior officials, a Call for candidature is sent NLT 1 March of each calendar year. Based on a compilation and study of candidates by all applicable criteria, UfM Secretariat and ALF present their recommendations to UfM Senior officials who decide on a final selection of cities that will be announced at the yearly Regional Forum meetings in November of every calendar year. c) Eligibility In the definition of eligibility, the following minimal criteria will have to be respected: ➢ Be located in a member state of the Union for the Mediterranean; ➢ Have, at the time of application, a Euro-Mediterranean vocation for the city ➢ Have developed a viable first draft program that respects the overall aims outlined in this concept note and that is coordinated with another candidate city of the opposite shore (north-south); ➢ Other criteria might be foreseen in the call for applications to be developed by the UfM Secretariat /ALF for submission to the Advisory committee and Senior Officials. 4  d) Financing Cities interested in getting designated as “Mediterranean Capital of Culture” have to be made aware that there is no financial support and that they have to bear all related costs. This said, the UfM and ALF would accompany the cities in their organisation, including through the provision of best practices and in establishing contacts, including towards possible donors for project-based funding where required.3. It is also expected that the co-designated cities (north and south) consider to mutual support each other where feasible. e) Best practice The UfM Secretariat, supported by the ALF, will act as depository of best practices to be proactively established, assembled, kept up to date and shared with candidate cities, including via its website. 3 In accordance with the Annual Work Programme 2022 approved by the ALF BoG in June 2022 and the Action Grant Contrat signed with DG NEAR an annual budget of 40.000 euro is foreseen to implement five intercultural initiatives (8000€ each) led by members of the ALF Civil Society National Networks in tandem with the designated city each year. In addition, the UfM Secretariat will ensure that some of its anticipated meetings in the work programme will be organized in the selected “capital”, ideally one per division (i.e. 6 events in total), as well as to support the city in terms of visibility and communication. 5 Saatja: Merle Järv <[email protected]> Saadetud: 16.03.2023 15:49 Adressaat: Meelis Kompus <[email protected]> Koopia: KUL min <[email protected]> Teema: FW: REPUBLIC of ESTONIA: Letter to the Minister of Culture * Launching of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture's initiative Manused: image001.png; 1.ATTACHMENT Capital of the Mediterranean concept note.pdf; ESTONIA.pdf; NV Estonia (Capital Med).pdf Tere! Edastan Eesti Suursaatkonda Madridis saabunud Vahemere Liidu juhilt kultuuriministrile adresseeritud kirja. Palun edastage vajalikele kontaktidele. Parimat Merle Järv Lauaülem -konsul Saatkond Madridis From: Office of the UfM Secretary General <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:25 PM To: Saatkond Madridis üldaadress (e-mail) <[email protected]> Cc: Andres Unga <[email protected]>; Artur Tänna <[email protected]>; Indrek Erikson <[email protected]>; office of the SG BACKUP <[email protected]> Subject: REPUBLIC of ESTONIA: Letter to the Minister of Culture * Launching of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture's initiative Dear Sir/Madam, Kindly find attached a letter of the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Mr. Nasser Kamel, on the launch of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture’s initiative, to be forwarded to the attention of H.E. Ms Piret Hartman, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Estonia. Our Best Regards, Office of the Secretary General [email protected] T+34 935 214 147 or + 34 935 214 119 www.ufmsecretariat.org Facebook – Twitter – LinkedIn – Instagram Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean Pere Duran Farell, 11 - 08034 Barcelona, Spain