On the one hand, the importance attributed to bilateral cultural programmes – particularly within Europe – has decreased. Public funding is being diverted towards international events, theme years and anniversaries. Most of these have a high political profile or links to ‘cultural tourism’. On the other hand, a broader definition of culture is influencing the content of cultural cooperation projects. There is a shift away from traditionally funded one-directional or bilateral exchanges of artists or artistic projects.
http://www.labforculture.org/en/resources/research_in_focus/no_3_european_cultural_cooperation