European Union culture policies aim to address and promote the cultural dimension of European integration through relevant legislation and government funding. These policies support the development of cultural activity, education or research conducted by private companies, NGO's and individual initiatives based in the EU working in the fields of cinema and audiovisual, publishing, music and crafts. The European Commission runs Culture Programme (2007-2013), and the EU funds other cultural bodies such as the European Cultural Month, the Media Programme, the European Union Youth Orchestra and the European Capital of Culture programme. The EU awards grants to cultural projects (233 in 2004) and has launched a web portal dedicated to Europe and Culture, responding to the European Council's expressed desire to see the Commission and the member states "promote the networking of cultural information to enable all citizens to access European cultural content by advanced technological means." History and development The Council of Europe, which is distinct from the European Union (EU), first formalised cultural cooperation policy in Europe with its European Cultural Convention. However, European Union-affiliated cultural policy, promoting unified cooperation between member states was first initiated with the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. Currently, a cultural contact point (CCP) is established in each EU member state, responsible for facilitating communication between the European Commission's Cultural Programme and each member state. Institutions and bodies The most important EU institutions through which decisions are made regarding cultural policies are: the European Commission acting in the areas of culture, sport and languages, the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament, the Education, Youth and Culture sector of the Council of the European Union, and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. List of institutions and bodies The EU promotes cultural development through numerous institutions, civil society organisations and networks such as: Cinema of Europe Committee on Culture and Education Directorate-General for Education and Culture Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency Euranet Europa Nostra - foundation European Audiovisual Observatory European Commission European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth European Film Promotion European Institute of Cultural Routes - network European League of Institutes of the Arts - network European Network of Information Centres - network European Union National Institutes for Culture European Union Youth Orchestra - network Union of the Theatres of Europe - network European Network of Cultural Centres - network Trans Europe Halles - network European Festival