Marseille-Provence 2013 Jacques Pfister, the president the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Marseille and Provence. The association had an initial budget of 91 million euros, 84% of which was provided via public financing (the European Union and various levels of French government). The rest of the budget came from the private sector. The final budget for the association was 101 million euros, a sum that included the cost of running the ticket office and other initiatives. The territory for the European Capital of Culture Marseille-Provence 2013 included close to 100 communities surrounding Marseille. Among the major communities were: Other notable jurisdictions
European Capital of Culture of designating an annual Capital of Culture to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values. It is strongly believed that the ECoC significantly maximises social and economic benefits, especially when the events are embedded as a part of a long–term culture-based development strategy of the city and the surrounding region. The Commission of the European Union manages the title and each year the Council of Ministers of the European Union formally designates European Capitals of Culture: more than 40 cities have been designated so far.