Conservation and Revitalisation of Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage

Programme Summary

Why is the Programme needed? Hungary’s rich cultural and natural heritage is at risk mainly due to limited funds for its upkeep and preservation. This results in serious deterioration of this heritage and negatively affects societal and economic developments (disintegrating communities and lagging behind areas that are less attractive to live and work in, less appealing for tourism and lack appeal for new investments). The EEA Programme in this area provides funding for conservation, whilst addressing issues currently limiting people’s access to culture. What will the Programme achieve? The Programme aims to restore or rehabilitate at least 4 important heritage buildings in urban areas, to protect or revitalize at least 10 rural cultural and natural sites, and support 2 digital documentation projects. Raising awareness about the importance of care for cultural and natural heritage and gearing up people’s knowledge about and access to this heritage - specifically for those people who still have limited access - is a requirement for all projects. Furthermore, new developments in art and culture will be supported through a Small Grants Scheme which will provide funding for at least 20 projects. How will the results be achieved? Results will be achieved in the following manner:

•  In the area of renovation, conservation and protection of cultural heritage and public access to it, grants will be made available through calls open to cultural players. This will result in the restoration of 4 buildings in an urban setting and 10 rural heritage buildings including connected landscapes/natural surroundings and presenting traditional crafts. Donor partnerships will be encouraged in the latter;
• In the area of cultural heritage documented, there will be calls for applications open to cultural bodies aiming to digitize cultural heritage. As a result 325 items of tangible/intangible cultural heritage will be made available to the public in digital format;
• Regarding cultural and natural heritage safeguarded and conserved and made publicly accessible, applicants will be able to respond to open calls. It is expected that the funding will result in the preservation of 10 landscapes/natural surroundings connected to cultural  heritage buildings;
• A Small Grants Scheme with open calls supports the promotion of cultural diversity, to strengthen the cultural identity of minorities (with a focus on Roma minorities), and stimulate mutual understanding through intercultural dialogue.
• Concerning contemporary art presented and reaching a broader audience a Small Grant Scheme will stimulate informal exchange between cultural players in the beneficiary and donor states in the field of contemporary art and culture, contributing to capacity development through accelerated learning. A donor partnership is a requirement for these projects.

How will bilateral relations be strengthened? In order to stimulate the further development of bilateral relations a bilateral fund will be set up to provide support for bilateral cooperation between cultural players in Hungary and the Donor States. The fund will facilitate the finding of partners for bilateral partnerships (through a partnership seminar and support for the preparation costs of partnership projects) and the strengthening of existing partnerships. A fund for complementary action will be set up to stimulate exchange of experience and best practices among beneficiary states.What are the partnership opportunities? There will be opportunities for partnerships under the calls for proposals, most notably regarding natural heritage and within the bilateral fund. Besides these, the Small Grants Scheme foresees partnership projects between cultural players from Hungary and the Donor States. There will be open calls for this scheme for grants ranging between €25,000 and €200,000. Donor partnerships are obligatory for the sub-theme international cultural cooperation. The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren (RA)) is involved in the Programme as a Donor Programme Partner and the Arts Council Norway was involved concerning issues related to contemporary art/cultural diversity. Legal entities, such as public or private entities, cultural organizations (NGOs, public bodies), etc. in Hungary are eligible to apply as project applicants (Donor State entities will be eligible for grant assistance as project partner).