Promotion of Diversity in Culture and Arts within European Cultural Heritage (Donor Partnership Programme)

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Poland’s cultural resources are numerous and diverse. However its cultural sector – like that of many other European countries – is facing great challenges concerning its ability to adapt to current needs regarding new technological developments, audience development, cross-border cooperation, safeguarding cultural diversity in a globalising world and access to funding. The programme will help address some of the issues related to these challenges by providing support for projects, thereby stimulating capacity development, the sector’s adaptation to new developments and people’s greater access to culture and their increased awareness about cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.   What will the programme achieve? By supporting activities - such as capacity development in the area of cultural heritage and contemporary art and culture (e.g. music and stage arts, fine and visual arts) - the programme contributes to economic development, creation of new jobs and social inclusion (by attracting tourists and investment in other economic areas). In this regard the programme ties in with the Europe 2020 Strategy and the aims set out by the European Commission for the EU Creative Europe 2014-2020 programme.   How will it be achieved? The programme will: • Contribute to at least 20 projects in the area of artistic and cultural education, cultural heritage, music and stage arts and fine and visual arts; • Stimulate the development of at least 100 cultural performances and the establishment of at least 20 project partnership agreements; • Stimulate the development of at least 20 intercultural events, in the organising of which at least 880 people will be involved; • Gear-up the wider public’s access to the diversity of culture, thereby contributing to a greater awareness about cultural diversity and minority cultures. This will contribute to a greater understanding between communities and to social cohesion; • Promote cross-border and bilateral cultural cooperation and stimulate capacity development in this area by the exchange of knowledge and best practices.   How will bilateral relations be strengthened? The programme has a strong focus on strengthening bilateral relations for example by providing support for partner search for donor partnership projects prior to the preparation of a project application and through support for networking, exchange, sharing and transfer of knowledge, technology, experience and best practices. The Arts Council Norway is the Donor Programme Partner.   What are the partnership opportunities? There is support for partner search activities and the development of partner projects. Bilateral cooperation and exchanges will gear-up the exchange of knowledge and best practices between cultural players in the donor and beneficiary states in this area, and in doing so it will contribute to accelerated learning.   Who can apply for funding under this programme? Eligible applicants are: national and local government cultural institutions, film institutes, public artistic schools and universities, public universities (in the case of projects implemented by their artistic faculties as well as faculties concerning cultural studies, history, cultural heritage and cultural management), state archives, local government units and their associations, non-governmental organisations in the field of culture.