The EU allocated EUR 275,000 for the selected Cultural and Cross-Innovation projects of artists and cultural professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova. With a grant of up to EUR 25,000 each, 20 initiatives will be implemented by non-profit organisations in 13 cities, all of which are participating in the EU4Culture Cities Network. Significantly, these projects have been developed in line with the Cultural Development Strategies created by the municipalities of these cities with the support of the EU-funded EU4Culture. Hence, these initiatives reflect the project’s major goal of supporting the decentralisation and regional development of cultural and creative industries in the Eastern Partnership Countries.
The participants presented and discussed the Cultural and Cross-Innovation projects during the event. Since horizontal issues such as inclusivity and environmental sustainability are integrated into the 20 initiatives, such topics were at the forefront of the multicultural dialogue.
“EU continues providing opportunities for the creative industries in Georgia, recognising just how essential arts and culture are in empowering communities and supporting the inclusive development of the country’s economy. The EU-funded EU4Culture alone has worked with three cities on creating and developing their cultural development strategies while also ensuring that Georgian artists and creative professionals have the opportunity to network internationally through mobility grants and implement their creative initiatives. The cultural and cross-innovation projects, implemented outside the capital, will enrich the Georgian creative sectors with more unique experiences. Moreover, the 4 EU-funded initiatives will support the development of cultural and creative industries in the country’s regions,” said Maria Stogova, Team Leader for Governance and Human Capital at the EU Delegation to Georgia.
“Providing financial support to the cultural and creative industries with a special focus on regions is essential for empowering artists and cultural professionals to develop opportunities within their hometowns, cities, and villages. The Cultural and Cross-Innovation projects, supported by EU4Culture, will create such opportunities and demonstrate the positive impact of art and culture on socio-economic development and multilateral dialogue,“ says Dr. Anatoli Beifert, the Head of the EU4Culture Project.
4 projects out of 20 will be implemented in Kutaisi and Poti. The total amount of the allocated budget for the projects in Georgia is 59,363 euros. With the support of the European Union, 4 ongoing projects in Georgia aim to contribute to the cultural and creative industries development in the regions.
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With a budget of EUR 7.85 million, EU4Culture is a four-year project funded by the European Union to support the culture and creative sector with a special focus on non-capital cities and towns in the Eastern Partnership Countries. The project is implemented by Goethe-Institut (Lead), Czech Centers, Danish Cultural Institute, and Institut Français de Géorgie.
Media Contact
Marika Jabua, EU4Culture National Coordinator in Georgia - marika.jabua@goethe.de
