EU supports culture in Western Balkans with €8 million initiative
The project "Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs)" will support the cultural and creative sectors in the region and promote peaceful relations and socio-economic development.
The EU has launched this new initiative to be implemented by UNESCO, the British Council and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Project objectives
The project will aim to
- foster the mobility of artists and cultural operators
- strengthen the safeguarding, management and promotion of cultural heritage
- support sustainable growth of the cultural and creative industries
The project will provide financial and technical assistance and encourage public-private partnerships.
Project partners
The project will involve
- public authorities
- cultural and creative organisations
- businesses and individual professionals
- civil society and community groups
- youth, women, and disadvantaged vulnerable groups
Education and research institutions, students and media professionals from independent media and networks, blogs and other producers of cultural contents will be key to the initiative.
Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said
I am glad that, together with my colleague Commissioner Várhelyi, we could launch such an ambitious action of 8 million EUR to support the cultural and creative sectors in the Western Balkans.
Mainstreaming culture can lead to mutual understanding, peaceful cooperation and stability, as well as to economic benefits, especially in a region which is so rich in cultural heritage.
I am committed to assisting the integration of the Western Balkans in all areas of my portfolio, and I wish great success to UNESCO and its partners to implement this action.