Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum highly appreciates the European Union “Creative Europe” programme which supports the enhancement of cultural and creative sectors both across Europe and the Eastern Partnership countries.
The Programme is comprised of two major sub-programmes – Culture and Media. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have already joined the Programme. We consider highly important that Armenia should become a full participant in both sub-programmes. Within the framework of “Creative Europe” the EU is willing to provide substantial funds to contribute to the enhancement of participant countries’ cultures (total budget of the Programme for the EU and the EaP countries for 2014-2020 period is EUR 1.46 billion).
The EaP CSF Armenian National Platform sadly states that the cultural development of Armenia is not among the priorities of the Armenian authorities and the financing of this sector is carried out on the basis of retained balance. Unfortunately, for the last two years the RA Government was reluctant to make the decision to transfer the membership fee of EUR 120.000 to join this Programme. We find this approach unacceptable.
We urge the RA Government to immediately ensure the allocation of the required membership fee for Armenia’s full participation in the Creative Europe programme under both components (Culture and Media) so that the Armenian organizations operating in the field of culture can apply for the upcoming grant competition expected in the beginning of 2016. The successful projects will not only provide fresh momentum to the development of culture and media culture in Armenia, but also create new opportunities for a mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and the relevant organizations of the Eastern Partnership Countries.
EaP CSF Armenian National Platform
November 16, 2015
Yerevan