WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE PROJECT AND WHO IS THE TARGET GROUP?

The project is based on the presumption that culture is not just an added bonus in towns in the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo, but an essential component for social cohesion and an improvement in the quality of life for its citizens, regardless of their ethnic, religious, educational, social or gender background. Art is also regarded as essential to the region's economic development.

Building strong partnerships between civil society organisations and local government institutions, as well as building up cultural and artistic networks with a focus on promotion of arts and culture, this project will ensure systematic interaction and mutual confidence, as well as joint and coordinated activities at all levels.

The project aims to:

• Increase and encourage citizens' participation in policy-making and decision-making activities at a local level;
• Identify and develop an efficient system of processes in the area of culture that would lead to systematic cultural development of the chosen municipalities;
• Improve the influence of artists over policy creation at local and national levels in both countries and to encourage a critical approach toward society's processes;
• Improve regional cooperation among the municipalities in countries involved in the project.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT INCLUDE?

The project includes:

• Preparation meetings with all the municipalities and artists' groups involved;
• 7 training meetings for cultural policy issues over 3 years;
• 9 creative workshops and artistic products over 3 years;
• Research activities in all participating municipalities;
• Comparative analysis of the policies and research;
• Creating and writing the participatory cultural policies and strategies for cultural development;
• Promotion of the participatory cultural policy at local level;
• 3 international conferences;
• Development of a web platform as a tool for promotion of the policies and activities in the local community.

HOW IS THE PROJECT FINANCED?

It is supported by the Swiss Cultural Programme in the Western Balkans.