Czech Association of Independent theatre strives for the continuity of political decisions in the theatre field, establishes communication with all levels of public administration and contributes to improving cultural policy, defends the interests of association members at all levels of public administration. WE ARE PROUD CO-FOUND MEMBER OF EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT PERFORMING ARTS (EAIPA).

Czech Association of Independent Theatre will be designing a project within the frames of EEA Grants focused on standardization and professionalization, on development and endorsement of skills and competences of partner organizations and its members in disciplines such as management, leadership, fundraising and new business models. Also mapping the needs of the independent theatre field in each country in the form of research, data collection, studies, analyses and other surveys will be part of the project proposal, with the aim to articulate arguments for cultural policy and cultural advocacy in arts.

Aims and objectives - mapping of needs of the independent theatre sector, evaluation of data collections, studies and analyzes, sharing results among partners, exchange of good mapping practices and their resulting development - comparing external communication and lobbing practices, coaching with local experts, sharing best practices - establishing strategies for regional communication on public and municipal level, seeing regional differences and actively working with them, best practices in reginal cooperation even on cross-border level; being able to build brand name for independent theatre field and influence its flourishing here - organizing workshops and seminars for the organizations´ management focused on leadership, fundraising and new business models connected to online talks, discussions or coaching; all leading into development of their skills and assurance, exchange of good practices, sharing of real experiences - building online member platform for sharing, guidance, troubleshooting; and network of specialists for continuous upgrading and development of common knowledge of success; compering the member base in each country and finding differences or similarities and working with them. Project methodology Introduced project would connect three partnering organizations from Czech Republic, Norway and Iceland. All involved organizations would share all the activities and benefit from the outcomes and results. We would welcome any of their input, ideas or needs within designing of the project. All activities would share taking place in all involved countries or would be happening online. Each partner would have its project leader and project team. Other local partners involved in the project would be more than welcome.

Timetable: The project should start the soonest in April 2020 and run for two years. Prior applying should be our common bilateral meeting either in Prague/Oslo/Reykjavik or other place upon agreement. Within personal meeting for two or three days in May - June 2019, we should be able to articulate the needs of each organization and their members/field, upon which would be built the detailed plan of activities, its implementation, visibility and dissemination. Budget At the moment the budget is still in development, all depending on the concept and number of partners. The certain information for our future partners is that all costs would be covered by the EEA Grants system, so there will be no needs of any kind of co-financing.