The long term objectives of the EEA and Norway Grants are to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and beneficiary states.

The programme Culture contributes to social and economic development through revitalisation of the cultural heritage, and through cultural and creative activities, both enhancing regional development and social inclusion.

Specific concerns

The Czech Republic has been facing several issues related to human rights. The United Nations recommended to improve the integration of Roma citizens into society, and to introduce measures to combat racism and xenophobia. Therefore, projects in the area of contemporary arts shall accentuate support the cultural production of minorities and address the issue of inclusion or improve the access of minority groups (such as Roma) to culture. Promotion of cultural heritage of minorities (including Roma and Jewish) and inclusive activities will be accentuated in related open calls and directly supported through the predefined project (Building of a memorial to the victims of the Roma holocaust in Lety – Písek). All open calls will accentuate the capacity building, cultural entrepreneurship and bilateral cooperation with the donor states.

Cultural Heritage

In the area of cultural heritage the programme supports the preservation of cultural heritage through its material restoration and especially through its subsequent meaningful use, which is the only way to achieve its long-term preservation and local development. Two open calls are expected.

The first will address the preservation and restoration of immovable and movable heritage, including strategies for long-term use and their implementation (larger grants EUR 200,000 – 1,500,000). The announcement of the call is expected in the second quarter of 2019. Considering the funding from other sources, the categories of the “National Cultural Monuments” and the “UNESCO cultural monuments” will not be supported.

The second open call will be opened for smaller projects (EUR 50,000 – 250,000) focusing exclusively on revitalization and use of cultural heritage that is adequate technical condition. The announcement of the call is expected in the second quarter of 2020.

Please note a valid building permit will be required upon the submission of the grant application in case of building activities. Moreover, the natural persons are not eligible applicants in the area of cultural heritage.

Contemporary arts

Within the area of contemporary arts at least two open calls are expected in the second quarter of 2019 and 2021. The aim is to support high quality original creative works and their presentation (with preference of interdisciplinary activities) in the area of performing arts (theatre, dance and physical theatre, new circus, classical and contemporary music), visual arts (including architecture and design (except its production), traditional and contemporary crafts) and literature with grants amounting to EUR 50,000 – 200,000.
Newly, the programme will support the area of professional arts criticism and the area of capacity building of umbrella associations, networks and platforms by separate open calls. At least one open call is expected in both areas in the middle of 2019 with grants amount to EUR 10,000 – 50,000.

Bilateral cooperation

In order to support the bilateral cooperation and to find common solutions to common challenges, the programme will encourage close cooperation with partners from the donor states in projects. To facilitate the arrangement of the partnerships with potential partners (already contacted), an open call for bilateral study trips will be announced before each of the aforementioned open calls. In addition to the bilateral study trips, two match-making seminars will be organized. First seminar will focus on industrial cultural heritage and will take place in Norway. The latter will be held in the Czech Republic and will focus on innovative use of cultural heritage. In the area of contemporary arts, one seminar is planned in Norway to present Czech cultural sectors and the programme to potential project partners from donor states.

Programme preparation
The focus of the programme has been designed in cooperation with the programme partners. It is in line with the relevant strategies for individual cultural areas in the Czech Republic and with the current needs of cultural and creative areas in the Czech Republic identified at the stakeholder consultation held in autumn 2017.
The concept of the programme was preliminary accepted by the donors in June 2018. The final setting and focus of the programme will be officially approved in the programme agreement (expected in autumn 2018), therefore provided information is not definite and may change.