Describe the main features of the policy/measure:
Estonia has bilateral cultural cooperation agreements and joint programmes with more than 50 countries from all over the world, more than half of these have been concluded with non-EU countries.
Usually, bilateral agreement shall remain in force indefenitely or for a certain period of time and thereafter shall be automatically renewed for successive period of equal duration, unless either of the Parties should express its opposition thereto, which must be notified in writing through diplomatic channels.
In addition to a bilateral agreement, Parties may agree upon and in accordance with the agreement a separate cultural cooperation programme for a certain time period. Such programmes can be prolonged by means of exchange of corresponding notes sent through diplomatic channels, unless either of the Parties should express its opposition.
Activities under cultural cooperation agreements/programmes are supported by both parties to the agreement/programme in finalizing projects within the agreement/programme (for example, usual practice is that the host country covers the costs of receiving guests and the visiting country takes care of the travel expenses). Within the frames of active bilateral cooperation agreements and programmes, different NGOs and private or state cooperation partners in the status of legal person registered in Estonia can apply for the support from the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Grants from the Ministry of Culture are combined with other Estonian sources of financing.
Within priority partner countries for development cooperation for Estonia (Afghanistan, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Belorussia), four are involved in bilateral cultural cooperation agreements and joint programmes as well: Georgia (bilateral cultural agreement was ratified 28.10.2004, latest bilateral cultural programme for the years 2017-2020 was signed 06.03.2017), Moldova (bilateral cultural agreement was ratified 03.04.1996/10.12.2011), Ukraine (cultural agreement was ratified 01.04.1996, latest cultural programme for the years 2017-2021 was signed 03.04.2017), Belarus (cultural agreement was signed 24.08.2004).
Website of the policy/measure, if available:
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the policy/measure?:
Development of cooperation in the field of culture by supporting (financially as well as the exchange of know-how) bilateral cooperation between creative persons and cultural institutions. Creation of a favourable environment for international cooperation, including exchange of know-how and activated cultural exchange. On a wider scale, enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between the countries.
Financial resources allocated to the policy/measure in USD:
Each year, certain amount of financial resources are available in the yearly budget of the Estonian Ministry of Culture to support bi- and multilateral cooperation (for 2016-2019 in total around 750 000 EUR=~894 000 USD, average annually around 187 000 EUR=~222 000 USD).
Partner(s) engaged in the implementation of the measure:
Has the implementation of the policy/measure been evaluated?:
YES
If yes, what are the main conclusions/recommendations?:
Before prolonging the programme for the next period, both Parties evaluate the projects carried out within the previous period as well as the necessity to continue with the programme. So far, the general conclusion has been to continue with the agreements and programmes which have been active, effective and/or have been signed with our priority countries in international as well as developing cooperation. More attention needs to be paid to assessing the impact of the measure on its purpose.