Cultural co-operation with the European Union
The last of the four platforms working within the framework of the multilateral co-operation of the Eastern Partnership is devoted to contacts between people and, among other fields it also includes the field of cultural co-operation. Within the EP framework, the Cultural Programme of the Eastern Partnership was in effect for the years 2011-2015, the main purpose of which was to enhance cultural relations and networks in the EP region and with EU countries. The Regional Monitoring and Capacity Building Unit, located in Kharkov, was operating during this period, and it developed the Analytical base-line Report on the Culture Sector and Cultural Policy of the Republic of Armenia.
Creative Europe Programme
In 2014, at the invitation of the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission, Armenia started implementing a consistent policy aimed at joining the “Creative Europe” framework programme, which came to replace the EU’s Culture Programme. Armenia has declared its intention to join the Culture sector of the programme. The non-governmental organisations and cultural associations in Armenia are already participating in a number of initiatives of the “Creative Europe” programme as “a third country”.
Culture and Creativity Programme
Armenia is actively participating in the EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme (from 2015 to 2018), the purpose of which is to ensure the support of the cultural and creative sectors. The programme was officially launched in Armenia on 4 December 2015 at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. The Armenian coordinator of the programme is the British Council Armenia.
EU grant programmes
Armenia continues to be actively engaged in the EU grant programmes. Implementation of previously launched programmes has continued and new programmes have been carried out in the reporting period The series of events includes the following: “Caucult”, “Directors across borders”, “Caucadoc”, “RCCHD Sharing History”, “South Caucasus Heritage Crafts”, SPACES, South Caucasus Heritage Crafts, “I Culture”, “Artiste in Residence”, “Ուշադրություն ժպիտ” (“Attention, smile”), “The book platform”, “Կինոէքսպրես. Հայաստան-Վրաստան” (“Film express; Armenia-Georgia”), “Երգենք և պարենք հանուն խաղաղության” (“Let us sing and dance for peace”) and other programmes.