16.10.2017

The Statement below on Armenia’s full accession to the EU Creative Europe Porgramme was adopted within the framework of “Creative Europe Forum” project. The project was carried out by “Golden Apricot” Fund for Cinema Development within the EaP Civil Society Forum’s Re-Granting Scheme in partnership with International Foundation LEA (Georgia) and Internews-Ukraine. The Statement was initiated by the participants of the July 12-14, 2017 Forum in the frames of “Golden Apricot” International Film Festival.

On behalf of more than 60 participants, Creative Europe Forum highly appreciates the European Union “Creative Europe” Programme which comprises of two major sub-programmes – Culture and Media. Within the framework of “Creative Europe” the EU provides substantial funds to contribute to the enhancement of participant countries’ cultures (total budget of the Programme for the EU and the EaP countries for 2014-2020 period is 1.46 billion EUR).

Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova from EaP region have already joined the Programme in 2015 – and this gave an impetus to development of creative industries in these countries. This should have served an example to Armenia authorities. In November 2015 a special Statement on Armenia’s joining the Creative Europe Programme has been adopted by the EaP CSF Armenian National Platform which was addressed to Armenian authorities and which contained an insistent call for an immediate adhesion to the Programme. However, despite this fact Armenia neither in 2016 nor in 2017 acceded to the Programme – and it had a negative effect on the development of the creative sector in the country.

Though, according to the statement of an official representative of the Ministry of Culture of RA made during the Forum – Armenia will accede to the Creative Europe Programme early in 2018 under the Culture sub-programme. However, this does not fully reflect expectations and needs of professional creative organizations in the country – in such situation they are left without access to the considerable sources of financing.

In such specific situation it considers absolutely evident and highly important that Armenia should become a full participant in both sub-programmes of the “Creative Europe” Programme.

Creative Europe Forum’s participants urge the Armenian government listen to the demands of creative non-governmental organizations and creative industry professionals to ensure all the necessary conditions for Armenia’s full participation in the Creative Europe Programme under the both components (Culture and Media) so that Armenian organizations operating in the field of culture could apply for the upcoming grant competition expected in the beginning of 2018. The successful projects will not only provide fresh momentum to the development of culture and media culture in Armenia, but also create new opportunities for a mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and the relevant organizations of the Eastern Partnership Countries.