The strategies were formulated in dialogue with local stakeholders representing culture and creative sector. The focus was on long-term planning, leading to greater impacts and sustainability.
New cultural indicators were introduced to support decision-making.
The cities of Ijevan in Armenia, Zugdidi in Georgia and Cahul in the Republic of Moldova received EU4Culture support to implement their Cultural Strategies. These strategies involved a broad range of activities, including research, analysing existing cultural assets, large-scale cultural events, international forums and festivals, grants schemes for local artists, capacity-building and more.
In Ukraine, following Russia’s full-scale invasion, EU4Culture modified its action plan and supported three cities to implement strategic cultural actions adapted to the war situation. The cities of Rivne, Vinnytsia and Odesa supported cultural events, built the capacities of local artist communities, empowered artists and the cultural sector thereby increasing civic engagement, and fostered resilience against disinformation.
To ensure the sustainability of the Cultural Strategies, EU4Culture (2021-2025) further supported the cities of Sevan and Charentsavan in Armenia, Poti and Kutaisi in Georgia and Orhei in the Republic of Moldova to implement targeted actions outlined in their respective Cultural Strategies. The cities focused on concrete strategic directions of their policy document, and on this basis conducted research activities and cultural mapping, realised cultural events and festivals, organised workshops and art residences.