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OVERVIEW

Culture is a component of sustainable development for its intrinsic value, but also an enabler of it – without culture many achievements in other areas cannot be made (e.g. on social cohesion, peace, etc).

While culture is not directly targeted by the Global Gateway, it can contribute to Global Gateway objectives, reinforce the impact and sustainability of investments and play an important role in Global Gateway flagship projects.

This includes promoting long lasting people-to-people connections that will facilitate cooperation; or through cultural exchanges and mutual sharing of cultural heritage and values to increase trust and attractiveness of the EU as a reliable partner; or through fostering creative industries and cultural tourism to tap into new markets, drive innovation and boost economic growth.

One example is the Global Gateway flagship project in Mosul, which focused on reviving culture and creative industries to contribute to skills development, job creation and livelihood enhancements. The project showcased how culture and cultural assets can be used for Global Gateway objectives.

IRAQ • REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF MOSUL AND BASRA

  • Reconstruction of cultural heritage in historical urban centres (Mosul and Basra);
  • Reviving cultural and creative industries by supporting SMEs – contributing to skills development, job creation, livelihood enhancements for local community and youth and social cohesion;
  • Offering technical training on heritage site reconstruction – supporting the TVET sector.

Copyright:UNESCO


WHAT IS IT?

The European Commission’s approach to working on culture in international partnerships is guided by the 2016 Joint Communication, emphasizing the need for an EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations and setting out three main work strands:

  • Supporting creative industries for economic growth.
  • Promoting intercultural dialogue for social cohesion.
  • Reinforcing cooperation and safeguarding of cultural heritage.


WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?

Growth & Jobs: Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) contribute to jobs and growth, particularly for youth and women. CCIs represent 3% of global GDP and 30 million jobs worldwide. Over the last few years, the role of culture in development has been increasingly recognised and lead to 68 countries from the Global South directly include culture in their National Development Plans.

Digital Transformation: Contents produced by the Cultural and Creative Industry (CCIs) make up an integral part of the digital economy, often serving as a basis for digital innovation (eg. video gaming, design, virtual reality, etc.).

Green Deal: Culture can contribute to behavioral changes needed to fight against climate change. Intangible and tangible heritage can also help by creating space for traditional and indigenous knowledge, which can me more inclusive and environment friendly.

Migration: Culture and cultural activities support social cohesion, resilience, identity building and social and economic (re)integration of migrants and displaced people.

Governance Peace and Security: Culture fosters open, resilient, inclusive societies; contributes to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Cultural rights, cultural diversity, freedom of speech, access to culture contribute to democratic societies.

Youth, Gender, Education: Culture can give opportunities and voice to youth, women, minorities and empower them for action. Cultural and arts education can reduce inequalities and stimulate innovation.

WHEN CAN IT BE USED?

Cultural activities and stakeholders can be included in a wide range of actions, as seen above. Cultural stakeholders are often an intrinsic part of the civil society and should be considered when implementing consultations or drafting calls for proposals. They can also be an amplifier for the values such as human rights and democracy and as a way to reach out to youth and socially disadvantaged groups. A holistic approach to working on international cultural relations and cooperation serves as a tool to increase the effectiveness of external EU interventions.

WHO CAN USE IT?

Cultural relations and cooperation can be integrated in a wide range of actions by different EU services (INTPA, NEAR, FPI, EEAS, ECHO – but also others), both in the Headquarters and in the delegations.

WHAT ARE ITS STRENGTHS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES?

The strengths of a cultural approach include:

  • Enhances social cohesion and peacebuilding through intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.
  • Stimulates economic growth and job creation, particularly benefiting youth and women.
  • Facilitates digital innovation by providing rich cultural content for the digital economy.
  • Contributes to environmental sustainability through the promotion of cultural and natural
  • Empowers youth, women and minorities, providing them with opportunities and a platform for expression.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
  • Potential resistance to cultural norms interventions due to differing values and norms in various regions.
  • Risk of cultural homogenization, where dominant cultures overshadow local traditions and practices.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

KEY ELEMENTS
  • Understanding and leveraging cultural diversity and artistic freedom of expression
  • Promoting intercultural dialogue
  • Supporting cultural heritage and creative industries
  • Reinforcing cultural heritage conservation
REQUIREMENTS

Data/information for more informed decisions which ultimately leads to the development of effective strategies:

  • Comprehensive data on local cultural sectors, needs and resources (stakeholders, value chains and similar).
  • Analysis of the socio-economic impact of cultural initiatives.
SKILLS
  • Information on cultural policies and knowledge about local cultural stakeholders and their needs
  • Intercultural awareness and skills
FINANCIAL COSTS AND SOURCES

When considering designing actions that include culture and cultural stakeholders, keep in mind:

  • Main budget sources (MIPs and AAPs: do they include culture? If they include other priorities, can culture play an enabling role in reaching those priorities?)
  • Other budget lines such as CSO support, Human Rights support
  • Communication and public diplomacy: cultural activities sometimes fall under cultural and public diplomacy type of activities and can be supported through those budget lines.
  • Check with the responsible services in the Headquarters for any regional or HQ-led opportunities for funding.
    • Example: FPI funds an instrument called Cultural Relations Platform, that offers support for EUDELs in developing international cultural relations
  • Check what other Member States and the EUNIC Clusters (EUNIC – EU Network of National Cultural Institutes) are doing and what opportunities for synergies are offered there.
TIPS AND TRICKS
  • Engage local communities and stakeholders in the planning and implementation of cultural initiatives.
  • Continuously monitor and evaluate the outcomes of cultural interventions to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.
RESOURCES

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