Norwegian funds for culture mean up to 55 million euros

Prague - In addition to structural funds, around which many debates revolve in the Czech Republic and whose functioning has already impacted the personnel composition of the government, the Czech Republic is also drawing money from so-called Norwegian funds. While the drawing from structural funds in the area of culture is still in the preparatory phase, several cultural institutions are already receiving money from the Norwegian funds. In total, more than half of the funds designated for the Czech Republic, amounting to over 55 million euros (approximately 1.5 billion crowns), are expected to go to the cultural sector.
    At today’s press conference, representatives of the Ministry of Culture stated this. The large share of funds allocated for culture by the Norwegian funds is reportedly due to the fact that there were no financial mechanisms designated for culture in the previous period.
    A total amount of 111 million euros (about three billion crowns) is earmarked for the Czech Republic, making it the third largest beneficiary of funds from the mentioned grants, following Poland and Hungary. Culture is just one of eight areas of support, yet more than half of the funds are to be allocated to it.
    The first call for project submissions took place in May 2005, with cultural heritage being the priority area, and nearly 11 million euros (300 million crowns) designated for projects. The Ministry of Culture was responsible only for projects of its contributory organizations, through which 2.35 million euros (about 65 million crowns) were allocated. Other projects went through municipalities, regions, or other ministries.
    A successful applicant was the National Library, which received nearly one million euros, or about 27.5 million crowns, for the preservation of 19th-century magazines that were threatened due to the rapid deterioration of paper. According to library staff, the first invoices related to the project have already been paid. They also appreciate the interest of Norwegians, who, according to them, always want to know exactly how the money spent from the funds is used.
    Within the contributory organizations of the ministry, the Valašské Museum in Nature will also receive money from the Norwegian funds. Over 2.6 million euros (about 74 million crowns) will go towards a new exhibition, a new workplace, and the restoration of the museum's buildings. The Minister of Culture stated today that research on folk wooden buildings could be one of the paths for future cooperation between Czech and Norwegian experts, as Norway has much experience in the maintenance of such cultural monuments.
    The second call was announced this summer, and according to the ministry, 148 projects applied; however, only 22 of them, according to the director of the structural funds department, Jana Vohralíková, have a chance of receiving funding. The selection of applications for the second call is to be confirmed during October, and the announcement of the third call is also expected in October, she stated.
    The financial mechanisms of Norway and the European Economic Area (EEA) were established in 2004 following the accession of new countries to the European Union. They are intended for 13 EU member countries and will provide a total of 1.167 billion euros (32 billion crowns) by 2009. Through the funds, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway aim to contribute to the countries joining the EEA for projects in the expanded internal market.