Onward-with culture!

The Onward-with culture! project responds to uncertainty and to the direct consequences of measures already introduced or announced by the Ministry of Culture which, according to the applicant, threaten the operation of cultural NGOs and the livelihoods of self-employed cultural workers in Maribor. The identified challenges include the abolition of working scholarships, delayed payments for activities already implemented, announced reductions in funding under multiannual project and programme calls, delays in signing contracts, cancellation of calls, and uncertainty that makes responsible planning and implementation of cultural programmes more difficult. The applicant also states that these circumstances reduce legal certainty, may hinder international cooperation and access to European funding, and undermine the confidence of partners. A further challenge is the fragmentation of NGOs and self-employed cultural workers and their insufficient knowledge of their rights, legal remedies and administrative procedures. Centralisation is also identified as a problem, since access to information, knowledge and networking is more difficult outside Ljubljana. The project therefore addresses a clear need for rapid networking, legal support, coordinated responses and dialogue with public institutions.   The results framework further confirms the need to increase legal knowledge and the capacity of NGOs and self-employed cultural workers to use appropriate legal remedies.

The project aims to connect NGOs and self-employed cultural workers in Maribor, strengthen their capacity to respond collectively to measures taken by the Ministry of Culture, and provide them with the knowledge and legal support needed to protect their rights. The project will reactivate and coordinate the informal Collegium of NGOs and self-employed cultural workers in Maribor, convene and moderate meetings, map members’ needs and encourage coordinated responses. It will also establish or strengthen links with the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, other networks, trade unions, journalists, and NGOs and self-employed cultural workers from other parts of Slovenia. The educational component will include a multi-hour workshop on general administrative procedure and a legal workshop on possible measures under civil and criminal law, with at least ten participants expected at each. At least five individual legal consultations with a lawyer will also be provided, including assistance with the preparation of legal documents. Advocacy activities will target cultural public institutions in Maribor, the Municipality of Maribor, the Ministry of Culture and, where relevant, the media. The results framework further specifies at least three consultations with public cultural institutions and at least two meetings with the Municipality of Maribor.

The project’s direct results will primarily benefit non-governmental organisations and self-employed cultural workers from Maribor. At least ten representatives of these groups will increase their knowledge of general administrative procedure, while at least ten will gain a better understanding of the legal options available for responding to decisions of the Ministry of Culture. At least five individual legal consultations will be provided, resulting in the preparation of at least five enforcement proceedings or complaints to the State Attorney’s Office concerning unpaid claims by the Ministry. A key expected outcome will therefore be the increased capacity of NGOs and self-employed cultural workers to use appropriate legal remedies. Another important outcome will be increased awareness among public institutions in Maribor of the importance of NGOs and self-employed cultural workers for the development and enhancement of cultural content. To achieve this result, three consultations with public institutions will be held, involving at least five public institutions, as well as at least two meetings with the Municipality of Maribor. Wider beneficiaries will also include NGOs and self-employed cultural workers from other parts of Slovenia, public institutions, the Municipality of Maribor, the Ministry of Culture, and the media, which will be involved in networking, dialogue, advocacy, and information activities. The project will thus combine concrete, measurable results with the longer-term objective of stronger networking, improved legal empowerment, and a more coordinated response by the cultural NGO sector.