Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Similar to 12. communicating bilateral cooperation es embassy - syversen
Similar to 12. communicating bilateral cooperation es embassy - syversen (20)
More from EEANorwayGrants
More from EEANorwayGrants (9)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
12. communicating bilateral cooperation es embassy - syversen
- 1. The Spanish experience Cultural diversity and cultural exchange Eva Puig Syversen Royal Norwegian Embassy, Madrid Photo: Lucky Malice
- 7. Project Contract ARTICLE 12 Copyright • The Project Promoter, as copyright holder, hereby grants permission to the Programme Operator, to reprint, publish and use material from the Project for publicity measures. Any such use shall be non-commercial.
- 9. Thank you for your attention! Eva Puig Syversen Communication Officer and EEA Grants Advisor Royal Norwegian Embassy, Madrid Twitter: @noruegaenespana
- 10. Thank you for your attention! Eva Puig Syversen Communication Officer and EEA Grants Advisor Royal Norwegian Embassy, Madrid Twitter: @noruegaenespana
Editor's Notes
- I would like to give a brief overview of the experiences and lessons learned by the Embassy in Madrid in the implementation of the “Cultural Diversity and Cultural Exchange“ programme. This is the first time a cultural exchange programme has been implemented in Spain within the EEA Financial Mechanism. It is a unique experience, since it is the first time an Embassy managed a programme.
- The programme offered support to a sector facing exceptional challenges in a country badly hit by the financial crisis at the time. The activities that have been supported within the programme were divided in two categories: 1) Support to institutions for cultural cooperation projects and 2) Support to individuals for cultural mobility. Because of the limited budget (the total allocation was EUR 500,000) the design of the programme has been crucial for its success. All applications the Embassy received were assessed by two independent and impartial experts from Spain and Norway according to their operational capacity and financial management, as well as the quality of the project. Out of 141 applications, 29 projects were selected. Eight projects were selected under category one (cooperation between institutions) and 21 in category two (individual mobility). The aim with the second category was support of cultural players who wished to develop their international network and to strengthen their capacity to work across national borders. The implementation phase for projects run from September 2013 until September 2014. The activity level has been particularly high during the implementation year, and the programme has been characterised by its high level of bilateral cooperation both at institutional and individual level. The administration of the programme has been much more demanding than anticipated, but it has also been very valuable for the Embassy, both in our Public Diplomacy work as for the possibility to influence other programme areas.
- The activities took place in various geographical locations in Spain and in the donor states. The performances included cinema, theatre, photo exhibitions, performances, dance, music etc. These activities have contributed to spreading information about the EEA Grants both in Spain and in the donor states. In addition, since all projects had a bilateral dimension, the activities have strengthened the bilateral ties in the cultural sector. They have also contributed to increased knowledge about the donor states’ cultural sector in Spain and provides us with an extensive network of artists and performers which we believe can be very useful beyond the scope of the EEA Programmes in Spain . In addition to the performances, several projects have also produced books, cd’s and videos. These tangible results will further contribute to the dissemination of the EEA Grants beyond the closure of the programme.
- One example on the type of projects that has been supported, is Her Story/ Women behind the Camera. Are there differences in how women in Northern and Southern Europe represent themselves? The female body seen from Spain and Norway. This is basically a Spanish-Norwegian art project and also involves women in prison. The project was led by the Spanish artist Cristina Núñez, a former prostitute and drug addict, which today is a recognized photographer known for her ground-breaking way to transform pain and feelings into art so the women discover their potential and boost their self-esteem.
- Workshops for female inmates. Cristina Núñez has held workshops in Spanish prisons since 2009. With the help of the EEA Grants in addition to holding workshops in the Women's Prison Brians1 (Barcelona) Cristina could also learn the female inmates in Bredtveit Prison (Oslo) to transform pain and feelings into art. A Norwegian journalist from Aftenpostens A magazine followed the artist Cristina Núñez through the process. The result was "Feminine criminals. Inside Bredtveit woman prison » Article A-magazine August 2014.
- With the aim of promoting the results of the funded projects after the closure of the programme and thus make the EEA Grants better known in Spain and the donor states, the Embassy produced a specific ES06 - Cultural diversity and cultural exchange information brochure. The latter included basic information, project stories, pictures, achievements and results. The brochures were made available to all project promoters, their partners and a variety of institutions. Lessons learned: Making the brochure was a very good way promoting our programme. However, there are a few points that you should know before starting such a project.
- You should get good quality pictures from the Project promoters before the last instalment is paid. In our experience, is very difficult to contact the promoters. Making a publication like this will always take more time than you first thought. If English is not the mother tongue of the participants, you will have to spend much time collecting, improving and revising the text.