Festive Pathways to a Sustainable Tomorrow (EUFEAST)

1. Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece

Project partners:

2. Xanthi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greece

3. Local Government Division, Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Malta

4. Region Värmland, Sweden

5. City of Lomza, Poland

6. European Festivals Association, Belgium

7. Fund for European Affairs and Development of AP Vojvodina, Serbia

8. Local Government & Municipality of District 11 of Budapest, Újbuda, Hungary

Associated policy authority:

Provincial Secretariat for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities, Serbia

The objective of improving the policies of the participating regions is carried out by addressing the policy instruments through multi-stakeholder engagement, exchange of experience and learning activities. Local communities are involved in the planning and execution of festivals to ensure that their needs and cultural values are respected and promoted. Alongside training and capacity-building programs for local organisers, artisans, and businesses improve their skills and participation in festival activities. EUFEAST understanding the role of culture as an integral element in sustainable development and positive societal transformation aims at mainstreaming the cultural dimension into all relevant policy areas, programmes and initiatives to respond to the need for increased synergies, to promote significance of EU values, including freedom of expression and increase employment in cultural and creative sectors.

Outputs:

1.      47 organisations cooperating across borders,

2.      6 policy instruments addressed,

3.      11 interregional policy learning events organised,

4.       18 good practices identified.

Activities:

1.       creation of an analytical framework for mapping local needs and potential,

2.       mapping of local practices, analysis of results and preparation of recommendations,

3.       exchange of experiences and knowledge about policy instruments (training, workshops, selection and validation of 18 good practices, analysis of best practices, revision of impact framework),

4.       implementation of six regional seminars,

5.       realization of three interregional project study visits,

6.       organization of two local information events,

7.       participation in the platform for learning about EU policies and policy instruments,

8.       procurement of ICT equipment,

9.       research and monitoring of changes and impact of project activities at the local level.

Target groups:

government and regional authorities, local communities, educational institutions, tourist organizations, cultural industries, businesses, media, NGOs, tourists