Ministry allocating EUR 60,000 to German-speaking community
Ljubljana, 4 August - The Culture Ministry allocates EUR 60,000 annually to the projects of the German-speaking community. The sum was available last year and this year, and the ministry hopes to maintain it at this level in the future too.
The funds support cultural projects by associations and other NGOs that represent members of the community.
Last year, 4% of the annual amount remained undistributed, while this year the entire sum has been spent.
A total of 27 projects received funding, while eight did not score enough points to be eligible, the ministry said in response to a query by National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič, who inquired about the ministry's cooperation with the community after she met with the community's representatives in late June.
The call for applications has so far been held based on an agreement between Slovenia and Austria and the fourth work programme on intergovernmental cooperation in culture, education and science for the period between 2017 and 2021.
A working group for permanent dialogue with the community's representatives was launched in mid-June. The maiden meeting focused on their participation in the preparation of the fifth work programme, covering the period 2023-2027. The Foreign Ministry is responsible for the efforts to draw up the programme.
The Culture Ministry believes that the annual sum is a sufficient amount given the community's needs and activities, noting that they also have the option of applying for funds under other open calls.