Vinnytsia Presented the Main Developments for the Future Cultural Strategy of Vinnytsia at the International Conference in Georgia

The main goal of the project is to support the cultural sector and creative industries for the economic growth and social development of the region. After all, the city government is working on the creation of a cultural and artistic space that is comfortable for life, which in its prospective potential is able to satisfy the cultural rights and freedoms of different socio-age categories of the local population.

The main event of the conference was the presentation of work on cultural strategies of six cities that received funding, including Vinnytsia. About 80 participants from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia talked about the achievements of the project, possible activities and the main steps for the productive growth of the cities participating in the project. One of the key focuses of the conference is networking and exchange of experiences between participants.

"Vinnytsia is developing, defining new perspectives and projects that will allow bringing more diversity, creativity, and inspiration into the life of the community. Concepts of key values, markers, goals and vision of the culture development strategy of Vinnytsia City Territorial Community were presented in the context of today's events," says Svitlana Tsyhankova, a member of the working group, head of the tourism development department of the city's marketing and tourism department.

The French Institute in Georgia, the Center for Culture and Arts in Georgia, the Czech Center in Georgia, the head of the EU4Culture project expressed their support and interest in the further implementation of the project.

At the conference, our delegation participated in an interesting networking workshop. Participants were grouped based on the main key markers of strategies and values. Vinnytsia was in a team with the cities of Zugdidi (Georgia), Lankaran, Khirdalan (Azerbaijan) and with the cities of Poti (Georgia), Ijevan (Armenia), Orhiiv (Moldova), Cevan (Armenia). It was important to have the opportunity to work on joint cultural projects, based on the available resources, challenges and potential of the cities.

The participants of the delegation from Vinnytsia emphasized that the strong support of Ukraine and the openness of the cities of the network were felt at the international conference.

"Kutaisi Mayor Yoseb Khakhaleishvili ended his speech with the words: "Glory to Ukraine! We believe that the slogan of the project "Stronger Together" will open up new opportunities and tools for development!" says the communication manager of the project Valentyna Pikulska.

For reference: EU4Culture is an EU-funded project. Its purpose is to support the sector of culture and creative industries for the economic growth and social development of the region. The project pays special attention to non-capital cities.

EU4Culture is implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with the Danish Institute of Culture, Czech Centers and the French Institute in Georgia. The project started on January 1, 2021 and will last until December 31, 2024. Selected cities received a grant of 30,000 euros to create their Cultural Development Strategies.

At the first stage of the competition, 25 Ukrainian cities submitted their concepts to the competition.