After presentation of the progress report on the implementation of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project before the panel of experts, we have the feedback – progress assessment, which contains recommendations, advice and guidelines for work improvement and further development of cultural capacities of Novi Sad.
On the same day when praises and recommendations of the panel of experts were published, representatives of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation informed public on this topic during the Cultural Forum and answered audience questions.
‘Since the candidacy process, we have believed that this project belongs to all citizens of Novi Sad, while the Foundation team has got the task to implement it. This is why we wish, and even feel obliged, to present the results of our work and recommendations of the Commission to the public during the Cultural Forum, which has contributed to development of the culture of dialogue. In this way we stress the importance of the Strategy of Cultural Development and accompanying Action Plan, because these are the changes we initiated by winning the European Capital of Culture title’, said Nemanja Milenković, CEO of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation. Mr Milenković added that we have come a long way from 60 recommendations after the adoption of the winning bid-book to only 12 recommendations for further development of the project in cooperation with the European Commission after the first progress report.
The panel acknowledged the progress made on the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project, since the title has been won, stressing that strong foundations that have been laid are crucial for implementation of this important and complex project. The establishment of the Foundation, stable financial frame, establishment of the culture of dialogue and participation of citizens, good development of infrastructure, as well as formation of the voluntary service are just some of the visible steps that the members of the European Commission panel assessed positively.
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Vuk Radulović, Head of the Department for International Relations in the Foundations, explained that the recommendations are mostly focused on the development of the programme: ‘We now have to define the programme more precisely. This is a task for newly appointed programme and artistic directors’. Mr Radulović then shortly presented recommendations that relate to: connection between different institutions – inter-sector cooperation, inclusion of the largest possible number of cultural stakeholders in implementation of the project, and work on audience development; cooperation with the University and schools in Novi Sad; stronger increase of the visibility and understanding of the project, as well as development of criteria focused on the selection of the projects for implementation. It was stressed that it is necessary to further develop European dimension of the programme, which includes wide vision in terms of different partners, methods and exchanges. This is especially expected in the context of cooperation with other capitals of culture in the region.
Lazar Jovanov, Head of the Department for Participation and Education, presented the results of the communication with cultural institutions and announced the activities focused on raising capacities. He expressed his pleasure because of their willingness to cooperate.
This is the first of three monitoring panels that will be held in order to further develop and assess the progress of the implementation of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project.
You can find all relevant documents on the website of the Foundation (www.novisad2021.rs):
- Report on the work of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation in English
- Panel assessment – Monitoring Report on the progress in Serbian*
- Panel assessment – Monitoring Report on the progress in English
* The translation was done in order to increase transparency and to inform the local public by the internal translation office of the Foundation. This is not the official translation of the document.
