‘Novi Sad Movement’ charter is the result of public dialogue and is sublimation of key messages of the participants of the ‘Creative Economy and Development 2021’ conference held on 19 and 20 May 2021 in the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad.

The conference was held within the preparation for the candidacy of the City of Novi Sad for the European Capital of Culture 2021, on the initiative of the Programme Council and Organisation Board, with the aim to include representatives of all stakeholders into the process of long-term planning and development of city’s capacities for implementation of the project.

The conference has become part of already developed platform – network of European Capitals of Culture and city candidates for mutual support and participation of experts, which shared their experiences and presented examples of good practice in order to emphasise real challenges and offer their support to the City of Novi Sad in finding its way to the European Capital of Culture. People behind the project Novi Sad 2021 would like to thank delegation from Dortmund, representatives of the Danube Academy, Pécs and Sibiu, who contributed to the results of this conference.

Key topics that were discussed during the conference contributed to viewing wider social context of culture, through dialogue about culture as a trigger for economic development, access to finances, importance of networking, interests of new audience, accessibility of a city for all citizens, education and skills, problems of city spaces and life styles of new generations.

‘Novi Sad Movement’ charter is a harmonised stance of stakeholders on the importance of the European Capital of Culture for the City of Novi Sad and it has a set of conclusions and recommendations for achieving long-term effects, which the title of the European Capital of Culture should have on cultural, economic and social life of the city.

The charter was prepared by Tatjana Kalezić, initiator and author of the ‘Creative Economy and Development 2021’ conference, Deputy Chairman of the Programme Council Novi Sad 2021, in cooperation with the team Novi Sad 2021. You can read the Charter here.