To enable the completion of the reconstruction projects at the Great Guild and the “Arsenāls” Exhibition Hall and ensure that both cultural venues are accessible to the public, the Cabinet of Ministers (CM), at its meeting on 29 September, decided to support a proposal put forward by the Ministry of Culture (MoC) to reallocate EUR 4,350,933 in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) flexibility funding between EU fund programmes administered by the MoC.
Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis: “I am pleased that we have secured the necessary approval for funding to support two important cultural venues. Everything is progressing successfully towards both the Great Guild Hall and Arsenāls welcoming their visitors.”
The flexibility funding is being released from the MoC-administered programme “Increasing the Role of Culture and Tourism in Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Social Innovation” and transferred to the programme “Restoration of Unique Cultural Heritage of European Significance to Promote Accessibility through the Development of Cultural Services.”
At the same time, all 16 projects approved under the first of these two programmes will still be implemented. The funding required for their implementation will be retained in full. No project will have its funding reduced or its scope of activities curtailed. Consequently, the achievement of the planned output and result indicators for these projects will also remain unaffected.
The additional funding is intended to ensure that the Great Guild and the “Arsenāls” Exhibition Hall are fully operational and ready to open their doors to visitors. This includes purchasing the necessary equipment, furniture and musical instruments, as well as developing cultural services following the completion of construction works. Such services may include public programmes accompanying exhibitions and displays; museum education and educational activities; guided tours; lectures; seminars; discussions; creative workshops; masterclasses; mediation activities; and other forms of public engagement. The funding will also support events and activities necessary to reach target audiences, provide information and encourage public engagement with the services on offer. This includes targeted communications, marketing and audience development activities, with particular attention paid to reaching more vulnerable groups in society and encouraging their participation in cultural activities.
The decision to reallocate the flexibility funding will also need to be approved by the European Commission.
Additional information:
Lita Kokale
Head of the Public Relations Division, Ministry of Culture
(+ 371) 26469946
Lita.Kokale@km.gov.lv
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
