Support package for culture field

Part of the budget for measure in 2021 remained unused which was allocated to fields where the most troubles were found: 1) private concert organisers could apply for a support in the amount of 50% of the average sales revenue earned three years ago and the preceding financial year (maximum €200,000); 2) cultural organisers could apply for a support calculated on the basis of a decrease in the income of the last financial year or an increase in expenses compared to the financial year three years ago (maximum €200,000), the decrease in revenue or the increase in costs must be directly related to the effects and limitations of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Most of the application rounds for the budget allocated in April 2021 were closed between June and December 2021. Only the application round for support for the risk mitigation of the organiser of the cultural event or conference is still open at the end of December 2021. Now new measures are currently foreseen.

Between 7 and 20 September, associations in sport who are members of National Olympic Committee and have more than 100 members are eligible for support which is intended to cover their costs retrospectively in January-August 2021. The budget for the application round was €600,000.

From the additional state budget, €42 million was allocated for sport and culture field.

1. Sport and culture field with state participation – total budget €6.5 million, the support is intended to reimburse the costs of economic activities and / or to restructure a service, product or business model. The amount of the grant may not exceed the difference between revenue and expenditure in the organisation’s budget submitted by the applicant.
2. Sport and culture field (private organisations and local governments) – total budget €8.85 million; the purpose of the support is to ensure the sustainability of cultural operators significantly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The calculation of the amount of support is based on the average turnover of 2.5 months earned in 2019 according to the months of operation, but not more than €150,000 per applicant.
3. Restructuring support for sport and culture field (private organisations and local governments) – total budget €4.15 million; the minimum amount of the grant €1,000 and the maximum amount is €200,000 per applicant.
4. Cinemas and movies – total budget is €5.3 million, for film producers, the maximum amount is 60,000 – 300,000 per producer (depending which costs to compensate); for film distributors, the maximum amount is €200,000 per applicant (depending on the number of movies distributed); for cinemas, the maximum amount is €700,000 per applicant (depending on the number of cinema halls). Minimum eligible amount applied for is €5,000.
5. Support for the risk mitigation of the organiser of the cultural event or conference – total budget is €2 million; events organised will be guaranteed; the minimum amount of the guarantee is €5,000 and the maximum amount €100,000 per event or conference. The application round will be opened in August.
6. Emergency assistance for experience centers and conference building owners – total budget €1.5 million, the calculation of the grant is based on the average turnover of 2.5 months earned in 2019 according to the months of operation, but not more than €150,000 per applicant.
7. Different support measures are available for sport field – championship leagues receive up to total of €100,000; indoor sports facilities up to €550,000 in total (€1.5-3 per square meter); coaches working on the basis of service agreements were eligible for 60% of the gross monthly payment, but up to €1,000 per month, in the amount of 1.5 months; support for the sustainability of physical activity events for organisations organising traditional physical activity events of national importance in order to ensure their sustainability when restrictions are lifted in the total amount of €455,000.

For the Harjumaa and Ida-Virumaa regions' culture managers, additional €2.4 million was allocated. 178 applicants will receive support.

The Government agreed on the additional state budget which allows to use €42 million in the field of culture and sport. For culture field, €37.8 million is planned of which €25.3 million will be allocated to cultural managers; €5.3 million for cinemas, film producers and distributors. The support can be used for wage costs as well as for other costs. For sport field, €4.2 million will be allocated. In addition, in the amount of €6 million, a risk fund will be created which will cover the costs of important events that have already made but must be cancelled due to restrictions.

The exact terms and conditions will be made available after the Parliament has approved the draft act of the additional budget.

On 17 December, the Government introduced additional budget for COVID-19 measures. Culture and sport field will receive additional €1.4 million, of which €560,000 will be allocated to culture and hobby activities, and €811,000 to sport field; on 30 December additional €153,000 was added.

On 30 December, additional funds to Harjumaa and Ida-Virumaa, two regions that have most suffered due to the second wave, were decided to be allocated in the amount of €3.7 million.

Specific conditions will be similar to the previous rounds, but exact conditions will be published in January 2021.

In September 2020, two new fields were added among those who will receive state support, because €2.5 million was left from the previous allocation round. €350,000 is allocated to folk culture field, including hobby theaters, handicraft collectives, community culture centres, etc. €2 million will be allocated to film and music field. The target group is wider than in the first round and no ceiling is set to the support per company/collective.

The applications were accepted between 8 and 18 May 2020. Each field had its own specific conditions for the compensation and eligibility criteria.