Présentation à Alger des projets associatifs subventionnés par le ministère de la Culture et des Arts
Evaluation and Monitoring of Public Grants for Cultural and Artistic Associations in Algeria
On Monday, a significant meeting was held in Algiers focusing on the evaluation and monitoring of public grants provided to national and local cultural and artistic associations. The event featured a presentation of the quantitative assessment for the years 2023 and 2024 and was attended by Culture and Arts Minister Zouhir Ballalou, along with numerous representatives from various national associations.
Overview of the Meeting
Titled "National Meeting on Presenting Remarkable Projects from Cultural and Artistic Associations 2023-2024," this gathering aimed to promote transparency regarding public financial support. It showcased both completed projects and initial experiences that benefited from public financial assistance. The event took place at the "Moufdi-Zakaria" Palace of Culture, illuminating the significance of public engagement in cultural projects.
During his opening remarks, Minister Ballalou underscored the essential role of the associative movement in energizing social life and channeling youth initiatives, particularly among young project leaders. He acknowledged that such initiatives enrich Algeria’s cultural landscape and reinforce national identity. Therefore, he emphasized the need to continue supporting and recognizing these civic efforts.
Commitment to Supporting Arts Initiatives
Minister Ballalou reaffirmed the commitment of his department to implement the 46th engagement of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This engagement, outlined in its fourth paragraph, emphasizes the support and encouragement of youth artists through the establishment of mechanisms aimed at fostering creative initiatives.
Ballalou called upon economic enterprises to support cultural activities and projects. He pointed out that Algerian financial law encourages such initiatives and hinted that contributing to cultural projects could lead to tax benefits for participating businesses.
Current State of the Cultural and Artistic Landscape
Following the Minister’s speech, Smaïl Inzarene, director of the Organization for the Dissemination of Cultural and Artistic Products, along with Wassila Bouhalassa, Deputy Director of Cultural and Artistic Product Dissemination, provided an overview of the associative movement within Algeria’s cultural sector. They reported that there are currently 4,777 active cultural and artistic associations across the country, with 308 associations receiving funding for various projects in 2023-2024.
The funded projects span a multitude of areas, including heritage, theater, music, arts, literature, cinema, visual arts, and artistic training, with a specific focus on initiatives addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including women and children.
Future Initiatives
Looking forward to 2025, Inzarene announced plans to accept 200 new cultural and artistic projects submitted between October 2024 and January 2025 through a dedicated online platform for grant applications. This strategic initiative aims to broaden the scope of projects supported by public funding.
The meeting also provided participants with digital links to a national guide for associations, thereby improving accessibility and information sharing. Additionally, representatives from about fifteen associations took turns presenting video overviews of their diverse cultural and artistic projects that received grants for the upcoming year.
Conclusion
This meeting in Algiers served as both a platform for celebrating past successes and a springboard for future initiatives aimed at enriching Algeria’s artistic and cultural landscape. The collaborative effort between the government, associations, and the business sector reflects a committed approach to fostering creativity, cultural expression, and national identity through strategic public funding and support.
