Kooperativa - Regional Platform for Culture

EU Legislative Interests

Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027 - Regulation establishing the Creative Europe Programme for the period 2021 to 2027 European Parliament Resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2022 Communication from the Commission on EU Strategy for the Western Balkans Council Conclusions on the Western Balkans Partnership on Culture European Parliament Resolution on the rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia Regulation on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States Communication from the Commission on strengthening the rule of law within the Union: A blueprint for action Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching European Parliament Resolution on the situation in Serbia IPA III Regulation - Regulation establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for the period 2021-2027 Communication from the Commission on EU enlargement policy European Parliament Resolution on media freedom and further deterioration of the rule of law in Hungary

Communication Activities

Roundtable "Solidarity in Resistance: Cultural Cooperation in SEE in the Wake of Mass Protests in Serbia" - Co-organized with MEP Gordan Bosanac (Možemo/EFA-Greens) at the European Parliament in May 2025. The event brought together cultural practitioners affected by repressive measures, policy experts, and EU representatives to address deteriorating conditions for independent cultural cooperation in Southeast Europe. Position Paper on Cultural Cooperation Crisis in Southeast Europe - Comprehensive policy document presented at the European Parliament roundtable, containing concrete recommendations for European Parliament, European Commission, Creative Europe Programme, and other EU bodies regarding support for independent cultural organizations under political pressure. Direct advocacy meetings with DG Education and Culture (DG EAC) and DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Strategy (DG NEAR) - Substantive engagement during the roundtable event focused on accelerating Western Balkans call cycles, waiving matching fund requirements for Serbian organizations, and developing emergency support structures for cultural organizations under authoritarian pressure. Policy briefings with Members of the European Parliament - Ongoing dialogue with MEPs on specific policy recommendations within relevant EU frameworks, including discussions on emergency stabilization funds and mobility programs for cultural workers facing political restrictions. Statement condemning politically-motivated entry bans - Public statement issued by Kooperativa network regarding the detention and expulsion of cultural workers from neighboring countries in Serbia, widely disseminated to European cultural cooperation networks and EU institutions. Advocacy campaign for lifting entry bans on cultural workers - Ongoing communications targeting EU institutions to demand immediate lifting of politically-motivated entry bans against cultural workers from Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Romania, and Albania who were expelled from Serbia on national security grounds. Participation in European cultural network mobilization - Collaboration with Europa Nostra and other European cultural networks to coordinate response to threats against cultural cooperation in Southeast Europe and advocacy for cultural solidarity measures.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

MEMBERSHIPS: On the Move - European mobility information network for artists and cultural professionals, funded through Creative Europe 2021-2027 Network Strand. Kooperativa is a member organization participating in network activities focused on supporting artist mobility and cultural exchange across Europe. FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS: Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) - American philanthropic foundation supporting democratic practice and sustainable development. Kooperativa has received project funding for regional cultural cooperation initiatives and civil society strengthening in Southeast Europe. Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) - Program of the German Marshall Fund supporting democratic development in the Balkans. Kooperativa has been supported through BTD funding for projects promoting cultural cooperation and civil society strengthening in Southeast Europe. Porticus - International philanthropic organization supporting social change initiatives. Kooperativa has received funding support for regional cultural network development and capacity building activities. Erste Foundation - Foundation supporting cultural and social development in Central and Eastern Europe. Kooperativa collaborates on projects and receives support for cultural cooperation initiatives in the region. COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS: Culture Action Europe - European network of cultural organizations advocating for arts and culture in Europe, funded through Creative Europe Programme. Kooperativa collaborates on advocacy activities, policy discussions, and joint initiatives promoting cultural cooperation and cultural rights across Europe. European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC) - Network supporting cultural centers across Europe, funded through Creative Europe Programme. Kooperativa collaborates on initiatives strengthening independent cultural centers and promoting cultural cooperation in Europe and neighboring regions. Trans Europe Halles (TEH) - European network of independent cultural centers. Kooperativa collaborates with TEH on projects supporting independent cultural spaces and promoting cultural cooperation across European and Southeast European regions. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Kooperativa maintains collaborative relationships with numerous cultural organizations across Southeast Europe through its 40-member network spanning Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Serbia. These partnerships involve project collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint advocacy efforts for improved cultural cooperation frameworks in the region.

Organisation Members

List of Kooperativa members and other affiliated entities MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS (40 organizations across 8 countries): Albania: ZETA Contemporary Art Center, Tirana ANIBAR, Peja Bosnia and Herzegovina: AKCIJA SARAJEVO, Sarajevo CRVENA – ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ART, Sarajevo YOUTH CULTURAL CENTRE "ABRAŠEVIĆ", Mostar Croatia: CLUBTURE NETWORK, Zagreb CREATIVE SYNDICATE, Zagreb KONTEJNER | BUREAU OF CONTEMPORARY ART PRAXIS, Zagreb KURZIV – PLATFORM FOR MATTERS OF CULTURE, MEDIA AND SOCIETY, Zagreb MULTIMEDIA INSTITUTE, Zagreb OPERATION CITY, Zagreb THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURES "KULTURTREGER", Zagreb THE OTHER SEA, Rijeka Kosovo: AUTOSTRADA BIENNALE, Prizren DOKUFEST, Prizren FOUNDATION SHTATËMBËDHJETË (17), Pristina LUMBARDHI FOUNDATION, Prizren Montenegro: EXPEDITIO, Kotor ISU — INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Cetinje North Macedonia: ASSOCIATION OF ARTISTS CULTURAL CENTRE MEDIA ARTES, Ohrid ASSOCIATION OF CITIZENS SEECULT.ORG, Belgrade (operating in North Macedonia) CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER – SKOPJE, Skopje FREEDOM SQUARE, Skopje JADRO – ASSOCIATION OF THE INDEPENDENT CULTURE SCENE, Skopje KONTRAPUNKT, Skopje LOKOMOTIVA – CENTRE FOR NEW INITIATIVES IN ARTS AND CULTURE, Skopje YOUTH CULTURAL CENTER – BITOLA, Bitola Serbia: ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT CULTURE SCENE OF SERBIA, Belgrade CENTER FOR EMPIRICAL CULTURAL STUDIES OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPE, Niš FUND B92 / CULTURAL CENTER REX, Belgrade KIOSK – PLATFORM FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, Belgrade MINISTRY OF SPACE, Belgrade NEW MEDIA CENTER_KUDA.ORG, Novi Sad REMONT – INDEPENDENT ARTISTIC ASSOCIATION, Belgrade STATION – SERVICE FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE, Belgrade UNITED ARTISTS LABOUR, Belgrade Slovenia: ASOCIACIJA, ASSOCIATION OF ARTS AND CULTURE NGOS AND FREELANCERS, Ljubljana CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS – LJUBLJANA (SCCA-LJUBLJANA), Ljubljana EXODOS LJUBLJANA, Ljubljana NOMAD DANCE ACADEMY SLOVENIA, Ljubljana THE PEKINPAH ASSOCIATION, Ljubljana NETWORK STRUCTURE: Complete member information and organizational details are available at: https://platforma-kooperativa.org/?topmenu=members The network spans Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Serbia, representing diverse cultural practices including contemporary art, independent media, performing arts, cultural centers, and advocacy organizations working in the field of independent culture and contemporary art in Southeast Europe.