From 1998 until Poland’s accession into the EU in 2004, inter-ministerial co-operation in the field of culture has been extensively organised around the programmes devoted to the preparation of Poland for its membership. The European Committee of the Council of Ministers was formed in March 2004 to operate as a decision-making forum and is responsible for drafting EU integration policy. Afterwards, the transversal co-operation was devoted to the preparation of a few cities in Poland for the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2016, which was eventually won by Wrocław.
Other types of cooperation include the International Centre for Training and Research on Cultural Heritage in Danger, which is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Ministry of National Defence. This cooperation was initiated by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in 2017. In the second quarter of 2020, a specialised military centre was launched in Garrison Wrocław, providing training for civilians and military personnel involved in the protection of cultural heritage in an armed conflict. The centre follows the traditions of Poland’s involvement in multinational missions, carried out under the patronage of international organisations for the sake of endangered cultural heritage.
Agreements on cooperation in the promotion of Polish culture abroad between the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered into force at the beginning of 2019. In the first year of its operation, over PLN 6 million was allocated to the creation of a new programme addressed to national and co-led cultural institutions. Under the programme, projects will be implemented in key countries from the point of view of Polish foreign policy. Under the agreement, both ministries will also coordinate activities under their own financial support mechanisms, as well as strengthen joint communication activities. Moreover, both ministries will conduct training together and ensure the best possible flow of information between their subordinate units.
A programme for digitisation of municipal cultural centres is co-led by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Ministry of Digitisation. Its main postulate is broadband Internet in each Municipal Cultural Centre. In 2019, only about a thousand facilities — mainly in the larger centres — had access to the high-speed network; another thousand required connection, retrofitting with equipment and training in digital competences. Almost PLN 20 million (EUR 4,4 milion) have been allocated for this purpose.
The Institute of Solidarity Heritage is a new cultural institution established in 2019 by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Independent Self-governing Trade Union “Solidarity” (NSZZ Solidarność). The mission of the new institution will be to popularise the phenomenon and meaning of “Solidarity” and to research and protect its history and authentic heritage.
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