Culture for Development Forum – Skopje 2026
Hosted by: Heartefact, in collaboration with Clubture, Platforma Kooperativa, A25 and Euradia Italia
Skopje, North Macedonia
14-16 May · 2026
Independent and non-institutional cultural/artistic actors from the Western Balkans (and the rest of Europe) are operating within increasingly constrained national policies and funding environments. Declining public investment and shifting European frameworks have increased uncertainty around implementation, long-term resourcing, and the prioritisation of independent artistic and cultural practice, particularly for smaller organisations outside institutional frameworks. Addressing this growing imbalance requires a coordinated response that recognises independent culture as a public good with tangible social and structural value. The response should reassert its active role in a resilient and inclusive European cultural ecosystem, through shared responsibility, cross-context cooperation, and complementary policy and partnership frameworks.
The BEYOND meeting in Skopje aims to consolidate and amplify the collective voice of the region through the CAE network by creating a shared space for reflection, alignment, and strategic orientation. Rooted in existing realities, the process will focus on identifying common priorities and/or specific policy proposals that can support coordinated advocacy efforts. These outcomes are intended to inform and reinforce CAE’s ongoing engagement in European cultural policy debates.