The Swiss Cultural Programme in the Western Balkans is run by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council, upon mandate of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC.

The Swiss Cultural Programme is working in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia. The programme’s strategic and operational management is based in the regional office in Sarajevo.


The overall goal of the Swiss Cultural Programme in the Western Balkans is to contribute to the promotion of democracy and freedom of expression, to conflict resolution and the respect of minorities through employment of cultural instruments and fostering of regional cooperation, thus facilitating the formation and preservation of independent and diversified cultural landscapes.

The specific objectives are:

• Improved cooperation amongst and established lasting partnerships between cultural organisations and operators in the Western Balkans, through provision of support to cultural and artistic initiatives of a regional scope, focused on capacity building, empowerment, and strengthening of local, national and regional cultural platforms.
• Diversity and decentralisation of cultural activities are stimulated through specific, tailor-made contributions to in-country cultural projects of limited scope, designed to strengthen their respective local cultural scenes.
• Cultural debate and networking in the region are enriched through initiation of tailor-made special actions, projects and initiatives. These also support the SCP-supported cultural actors in enhancing their content, organisational and financial sustainability.