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 Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC is the agency for international cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Its main goal is to support partner countries in their political, economic, and social transition processes.
SDC (www.sdc.admin.ch)

The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia has been closely involved with cultural developments in Switzerland since 1939. Commissioned by the Swiss Confederation, it supports artistic work, promotes the arts, and encourages cultural exchange at home and abroad.
Pro Helvetia (www.prohelvetia.ch)

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. Local offices exist in Belgrade, Prishtina, Skopje and Tirana.

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. It primarily fosters regional cooperation through capacity development, empowerment and promotion of cultural initiatives and organisations, which offer innovative and diversified cultural services and products.

The specific objectives are:

• Cultural initiatives, organisations and platforms with a regional orientation enable cultural actors to develop their creative potential and open up to a large public with innovative services and products. (Action line cooperation projects)
• Specific contributions to cultural projects stimulate the diversity and the decentralisation of cultural activities (Action line small actions)
• Partner organisations will spin off and generate their own income through fundraising, support by public structures and institutions, and/or market orientation.