The situation of theatres in the EU Member States . Annex 2, List of emergency support measures.
Date: 2022-04-11
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, coronavirus disease, cultural policy, culture industry, economic support, performing arts

Study “The situation of theatres in 
the EU Member States” 

Annex 2. List of emergency support 
measures 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodology  for  the  mapping  of  emergency  support 
measures    

In  order  to  classify  the  measures,  the  research  team  has  built  its  analysis  on  previous 
research at EU level, namely recently published studies analysing the emergency support 
measures for the CCS in the EU: 

•  First,  the  KEA  mapping  of  emergency  support  measures1  lists  the  support 
measures  adopted  in  the  EU  and  in  other  countries.  The  mapping,  which  was 
updated  in  October  2020,  shows  that  the  performing  arts  sector  has  been 
supported  in  15  EU  countries  (Luxemburg,  Netherlands,  Belgium,  France,  Spain, 
Portugal,  Italy,  Greece,  Bulgaria,  Romania,  Hungary,  Czechia,  Estonia,  Finland, 
Sweden). This map which classifies the support measures by type of mechanism2 
shows  that  the  performing  arts  sector  has  been  mostly  supported  through 
structural or project grants. 

•  Second,  the  study  “Culture  and  Creative  sectors  in  post-COVID-19  Europe”3 
classifies the measures depending on their coverage (general economic measures 
or  culture  specific) and categorises them  in three broad  categories depending on 
their main goal. (I.e., i. income generating support measures; ii. costs reduction, 
modification  of  the  legal  framework  and  status  of  the  artist  and;  iii.  support 
measures  for  innovation  for  and  with  the  CCS,  iv.  Support  measures  supporting 
social cohesion) and presents an overview of the main ways support was provided 
to employers/institutions, Employees/individuals, Freelancers/self-employed in the 
CCS.  The  mapping  does  not  single  out  support  measures  dedicated  to  theatres. 
However, general takeaways can be extracted: 

o  Approximately  70%  of  the  identified  measures  were  income  generating 
support  measures,  20%  focused  on  cost  reductions,  legal  framework 
modifications and status of the artist and 10% focused on innovation; 
o  Focus was primarily on emergency, rather than future looking reactions;4 
o  Freelancers have been supported in a number of EU countries; 
o 

Innovation topics addressed during the 2020 crisis are too narrow, lack 
critical mass and broad impact.5 

•  Third,  the  COVID-19  country  reports  elaborated  and  regularly  updated  by  the 
Compendium  for  Cultural  Policies  and  Trends6.  These  country  reports  have  been 
used as a main source of data for the mapping of support for the theatre sector in 
the EU and in Creative Europe countries. 

•  For the countries that were not covered by the Compendium country reports, the 
research team used the information provided in the OECD report “Culture shock: 
COVID-19  and  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors”  which  provides  information  on 
the type of measures available for the CCS, whether general economic measures 
or specific ones.7 

1 See: https://keanet.eu/research-apps/c19m/ 
2 New structural / projects grants; Extension / referral of pre-existing grants and loan schemes; Unemployment 
schemes; Loan / Loan guarantees; Exemption / Postponement or referral of obligations; Advance of payments; 
Information resources; Allowances for freelancers. 
3 IDEA Consult, Goethe-Institut, Amann S. and Heinsius J. 2021, Research for CULT Committee –   Cultural and 
creative  sectors  in  post-Covid-19  Europe:    crisis  effects  and  policy  recommendations,  European  Parliament, 
Policy 
Brussels 
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2021/652242/IPOL_STU(2021)652242_EN.pdf 
4 IDEA Consult et al. (2021), p.98 
5 Ibid. 
6 See: https://www.culturalpolicies.net/covid-19/country-reports/ 
7 See: https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/culture-shock-covid-19-and-the-cultural-and-
creative-sectors-08da9e0e/ 

Department 

Structural 

Cohesion 

Policies, 

and 

for 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Finally, additional desk research including the websites of the ministries of culture 
of  EU  Member  States  and  Creative  Europe  countries  as  well  as  of  main  theatre 
institutions in these countries completed the mapping.  

The  full  list  of  support  measures  mapped  in  EU  Member  States  and  non-EU  Creative 
Europe countries is provided below. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of emergency support measures 

EU Member States 

Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Hardship fund 
for self-
employment                                                                    

Fund for Non-
Profit-
Organisations                                                                    

Since July 2020, there is a fund supporting 
NPOs from the fields of culture, sport, 
religious communities and volunteering with 
EUR 950 million in total. The fund is 
established by the Ministry for Arts, Culture, 
the Civil Service and Sport, while 
applications are processed by Austria 
Wirtschaftsservice GmbH, the promotional 
bank of the Federal Government. Applicants 
can receive subsidies for 100% of fixed costs 
from March until December 2020 and a flat 
rate for maintenance costs. 
Since March 2020, one-person companies, 
micro-enterprises and freelance employees 
can apply for partial compensation of the net 
income loss. The fund is administered by the 
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and has 
recently been prolonged from 6 to 12 
months (until March 2021). Applicants can 
receive non-repayable grants between EUR 
12.000 (minimum) and EUR 30.000 
(maximum). The fund is open to freelance 
artists and cultural SMEs. 
The model for safeguarding jobs was 
prolonged three times (currently until 30 
June 2021). At the moment, the work time 
can be reduced to 30-80%, while employees 
remain in stable employment with nearly full 
wage compensation. This model is also used 
by major cultural institutions, like federal 
museums and federal theatres. 
Reduction or deferral of social security 
Diverse social 
contributions for freelance operators, 
security 
measures                                                                     
including cultural organisations and cultural 
freelance operators 

Corona short-
time work                                                                               

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

4 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Austria 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Austria 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Diverse costs 
reductions 
measures                                                                    

Tax deferrals (income tax, corporate tax 
etc.; Fixed-cost subsidy for companies, 
Reduction of the VAT to 5% for gastronomy, 
culture and publishing from July until end of 
2021, 

Diverse income 
generating 
measures                                                                   

Federally secured guarantees for bank loans 
in order to cover the short-term liquidity; 
Covid-Start-up Emergency Fund by Austria 
Wirtschaftsservice GmbH doubling the equity 
capital of SMEs; Lockdown support for 
officially closed institutions in November: 
80% of the revenues. 

Bridge funding 
for artists                                                                           

Since July 2020 there is a new fund endowed 
with EUR 120 million in order to support 
freelance artists who are in financial 
emergency due to loss of income. 
Applications are administered by the Social 
Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed 
until 31 March 2021 and applicants must be 
insured by this institution. Grants amounted 
to maximum EUR 10.000 for 2020, plus 
there was an additional lockdown bonus of 
EUR 2,000. For 2021 the grant is EUR3,000, 
the lockdown bonus EUR1.000  
The Artists' Social Insurance Fund, which has 
existed since 2015, was increased by EUR 20 
million. It shall support artists and cultural 
educators, who are neither entitled to apply 
to the hardship fund nor to the bridge 
funding for artists. The emergency aid 
amounted to EUR 3,000 for 2020, for the 
first quarter 2021 it is EUR 1,500. 

COVID-19 Fund 
for artists and 
cultural 
educators                                                     

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Voucher 
redemption for 
cancelled 
events                                                              

Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Austria 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Emergency 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Austria 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 

6 

Diverse income 
generating 
grants from the 
Ministry of 
Culture                                        

Special call for 
digital projecs 
from the 
Ministry of 
Culture                                        

Protective 
Shield for 
events in the 
field of culture 
and sport                                       

The law for cancelled events due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic aims to ensure the 
liquidity of event organisers. Instead of 
refunding, a voucher can be issued for 
tickets amounting up to EUR 70. For more 
expensive tickets, reimbursement is possible 
up to EUR 180 combined with vouchers. 
Vouchers are valid until the end of 2022. 
After that deadline, a payment of the 
outstanding amount of the voucher can be 
requested.  
There is a new instrument to counteract 
financial risks for event organisers and allow 
for planning security after the current 
lockdown in the field of culture and sport 
congresses and fairs. It is a liability by the 
Federal Government for non-cancellable 
costs endowed with EUR 300 million which 
can be called upon by event organisers in 
case of cancellation of events or restriction of 
visitor numbers. The protective shield covers 
planned events between 1 February 2021 
and 31 December 2022. The fund is 
administered by the Hotel and Tourism Bank  
The Ministry has increased subsidies for the 
most affected cultural sectors, including 
theatre. EUR 200.000 for theatres; Federal 
museums and federal theatres will also 
receive extra funding to cover revenue 
losses.; Federal Theatres (EUR 10,4 million) 
also received extra funding to cover revenue 
losses and ensure staff employment.; 
Cultural institutions in existential difficulties, 
despite of various support instruments, shall 
receive special funding. The fund will amount 
to EUR 10 million (guidelines in preparation).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
EUR 1,1 million was allocated to digital 
projects. There will be a call in 2021. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Belgium 

Regional 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

the CCS 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Belgium 

Regional 

Belgium 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Unclear 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Belgium 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Belgium 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Bulgaria  

National 

Public  

General 
economic 
support 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

This measure is aimed at cultural operators 
receiving structural or specific support from 
Direct aid to cultural operators for the 
Brussels-Wallonia federation and the 
flemmish community. This aid is part of the 
overall support plan for the culture and film 
sectors in the framework of the second wave 
of Covid-19 (Covid-19, 2020)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
N.A.  

Direct aid to 
cultural 
operators for 
the Brussels-
Wallonia 
federation and 
the flemmish 
community     
Diverse aids 
provided to the 
CCS in the 
flemish region                                               
Law improving 
the situation of 
workers in the 
cultural sector 

In the context of the more specific difficulties 
faced by workers in the cultural sector, a law 
was passed on 15 July 2020 which provided 
for several important provisions, including a 
relaxation of the conditions for accessing 
unemployment benefits, the cumulation of 
unemployment benefits and income from 
copyright and related rights, etc 
The federal government has reintroduced the 
simplified temporary unemployment 
procedure for the period between 1 October 
2020 and 31 March 2021. This measure also 
applies to cancelled events, provided that 
you have signed an employment contract 

Temporary 
unemployment 
for force 
majeure due to 
the 
coronavirus. 

The temporary Tax Shelter measure "Covid-
TAX SHELTER 
19" grants a tax reduction to taxpayers and 
COVID-19, 
companies that have acquired, by 31 
2021                                                                           
December 2020 at the latest, new shares or 
units in companies experiencing a sharp 
decline in turnover and in need of resources 

60/40 wage 
subsidy 
programme 

The 60/40 wage subsidy program allows 
Bulgarian authorities to finance 60% of the 
wage costs (including the employers' social 
security contributions) of businesses that, 

7 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 

Cyprus 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Cyprus 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Cyprus 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 

Cyprus 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

8 

Suspended 
Operation Plan                                                                             

due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would 
otherwise lay off workers. The relief 
generally is available for businesses in 
sectors that have been most affected by the 
health crisis including retail, tourism, 
passenger transport, culture, sports 
activities, amusement and recreation 
activities, and others. 
A Suspended Operations Plan for all 
businesses that have (regardless of whether 
their business has been suspended or not) 
suffered losses beyond 25% of their 
turnover. Businesses should aim at avoiding 
redundancies, while the affected workers will 
receive unemployment allowance for as long 
as the business is under suspended 
operations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
for businesses employing up to 5 people, 
under the condition that they keep their 
employees on staff  and have suffered a loss 
bigger than 25% of their turnover. The plan 
foresees a subsidy of 70% of  workers 

Support plan 
for small 
businesses                                                                    

Flexibility on 
loan repayment                                                                        

The obligation to pay bank instalments, 
including interest on credit facilities granted 
and/or purchased and/or managed by 
financial institutions, is suspended for all 
beneficiaries until the end of the year. The 
beneficiaries are natural persons, legal 
entities governed by public law, self-
employed persons and undertakings who 
have had no previous delays of more than 30 
days in paying the instalment in line with 
contractual obligations on 29 February 2020.            
Emergency grant of a fixed amount of EUR 
900 for professionals of the creative and 
cultural sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Emmergency 
grant                                                                                     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Cyprus 

National 

Issuing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Croatia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Croatia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Croatia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Croatia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Operating 
expenses                                                                                  

Support of cultural entities by financing their 
operating expenses in order to sustain their 
viability                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

N.A. 

Diverse 
measures for 
the 
preservation of 
jobs                                                        

the first payment was HRK 3,250.00(EUR 
433) or HRK 1,625.00 (EUR 220) per 
applicant, depending on the status of the 
artist. With this measure, 773 freelance 
artists were supported in April with a total 
amount of HRK 2,388,750,00 (approx. EUR 
318,500). 

Support for 
freelance artists 
working in art 
and whose 
contributions 
are paid by the 
Croatian 
Freelance 
association 
(HSZU) 
Support 
freelance artists 
who are not 
members of 
Croatian 
Freelance 
Artists 
Association 
(HSZU)       
Call for Artistic 
Professional 
Associations                                                          

The artists have to prove that their income 
has decreased due to the suspension of 
activities related to special circumstances 
caused by COVID-19  

Call for Artistic Professional Associations for 
funding of the one-time assistance to their 
members who have been affected by the 
adverse effects of the pandemic. The 
members of the associations apply for 
funding through their association, while the 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Croatia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Czechia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Czechia 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

association then jointly applies to the 
Ministry of Culture for funding. 

Public call 'Arts 
and Culture 
Online'                                                                

On the 18th of May, the Ministry of Culture 
of the Republic of Croatia has issued a call 
for proposals entitled "Arts and Culture 
Online" 

INTERGRAM has been involved in helping the 
Grant for 
performing arts sector to deal with the 
putting online 
coronavirus crisis. It will pay up to 2.3 
cultural content                                                            
million crowns under the COVID 19 grant . 

COVID-19 
grant                                                                                       

Czechia 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Additional 
subsidy 

Denmark  

National 

Public  

Denmark  

National 

Public  

10 

Relaunch 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 
Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 

Training and 
employment of 
creative 
workers 

Creation of funds to commission and 
purchase works of national artists with  the  
objective  of employing  workers in CCS  who  
have suffered from the cancellationof events. 

Entertainment 
event support 
by Ministry of 
Finance 

Cash subsidy to compensate for direct and 
indirect costs relating to the cancellation or 
postponement of larger entertainment 
events (e.g. concerts, sports, etc.). It is 
required that the events have been publicly 
known before the 6th of April 2020. 

Professional theatres, orchestras, and choirs 
may apply for support from the Ministry of 
Culture if they are perpetually part of the 
State Support Programme for Professional 
Theatres and Permanent Professional 
Symphony Orchestras and Choirs (Budget: 
EUR 11,00 million).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Partial compensation for theatres for the loss 
due to cancelled events/activities, covering 
unavoidable fixed cost (total amount: EUR 4 
million).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Estonia   

National 

Finland 

National 

France 

National 

Sport 

CCS 
specific 

CCS 
specific 

Thatre 
specific 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

France 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

France 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

France 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 

Companies acting as suppliers for events are 
eligible for compensation. 

FUSV - 
Emergency 
Fund for Private 
Live 
Entertainment 
(FUSV)                                          

Partial compensation for theatres for the loss 
Emergency for 
due to cancelled events/activities, covering 
compensation 
unavoidable fixed cost (total amount: EUR 4 
of cancelled 
million).  
performances                                                 
A fund of EUR 18 million is allocated by the 
Emergency 
Ministry of Culture to theatres, orchestras 
support fund                                                                               
and museums receiving central government 
transfers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Aid of 5 million euros for performing arts, 
excluding music, funded by the Ministry, the 
City of Paris and ADAMI, which administers 
the rights of artists, and released by the 
Ministry of Culture. This Emergency Fund for 
Private Live Entertainment (FUSV), 
operational on May 1 2020. It aims also to 
avoid layoffs, suspension of payments and 
liquidations, and to preserve the fabric of 
entertainment companies. The FUSV 1 paid 
out EUR 6.05 million in aid, including EUR 
3.05 million to theatre operators, EUR 1.15 
million to entertainment entrepreneurs and 
EUR 1.85 million to companies.  
General unemployment measures to help 
enterprises to go through the crisis and avoid 
lay-offs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Partial 
unemployment 
measures                                                                        

The french artists status "intermettence" has 
been adapted to the pandemic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Special 
measures for 
unemployemen
t                                                                   
Emergency 
fund for private 
theatres                                                                  

In 2020, EUR 21.08 million in total aid was 
allocated by the professional organisation for 
private theatre (ASTP) via the various sector 
funds dedicated to private performing arts 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
financed by the Ministry of Culture.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

for and with 
the CCS 

New start 
culture -
Support for 
children's and 
youth theatre                                                  

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

New start 
culture - 
Support for 
organisers in 
the field of 
"word, variety 
and cabaret". 
New start 
culture - Guest 
theatre 

New start 
culture - 
Promoting 
pandemic-
related 
investments 

New start 
culture - 
Promotion of 
private theatres 

12 

The Federal Government Commissioner for 
Culture and the Media is supporting 
professional children's and youth theatres 
within the framework of NEUSTART KULTUR 
with 15 million euros . The programme 
focuses on all forms of theatre for young 
audiences and enables independent theatres 
and ensembles to maintain theatre 
operations. 
Within the framework of NEUSTART KULTUR, 
the federal government is supporting 
organisers in the field of 'word, variety and 
cabaret' with a total of 40 million euros. The 
funding programme is aimed at organisers of 
live cultural events who do not have their 
own venues.  
The federal government is supporting the 
revival of guest performances by touring 
theatres with 25 million euros. The partner 
of this programme is the Interest Group of 
Cities with Guest Theatre Performances eV 
(INTHEGA)  
These funds of up to 55 million euros will be 
provided by the Deutsche Theatertechnische 
Gesellschaft. 

Up to 30 million euros are being allocated 
under NEUSTART KULTUR to support the 
more than 200 self-producing private 
theatres and arts mediators in Germany. The 
project sponsor is the Deutsche 
Bühnenverein  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Germany 

National 

Issuing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Insitutional 
(theatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Germany 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Relaunch 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Germany 

Regional 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Unclear 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Unclear 

New start 
culture - 
Programme for 
artists 

New start 
culture - 
Support for free 
performing arts 

The federal government is supporting 
independent performing arts with 65 million 
euros under NEUSTART KULTUR. From the 
funding line of the Performing Arts Fund # 
TakeThat , independent ensembles, 
individual artists, production facilities and 
offices, networks and festivals from all 
branches of the performing arts can apply for 
funds in various funding modules in order to 
resume their play operations under Corona 
conditions. 
The Performing Arts Fund's already published 
€10 million scholarship programme is linked 
to its successful #takecare programme. It 
enables independent artists to continue their 
artistic work or to further develop current 
projects under new working conditions. 
Research, residencies and concept 
development are funded. 
In the framework of a 6-month scholarship 
programme, the German Federal Cultural 
Foundation invited independent artist groups 
to address the effects of the Corona crisis on 
their own artistic practice.  The scholarship 
programme was specifically aimed at 
independent groups in the performing arts 
and contemporary music. An increase of 2.5 
million euros in the BKM NEUSTART KULTUR 
programme provided Reload with a total of 
5.75 million euros. This allowed grants for 
230 groups.  
Here are some example of support measures 
Support at the 
at Regional level. In Hamburg, the Land 
Laender level                                                                         
made available special programmes for 
private theatres and live clubs. The North 
Rhine-Westphalia government provides 
additional funding of around EUR 4.4 million 
to support non-profit cultural institutions, in 
particular socio-cultural centres (e.g. youth 
theatres with high-quality artistic offerings).                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

New start 
culture - Reload 
programme for 
free groups 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hungary, Collecting Society (EJI) and 
Hungarian Copyright Office Association- Fund 
for all performers and authors registered to 
EJI or Artisjus who, due to extraordinary 
government measures taken in connection 
with the pandemic, miss out their 
performances and are therefore forced to 
suffer a significant loss of revenue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Arts Council funding is up €50m from its 
initial 2020 allocation to €130m. This 
additional investment empowers the Arts 
Council to help artists, arts workers and arts 
organisations come through this crisis and 
play their part in the national recovery.  

Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Hungary   

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Support from 
Collective 
Management 
Organisations                                                     

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

14 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 
General 
economic 
support 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 
CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Relaunch 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Arts Council 
funding  

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

COVID 
Restrictions 
Support 
Scheme (CRSS) 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support for the 
arts 

Relaunch 

Both or 
unclear 

Life Worth 
Living' report 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 

Support to businesses forced to close or 
trade at significantly reduced levels as a 
result of restrictions imposed on them in 
response to COVID-19. Eligible businesses 
can make a claim to Revenue for a payment 
known as an Advance Credit for Trading 
Expenses (ACTE). An ACTE is payable for 
each week a business is affected by the 
restrictions. The ACTE is subject to a 
maximum weekly payment of €5,000.  
On June 16th, the government announced an 
additional EUR 25 million in funding for the 
arts.  The funding will include bursaries and 
commissions to artists and arts 
organisations, as well as resources for 
museums and cultural workers preparing for 
the reopening of society. 
Report prepared for the Minister of Tourism, 
Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 
with recommendations on how the arts and 
culture sector can adapt and recover from 
the unprecedented damage arising from the 
Covid-19 pandemic. The report is important 
in its wider cross-sectoral consideration of 
culture as well as its innovative 
recommendations that propose more holistic 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

 Irish 
Government 
Budget 2021 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Support to the 
commercial 
entertainment 
sector. 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 
Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support for 
online 
performances 

ARTIST 
EMERGENCY 
RELIEF FUND 

supports for culture for the future 

The Irish Government Budget 2021 speech 
delivered on October 13th has acknowledged 
that the culture and entertainment sectors 
have been particularly impacted by the 
COVID-19 public health restrictions. The 
total funding for the culture sector will 
increase in 2021 by 70% compared to the 
initial 2020 allocation in the budget of 2020. 
EUR 50 million in additional funding has been 
made available to the commercial 
entertainment sector. This is the first of such 
government intervention in this sector. The 
majority of the 35,000 people employed in 
the sector have been unable to work since 
the beginning of restrictions back in March 
2020.  
EUR 5 million has been set aside to secure 
the future of key cultural venues and the 
production of high-quality digital art and 
online performances. 

Fund providing financial relief to Irish artists 
who had guaranteed income that was lost 
due to COVID-19. Small grants of up to €500 
will be paid rapidly on a first-come, first-
served basis to affected artists and groups. 

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Ireland  

National 

Public  

Italy 

National 

Italy 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Theatre 
specific 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometime
s include 
Culture & 
Sport 
Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Cura Italia                                                                                          

EUR 10 million are available for theatrical 
activities carried out by private entities (not 
directly affiliated to a territorial or local 
authority and not receiving public subsidies)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 Small companies operating in the theatre 
and dance sector are eligible for this 
emergency fund of EUR 245 million in total. 
The fund is also open to small companies of 
the music, dance and circus sectors.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Fondo 
Emergenza 
COVID 2020 
Spettacolo                                                                

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Italy 

National 

Issuing 
Body 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Italy 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Lithuania 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio
n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 

Suspension of payments of social security, 
Diverse costs 
welfare contributions and compulsory 
reduction 
insurance for those working in theatres, 
measures                                                                     
concert halls, fairs or events of artistic and 
cultural nature (total amount: EUR 250,00 
million)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Extraordinary 
allowance                                                                              

In addition to artists and workers with at 
least seven working days and an income of 
less than 35,000 euros, new beneficiaries 
include those who, with at least thirty 
working days, have an income of less than 
75,000 euros. In addition, 400 million euros 
will go to feed the existing emergency funds, 
including 200 million euros to the current-
account fund to support cinema and 
entertainment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 The Ministry of Culture provided additional 
support schemes through the Council of 
Culture. These schemes were intended for 
the creation of digital capabilities for various 
theatre entities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Special grant 
for digital 
project                                                                    

Lithuania 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Compensation 
for the loss of 
turnover 

The Ministry of Culture compensated theatre 
sector organisations for the lost tickets and 
for the part of lost income. However, these 
lost tickets and lost income compensation 
schemes only applied to public theatre 
institutions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Luxembour
g 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Luxembour
g 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Costs 
reduction, 
modificatio

16 

Grants and 
allowances to 
the performing 
arts sector                                                  

Support to the performing arts sector in the 
shape of grants and allowances between EUR 
5,000 and EUR 15,000 to encourage the 
professionals in the sector to continue their 
activity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
A new legislation allowed the government to 
extend social assistance to independent and 
freelance professional performing artists in 

New legislation 
on social 
assistance                                                                 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Malta 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Malta 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

n of the 
legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 

Netherlands 

National 

Other 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

the event of future pandemics or terrorist 
attacks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

monthly 
supplement of 
EUR 800 for 
employees or 
freelancers 
working in the 
the creative 
arts  

Three initiative 
from Teatru 
Malta, the 
national theatre 
company                                     

On March 24th, the creative arts (including 
performing and visual arts) were identified 
as one such sector which suffered drastically 
as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Through 
this programme, people working in the 
creative arts whether full-time employees or 
self-employed/freelance  are entitled to a 
monthly supplement of EUR 800. Part-time 
employees within the creative arts sector are 
entitled to a monthly supplement of EUR 
500.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Teatru Malta, the national theatre company, 
launched three initiatives. This includes a call 
for artists to send proposals to be included in 
its programme, with those approved getting 
50% of the fees in advance. Other initiatives 
include a platform that will enable theatre 
projects to be viewed online as well as an 
invitation for artists to send short videos with 
their performances, with the ones selected 
being offered a fee and uploaded on social 
media. Furthermore, there are a number of 
grassroots activities and initiatives that are 
taking place online through livestream, 
including performing arts festivals and 
literary readings.                                                                                                     
EUR 39.6 million was available for the special 
scheme for unsubsidised productions in 
theatre and music, of which EUR 26.7 has 
now been disbursed. A total of 251 
applications will be honored, relating to more 
than 900 productions. The money for this 
scheme comes from the second aid package 
for the cultural sector that was presented at 
the end of August 2020.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Performing arts 
Fund NL                                                                              

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Artists who have documentation certifying 
the inability to perform (e.g. due to the 
closing of the theatre) may apply to the fund                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Poland 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Social 
assistance 
package from 
the Culture 
Promotion Fund  
The culture 
support Fund 

Poland 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(thatres, 
enterprises) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Poland 

National 

Other 

Thatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Portugal 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Portugal 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Individuals 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
Generating 
Measure 

Portugal 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 

18 

Association of 
Polish Stage 
Artists 

The Culture Support Fund is a financial aid 
directed to the cultural sector, especially in 
the field of theater, music and dance. Its 
budget is PLN 400 million. The aim of the 
Fund is to ensure the stable functioning of 
institutions, organizations and companies 
and to maintain the current employment in 
the cultural sector. The compensation applies 
to lost - due to the epidemic - revenues in 
the period from March 12 to December 31, 
2020.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
The association helps artists who find 
themselves in a difficult financial situation 
due to the epidemic. Also non-affiliated 
artists who collect royalties may apply for 
help. The aid is aimed at artists not 
employed full-time, who find themselves in 
the most difficult life situation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Announced by the end of March to promote 
the development of projects for future 
implementation, the fund intends to help 
artists and organisations in a situation of 
greater vulnerability and without any 
financial support.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Collecting Society GDA announced a EUR 1 
million fund to ensure Ã¢â‚¬Å“essential 
needsÃ¢â‚¬? for artists: EUR 500 thousand 
applied immediately by the GDA itself and 
another EUR 500 thousand to integrate a 
larger fund, open to other participations and 
destined to artists and other professionals of 
the performing arts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
EUR 10,300 max. to cultural projects 
ACCES Online 
(theatre, music, dance, visual arts and 
2020 financing 
intangible heritage) which can be 
project                                                                  
disseminated exclusively in the online 

Emergency 
Support Line 
for the Arts                                                              

Collecting 
Society GDA                                                       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Romania 

National 

Other 

CCS 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Spain 

National 

Public 
Governing 
Body 

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

for and with 
the CCS 

Support 
measures 
for 
innovation 
for and with 
the CCS 
Income 
Generating 
Measure 

environment (total budget EUR 200,000).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

ACCES Online 
2020 financing 
project                                                                  

Grants intended 
to support 
performing arts 
structures                                                

The ACCES Online 2020 financing project 
provides EUR 10,300 max. to cultural 
projects (theatre, music, dance, visual arts 
and intangible heritage) which can be 
disseminated exclusively in the online 
environment (total budget EUR 200,000)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
In March 2020, the Government assigned 
EUR 20,000 million to a guarantee 
programme for firms and individual 
professionals. Self-employed and small 
businesses in the cultural sector were also 
able to benefit from this support, as only 
0,7% of the cultural companies are larger 
than 50 workers. Specific lines of credit for 
SMEs in the performing arts sector. These 
lines will be promoted through the Mutual 
Audiovisual Guarantee Company for SGR 
bonds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Non-EU Creative Europe countries 
Country 

Scope 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Albania  

National 

Public  

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Type 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Both or 
unclear 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Financial 
support from 
Albanian 
government to 
CCS 

General support measures to mitigate the 
negative effects of the pandemic - available to 
the cultural and creative sectors: tax and 
contribution exemptions, delay in payments of 
VAT and other taxes, as well as subventions 
for employees. The government is also 
supporting the presence of artists and cultural 
institutions on the internet and social media, 
which are struggling to create new 
possibilities  to  access  heritage  and  to  
participate  in  online  cultural  events. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Both or 
unclear 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support from 
the Ministery of 
Culture to the 
cultural sector  

The Ministry of Culture in Albania is making 
efforts to protect cultural life, by adopting 
sets of financial measures for the cultural 
sector. 

Albania  

National 

Public  

Armenia 

National 

Public  

Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 

National 

Public  

Georgia 

National 

Private 

Iceland 

National 

Public  

Iceland 

National 

Public  

20 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 
CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 
CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 
Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Gsupport from 
government to 
CCS 

In Armenia, the government has tried to 
support the cultural sector, while there is no 
information on private or non-governmental 
sector initiatives (CRP, 2021). 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support from 
public 
authorities to 
the cultural life 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Support 
measures 
supporting 
social 
cohesion) 

"Creative 
Industries 
Challenges" 
platform  

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support from 
the Ministery of 
Culture to the 
cultural sector  

Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities at 
different levels of government aremaking 
efforts to protect cultural life, by adopting 
sets of financial measures to prevent the 
state from recession and long-term instability. 
The measures include postponement of tax 
payments and formation of a fund from which 
wages for unemployed workers will be paid. 
Various actors in the creative and cultural 
sector have launched the "Creative Industries 
Challenges" platform which acts as a virtual 
space where cultural operators can get in 
touch and support each other. The platform 
has also developed and fielded a survey on 
the state of health of the cultural and creative 
sector (CRP, 2021). 
The Ministry of Culture announced in March 
2020 that it would inject extra 750 millions 
ISK into the into cultural projects  

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Performing Arts 
Fund and Artists 
Salary 

The government responded to the effects of 
the pandemic in the spring 2020 with an 
additional allocation through the competition 
funds, Performing Arts Fund and Artists 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Iceland 

National 

Public  

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support from 
government to 
artists' salary 

Iceland 

Local 

Public  

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Support from 
the City of 
Reykjavík to the 
City Theater 

Kosovo 

National 

Public  

General 
economic 
support 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Montenegro  

National 

Public  

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

 Operational 
Plan of 
implementing 
the decision of 
the Kosovo 
Government 

Support from 
government to 
the cultural 
sector  

Salary. In May, 95 million ISK was allocated 
for new projects and at the end of June, 71 
months were allocated from the artists’ salary 
fund to performing artists. 

In January 2021, the government increased 
its contribution to the performing arts fund by 
37 million ISK providing 132 million ISK to 30 
professional performing arts groups in the 
year 2021. There was also an increase in 
artists’ salaries by 117 months for performing 
artists with a total of 307 monthly salaries. 
The City of Reykjavík contributed ISK 78 
million to the The City Theater and the 
government provided an additional ISK 350 
million to the National Theater to partially 
compensate for the theaters’ losses in covid. 
Tjarnarbíó, home of independent performing 
arts, received 5 million in covid support from 
the City of Reykjavík. (AITI, 2021) 
On 3 April 2020 the Ministry of Finance and 
Transfers has published the Operational Plan 
of implementing the decision of the Kosovo 
Government outlining the procedures to be 
followed by each category of beneficiaries. A 
total amount of EUR 20 million is approved to 
increase the budget for grants and subsidies 
to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Rural Development, Ministry of Culture, Youth 
and Sports and municipalities affected by the 
pandemic situation.  
The government of Montenegro approved a 
package of emergency measures that includes 
a total allocation of EUR 500,000 for workers 
in the cultural sector who have seen their 
activities suspended due to the virus. These 
funds were disbursed on the basis of co-
financing new projects (MINA, 2020). 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Support from 
government to 
the cultural 
sector  

The Government’s decision (from the 
beginning of April 2020) included the self-
employed artists (140) in the monthly 
financial support plan with minimal salary 
(14.500 denar) for April and May. 

North 
Macedonia 

National 

Public  

North 
Macedonia 

Local 

Public  

Norway 

National 

Public  

Norway 

National 

Public  

Norway 

National 

Public  

22 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 
CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 
Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

City of Skopje 
measures to 
help culture in 
these “corona 
times” 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Measures to 
compensate 
cancelled 
events 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

The City of Skopje has also introduced certain 
measures to help culture in these “corona 
times”, i.e.: postponing the non-priority 
capital projects; advance payments for 
independent sector projects; community open 
space concerts that can be watched from 
terraces during the curfew hours; logistic and 
psychological support from volunteers for 
elderly (70+) artists and cultural workers; 
defining a post-crisis cultural strategy 
During the first few months of the pandemic, 
the measures aimed at the cultural sector 
were largely focused on compensating for 
cancelled events. e.g. General economic 
measures such as tax reductions were 
adopted by the Parliament; The Minister of 
Culture launched a scheme (EUR 30 million) 
to support cultural life. 
The Compensation for loss of personal income 
to self-employed persons is the scheme most 
frequently used by individual practitioners. 

Compensation 
for individual 
practitioners                                                                                       

Support from 
the Ministery of 
Culture to the 
cultural sector  

The Ministry of Culture has now allocated 
approx. NOK 2.4 billion towards mitigating 
measures in the cultural sector in its budget 
for 2020. In addition, those engaged in the 
cultural sector are eligible for funds through 
schemes administered by the Norwegian 
Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), the 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Republic of 
Serbia 

National 

Public  

Republic of 
Serbia 

National 

Public  

Tunisia 

National 

Public  

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Support from 
government to 
artists' salary 

ICS Fund  

Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Emergency 

Both or 
unclear 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Recovery fund 
to support 
artists and 
cultural 
practitioners 

Norwegian Tax Administration, Innovation 
Norway, the Norwegian Export Credit 
Guarantee Agency (GIEK) and high street 
banks (in total approx. NOK 500 million so 
far).  

In Serbia, the government has agreed to 
guarantee the contracts of artists hired in 
theatres through subsidies thanks to the 
mobilisation of non-governmental 
organisations, representatives of civil society, 
and artists such as the Alliance of Dramatic 
Artists of Vojvodina, the Independent Culture 
Scene association or the Coordination Board 
of Representative Art Associations (CRP, 
2021). 
The ICS Fund, which benefits from the 
support of other cultural associations, is a 
response to the pandemic crisis in which a 
large number of artists and cultural workers 
have lost their jobs and livelihoods, and is 
being implemented as a direct action to 
compensate for the lack of comprehensive 
state measures to assist various categories of 
cultural workers. Thanks to the solidarity 
fund, 177 cultural workers from all over 
Serbia received one-time solidarity 
assistance.  
Relief and recovery fund to support artists 
and cultural practitioners engaged in each and 
every cultural sector and industry (Fonds 
Relance Culture) (CRP, 2021): 
The types of support measures of the Culture 
Recovery Fund include: 
- "0-rate loans" for the continuity of activity 
and the vitality of the cultural offer 
- aid for non-recurring financing (cancellation, 
drop in revenue, etc.) to initiate economic 
initiatives and relaunch activities relevant to 
the development of the economy in the 
cultural sector. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Tunisia 

National 

Public  

Tunisia 

National 

Public  

Tunisia 

National 

Private 

Tunisia 

Regional  Other 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 
CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

24 

Emergency 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 
Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Contribution to 
costs of 
structures 
impacted by 
COVID 

Support from 
the Ministery of 
Culture to the 
cultural sector  

Case of closures of cultural spaces: 
Contribution to a certain percentage of the 
costs of structures impacted by restrictive 
measures due to the COVID-19 crisis. Case of 
cultural events canceled or postponed: 
Contribution to a certain percentage of 
damage due to postponements or 
cancellations of activities (shows, festivals, 
fairs, screenings, etc.)  
In November 2020, with the second wave of 
the pandemic, the Ministry of Culture 
announced the release of an envelope of 1.5 
billion dinars for the benefit of Tunisian 
artists. 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

Artist Support 
Grant 

Emergency 

Individual 
(artists, 
freelancers) 

Income 
generating 
support 
measures 

 “Stand for art” 
programme  

The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) 
launched in June 2020 the Artist Support 
Grant, an exceptional funding scheme to 
support artists whose creative practices and 
incomes are being adversely impacted by the 
COVID-19 crisis: a one-time $3000 grant to 
support the practice of independent artists 
over a period of 3 to 6 months. The Artist 
Support Grant programme was created with 
the support of Ford Foundation, the Open 
Society Foundation and Spotify through the 
Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief program.  
Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy), a 
regional, non-profit organization, launched a 
new component of the pre-existing “stand for 
art” programme in May 2020. This 
programme supports artists and cultural 
actors in the Arab region who are at risk, 
either because they are physically threatened 
and are in danger or are exposed to hardships 
in their environment. This new component 
expands the scope of the program to 
encompass artists, cultural actors and 
technicians who have suffered from hardship 
due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country 

Level 

Issuing 
Body 

Scope 

Type 

Final 
Beneficiary 

Goal 

Name 

Short Description 

Ukraine 

National 

Public  

Theatre 
specific 

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

Ukraine 

National 

Public  

Emergency 

Institutional 
(theatres, 
entreprises) 

CCS 
specific : 
can also 
sometimes 
include 
Culture & 
Sport 

Eligible artists are those who do not receive 
support from a labour association, work in the 
informal art sector, depend on irregular 
incomes, have families to support, are elderly 
or in fragile health, and/or have been forced 
to leave their homes. (Al Mawred Al-Thaqafy, 
2020) 

Grant 
programme to 
offer a first aid 
package to 
cultural 
organisations 

Cut the VAT 
rate to 7% for 
culture, tourism 
and creative 
industries 

The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation has 
launched a grant programme to offer a first 
aid package to cultural organisations in 
Ukraine and contribute to the long-term 
recovery and development of the CCS. The 
programme provides a cash transfer to cover 
debt obligations incurred by the organisations 
between March and August 2020, as well as 
to cover operating expenses until the end of 
2020. This programme is dedicated to the 
whole range of cultural sub-sectors (UCF, 
2020). 
In September 2020, the Tax Code was 
amended to cut the VAT rate to 7% for 
culture, tourism and creative industries, as 
these sectors can hardly shift to online mode.  

Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 

Costs 
reduction, 
modification 
of the legal 
framework 
and status 
of the artist 
support 
measures 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2022

© European Union, 2022

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ISBN 978-92-76-46690-1 

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