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The State Introduces an Annual Budget for Cultural Consumption

Kazalište u doba korone
Kazalište u doba korone / Image by: foto

The government is considering the introduction of ‘Cultural Card‘ which would grant young people who turn 18 during 2026 the right to cashless access to cultural content for one year from their birthday.

The aim of introducing the Cultural Card is to promote universal and diverse access to culture for the young audience, to create cultural habits, and to strengthen existing cultural needs. Similarly, the Cultural Card will empower the further development of the cultural sector and enable direct contact with the young audience through a new support model, according to the Ministry.

The Cultural Card is a response to the identified need for insufficient participation of young people in cultural events, especially in certain segments of the cultural sector, and the underdeveloped models of communication between creators of cultural content and the young audience, as their users.

According to the proposed decision drafted by the Ministry of Culture and Media, the cultural department will be responsible for the criteria and the call to content providers, as well as for securing funds, while the Financial Agency (FINA) is tasked with the development and establishment of the information system, user education, operational support, maintenance, and preparation of analyses and reports at the request of the Ministry.

Funds for the establishment, maintenance, and financing of the project are planned within the limits of total expenditures of the Ministry of Culture and Media as determined by the budget framework for the period 2026–2028. The justification states that the Cultural Card aims to strengthen the participation of young people in culture, stimulate audience development, and improve the liquidity of cultural entities by expanding and decentralizing demand across Croatia.

The next steps include defining eligible content and implementing a call to providers so that the network of acceptance venues can be established by the beginning of 2026, when the right will be granted to all young people who turn 18 during that year.

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