Dr. Dea Vidović, senior assistant and collaborator on the CULTMED project, delivered lectures on funders’ approaches to sustainability, as well as on wellbeing and sustainable transformation in the cultural and creative sector.
The 13th edition of the ENCATC Academy on Sustainable Cultural Management and Cultural Policy took place from April 14 to 17, 2025, in Bologna, Italy. Organised by ENCATC, the leading European network for education and research in the field of cultural management and policy, the academy gathered numerous cultural professionals from various countries, aiming to strengthen capacities for managing the cultural and creative sector toward a sustainable future.
As part of the Academy, Dr. Vidović held two lectures that enriched the program with a strong focus on sustainability from the perspectives of funding and the relationship between culture and wellbeing.
In the first lecture, “Funders’ Approach to the CCS’s Sustainability”, Dr. Vidović presented the approaches of European funders, both public bodies and philanthropic institutions, toward the sustainability of the cultural and creative sector. Her presentation covered three key areas of engagement: supporting artistic practices that address ecological challenges, protecting cultural heritage and cultural rights in the context of climate change, and transforming the sector’s operational and programmatic practices toward more sustainable models. Special attention was given to the internal transformation of funders themselves and their role in advocating for positive environmental change.
The second lecture, “Wellbeing and Sustainable Transformation: Policy Responses and Challenges in the Cultural Sector”, offered a comprehensive overview of wellbeing as a core component of sustainable cultural policies. It emphasised the importance of linking economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability through the principles of care, equity, and social justice. The lecture highlighted the role of culture in promoting community wellbeing and embedding fair practices within cultural institutions and organisations. Through theoretical perspectives, policy frameworks, and practical examples, participants gained insights into the complexity and multidimensionality of wellbeing in contemporary society and the growing responsibility of the cultural sector in building sustainable and resilient communities.
