28 May, 2024 | Article
In the digital age we live in, access to culture is easier than ever. However, for people with disabilities, this accessibility can still be a major obstacle to their full participation in cultural and social life. The Cultural Sector Digitization Program becomes not only a technological initiative, but also a catalyst of social inclusion for these people.
The Intelligent Growth, Digitization and Financial Instruments Program (PoCIDIF) is one of the subsequent programs of the Partnership Agreement 2021-2027 and was approved by Decision C(2022) 9445 final of 09.12.2022. PoCIDIF includes a series of measures dedicated to the development and digitization of public services intended for citizens and the business environment. These measures are aimed at ensuring the IT systems needed by central public institutions for the operationalization of electronic public services and improving the level of sophistication of existing services.
PoCIDIF funds the digitization of heritage and the provision of digital information to support the public to access, discover, explore and appreciate cultural assets. This can become a decisive factor for entrepreneurs to innovate and use existing resources in a more efficient way for the development of new services and products in various sectors, including tourism. Digitization has social, cultural and economic benefits and is a solution for ensuring access to culture guaranteed by the Constitution, transforming heritage into a resource for sustainable development and social inclusion.
According to the program's funding guide Digitization of the Written Culture Sector, compliance with national and European legislation in the fields of equal opportunities, gender, non-discrimination and accessibility for people with disabilities is a mandatory condition for accessing European funds. This means that all funded projects must demonstrate how they will ensure accessibility and non-discrimination for people with disabilities.
Projects must detail actions that guarantee equal opportunities and gender, accessibility for people with disabilities, inclusion and non-discrimination. These actions are essential to ensure that people with disabilities can access the physical and online environment, the infrastructure created or equipped, as well as the products, services and processes developed by the organization, under conditions of accessibility and equality.
When submitting the application for funding, applicants must complete a unique Declaration by which they undertake to comply with the requirements regarding equal opportunities, gender, accessibility for people with disabilities, inclusion and non-discrimination. This statement is a guarantee that projects will meet the standards necessary to create an inclusive and accessible cultural environment for all.
Another important aspect is the integration of assistive technologies in digitized cultural content. For example, audio description for works of art or videos allows visually impaired people to better experience and understand those works. Subtitles and sign language translations for video materials also facilitate access for the hearing impaired.
Digitization of the cultural sector does not only mean access to content, but also active participation in the creative process. Through online platforms and digital tools, people with disabilities now have the opportunity to express their own visions and creativity in an accessible and inclusive way. This contributes to diversifying and enriching the cultural content, thus reflecting a wider perspective on the world.
Digitization of the cultural sector can play a crucial role in raising awareness and educating the public about the issues and needs of people with disabilities. Through digitized cultural content, messages of inclusion and respect for human diversity can be transmitted, thus contributing to changing perceptions and reducing discrimination.
The objective of this measure is to promote culture by providing funding for the development of the capacity of operators in the sector of making books in electronic format (e-book, audiobook, etc.). It also finances actions to attract new audiences using tools and technologies such as vlogs, online challenges and reading marathons, as well as other types of interactive events.
eBooks make it easy for readers to proactively interact with content through videos, animations, augmented reality, changing displays, note-taking, etc. They provide a fully enriched reading experience and help improve school performance. Within this measure, activities will be carried out such as the development, through a de minimis aid scheme, of the capacity of operators in the sector to produce books in electronic format, especially for volumes by Romanian-language authors, and the creation of an online catalog for Romanian literary works.
This measure will contribute to the decrease of functional illiteracy and the return of the relevance of the book sector for the new generation of young people. In the funding request, applicants must mention the expected results as a result of the implementation of the project. The expected results must be mentioned in each funding application, depending on the activities included in the project.
When developing the funding request, the applicant must establish quantifiable and measurable results for the project activities. These results must lead to the achievement of the specific objectives of the funding call. Thus, each activity of the project must have quantifiable results that contribute to the achievement of the goals of the PoCIDIF program.
Application of Digitization of the Written Culture Sector it is not only a technological initiative, but also a powerful tool for promoting the social inclusion of people with disabilities. By facilitating access to digitized cultural content and promoting active and creative participation, this program opens new horizons for a more inclusive and egalitarian society. Strict adherence to the requirements of equal opportunity, accessibility and non-discrimination ensures that all people, regardless of their abilities, can benefit from the cultural richness offered by this program.
the total budget
for the project call
Create at least two full-time jobs for an indefinite period after the entry into force of the financing agreement and keep these jobs occupied for at least 12 months after the issuance of the payment agreement by AIMM.
In case of vacancies or suspension of created jobs, the beneficiary has 45 days to fill them again, maintaining the number and conditions for which he received funding.
During the period mentioned in letter m (1), an employment contract cannot be suspended more than twice, with exceptions regulated by special legislation and issued by the competent authorities.
The beneficiary must prove employment through the project, with permanent and full-time employment contracts, at the time of issuing the payment agreement by AIMM, and maintain these jobs for at least 12 months.
Jobs created and filled in the last 6 months with the applicant company, between the signing and issuance of the financing agreement, are considered created by the project.
