The research project examines the expectations, experiences and problems of CEE members of European networks. It focuses on analyzing the participation of CEE members in European/global networks and examining, documenting and performing individual analyses of regional and national networks in CEE.

The extent of participation of CEE varies among the individual networks. They can be categorized in three general groups:

• networks in which East-West cooperation has already become a commonplace and many independent processes have begun


• networks with the middle ground level of participation by CEE members


• networks with few or no member in CEE.

1. Participation of CEE Members in European and Global Networks

The participation of CEE members depends on various factors (e.g. the sector in which network operates; the degree to which the network is established and the latitude in the use of finances and other resources; how soon the practical benefits from networking can be expected). Out of 85 evaluated networks the share of CEE member (compared to total European members) is on the average just under 21%.
The network structures have enabled a great deal to the establishment of East-West contacts.

There are some special challenges and problems related to East-West cooperation, e.g. financial problems, problem with technical communication infrastructure in CEE, language barrier, visa barrier, differences in work methods and contexts etc.

2. Networks in CEE

The concrete situations in the cultural sector and the activities and development of individual networks are closer examined on the example of two country specific-reports and individual networks. Both of these countries are strongly influenced by the “transformation process”:

Bulgaria
The national government’s institution have begun to take note of the NGO´s ability to solve problems and they are gradually becoming accepted as a partners in a concrete way, the willingness to work together with a support independent cultural organizations on the level of the national centres depends to a large extent on the overall situation in the individual field and the responsible persons at the particular centre. In the towns and cities, there have been the first positive examples of NGOs being recognized and benefiting from inclusion in a few funding programs, and of a small budgets being set aside for these organisation. In the cultural sector this is presumably still limited to isolated cases.

Poland
There are several reasons for a Polish cultural institution to found or join a network, such as intensifying transnational and international contacts, generating synergetic effects and lobbying for art forms, which enjoy little recognition among the general public. Motivations such as exchanging information and representation of interests by the network’s members are rarely mentioned.
The development of networks is still in its early stages, due in part to the unstable public administration, the far-reaching reforms in a number of sensitive areas, and the lack of a firma legal foundation.