Mimeta’s Theory of Change is built on the fundamental belief that working with and supporting local partners ensures local ownership and the longevity of the intervention. This is also a matter of sustainability, believing that the capacity building of partners and in turn their beneficiaries have value on its own and strengthens the sector even without Mimeta’s continued support.
Mimeta’s interventions have had a special focus on the sustainability of local partners and the initiatives will sustain the loss of the financial support provided by Mimeta at the end of a support period. As such, the financial support from Mimeta has rarely represented more than 10% of the partners' budgets in recent years. Yet the opportunity to have a more flexible partner in Mimeta has been noted as important by local partners.
Mimeta was the first international partner of more of the local and regional organisations that still are part of our network. We have an impression that this role as a seed fund for new initiatives - is valued among our partners.
Moreover, on the issue of sustainability, many of Mimeta’s partners, like L'Art Rue, focus on youth engagement in their work, both as participants and as contributors. This contributes to the growth and future of the cultural climate that they operate in, building lasting capacity in the community. Youth engagement and the idea of culture driving social and narrative change are pillars in an understanding of the sustainability of Mimeta’s intervention.
The partners of Mimeta represent a diverse set of initiatives providing different contributions in line with the stated goal of Mimeta of strengthening cultural infrastructure (1) as well as the idea of artistic rights as the right to free expression (2). In the scope of cultural development, they represent opportunities to freely engage in culture, through cultural education, cultural events, cultural infrastructure and in general contributing to a cultural ecosystem. Many of them also represent artistic freedom and safety for artists at risk. Together, they all improve the state of artistic freedom and the accessibility of culture for marginalised communities. Below is a description of their work in 2023. They also make out a structure for international cooperation, as they operate as regional entry points, information-providing entities concerning the region and as practical partners when it comes to e.g. safeguarding artists, either by supporting them in the region or in aiding if displacement is necessary.
Many of Mimeta’s partners receive core funding from Mimeta, allowing them to adjust and grow depending on their circumstances. Several partners have defined this kind of support as essential to maintain and grow the cultural structures they are responsible for.
