Around 1,300 young people were funded for the Cultural Voucher programme: what services were accessed
More than half of 18 year olds have activated their cultural voucher. Most of them were used to purchase books and movie tickets, representatives of the Ministry of Culture said in a commentary for our radio station. Young people say they want the programme to be extended to more age groups.
Since last November and so far, about 1,300 young people have been funded for the Cultural Voucher program, of which 650 have accessed a cultural service only once, and more than 370 others are eligible for participation and are waiting for funding, Culture Ministry representatives told Radio Moldova.
According to the information, more than 2,830 transactions were carried out through the voucher, with a total value of about 500,000 lei. Most payments were made for books, about 2,200. Among the most purchased are personal development books.
Olivia Carabulea is the young woman who used the cultural voucher to buy theatre and music tickets. She says the service has given her the opportunity to develop multi-dimensionally and learn about different forms and types of creative expression.
"I think the cultural voucher is very useful for young people as it gives us access to cultural events and resources that we would not normally have the opportunity to access - What services did you purchase with this voucher? - I used the cultural voucher to attend various cultural events, such as theatre performances and classical music concerts. - Did you mostly use it to go to performances? - That's right. When I activated my cultural voucher, the bookshops in Chisinau were not connected. I think the programme is successful and it is important that it continues," she said.
The government programme was launched last autumn. Through it, young people who have turned 18 will receive one thousand lei to benefit from cultural services for one year.
The "cultural voucher" is inspired by European countries, which have implemented this measure to improve young people's access to culture and at the same time develop the cultural industry. One of the countries granting cultural vouchers or bonuses is Spain, where last year around 58 percent of 18-year-olds activated their vouchers in the first year.
In Italy, 83 percent of beneficiaries spent the money on books, music products and concert tickets. The Italian government also gives cultural bonuses to teachers. In Romania, both young people and students participate in the scheme.
