BalkanKult, formerly a regional association based in Sarajevo, has now become an entire foundation, with a new set of ambitious goals and objectives. The foundation aims to develop creative industries in the region, support cultural diversity and the development of a regional cultural market, and support the mobility of people, ideas and works. It hopes to foster co-operation between the region, as well as other parts of the world. As a geographical area, the Balkans contains an incredible variety of culture and history. Whilst some countries have already become part of the European Union, others are yet to join – or want to, and many countries are experiencing important political and economical changes, having serious repercussions in all social and cultural life. The Foundation recognises that in this transitional period, culture and the arts are becoming of high importance for the development and reconciliation process, and for communication and trans-border understanding. Unfortunately, the Balkan public sector has largely lost its financial power to support cultural activities, creating a vacuum in both the activities themselves, and the governance structure required to run them. The foundation hopes to act as a go-between for public and private financing, promoting cultural creativity and an expansion and diversification of the arts, and also working with existing groups. Funding reviews, the teaching of new management skills and networking possibilities are all on BalkKult’s schedule in the coming year. The Foundation will act as both a grant seeking and a grant giving body, becoming an important partner in the region. Publications have already started appearing on the BalkanKult web site, ranging from conference reports to detailed surveys of the industry. Also being established is the Cultural Foundations in the Balkan Region Database - a list of national, regional and local and international organisations with cultural and artistic interests. The Foundation is also going to sponsor and organise a number of conferences and workshops to take place in different parts of the region. The courses will be conceived as 'training on the job' for foundation personnel and will familiarise them on ways to best promote and ensure artistic creativity and a high standard of artistic expression. An important part of the foundation is its Development Group. A group of highly qualified experts, the Development Group will act as an advisory body for improving the framework for foundations in the region and help to enable partnership- and capacity-building between and within foundations. BalkanKult’s establishment as a foundation is an important step for a region where the arts and cultural development sometimes struggle to get a foothold. The foundation will make it easier for groups all across Eastern Europe to contact and work with each other. For more information on the BalkanKult Foundation, visit www.balkankult.org