The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia has been working together with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in matters of Eastern European culture since 1990. Towards the end of the 1990s, the focus shifted from the Visegrad countries to South-Eastern Europe. In this context, the Swiss Cultural Programme South-East Europe and Ukraine (SCP) was established in 2002, covering an area from Tirana to Kiev. Following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, Pro Helvetia is now closing its offices in Bucharest and Sofia.
The aim of activities there was to facilitate the growth of an independent, multi-faceted and innovative cultural life and the creation of regional networks. These all served and serve to promote democracy and the freedom of speech, contribute to the solution of conflicts and help build respect for minorities.
New, independent cultural organisations
The follow-on project of the Bucharest office aims to build up a regional network. United Experts is a team of cultural specialists offering advice and coaching to institutions, organisations and private companies. Both the Bulgarian and the Romanian initiative can count on support from SCP until the end of 2008. The two offices may be closed, but the cultural work continues, albeit in a different form. In Bulgaria, Pro Helvetia's local team have founded the Art Office, a cultural competence centre which primarily promotes stage productions throughout the country. It lends support to event organisers and theatre groups in organisational and PR matters.

http://www.prohelvetia.ch/index.cfm?id=6895