Skopje, 1 December 2021 (MIA) – The 2022 draft-budget for culture is Mden 3.85 billion, i.e. EUR 62,692,000. It focuses on capital investments and recovery in culture, in the amount of EUR 10 million, Minister of Culture Irena Stefoska told a press conference on Wednesday. In terms of capital investments and recovery, the funds are intended for the second phase in the construction of the Turkish Theater in Skopje, the implementation of the next phase in the construction of a theater and a library in Tetovo, final works in the theater in Strumica, the second phase in the reconstruction of the theater in Kumanovo,  the second phase in the reconstruction of the Kochani Culture Center, the second phase in the reconstruction of the Gostivar Culture Center, reconstruction and roof recovery of the National University Library “St. Clement of Ohrid” in Skopje, as well as other projects to be approved in the annual program in the area of 2022 investments intended for national institutions. Stefoska stressed that protection of cultural heritage remains a top priority. Therefore, this year the budget of the Ministry and the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage is nearly Mden 194 million, i.e. EUR 3,200,000. As regards the program of cultural heritage in danger, which was included in the budget for the first time this year, Stefoska said the amount of the funds remains the same for next year, i.e. Mden 12 million. “The protection of tangible, as well as intangible cultural heritage remains a priority. Almost EUR 6 million are provided for block grants to municipalities. The EU integration process remains in the focus of the Ministry, as well as young artists in the country,” the Minister added. She noted that culture participates in the total state budget with 1.49 percent, adding that it was far from enough, but pointing out that responsibility with public money in times of a health and economic crisis requires that every penny invested in culture be properly spent. According to Stefoska, the goal is 4 percent of the total budget to be set aside for culture in the coming years. The 2022 draft-budget for culture is almost EUR 10 million more than the 2020 budget. The Minister said about EUR 17 million have been allocated from the budget to support projects of national interest in culture for 2022. That is, she noted, over EUR 1.5 million more for this purpose than the funds at disposal for this year's projects. In 2021, the annual call for support of projects of national interest in culture was realized for the first time through electronic application. A total of 3,800 applications were submitted, which automatically received an archive number for the first time. The application deadline has been extended for another 15 days, starting tomorrow, until Dec. 16. “Following administrative verification of the applications, the services concluded that a large number of applications were filled out but incomplete in terms of meeting the requirements of the call. For these reasons, and in the interest of the users, the Ministry decided to extend the deadline for another 15 days,” Stefoska said, adding that this didn’t mean submitting a new application but only to complete the applications that are already submitted and that have already received an archive number. “The fact that almost two thirds of the applications received are incomplete, which is probably due to negligence of the applicants, is the reason why we’re taking this step, because we must not reduce the quality of the annual call nor reduce competitiveness and competition to a minimum,” said Stefoska. The Minister added that employees of the Ministry will be available for regular contact with users. “Due to the fact that the deadline is extended, results will be announced by mid-February 2022 at the latest, instead of January 20,” she noted.