Through Order of the Minister of Culture no. 2,939/2026, published in Official Gazette no. 547 of July 3, 2026, a new financing framework is introduced for private entities carrying out economic activities in the cultural-creative field.
What does it stipulate?
The Order establishes a de minimis aid scheme with a total budget of over 7.3 million euros, intended for financing approximately 1,470 cultural projects until September 30, 2029, or until funds are exhausted. The purpose is to stimulate the production of cultural goods and services, thereby consolidating the economic sustainability of the independent cultural sector. The scheme operates through competitive or continuous project calls, managed by the Ministry of Culture.
Financing is granted in the form of a non-reimbursable grant, covering up to 80% of the total eligible expenses of a project. The grant value for a single project ranges between 10,000 euros and 100,000 euros. The beneficiary must provide a minimum 20% co-financing of eligible costs, exclusively in cash. An essential condition is that projects must have an economic component, meaning they generate or have the potential to generate income (e.g., ticket sales, services, cultural products) to ensure sustainability.
Expenses directly related to project implementation are considered eligible, such as those for materials, external services (space and equipment rentals, promotion, consultancy), personnel expenses (up to 20% of the grant), transport and accommodation costs, prizes, as well as indirect administrative expenses (office rent, utilities), calculated as a lump sum of maximum 5% of the financing value. Expenses incurred before signing the financing contract, VAT for VAT-paying companies, fines, or in-kind contributions are not eligible.
The total ceiling for de minimis aid that a “single undertaking” (including affiliated entities) can receive must not exceed 300,000 euros over a period of three consecutive fiscal years. Applicants must declare all previously received state aid or de minimis aid to verify compliance with this ceiling. Project submission, evaluation, and contracting will take place exclusively online, through the ministry’s electronic platform (SDFC).
To whom does it apply?
The scheme is exclusively addressed to private law entities, registered in Romania, that carry out economic activity in the cultural and creative sectors. The categories of eligible applicants are:
- Commercial companies (established according to Law no. 31/1990) and cooperative societies.
- Non-governmental organizations (associations and foundations), including those that have not previously had economic activity but assume it through the project.
- Authorized natural persons (PFA), individual enterprises, and family enterprises.
To be eligible, these entities must cumulatively meet several conditions, including: being established at least 2 years before the launch of the project call, having cultural activities in their articles of association (e.g., architecture, cinematography, music, performing arts, visual arts, design), having the corresponding CAEN codes authorized, not having debts to the state or local budget, and not being in insolvency, bankruptcy, or liquidation procedures.
What do you need to do?
- Verify your organization’s eligibility according to strict criteria: legal form, minimum 2 years of existence, no budget debts, and statutory activity in the targeted cultural sectors. Ensure you have the relevant CAEN codes authorized at ONRC or declared to ANAF.
- Prepare a cultural project that fits the scheme’s objectives (e.g., cultural entrepreneurship, development of new products/services) and demonstrates the capacity to generate income. Elaborate a detailed budget, clearly separating eligible expenses from the 20% co-financing you must provide from your own sources.
- Calculate the de minimis aid ceiling. Inventory all state aid and de minimis aid received by your company and affiliated entities (if you form a “single undertaking”) in the last three fiscal years to ensure you do not exceed the cumulative threshold of 300,000 euros.
- Monitor the Ministry of Culture’s website (www.cultura.ro) for announcements regarding the launch of project calls and prepare the documentation for online submission on the dedicated platform (fonduri-cultura.ro).
Source: Official Gazette, Part I, no. 547 of July 3, 2026.
Note: This material is strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or business advice. As the interpretation and application of legal provisions can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of each entity, we recommend seeking specialized legal assistance before making any operational decisions based on these changes.