Joint Circular No. 11/2007/TTLT-BVHTT-BTC guides support for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects at the central level and local literary and artistic associations during the period from 2006 to 2010.

JOINT CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES FOR SUPPORTING CREATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE PRODUCTION OF LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORKS AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL AND IN LOCAL LITERARY AND ARTIST ASSOCIATIONS FROM 2006 TO 2010

Pursuant to the State Budget Law number 01/2002/QH11 dated December 16, 2002;
Pursuant to Decision No. 926/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2006 of the Prime Minister approving the Project to continue supporting creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works and press at the central level and in local literary and artist associations; and supporting high-quality press works in localities from 2006 to 2010;
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance jointly issue guidelines for implementing support for creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works at the central level and in local literary and artist associations from 2006 to 2010 as follows:

I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

1- The State continues to support creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works at the central and local levels from 2006 to 2010 through Central Literary and Artistic Associations (including: the National Union of Vietnam Writers' Associations, the Vietnam Writers' Association, the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, the Vietnam Theatre Artists' Association, the Vietnam Musicians' Association, the Vietnam Photographers' Association, the Vietnam Film Association, the Vietnam Architects' Association, the Vietnam Dance Artists' Association, the Vietnam Folk Literature and Art Association, the Vietnam Ethnic Minorities Literature and Art Association) and local literary and artistic associations according to the contents approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 926/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as Project 926) in the fields of literature, fine arts, music, theatre, film, architecture, photography, dance, folk literature, ethnic minorities' literature and art reflecting:

a) History, periods of anti-enemy resistance wars, national cultural traditions.

b) The renewal process of building and defending the country, positive factors, outstanding individuals in society, of the era.

c) Youth, children, ethnic minorities.

The State's financial support to increase funding sources and improve the quality of creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works at the central and local levels shall not reduce the regular annual financial support provided to Central Literary and Artistic Associations and local associations due to this support.

2. Objectives and scope of support:

a) Creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works (literary and artistic works are understood as research, collection, theoretical criticism, architecture, etc.):

- Authors and groups of authors who are members of central and local literary and artistic associations participating in creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works (referred to as creative literary and artistic activities) in accordance with the topics approved in Project 926 to fulfill the country's and locality's political tasks;

- Organizing seminars and training courses to enhance political and professional skills, nurture young literary and artistic talents; purchasing and updating new information to serve the creative activities of association members;

- Holding creative camps and immersing in reality to complete literary and artistic works or to exchange information and improve professional skills;

- Appraisal of project outlines, acceptance of works and related organizational activities directly related to the implementation of support;

- Publishing works.

b) High-quality creative activities in the production of literary and artistic works:

- Authors and groups of authors who have made significant contributions to literature and art, have rich life experiences, and are currently focusing on creating literary and artistic works or authors and groups of authors recognized by the Standing Committee of the Association;

- Authors and groups of authors whose literary and artistic works have high quality but have not yet been invested in.

3- Scope not supported: Works and projects in literature and art that have already been supported by the state budget or received funding (only supported once).

4- Forms of financial support: Commissioned creation of literary and artistic works or support for creation.

5- Sources of financial support:

- Central government budget support according to Decision No. 926/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2006 of the Prime Minister;

- Legal support from other agencies, organizations, and individuals both domestically and internationally.

II - SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1- Direct support to authors and groups of authors who are members of Central and Local Literary and Artistic Associations for the creation of literary and artistic works (including high-quality creative activities) within the topics specified in Point 1, Part I and approved project outlines.

The level of support is determined by the Standing Committees of the Associations based on the provisions of the "Regulation on Expenditure for Supporting the Creation of Literary and Artistic Works from 2006 to 2010" of the Associations (hereinafter referred to as "Expenditure Regulation") and implemented through the signing of contracts.

2- Expenses for organizing seminars, training sessions, holding creative camps, and immersing in reality. The content and amount of expenses for participants are applied according to Circular No. 23/2007/TT-BTC dated March 21, 2007 of the Ministry of Finance regarding travel expenses and expenses for organizing meetings for state agencies and public institutions.

- Expenses for purchasing materials, renting machinery and equipment to directly serve training sessions, seminars, and holding creative camps; expenses for purchasing materials serving the creative activities of association members according to actual contracts and current regulations.

3- Expenses for direct support activities in the creation of literary and artistic works including: remuneration, printing of documents, photocopying, office supplies, telephone, postal services... based on the actual situation each year and current regulations of the State.

4- Expenses for organizing the appraisal of project outlines, evaluation, and acceptance of literary and artistic works. The amount of direct expenses for members of the appraisal committee of project outlines, evaluation, and acceptance of literary and artistic works is decided by the Standing Committees of Literary and Artistic Associations based on the allocated state budget estimate and stipulated in the "Expenditure Regulation" of the Associations.

5- Support for publication of works and projects. The level of support is specified in the "Regulation on Expenditure Support" of the Associations and implemented through the signing of contracts.

6- Material rewards support (limited quantity) for literary and artistic works and projects evaluated to have high quality.

7- Other related support expenses directly linked to creative support activities.

8- Special expense items (if any), outside the regulations stipulated in this Circular and current financial expenditure regimes must be agreed upon in writing by the Ministry of Finance (for Central Literary and Artistic Associations) and the Standing Committee of the People's Council at the provincial level (for local Literary and Artistic Associations).

9- Expenses for organizing, guiding, evaluating works, assessing, interim and final reviews of policies supporting creative work and project activities of the National Union of Literature and Art Associations of Vietnam.

10- Central and local Literary and Artistic Associations shall implement:

a) Prepare plans for the use of support funds, submit to the competent authority for approval in accordance with the State Budget Law and current documents.

b) Develop and promulgate the "Regulation on Expenditure Support" after discussion, public disclosure, and consensus within the Executive Board and Secretariat of the Association. The "Regulation on Expenditure Support" shall be publicly disclosed to all members and sent to the financial authorities at the same level for monitoring and supervision; sent to the State Treasury where the unit has an account for transaction purposes as a basis for controlling expenditures.

The content of building the "Regulation on Expenditure Support" is guided in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

c) The Standing Committees of Central and Local Literary and Artistic Associations shall establish a Council to review, select outlines, manuscripts, evaluate, accept, and audit works and projects and use funds according to the issued "Regulation on Expenditure Support" to ensure support for the right subjects, for the right purposes, and effectively.

d) Implement financial transparency in accordance with Circular No. 21/2005/TT-BTC dated March 22, 2005, of the Ministry of Finance guiding the implementation of financial transparency regulations for budgetary units and organizations supported by the state budget; current regulations.

e) Implement self-audit and accounting at the unit in accordance with the Accounting Law, Decision No. 67/2004/QĐ-BTC dated August 13, 2004, of the Minister of Finance on issuing the regulation on self-audit and accounting at agencies and units using state budget funds; current regulations.

g) When implementing the "Regulation on Expenditure Support," the unit must ensure that there are legal and valid vouchers and invoices in accordance with the provisions.

11- Implementation funds:

a) Support funds for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects for central specialized Literary and Artistic Associations during the period 2006-2010 amount to 91,260 million VND (excluding support funds for the Vietnam Journalists' Association).

b) Support funds for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects for local Literary and Artistic Associations amount to 84,000 million VND.

12- The preparation of budgets, execution, and settlement of support funds for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects shall be carried out in accordance with the State Budget Law, documents guiding the implementation of the State Budget Law, and the provisions of this Circular.

Unspent support funds at the end of the year shall be transferred to the next year in accordance with current regulations.

13- Supervision, inspection, and auditing shall be carried out in accordance with current laws.

14- Responsibilities of agencies and units:

a) Central and local Literary and Artistic Associations:

- Annually conduct summaries, evaluations, and report on the situation and results of support for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects to the National Union of Literature and Art Associations of Vietnam and concurrently send to the People's Committee of the province or centrally administered city (for local Literary and Artistic Associations) for monitoring and guidance.

- Local Literary and Artistic Associations allocate part of their funds to support high-quality creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects in accordance with Decision No. 926/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2006, of the Prime Minister.

- Local Literary and Artistic Associations are responsible for coordinating with local state management agencies to organize creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects well.

b) National Union of Literature and Art Associations of Vietnam:

- Serve as the focal point for compiling annual implementation reports at the central and local levels; serve as the focal point for coordinating with state management agencies in organizing the implementation of support regulations at the central and local levels in accordance with current regulations and rules.

- Organize training courses, seminars, and creative camps for local Literary and Artistic Association members.

- Annually summarize, evaluate, and promptly identify difficulties and obstacles, reporting to the Prime Minister and relevant Ministries and sectors.

c) Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism:

- Coordinate with the National Union of Literature and Art Associations of Vietnam, relevant Ministries, Sectors, and Provincial People's Committees to guide the organization and implementation process and timely adjust contents not aligned with the Party and State's goals and orientations.

- Compile and report on the situation and results of the use of support funds at the central and local levels; recommend appropriate reward forms for outstanding literary and artistic works and projects to the Prime Minister.

d) Ministry of Finance coordinates with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to inspect the use of support funds for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects.

e) Provincial People's Committees direct the organization and implementation of support plans for creative activities of literary and artistic works and projects in accordance with current regulations; create conditions for local Literary and Artistic Associations to fulfill assigned tasks.

15This Circular shall take effect from the fiscal year 2007. For the year 2006, central Literary and Artistic Associations shall implement according to Joint Circular No. 52/2003/TTLT-BVHTT-BTC dated August 29, 2003 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance guiding the support for creative activities of literary and artistic works and press under the state order mechanism; local Literary and Artistic Associations shall implement according to Joint Circular No. 74/2004/TTLT-BTC-BVHTT dated July 19, 2004 of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism guiding the support for funding of creative activities of literary and artistic works in 2004.

III- IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, they are requested to be reported to the relevant ministries for study and appropriate amendments and supplements.