Joint Circular No. 52/2003/TTLT/BVHTT-BTC guiding the support for creative activities of literary and artistic works, journalism under the state ordering mechanism.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for supporting creative activities of literary and artistic works, journalism under the state commission system

Implementing Decision No. 151/QD-TTg dated February 13, 2003 of the Prime Minister on supporting creative activities of literary and artistic works, journalism under the state commission system, following the consensus opinion of the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art Associations (document No. 231/CV-ĐCT dated July 21, 2003), the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Finance provide guidance on implementation as follows:

The State supports creative activities of literary and artistic works, journalism (completed, not yet completed, or commissioned individually based on the theme and creative ability of the author or group of authors) through the state commission system via the National Committee of the Vietnam Federation of Literature and Art 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 Folk Literature and Art Association, the Vietnam Ethnic Minorities Literature and Art Association, and the Vietnam Journalists' Association (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Associations), according to the principle:

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. 1.1. For literary and artistic works and journalism:

- Commissioning and supporting topics including:

+ History of the nation, revolution, resistance, and cultural, literary, and journalistic achievements;

+ Reform efforts, positive factors in society, outstanding figures of the era;

+ Other topics approved by the Associations.

+ Youth and children, ethnic minorities.

- The Associations organize the review and approval of commissions and support for authors or groups of authors with specific outlines regarding the topic, content, plan, and deadline for completing the work or manuscript.

1.2. For other creative literary and artistic activities:

according to announcements by the Ministry of Culture and Information for each specific content. 2. Forms of financial support:

commissioning or supporting. 3. Source of financial support under the commissioning mechanism:

Central budget. 4. The Associations, based on the particular nature of each specialty, are responsible for:

- Establishing, issuing, and disseminating procedures for implementing commissions and support; regulations for reviewing, selecting outlines, evaluating, inspecting, and appraising literary and artistic works and journalism supported by the State through the commissioning mechanism.

- Effectively implementing annual plans for commissions and support according to announcements by the Ministry of Culture and Information. Using State-provided funds for commissions and support accurately, appropriately, and effectively.

Funds for commissions are directly allocated to authors or groups of authors whose literary and artistic works and journalism fall within specified topics and have practical value, as approved by the Associations. Specific funding levels for each author or group of authors are determined by the Associations.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. Funding for supporting creative activities of literary and artistic works and journalism under the State commissioning mechanism during the period 2003-2004 must strictly follow the procedures and regulations of the Associations. Funding levels for each creative activity are determined by the Associations.

2. Supporting funding for other creative literary and artistic activities includes:

3. - Costs for organizing training sessions, enhancing political and professional skills (such as holding creative camps, collecting, researching, and immersing in reality in a collective manner for members, organizing creative contests...) and appraising, criticizing, and inspecting literary and artistic works and journalism. Specific costs are in accordance with current financial expenditure regulations.

- Direct funding support for authors or groups of authors for fieldwork before and after writing works and projects; costs for research and collection activities; revision and completion of works and projects... The level of funding support is determined by the Associations based on the scale of the work or project and the conditions of the author or group of authors.

- Funding support (directly or indirectly) for authors or groups of authors to implement the dissemination of works identified as having high value (publishing, organizing public performances, experimental staging, small-scale exhibitions...). The level of funding support (partially or fully) is determined by the Associations based on the scale of the work or project and the conditions of the author or group of authors.

- Costs for common activities serving the support and commissioning process.

Based on the State's annual guidance in the fields of literature, art, and journalism, and according to the budget estimate for supporting creative activities of literary and artistic works and journalism allocated by authorized bodies, the Associations select beneficiaries, unify support contents, allocate detailed budgets for each expense item as stipulated, and submit them to the Ministry of Culture and Information. At the beginning of the year, after reaching agreement with relevant agencies, the Ministry of Culture and Information decides in the form of an announcement to the Associations on the support content and the amount of funding for each expense item as a basis for implementation.

4. Direct funding for authors or groups of authors is implemented through contracts between the authors or groups of authors and the Associations.

5. 6. Financial Mechanism:

6.1. The level of financial support for creative activities of literary and artistic works and journalism under the State commissioning mechanism in 2003 and 2004 for the Associations is as follows:

Unit: Million VND/year

Vietnam Writers' Association

6.3. Organizing the execution of the budget:

- In 2003, based on the budget allocation provided, the Ministry of Finance allocates funds to the Associations according to current regulations.

- In 2003, based on the budget expenditure forecast supported, the Ministry of Finance shall allocate funds to the Associations in accordance with the current regulations.

- In 2004, based on the notification of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the annual state budget expenditure forecast supported, the Associations allocate the annual state budget expenditure forecast according to the expenditure items and groups of expenditure items as prescribed by the State Budget Law (amended) and send it to the Ministry of Finance. Within seven working days, the Ministry of Finance reviews and notifies in writing the results of the review of the annual budget allocation forecast for the Associations, also sending it to the Central Treasury. Based on the annual state budget expenditure forecast allocation reviewed by the Ministry of Finance, the Associations prepare quarterly state budget expenditure forecasts (divided by month) and send them to the Treasury where transactions are conducted to implement payment and settlement as prescribed.

The Ministry of Finance ensures the source of the state budget within the supported forecast to implement the plan to support creative activities for literary and artistic works, press under the government procurement mechanism of the Associations. Annual funds that the Associations have not been able to use up in the year may be carried over to the next year for continued use for the contents announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and according to the annual budget allocation forecast of the Associations reviewed by the Ministry of Finance.

6.4. Annual inspection and final account reporting work:

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism takes the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Committee's Ideology and Culture Department, the National Union of Literature and Art Associations, and the Associations to inspect, evaluate, and compile the results of the use of funds for commissioned and supported creative activities of the Associations, compile the situation and report to the Prime Minister.

- The Ministry of Finance is responsible for supervising the use of funds and implementing financial management work in accordance with the current provisions of the State Budget Law and existing financial management regulations.

- The National Union of Literature and Art Associations acts as the focal point to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance to appraise the content, target, and funding for supporting creative activities; urge the Associations to implement assigned procurement and support plans; assess the implementation results, promptly identify difficulties and obstacles at the Associations, propose opinions to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance, and compile reports to the Prime Minister.

- The Associations are responsible for organizing the implementation of assigned plans; managing allocated funds in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law; using funds for their intended purposes effectively, settling accounts according to the prescribed financial system (in case of special expenses outside the prescribed financial system, the Associations must submit documents to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and recommend to the Ministry of Finance for written comments before implementation); annually summarizing, evaluating, and reporting to the National Union of Literature and Art Associations on the implementation results; promptly identifying difficulties and obstacles, through the National Union of Literature and Art Associations to propose recommendations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance for appropriate amendments and supplements.

7. Financial Transparency: The Associations must implement financial transparency in accordance with current regulations.

III. IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

- This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

- Provincial People's Committees directly under the central government shall base on specific conditions in each locality, submit to the People's Councils at the same level for consideration and decision on funding support for creative activities for literary and artistic works, press from local state budgets as proposed by local Literary and Art Associations, Journalists' Associations, and apply the content stipulated in this Circular during the implementation process.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties and obstacles, please reflect them to the relevant ministries for study and appropriate amendments and supplements./.