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In s ea rch of equ a l p a rtners _S WA N A _ EU
2. The process: definitions and methodology T
he initial preparatory meetings for this study started around April 2021 and concluded that the project plan is ambitious for good reasons. However, the lack of conceptual definitions in the project plan and the relatively weak relationship between CAE and the target community of artists and cultural workers implied a challenge for the project team and its main researcher to live up to the ambitions outlined in the project plan. The importance of the process of finding a way forward – including getting in touch with the community and outlining an adequate methodology for the present study – can’t be underestimated. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that the lessons from the process may be the most valuable outcome for CAE, both in terms of the conclusions drawn in this study and future advocacy strategies. This chapter is therefore dedicated to the process itself. It is not a detailed account of every meeting and every challenge; neither is it an attempt to critically discuss the courses of action. Rather, it is an attempt to document a learning process as objectively as possible because it acts as a foundation for future actions CAE may take regarding advocacy for the relevant community of artists and cultural workers. The lessons from this process would also be valuable in terms of any future action by the EU institutions with the purpose of strengthening the situation of the relevant community of artists and cultural workers.
2.1 The challenge of definitions The project plan did not provide definitions for some of the concepts that are central to this study. It is, therefore, necessary to outline in short a review of the process behind the choices of definitions and methodology made. Unless otherwise stated, the assessments discussed below are the result of a dialogue between the CAE team, a CAE expert pool and the main researcher.
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