Restructuration of the Ministry of Culture
The purpose of this measure is to correct some of the flaws found in the original design of the Ministry of Culture in order to better implement the new National System of Culture and the new cultural policies, and to strengthen the institution and its daily activities. The flaws in the old model include the existence of one single entity in charge of all cultural technical activities, a single entity in charge of all historic and patrimonial matters, and the absence of a formal area to oversee the international relations of the institution.
The new action model of the Ministry restructuring the institution into five thematic Undersecretaryships, and 25 Directions. This has been done in order to establish the competence of each area in the matters of patrimony, social memory, arts and creativity, cultural identity, cultural action, and local affairs. There are now four regional Undersercretaryships that oversee the 24 provincial Directions. Additionally, the Direction of International Relations and Cultural Cooperation was created in order to coordinate the promotion of Ecuadorian culture abroad through the formal establishment of bilateral and multilateral relations.
Challenges identified in the implementation of this measure:
The implementation of this measure has caused a time lag and other administrative complications in the activities of the institution due to the changes in the physical, administrative and human structure in the Ministry.
US $14,000,000.00
The restructuring of the Ministry of Culture began in February 2012, so there has not been a systematic study of its impact. However, there have been positive signs that the changes are working, including a reported high level of financial execution.