Established in 2001, Instituto Italiano di Cultura - the Italian Cultural Institute in Slovenia is a cultural arm of the Italian Foreign Ministry and has a mission to promote the Italian language and culture in Slovenia. The institute fosters vital co-operation between Italian and Slovene institutions in the field of science, education and culture, especially in the contemporary arts. Every month it hosts numerous cultural events, including small-scale exhibitions, readings and screenings. The Institute either assists Italian private and public organisations to present artistic projects in Ljubljana and other Slovene cities, or supports Slovene organisers to bring over Italian artists. Meetings, seminars and courses are organised in co-operation with the Universities in Sienna, Peruggia and Rome. The Institute is also engaged in the administration of stipends and funding initiatives offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example an annual competition for the co-funding of translations of work by Italian authors. The Italian Cultural Institute in Slovenia incorporates a library with a collection of books and audio-visual materials related to Italian culture.