The Spaces of Culture 2026 Call for Proposals, launched by EUNIC Global, is a major funding opportunity supporting innovative cultural relations projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. With grants of up to €50,000 per project, this initiative is part of the broader Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme funded by the European Union.
This call is designed to support collaborative, cross-border projects that promote cultural exchange, dialogue, and long-term partnerships between African and European stakeholders.
About the Opportunity
Spaces of Culture is a funding scheme that focuses on strengthening cultural relations through equitable and collaborative partnerships. The program supports projects that bring together cultural organizations, civil society actors, and European partners to co-create initiatives that address shared challenges and opportunities.
Projects funded under this call should go beyond traditional cultural programming. Instead, they should demonstrate strong principles of co-creation, mutual learning, and shared ownership, ensuring that all partners contribute meaningfully to the design and implementation of the project.
The scope of supported projects is broad. Applicants can propose initiatives in areas such as arts, creative industries, digitalisation, education, gender equality, heritage, human rights, social inclusion, sustainability, tourism, sports, and youth engagement.
The program emphasizes not only the delivery of activities but also the quality of collaboration, encouraging partnerships that can continue beyond the duration of the funded project.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Cultural collaboration plays a vital role in strengthening relationships between regions, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing global challenges. The Spaces of Culture programme is designed to support these goals by encouraging partnerships that are both equitable and impactful.
One of the key challenges in international collaboration is ensuring that partnerships are balanced and inclusive. This call addresses that challenge by requiring co-creation and shared ownership, ensuring that African partners are not just participants but equal contributors.
By supporting projects that prioritize dialogue, innovation, and local relevance, the Spaces of Culture program contributes to building stronger and more sustainable cultural ecosystems across Sub-Saharan Africa.
It also provides a platform for organizations to experiment with new ideas, test innovative approaches, and develop models that can be scaled or replicated in other contexts.
What You’ll Gain
Participating in the Spaces of Culture programme provides both financial and strategic benefits:
- Funding of up to €50,000 to implement your project
- Opportunity to collaborate with European and African partners
- Access to a wider cultural relations network
- Strengthened institutional capacity through joint project development
- Increased visibility for your organization and its work
- Contribution to long-term Africa-Europe cultural partnerships
This opportunity is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to expand their international collaborations and scale their impact.
Eligibility
This call is open to organizations planning to implement projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. To be eligible, applicants must form a triangular partnership that includes:
- At least three local cultural or civil society organizations
- At least three full EUNIC members (or two in countries without a EUNIC cluster)
- The involvement of an EU Delegation
Projects must be jointly developed and implemented by all partners, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and shared decision-making.
Applicants must also be able to contribute a minimum of 5% co-funding to the project budget.
The call is open to a wide range of sectors and actors, including cultural organizations, NGOs, and institutions working in relevant thematic areas.
Application Process and Deadline
The application process for Spaces of Culture 2026 is structured and requires careful preparation and collaboration among partners.
Applicants must:
- Develop a project concept jointly with partners
- Share a one-page concept note with partners before 30 April 2026
- Complete the official application templates, including the application form, budget (in EUR), and support letters
- Submit the application via email
All applications must be written in English and submitted using the official templates provided in the call documents.
Applications should be sent to the designated email address as outlined in the official call.
Deadline: 21 June 2026 (23:59 CAT)
Project Timeline: Selected projects will be implemented between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
To learn more and apply, visit the official EUNIC Global call page.
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