The call supports contemporary and innovative projects in areas including the arts, creative industries, digitalisation, education, gender, heritage, human rights, social inclusion, sports, sustainability, tourism, youth, and more. Projects should reflect the principles of cultural relations, including co-creation, dialogue, mutual listening, and joint capacity building among all partners.

Region

• The call is open to projects taking place in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Who can apply

• Projects must be co-developed and implemented by a triangular partnership.
• Partnerships must include at least three key local cultural and/or civil society partners, at least three full
• EUNIC members (or two where no EUNIC cluster is present), and involvement of an EU Delegation.

Important deadlines

• Organisations should engage with each other on the concept and partnership before 30 April 2026.
• This allows enough time to develop the project together, exchange on the initial idea, and ensure all partners are aligned and fully aware of the project aims.
• Application deadline: 21 June 2026 (23:59 CAT).
• Project proposals should be jointly defined and co-developed by all partners.

Budget

• Up to EUR 50,000 per project.
• A minimum of 5% co-funding is required from project partners.

Project timeline

• Projects should be implemented between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.

Purpose of the call

Spaces of Culture is part of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, funded by the European Union.

The programme fosters cooperation on an equal footing between African and European artists, creators, and cultural professionals, strengthening cultural exchange and cross-border collaboration.

The Spaces of Culture funding scheme supports cultural relations projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on:

• Dialogue, co-creation, and mutual learning
• Fair and equal partnerships between Africa and Europe
• Local ownership and relevance
• Social impact and long-term collaboration

Projects should reflect a shared cultural relations approach and contribute to strengthening partnerships that last beyond the project duration.

Evaluation & selection

An independent jury of cultural relations experts from Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe will collectively evaluate proposals against the call's selection criteria.

Next steps

• 30 March: Launch of the call
• 30 April: Deadline to share 1-page concept ideas with partners
• April – June: Information webinars
• 21 June: Deadline for applications
• Mid-July: Evaluation and selection of projects
• July – August: Contracting
• 1 September: Start of project implementation