The Goethe-Institut invites non-profit, non-governmental heritage organisations in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to apply for grants under the ‘Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Southern Africa’ project. This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU), aims to strengthen cultural cooperation within Southern Africa as well as between Southern Africa and Europe, to enhance regional cultural production capacities, and promote intercultural dialogue through the co-creation of new narratives around tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
This Call for Proposals seeks to select more than 16 heritage organisations to lead ‘Narrative Clusters’, collaborating with interdisciplinary groups of artists/creatives to develop innovative stories that increase the visibility and contemporary relevance of their heritage.
The applicant must be a non-profit, non-governmental legal entity registered in one of the six project countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe). UNESCO heritage sites are excluded from applications. The applicant must manage a tangible heritage (e.g., archaeological site, historical building) or be closely connected to an intangible heritage practice (e.g., folklore, music, traditional crafts). Preference will be given to organisations representing lesser-known heritage sites or practices, particularly those outside major urban centres.
Selected organisations will receive grants of up to 55,000 EUR to manage these clusters, fund co-productions, and present narratives to local audiences over an 18-month period. Eligible costs include travel costs, access costs and sustainability costs.
