Post a comment 
Performing arts and music professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, including Sierra Leone, have been invited to apply for a new grant programme designed to support the cross-continental circulation of artistic works between Africa and Europe.
The initiative, launched under the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) programme, opened for applications on July 9, 2026, and will close on September 30, 2026, targeting artists, cultural organisations, and event promoters seeking to expand their reach internationally.
The programme is implemented by the Goethe-Institut and Expertise France in partnership with the Institut français, with financial backing from the European Union.
It aims to strengthen cultural collaboration and foster sustainable partnerships between African and European creative sectors, particularly by supporting mobility and exposure for artists across both regions.
Selected projects will receive grants ranging from €30,000 to €70,000 to cover key mobility-related costs such as travel, visas, accommodation, and the transportation of stage equipment. The funding will cover up to 70 per cent of total project costs, with applicants required to secure the remaining 30 per cent through co-financing.
Eligible projects include touring productions across at least three African countries, performances in Europe, or participation in major festivals and cultural events featuring multiple African artistic teams.
The programme places strong emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, and youth engagement, encouraging proposals that promote emerging talent, integrate environmentally responsible practices, and enhance accessibility within the arts. It forms part of the broader Connect & Create initiative, which seeks to deepen equitable cultural exchange and collaboration between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
Eligible applicants include performing arts companies, music groups, collectives, and event organisers based in any of the 48 sub-Saharan African countries or the 27 European Union member states. Applications must be submitted online via the Institut français platform, following an earlier informational webinar held on July 16, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee in December 2026, with successful applicants to be announced in January 2027, and project implementation scheduled between February and December 2027.
