Second round of Culture of Solidarity Fund announced

Facing the Coronavirus crisis could be a strong European moment. A moment when people understand how important it is to have friends who support each other, a moment of sharing vital information, expertise and supplies, a moment when you realise how a fundamental crisis can be managed much better through cooperation and solidarity. The European Culture of Solidarity Fund supports imaginative cultural initiatives that, in the midst of the global pandemic crisis reinforce European solidarity. The Fund - set up in partnership with other foundations - is looking to support imaginative cultural initiatives - big or small - that reinforce solidarity and the notion of Europe as a shared public space in response to the current crisis and its aftershocks. The second round will open will open on June 22nd, and will close on July 14th, 13:00 CET PM. It is open to individuals, collectives and organisations from all sectors and civil society at large with initiatives and ideas that:

• expand the notion of Europe as an open and shared public space for everybody in times of inward- looking and national decision-making;
• express and act in hands-on solidarity with people and communities across closed borders;
• share experiences, knowledge, skills, stories, ideas and resources of solidarity across Europe, especially outside mainstream public attention;
• sustain people-to-people interaction beyond European borders and in times of travel restrictions and social distancing;
• maintain cultural life and social experiences with a European outreach in times of home lockdown and prepare the ground for a cultural revival of Europe after the crisis;
• develop new approaches in operations of cultural work and new alliances across sectors to deal with the current challenges imposed by the crisis.

The Fund has grants available in three amounts:

• €5.000 – 15.000 (5 - 10 awarded projects per submission round)
• €15.000 – 30.000 (2 - 3 awarded projects per submission round)
• €30.000 – 50.000 (1 - 2 awarded projects per submission round)

Grants can be used for financing a wide range of activities ranging from seed money for entirely new initiatives and (co-)funding for scaling up already existing ideas to European level. They can cover material costs, office costs, online co-working and communication tools, production costs, but also expert fees and staff costs.

The results will be communicated four weeks after the deadline. All incoming proposals will be assessed on the basis of their:

• relevance to the overall theme and focus of the Fund;
• feasibility and implementation potential;
• impact they may have on the challenge addressed and communities involved.

They will pay special attention to proposals coming from:

• regions where so far there is little to no emergency funding made available for the cultural and creative sector institutions;
• people and communities that face discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, (cultural) background, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Representatives of organisations as well as individuals over 18 years old are eligible to apply; and applicants can be based anywhere. The Fund does not accept proposals submitted by political parties. Their work is strictly non-partisan, although pro-European.

Please find all details and more elaborate criteria in this document and the FAQ.