Deadline: 16-Oct-2025
The Ettijahat- Independent Culture is seeking applications for its Zad: Miles for Connection Program to promote mobility and communication for artists from the Arab region residing in Europe.
Its main objective is to develop their artistic and professional path in collaboration with their peers and across various artistic spaces and platforms. Additionally, Zad assists artists in reaching and engaging with different types of audiences, all while enhancing their contributions to public life within the cities and countries in which they reside and work. Zad embraces the right to freedom of movement and considers it a vital opportunity for a generation of artists who were forced to relocate to Europe, mainly from the Levant region and from conflict-affected countries in the Arab region.
It believes that overcoming any obstacles hindering artists’ engagement with the artistic scene in Europe and its audiences, including those who migrated from the Arab region, is essential for preserving the artists’ intellectual and critical presence in the discussions taking place at both artistic and public levels in their new places of residence.
Zad supports the mobility of artists, individuals and artistic groups from the Arab region who are currently residing in Europe, regardless of their ethnicity. This support covers all artistic and literary specializations and is open to individuals of all ages. Some examples of this support include: presenting theatrical works and live artistic performances, concerts at music festivals, streaming films in cities and places where they have not previously been streamed, organizing or joining literary readings, organizing and relocating art exhibitions, and sharing the outcomes of artist residencies.
Zad provides financial contributions to display artistic works in new spaces. This support could cover mobility within the current country of residence or travel expenses within Europe, and it falls within three main categories: Travel and accommodation costs coverage: This includes transportation costs, internal transportation, daily expenses, travel insurance coverage, including any costs related to special needs or health conditions, and accommodation costs.
This also covers the travel costs of children and partners as well as childcare cost, if the parents are unable to travel without them; Coverage of transportation and shipment costs of artworks and production materials; Coverage of the costs of translating artworks into several languages and the costs of simultaneous translation during live meetings with the public.
The program encourages the adoption of environmental and economic solutions, if possible, when considering travel options, such as using trains and shared public transportation that are less harmful to the environment, as well as opting for means of transportation that can be booked a sufficient period in advance. Zad is being launched for a period of 3 years (2024-2026), as part of Ettijahat’s current strategic plan and based on the recommendations of the first ten years evaluation, which included designing additional frameworks for artists moving from the Arab region to diaspora countries.
The program is open to all artists from the Arab region who relocated to Europe after 2015, with priority given to those from Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya. Both individuals and artistic groups are eligible to apply, and applicants must play a major role in the artistic work, such as directors, writers, music composers, scenographers, producers, or curators.
Zad supports presenting works in new cities or countries where they have not previously been displayed, covering both previously produced and new works. Applicants must secure an official invitation from an artistic or literary entity in their intended destination if it differs from the organizing party’s headquarters. Travel dates must be at least two months after the announcement of results, and a declaration from the hosting entity confirming non-duplication of expenses is required.
Applications undergo a fair review by an independent multicultural committee, with safeguards to avoid conflicts of interest. Applications may be submitted in Arabic or English, and invitation letters may be written in any language. While beneficiaries of other Ettijahat programs are not eligible, former members of its team may apply after three years of leaving the organization.
Evaluation is based on the artistic destination, the networking opportunities offered by the event, and the overall feasibility of the project, including budget, trip duration, and team size. Recipients maintain full ownership of their work but must acknowledge Ettijahat – Independent Culture. The deadline for application is 16 October 2025.
For more information, visit Ettijahat- Independent Culture.
