Call to Support Cultural and Intercultural Activities in Matera and Tétouan

Deadline: 04-Jul-2026

The ALF Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 call supports cultural and intercultural activities in Matera, Italy, and Tétouan, Morocco. The call provides funding for legally or officially registered intercultural entities to organise inclusive cultural activities that promote dialogue, diversity and cooperation.

Selected activities must take place between October and December 2026. Funding is available through lump-sum allocations of up to €2,500 for small-scale projects and between €2,500 and €5,000 for medium-scale projects.

What is the ALF Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 Call?

The Anna Lindh Foundation has launched the second open call under the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue initiative.

The call supports cultural and intercultural activities in two cities nominated as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2026:

• Matera, Italy
• Tétouan, Morocco

The initiative aims to use culture as a tool for social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and community engagement across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Main Purpose of the Call

The main purpose of the call is to support cultural activities that create inclusive spaces for dialogue, cooperation and artistic exchange.

The call encourages activities that:

• Promote intercultural dialogue
• Support social inclusion through culture
• Showcase Euro-Mediterranean cultural diversity
• Build unity through different forms of art
• Encourage cooperation between local administrations and cultural entities
• Engage local communities in meaningful cultural experiences
• Create interactive public or indoor cultural activities

Geographic Focus

The proposed activities must take place in one or both of the following cities:

• Matera, Italy
• Tétouan, Morocco

These cities have been nominated as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2026.

Activity Period

All supported activities must be implemented between October and December 2026.

Applicants should design realistic activities that can be planned, delivered and reported within this timeframe.

Funding Amount

The call provides lump-sum funding based on the scale of the proposed activity.

Small-Scale Projects

Small-scale projects can receive up to €2,500.

These projects may cover a maximum of three individuals.

Medium-Scale Projects

Medium-scale projects can receive between €2,500 and €5,000.

These projects may cover four to five individuals.

Total Indicative Allocation

The total indicative allocation for the call is €30,000.

This amount will support selected cultural and intercultural initiatives in Matera and Tétouan.

Who is Eligible?

The call is open to legally or officially registered intercultural entities.

Eligible applicants should be able to design and implement cultural or intercultural activities in indoor venues or outdoor public spaces.

Priority will be given to:

• Intercultural entities
• Equivalent cultural organisations
• Members of the ALF Network

The selection process will also consider gender, youth, geographical and cultural diversity balance.

What Types of Activities Are Eligible?

Eligible activities should promote intercultural dialogue, inclusion and cultural diversity.

Supported activities may include:

• Artistic performances
• Interactive cultural initiatives
• Dialogue-based events
• Community engagement activities
• Public cultural events
• Indoor cultural activities
• Outdoor cultural activities
• Activities connecting local communities with Euro-Mediterranean cultural diversity

Key Focus Areas

The call supports activities connected to the following focus areas:

• Social inclusion through culture
• Intercultural dialogue
• Cultural cooperation
• Euro-Mediterranean diversity
• Community participation
• Arts-based engagement
• Inclusive cultural spaces
• Local cultural partnerships
• Cooperation between local administrations and intercultural entities

Key Concepts Explained

Intercultural Dialogue

Intercultural dialogue means respectful exchange between people, communities and cultures. It helps build understanding, reduce stereotypes and encourage peaceful cooperation.

Social Inclusion Through Culture

Social inclusion through culture means using artistic and cultural activities to bring people together, especially communities that may face exclusion or limited access to public cultural life.

Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue

The Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue initiative recognises selected cities as spaces for cultural exchange, cooperation and dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Interactive Cultural Activities

Interactive cultural activities are events where audiences are not only spectators but also participants. These may include workshops, participatory performances, dialogue circles, public art or community-based cultural experiences.

Partnership Requirement

Applicants must have a written agreement with a local partner before signing the contract.

This requirement applies as follows:

• Applicants outside Matera or Tétouan must have a local partner based in the relevant city.
• Applicants based in Matera or Tétouan may need an agreement with a local administration.
• The partnership should support the planning and implementation of the proposed activity.

Cost-Sharing and Local Contributions

Applicants are encouraged to contribute part of the activity costs.

Contributions may come from:

• The applicant’s own resources
• Local partners
• Local administrations
• Other supporting institutions

Cost-sharing can help increase available resources and expand the number of beneficiaries reached by the activity.

How the Funding Works

Selected applicants will receive funding through lump-sum allocations.

Payments will be made according to the specified payment modalities.

Funding will be provided after:

• Completion of the supported activities
• Submission of required deliverables
• Approval of deliverables by the programme

Applicants should carefully plan cash flow and activity costs because payment depends on meeting the required conditions.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the cultural activity, its relevance, audience engagement plan and partnership arrangements.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the applicant is legally or officially registered.
2. Choose the activity location: Matera or Tétouan.
3. Design an activity that can take place between October and December 2026.
4. Ensure the activity promotes intercultural dialogue, inclusion and cultural diversity.
5. Identify a local partner or local administration.
6. Prepare a written partnership agreement before contract signing.
7. Decide whether the project is small-scale or medium-scale.
8. Prepare a realistic budget based on the lump-sum funding level.
9. Explain how the activity will engage local audiences.
10. Prepare a dissemination plan to increase visibility and participation.
11. Submit the application according to the official call instructions.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the quality and feasibility of the proposal.

Key assessment areas include:

• Cost effectiveness
• Credentials and experience of the applicants
• Interaction with audiences
• Quality of the dissemination plan
• Relevance to intercultural dialogue
• Contribution to social inclusion
• Cultural and community value

Why It Matters

The ALF Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 call supports culture as a bridge between communities.

By funding activities in Matera and Tétouan, the initiative helps create spaces where people can engage with different cultural expressions, share experiences and build mutual understanding.

The call also strengthens cooperation between local administrations, cultural organisations and intercultural entities.

It supports the wider goal of building more inclusive societies across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Tips for Strong Applications

Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed activity promotes dialogue and inclusion.

A strong application should include:

• A clear activity concept
• A strong connection to Matera or Tétouan
• Direct engagement with local communities
• A realistic implementation plan
• A credible team or organisation
• A clear local partnership
• A practical dissemination strategy
• A cost-effective budget
• Evidence of cultural and intercultural experience

Applicants should avoid vague descriptions and clearly show what will happen, who will participate, where the activity will take place and what results are expected.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that are unclear, unrealistic or weakly connected to the call’s objectives.

Common mistakes include:

• Proposing activities outside Matera or Tétouan
• Planning activities outside the October–December 2026 timeframe
• Failing to show intercultural dialogue value
• Submitting activities without community interaction
• Providing a weak dissemination plan
• Missing the local partnership requirement
• Requesting funding without a realistic budget
• Submitting activities that do not demonstrate social inclusion
• Failing to explain the applicant’s experience and credentials

FAQ

What is the ALF Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 call?

It is an open call by the Anna Lindh Foundation to support cultural and intercultural activities in Matera, Italy, and Tétouan, Morocco, as part of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 initiative.

Where must the activities take place?

Activities must take place in Matera, Italy, or Tétouan, Morocco.

When must the activities be implemented?

Supported activities must be implemented between October and December 2026.

Who can apply?

Legally or officially registered intercultural entities can apply. Priority will be given to ALF Network members and equivalent organisations with relevant experience.

How much funding is available?

Small-scale projects can receive up to €2,500, while medium-scale projects can receive between €2,500 and €5,000.

What types of activities are supported?

The call supports artistic performances, interactive cultural initiatives, dialogue-based events and other cultural activities that promote intercultural dialogue, inclusion and Euro-Mediterranean diversity.

Is a local partner required?

Yes. A written agreement with a local partner based in Matera or Tétouan, or with a local administration for applicants based in these cities, is required before contract signing.

Conclusion

The ALF Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue 2026 call offers funding for cultural and intercultural activities that promote dialogue, inclusion and cooperation in Matera and Tétouan.

With a total indicative allocation of €30,000, the call supports small and medium-scale initiatives that use culture to connect communities, celebrate diversity and strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals are locally relevant, interactive, inclusive, cost-effective and supported by strong partnerships. A successful proposal will clearly show how culture can create meaningful engagement and contribute to more inclusive societies.

For more information, visit Anna Lindh Foundation.