Call for Applications: Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund (Africa)

Deadline: 23-Mar-2026

The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund provides grants of up to 95,000 SLE to cultural and creative professionals in Sierra Leone for short-term mobility across Africa. The fund supports skills development, networking, collaboration, and career growth through study trips, residencies, workshops, performances, and professional exchanges. Approximately 10–15 grants are available, with a 10% co-funding requirement.

The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund aims to strengthen the careers, organisations, and sustainability of cultural and creative sector professionals in Sierra Leone by enabling short-term professional mobility across Africa.

The programme encourages exploration, development, learning, and connection through mobility experiences, helping cultural actors gain new skills, build networks, and enhance their professional practice.

Programme Objectives

The Fund seeks to:

• Enable access to professional opportunities, networks, and markets

• Support skills development through mobility experiences and peer learning

• Promote decentralised participation across Sierra Leone

• Foster collaboration across Africa and South–South exchanges

• Strengthen long-term capacity and sustainability of cultural and creative sector actors

Funding Details

• Maximum grant: 95,000 SLE per recipient

• Minimum co-funding: 10% (cash or in kind)

• Number of grants: Approximately 10–15

• Covered costs include:

  • Travel tickets within Africa

  • Accommodation and meals

  • Insurance

  • Administrative or management costs

Payment Conditions

• 80% of grant paid upon signing the agreement before travel

• 20% released after submission of a final report or feedback within one month of return

Supported Activities

The Fund supports professional mobility linked to the applicant’s project, career, or organisational development, including:

Exploration

• Artistic research

• Study trips and inspiration visits

• Residencies

Development

• Creative production and dissemination

• Partnerships, collaborations, co-creations, and co-productions

• Presentations at exhibitions, performances, showcases, or festivals

Learning

• Formal and informal skills development

• Internships, masterclasses, workshops, exchanges

• Peer-to-peer learning opportunities

Connection

• Building professional networks

• Engaging with new audiences at debates, conferences, seminars, festivals, trade shows, markets, and networking events

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Reside in Sierra Leone and provide proof of residence

• Be cultural and creative sector professionals or organisations

• Applicants include:

  • Individual artists and cultural professionals

  • Cultural organisations (NGOs, hubs, associations, collectives)

  • Public cultural institutions

  • Creative businesses registered or operating as structured entrepreneurial entities

All cultural and creative sectors are supported, including:

• Architecture, audiovisual and media, crafts, cultural heritage

• Design, fashion and textiles, film, literature, music

• Performing arts, publishing, visual arts

Mobility Requirements

• Professional mobility must be 1–2 weeks in duration

• Trips must be within Africa only

• The purpose of mobility must be clearly linked to the professional project, career, or organisational development

How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare Application

• Complete the application form

• Include a one-page CV or portfolio

Step 2: Align Project with Objectives

• Clearly link mobility activities to career or organisational growth

• Identify expected outcomes in skills, networks, collaborations, or professional exposure

Step 3: Co-Funding

• Confirm 10% co-funding contribution (cash or in kind)

Step 4: Submit Before Deadline

• Application deadline: 23 March 2026

Step 5: Post-Selection

• Sign grant agreement outlining payment conditions

• Submit final report, video, or workshop within approximately one month of return to release remaining 20% of funds

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Requesting funding for trips outside Africa

2. Failing to clearly link mobility to professional development or project objectives

3. Missing the co-funding requirement of 10%

4. Incomplete application forms or missing CV/portfolio

5. Submitting after the 23 March 2026 deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply?

Cultural and creative professionals or organisations based in Sierra Leone, including individual artists, NGOs, hubs, associations, collectives, public institutions, and creative businesses.

2. What is the grant amount?

Up to 95,000 SLE per project, with 10–15 grants expected.

3. Is co-funding required?

Yes, a minimum of 10% co-funding, in cash or in kind, is required.

4. What activities are eligible?

Exploration, creative development, learning, and networking related to the applicant’s professional project, career, or organisational development.

5. Can mobility be outside Africa?

No. Mobility must take place within the African continent.

6. How long can mobility last?

1–2 weeks per funded project.

7. What documents are required for application?

Application form and a one-page CV or portfolio. Proof of residence in Sierra Leone is also required.

Conclusion

The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund 2026 empowers cultural and creative professionals in Sierra Leone to expand their skills, networks, and professional opportunities across Africa.

Through short-term mobility, recipients gain practical experience, engage with peers, build collaborations, and strengthen the sustainability of their careers and organisations in the cultural and creative sectors.

For more information, visit KEA.