Call for Applications: Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans – CC4WBs

Deadline: 27-May-24

UNESCO, the British Council and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) are jointly managing “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), a project funded by the European Union to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.

Goals and Expected Results

• Over a 48-month period, the CC4WBs project aims to develop the capacities of cultural and creative sectors across the Western Balkans by acting at multiple levels and through the implementation of a system of mutually reinforcing activities leading to complementary outputs. The combined outcomes of these outputs, underpinned by a common strategic vision, are expected to enhance culture for social cohesion and sustainable development (Intermediate objective) and to foster reconciliation and good neighborly relations in the Western Balkans (Long-Term overall objective).
• In particular, by bringing together their respective strengths and competitive advantages, the three Partners will support more inclusive and effective cultural policies, enhance regional cultural cooperation, promote the mobility of artists and cultural operators, enhance the circulation of creative goods and services, and provide financial and technical assistance for cultural and creative industries. The project will also stimulate the protection, management and promotion of cultural heritage, as well as enhanced public-private partnerships in the cultural and creative sectors.
• The Action will offer a systemic, effective and viable approach to enable progress across governance, policy and operational frameworks, by combining advice for policy improvement with data for informed decision-making, capacity-building, support to public-private partnerships, networking and funding opportunities.

Thematic Windows

• Thematic Window 1: Improved Local Cultural Spaces Through Improved Public-Private Partnerships
  • Applicants are invited to submit proposals to steer local creativity and cultural entrepreneurship and promote cultural and creative valorisation of public spaces, thus contributing to sustainable local community development, including youth and women. This Thematic Window promotes the public private partnership (PPP) model as an increasingly effective strategy for drawing together the resources and know-how that are needed to foster the sustainable management of cultural and creative spaces.
  • This Thematic Window promotes:
    • the regeneration of rural, fringe urban and peri-urban areas (with a special focus on those lacking cultural infrastructures and opportunities) as accessible spaces for cultural productions, activities, and exchanges;
    • the regeneration and/or enhancement of public spaces in historic urban areas, leveraging urban heritage as a social, cultural, and economic asset for the development of cities, including activities to support integrated/inclusive management, participatory planning, and co-decision.
  • In the short term, the results of the selected proposal(s) will contribute to regenerate heritage across the Region stimulating social inclusion, creativity and cultural entrepreneurship. Moreover, the selected proposal(s) are expected to increase civic engagement and participation, promote access to heritage, and enhance cooperation between public and private partners. In the medium and long term, the selected proposal(s) will have a positive impact on the overall socioeconomic development and sustainability of the concerned areas.
  • Please note that either the Lead Applicant itself, or (one of) its Partner(s), must be a local public entity. Either parties must contribute with a public or communal infrastructure (digital, spatial) where project activities will be implemented.
  • Budget: Applications will not exceed the requested amount of up to 50,000.00 EUR.
• Thematic Window 2: Artists, Media Professionals, Students, Businesses, Msmes, And Cultural And Tourism Operators Mobilised, Connected And Enabled To Promote The Diversity Of Cultural Expressions In And From The Western Balkans
  • Applicants are invited to submit project proposals aimed at:
    • Stimulating regional cooperation on specific topics (e.g. culture and creativity or media for social innovation) involving partners from the different targeted IPA beneficiaries in order to enhance interaction and capacity-building for the improvement, diversification and promotion of cultural goods and services across different WB IPA Beneficiaries with the possibility of sustainable future cooperation. Proposals can include a blend of activities, including (digital) skills development for an improved performance in the chosen area of the cultural and creative sector(s) including media aiming at the mobility of stakeholders, regional exchanges and cooperation and coproduction, and supporting the internationalization of the applicant’s main area of expertise.
    • Organization of regional residencies in cultural and creative venues across the WBs, aimed at the professional development of artists, creators, and other cultural professionals in any CCIs subsectors, including visual arts and design, audiovisual and performing arts (film, music, dance, theatre). Residencies will stimulate peer-to-peer exchange of ideas, experience and artistic skills, and provide participants with the opportunity to meet, interact and work together in a culturally diverse and inspiring environment. By fostering cultural mobility and cooperation, the residencies will stimulate regional partnerships as well as quality co-production of multicultural contents, which in the long run will enrich intercultural dialogue and creativity in the WBs region.
  • Budget: Applications will not exceed the requested amount of up to 25,000.00 EUR. Note: This lot is open to applicants from UNESCO Member States in the Western Balkans.
• Thematic Window 3: Regional Networking, Cultural And Festival Co-Production And Promotion For Enhanced Cultural Cooperation And Access
  • Applicants are invited to prepare proposals with the aim to facilitate production, skills and capacities development of small and bigger festivals through on-the-job learning, mentorship, exchange of best practices and featuring multi-cultural content.
  • Festivals in the region are invited to apply in a partnership including one well-established and experienced festival and at least one emerging and newly established festival. The joint project proposal should demonstrate a collaboration through coproduction, including opportunities for learning, exchanges, promotion of young talents, and multi-cultural content sharing.
  • As a minimum requirement, all proposals should include:
    • joint festival coproduction and multi-cultural content sharing
  • Complemented by at least one of the following activity areas:
    • peer-to-peer learning – learning sessions delivered by Lead Applicant or Partner to exchange knowledge and experience between themselves.
    • peer-to-peer learning – learning sessions organized by Lead Applicant or Partner, delivered by peer/s coming from other European festivals to share knowledge and experience from a similar European peer festival/s.
    • on-the-job training activities between two organisations – targeting specific topics/skills gaps.
    • mentorship – more experienced professionals providing mentoring to less experienced colleagues from partners organisations.
  • Budget: Applications will not exceed the requested amount of up to 30,000.00 EUR.
    • LOT 2a and LOT 2b:
      • Applicants may submit proposals for artistic co-productions that aim to support regional coproductions addressing emerging societal challenges in the region, and to stimulate the development of regional content and circulation. Applicants are encouraged to develop and promote ideas and awareness of global relevance in artistic and cultural production.
    • Applicants can apply for either:
      • LOT 2a) – Budget up to 10,000 EUR – this is an opportunity for applicants to empower their staff and support them in becoming competitive producers of cultural and creative content.
      • LOT 2b) – Budget from 10,001 EUR to 20,000 EUR- this is an opportunity for applicants to coproduce cultural content with fresh ideas while capacitating distributors to obtain new quality for regional and international audiences.
    • LOT 3:
      • Under this Lot, two typologies of project proposals may be funded, as follows:
        • Applicants are invited to submit proposals for the co-production and co-organization of a regional networking event targeting UNESCO Creative Cities, with the aim of supporting peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge and experience at the regional level.
  • Budget: Applications will not exceed the requested amount of up to 30,000.00 EUR. Note: This Lot is open to applicants from UNESCO Member States in the Western Balkans.
• Thematic Window 4: Protecting And Leveraging Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development
  • Applicants are invited to prepare small-scale cultural heritage projects to boost local participation and community engagement for sustainable development. The engagement of local community actors should support the definition, improvement, or implementation of inclusive and sustainable management systems and plans for cultural heritage sites.
  • The following domains may be covered (non-exhaustive list):
    • projects to develop new management plans for cultural heritage sites or improve existing ones through people-centred, participatory approaches;
    • enhancement of physical and cultural accessibility of cultural heritage sites, including through enhanced heritage interpretation competences and services;
    • development of sustainable and culturally sensitive tourism in cultural heritage sites;
    • creation or improvement of visitor/information centres of cultural heritage sites;
    • digital solutions for cultural heritage sites;
    • development of heritage-based creative industries including the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
  • Applying consortia should include at least one local authority and one CSO, while the participation of a private business as an associate will be considered an additional asset.
  • In the short term, the results of this activity will improve the management of cultural heritage at the local level in line with relevant systems/plans; increase heritage understanding and appreciation; provide opportunities for business development and job creation; increase civic engagement and participation; foster inclusion and access to heritage; enhance cooperation between public and private partners as well as at transnational level in the WBs.
  • In the medium and long term, the activity will have a positive impact on the overall socio-economic development and sustainability of concerned sites/territories.
  • Budget: Applications will not exceed the requested amount of up to 80,000.00 EUR.

Target Groups and Final Beneficiaries

• The Action’s target groups include relevant authorities (and their staff) with direct and indirect competence in the field of culture, including local stakeholders and cultural institutions; cultural and creative organizations, businesses and individual professionals; Civil Society Organizations and community groups; youth, women, and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups; education and research institutions, including individual students; media professionals from independent media and networks, bloggers and emerging journalists working on cultural contents.
• It is estimated that more than 800 cultural and creative industries, 9000 cultural professionals, 30 institutions, and 150 individual public officers will directly benefit from the project. Final beneficiaries also include broader cultural audiences – both citizens and visitors in the region – who will benefit from the increased opportunities for cultural participation and enjoyment through the festivals, events and cultural contents produced with the support of the Action. In addition, the Action aims at reaching at least 1.5 % of the general population of the WBs, as indirect beneficiaries of the Action’s socio-economic impact, and therefore their economies and societies.

Who can apply?

• Lead Applicant 
  • Participation in this Open Call for Proposals as a Lead Applicant is open on equal grounds to:
    • Public institutions (museums, galleries, theatres, institutes for the protection of cultural and natural heritage, universities, cultural institutions, research institutes, tourism offices and others, in accordance with the legislation), local governments (municipalities/cities) from the Western Balkans IPA Beneficiaries.
    • Civil society organisations (CSOs): foundations and non-profit organisations, registered in one or more of the WBs IPA Beneficiaries.
      • Upon award of the grant, the Lead Applicant will sign a contract or partnership agreement with the partner institutions/organisations. In the application phase, the Lead Applicant and its Partner(s) are only required to submit a Partnership Statement, not an agreement.
      • The Lead Applicant is accountable to the donor for the total amount of funds and the implementation of all activities, including those activities and resources implemented by its Partner(s). In the implementation of the activities, all project implementation rules apply to the Lead Applicant and the Partner organisation(s) alike.
      • The Lead Applicant must be an organisation/institution established in one of the WBs IPA Beneficiaries, before 1 January 2023.
• Partner(s) 
  • Participation in this Open Call for Proposals as a Cross Border Partner is open on equal grounds to:
    • Public institutions (museums, galleries, theatres, institutes for the protection of cultural and natural heritage, universities, cultural institutions, research institutes, tourism offices and others, in accordance with the legislation), local governments (municipalities/cities) from the Western Balkans IPA Beneficiaries.
    • Civil society organisations (CSOs): foundations and non-profit organisations, registered in one or more of the WBs IPA Beneficiaries.
      • Upon award of the grant, the Partner(s) will sign a contract or partnership agreement5 with the Lead Applicant.
      • The Partner(s) must be organisations/institutions established in one of the WBs IPA Beneficiaries, before 1 January 2023.
  • The Proposal must clearly define which activities will be implemented by the Partner(s). There can be more than one partner linked to the same proposal. A minimum of one Partner established in a different WBs IPA Beneficiary than the Lead Applicant is a requirement for the Proposal to be eligible. The project budget must clearly specify the amount of funds to be implemented by the Lead Applicant and the Partner(s) respectively, in separate columns as per the documentation attached to this Call.
• Associate(s) 
  • Associate(s) can be established in one of the WBs IPA Beneficiaries and/or European Countries.
  • Associates can be any of the following entities: businesses, companies, MSMEs, universities and research institutes, CSOs and public institutions.
  • Associate(s) are the added value subjects to the implementation of project activities and can be reimbursed by the Lead Applicant and/or Partner for their contribution to the delivery of a particular service within the scope of the project proposal.
• Eliminatory Criteria 
  • Partnership: All submitted project proposals must include at least two Western Balkans IPA Beneficiaries, that is, proposals must involve the Lead Applicant and at least one partner organisation/institution from another IPA Beneficiary of the Western Balkans region, other than that of the Lead Applicant. Failure to apply in partnership will automatically exclude the application from further consideration.
  • Proposals must contain information on all partners involved in project implementation, as well as a clear description of the nature of the partnership and roles, responsibilities and obligations of the Lead Applicant and respective Partner(s).

For more information, visit UNESCO.