The European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) launches the Spaces of Culture 2025 call for proposals, a new initiative aimed at supporting cultural relations projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. designed to support cultural relations projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on fostering collaboration, dialogue, and mutual learning between European and local partners in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This programme is part of the broader Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, a €30 million initiative funded by the European Commission to strengthen cultural collaborations between the creative professionals, artists, and cultural practitioners from Europe and Africa.

Spaces of Culture 2025 builds upon the successful European Spaces of Culture programme, focusing on dialogue and mutual learning between European and local partners. It aims to broaden the range of organisations collaborating in Sub-Saharan Africa and support EUNIC members in intensifying their presence in the region.

This call presents an opportunity for cultural actors to contribute to strengthening Africa-Europe cultural relations through new and expanded partnerships, focusing on areas such as arts, creative industries, education, heritage, and sustainability, while addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Call Information

• Deadline: Sunday, 8th June 2025

• Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

• Target Applicants: Cultural and civil society organisations, EUNIC members, and EU Delegations seeking to strengthen Africa-Europe cultural collaboration.

• Partnerships: Projects must involve a minimum of three local cultural or civil society partners, three full EUNIC members, and active participation from EU Delegations.

• Funding: Up to €50,000 per project.

• Project Timeline: Implementation from 1st September 2025 to 31st August 2026.

Objectives and Scope

The primary objective of this call is to nurture cultural exchange projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. These endeavours will be founded on principles of equitable partnerships and community-driven initiatives, bringing together local cultural organisations, civil society groups, EUNIC members, and EU Delegations. Successful proposals will showcase inventive approaches tailored to regional contexts. They will embody the ethos of fair collaboration and exemplify the 'Team Europe' strategy in action across Sub-Saharan Africa

The Spaces of Culture 2025 call aims to broaden the network of local organisations partnering with European counterparts in Sub-Saharan Africa. It encourages EUNIC members to intensify their engagement on the continent, particularly in regions with limited EU Member State or EUNIC cluster presence. Therefore, applicants must form partnerships that include a minimum of three key local cultural and/or civil society partners, three full EUNIC members, and involvement from EU Delegation(s) in the country or countries concerned. 

Projects should move beyond the mere promotion of European culture, focusing instead on mutual listening, learning, dialogue, co-creation, and joint capacity building. Contemporary and innovative formats are encouraged, spanning various sectors, including arts, creative industries, digitalisation, education, gender, heritage, human rights, social inclusion, sports, sustainability, tourism, and youth. 

Furthermore, projects should strive to create spaces for free speech and artistic expression, especially in fragile contexts, and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Special attention should be given to broadening access to culture for youth, people with disabilities, rural communities, and those living in fragile environments.

How to apply

The application process opened on 3 March 2025, with a series of webinars planned for potential applicants between March and June. Interested parties should submit their applications in English by Sunday, 8th June 2025 to spacesofculture@eunicglobal.eu

Required documents include an application form, estimated balanced budget in euros, and support letters from all project partners.

For more information and application details, please visit the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) website and refer to the project documents, FAQs, or contact Robert Kieft at robert.kieft@eunicglobal.eu
 

Important links

• Space of Culture 2025 - Call for proposals
• Applications documents
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Examples of previous projects

Background

EUNIC, the European Union National Institutes for Culture, is a network of European cultural organisations operating beyond their national borders. Established in 2006, it brings together 39 members from EU Member States and Associated countries to promote cultural diversity and strengthen international dialogue.

The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture is a €30 million programme funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships. It aims to strengthen partnerships between African and European cultural actors and civil society across the continent.

EUNIC has been chosen to implement part of the programme's continental component in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the Spaces of Culture initiative. This collaboration recognises EUNIC's European Spaces of Culture model, which prioritises mutual learning and fair partnerships, as an effective approach for developing international cultural relations in the region