Organizer Information
The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts and cultural sector across the Arab region. Established to foster creativity and
cross-cultural dialogue, AFAC provides grants, resources, and mentorship to artists, cultural practitioners, and institutions. The organization focuses on initiatives that strengthen artistic ecosystems, encourage cultural exchange, and amplify underrepresented voices, with a special emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
Title & Description
Creative Caravans Grant– Ecologies of Culture
The open call is designed to support projects that enhance the circulation and dissemination of arts and culture within the Arab region and beyond. This program targets both physical and digital cultural initiatives, offering funding and capacity-building support to projects that foster visibility, storytelling, and dialogue. The call operates under two sub-pillars:
- Festivals & Touring Projects: This stream supports cultural organizations that organize touring exhibitions, residencies, festivals, and other mobility-focused initiatives. The goal is to help projects reach wider audiences, promote cross-border collaboration, and strengthen cultural networks.
- Digital Media Platforms: This stream supports independent digital media platforms that produce content related to arts, culture, and global issues, including podcasts, online magazines, video projects, and multimedia storytelling initiatives. It seeks to empower both emerging and established platforms to expand their reach, enhance professional capacity, and contribute to a vibrant digital cultural ecosystem.
Through Creative Caravans, AFAC aims to create a sustainable environment for cultural mobility, knowledge exchange, and dialogue on critical topics such as social inclusion, gender equality, and environmental awareness.
Categories
Visual Arts, Performance, Multimedia, Digital Media, Cultural Projects, Festivals, Exhibitions, Residencies, Writing, Podcasts, Journalism.
Eligibility
- Festivals & Touring Projects: Open to organizations based in one of nine eligible Arab countries, with at least two prior events. Collaborative and cross-border projects are encouraged.
- Digital Media Platforms: Open to independent digital media platforms operating for a minimum of two years, producing content focused on arts, culture, and global issues. Both emerging and established platforms are eligible.
- Applicants must not be governmental entities, current AFAC staff or board members, jurors, or related family/business partners.
- Priority is given to applicants not currently receiving AFAC funding.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Festivals & Touring Projects: Grants up to €65,000 for up to 12 selected projects.
- Digital Media Platforms: Grants for 14 platforms: 7 emerging platforms receive €15,000 each, 7 established platforms receive €25,000 each.
- All awardees participate in a comprehensive 3-day capacity-building training, ongoing mentorship, peer learning opportunities, and thematic webinars on issues like gender equality and climate change.
- Grants cover project execution, enabling cultural mobility, content production, and organizational development.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV or organizational profile
- Detailed project description including goals, methodology, and timeline
- Portfolio or samples of prior work
- Motivation letter explaining the relevance of the project to the program’s goals
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Open: 26 January 2026
- Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
- Notification of Results: 31 July 2026
Location
Lebanon
Additional Details
- Project implementation must be completed within 24 months from the grant agreement signing date. Extensions are not permitted.
- Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate impact, sustainability, and innovation.
- AFAC prioritizes projects that foster cultural dialogue, cross-border collaboration, and engagement with pressing social or environmental issues.
