Organizer Information
Culture Moves Salone is a cultural mobility initiative funded by the European Union and implemented in Sierra Leone to strengthen the country’s cultural and creative ecosystem. The programme is managed in collaboration with KEA European Affairs, a Brussels-based consultancy specialising in cultural policy, creative industries development, and EU-funded international cooperation projects. The initiative is designed to improve the professionalisation, sustainability, and regional integration of Sierra Leone’s cultural sector by enabling structured mobility, capacity-building, and cross-border collaboration across Africa. It operates as part of a broader EU strategy to enhance cultural exchange and creative economy development on the African continent, with a strong emphasis on mobility as a tool for artistic growth, knowledge transfer, and institutional strengthening.
Title & Description
Culture Moves Salone – Mobility Fund 3: Support to Cultural and Creative Mobility Across Africa
The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund 3 is a competitive grant programme aimed at supporting cultural and creative professionals based in Sierra Leone to develop, expand, and internationalise their artistic and organisational practices through mobility and collaboration within Africa.
This third funding round is designed as a scaling phase, targeting individuals and organisations that have already engaged in cultural mobility or collaborative projects and are now ready to deepen partnerships, strengthen production capacity, and increase professional impact. The fund supports a wide spectrum of activities including artistic research, residencies, creative production, dissemination of cultural works, skills development, and networking initiatives.
Projects may involve travel within Africa, hosting international professionals in Sierra Leone, or developing collaborative cultural outputs across borders. The programme places particular emphasis on long-term sustainability, institutional strengthening, and the circulation of Sierra Leonean cultural content within regional and international markets. It also supports organisational development through equipment purchases, operational strengthening, and capacity-building activities.
The overarching objective is to reinforce the cultural and creative sectors in Sierra Leone by enabling structured mobility experiences that lead to lasting partnerships, increased visibility, and improved access to markets and audiences.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Film & Audiovisual
- Music
- Literature & Publishing
- Design & Fashion/Textiles
- Architecture
- Crafts
- Cultural Heritage
- Media & Journalism
- Cultural Research & Programming
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- Based in Sierra Leone
- Aged 18 years or older
- Cultural and creative professionals, including:
- Individual artists and creatives
- Cultural organisations (NGOs, collectives, hubs, associations)
- Public cultural institutions
- Creative businesses and enterprises
The call is open to a broad range of professional profiles such as artists, curators, producers, managers, programmers, researchers, journalists, and cultural entrepreneurs. Applicants must be able to demonstrate residency in Sierra Leone and may be asked to provide proof of residence.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected applicants will receive:
- Grants of up to 285,000 SLE per project (approximately €10,000)
- Approximately 4–6 grants are awarded in total
- 80% upfront payment upon signature of the grant agreement
- 20% final payment upon completion and submission of final report/output
Supported costs include:
- Artistic production and dissemination activities
- Mobility within Africa (inward and outward travel)
- Residencies, workshops, and study visits
- Networking and partnership development
- Equipment and infrastructure purchases for organisations
- Capacity-building and organisational strengthening
Additional benefits:
- Access to African cultural networks and partners
- Increased visibility of Sierra Leonean cultural production
- Long-term professional development and market access opportunities
- Institutional strengthening and sustainability support
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Short CV or portfolio (maximum 1 page recommended)
- Project description including objectives and planned activities
- Budget and financing plan
- Information on partners (if applicable)
- Supporting materials (optional but recommended):
- Artistic portfolio
- Previous work samples
- Letters of intent or partnership confirmations
- Travel or project timeline
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
Location
Sierra Leone
Additional Details
- Fund 3 is designed as a second-stage mobility support mechanism, prioritising applicants who have already developed prior mobility or collaborative experiences.
- Projects are expected to contribute to long-term partnerships and structural development of the cultural sector rather than one-off activities.
- A strong emphasis is placed on regional African collaboration, market access, and professionalisation of cultural organisations.
- Selected projects must submit a final report, workshop, or presentation within approximately one month after project completion.
- The programme is part of a broader EU-funded cultural cooperation strategy.