The creative sector has been amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why a new project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), funded by the European Union, is aimed at fostering dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact. CC4WBs is jointly managed by UNESCO, the British Council and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Thomson Foundation will team up with the British Council to provide specific capacity building focused on supporting the media cultural sector targeted by the project.
Calls for proposals are open until May 31, and organisations and individuals are invited to submit their proposals and applications related to the below-listed areas.
Project team 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. It will also stimulate the protection, management and promotion of cultural heritage, as well as enhanced public-private partnerships in the cultural and creative sectors.
Grant funding and capacity-building opportunities within the CC4WBs project are organized into four themes:
(1) improvement of local cultural spaces through partnerships between public institutions and the private sector;
(2) artists, media and experts in the cultural sector, so that they connect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions;
(3) regional connection, cooperation and promotion with the aim of improving cultural production and access;
(4) protection and use of cultural heritage for sustainable development.
To express interest in Thematic Window 2: Artists, media professionals, and cultural operators mobilised, connected and enabled to promote the diversity of cultural expressions in and from the Western Balkans, please visit this page.
Who can apply: Cultural and creative industry professionals, media professionals and other individuals interested in creating media content on culture and creativity, aged 18+.
Opportunities: Capacity building and professional development for individuals from cultural, creative, and media sectors.
Deadline for submitting proposals: 31 May 2023 at 17:00 (CET).
Recognised for its results in capacity-building, Thomson Foundation joins the project by focusing on providing support to media professionals working in the culture and creative sector. The support will be provided through several main areas:
- Providing new knowledge and skills through a tailored capacity-building program
- Providing production grants for content creators and journalists selected through an open call
- Providing networking opportunities for content creators and journalists reporting on culture.
- Recognising and awarding excellence in journalism by establishing an Award for best production on culture.
The project began in April 2022 and will last for 48 months. To read more about the project, visit: https://en.unesco.org/news/european-union-unesco-british-council-and-italian-agency-development-cooperation-launch-project
