The European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) has opened applications for the EUNIC Spaces of Culture 2026 Programme, a funding initiative supporting collaborative cultural relations projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme forms part of the EU-funded Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture initiative. It aims to strengthen cooperation between African and European cultural organisations through projects that encourage dialogue, co-creation, and long-term partnerships.
Selected projects can receive funding of up to EUR 50,000 per project.
The application deadline is 21 June 2026.
What The EUNIC Spaces of Culture Programme Supports
The EUNIC Spaces of Culture programme supports innovative cultural projects that promote collaboration between Africa and Europe. Importantly, projects can take different formats depending on local needs and creative goals.
Eligible projects may focus on:
- Arts and creative industries
- Digitalisation and education
- Gender and social inclusion
- Heritage and tourism
- Human rights and youth engagement
- Sustainability and sports
- Networking and knowledge-sharing activities
- Festivals, exhibitions, and performances
- Artist residencies and cultural infrastructure
In addition, organisers encourage projects that address urgent local issues while promoting mutual learning and equal partnerships.
Key Objectives Of The Programme
According to EUNIC, successful projects should:
- Encourage dialogue and collaboration
- Promote fair partnerships between African and European organisations
- Support local ownership and relevance
- Deliver social impact and long-term cooperation
- Demonstrate innovation within local cultural contexts
Furthermore, all projects must be jointly developed and implemented by participating partners.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme is open to projects taking place in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
To qualify, applicants must form a triangular partnership that includes:
- At least three local cultural or civil society partners
- At least three full EUNIC members, or two members where no EUNIC cluster exists
- Participation from an EU Delegation
Additionally, all project proposals must be co-developed by every participating partner.
Funding And Co-Financing
Selected projects can receive up to EUR 50,000 in funding.
However, project partners must provide at least 5% co-funding toward the total project budget.
Project Timeline
Approved projects must run between:
- 1 September 2026 and
- 31 August 2027
Organisers also advised interested organisations to begin partnership discussions before 30 April 2026 to allow enough time for collaborative planning and proposal development.
Why The Programme Matters
The EUNIC Spaces of Culture programme continues to strengthen cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe. Moreover, it creates opportunities for artists, cultural institutions, and civil society groups to build sustainable international partnerships.
As Africa’s creative economy continues to grow, initiatives like this can help expand cultural exchange, strengthen local creative ecosystems, and support socially impactful projects across the continent.
Application Deadline
- Application Deadline: 21 June 2026 (23:59 CAT)
For full application guidelines and eligibility details, visit the official EUNIC Spaces of Culture Programme website.
