Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture — Circulation of Performing Arts and Music (2nd Call)

This call pays for African music and performing arts to actually travel — a tour, or a slot inside a large international event — rather than for making new work. It is run by the Goethe-Institut and Expertise France with the Institut français and European Union funding, as the sub-Saharan strand of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture, with a stated focus on youth, emerging scenes and cultural diversity.

Two project shapes qualify. A tour needs pre-booked dates: at least five across a minimum of three different countries if it runs in Africa, or at least three dates if it runs in Europe. Alternatively, a festival, market, trade fair or professional gathering can apply to programme at least three artistic teams from three different African countries.

Applicants are organisations rather than individuals: performing arts companies, music ensembles and collectives based in Africa; production agencies, artist development organisations, labels, venues and cultural spaces in Africa or Europe; or the events themselves in either region. The applicant organisation must be based in one of the 47 eligible sub-Saharan African countries or one of the 27 EU member states.

Grants run from €15,000 to €39,500 and can cover travel, visas, insurance and shipping among other costs. Projects must be delivered between February and December 2027.

The full guidelines and the application itself are published by the Institut français, in English and French; the listing above summarises the announcement rather than the guidelines.