EUNIC has officially launched the second edition of the Spaces of Culture Call for Proposals 2026, inviting organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe to apply for funding for collaborative cultural relations projects. The initiative supports innovative and contemporary projects that strengthen partnerships between African and European cultural and civil society organisations. Funded under the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme by the European Union, the initiative promotes co-creation, dialogue, mutual learning, and sustainable cultural collaboration. The application deadline for the 2026 call is 21 June 2026 at 23:59 CAT. What Is the Spaces of Culture Programme? Spaces of Culture is a funding scheme designed to encourage equal partnerships between African and European artists, cultural institutions, and civil society organisations. The programme aims to strengthen cultural exchange while supporting projects that address social, educational, and creative challenges. The initiative focuses on building long-term cooperation that extends beyond the duration of funded projects. Key themes supported under the programme include: Arts and culture Creative industries Digitalisation Education Gender equality Heritage preservation Human rights Social inclusion Sports Sustainability Tourism Youth engagement Projects are expected to reflect cultural relations principles such as: Co-creation Mutual listening Joint capacity building Inclusive dialogue Shared ownership Who Can Apply? The call is open to projects taking place in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants must form a triangular partnership involving both African and European stakeholders. Eligible partnerships must include: At least three local cultural and/or civil society partners At least three full EUNIC members In countries without a EUNIC cluster, a minimum of two EUNIC members is acceptable Participation of an EU Delegation The programme strongly encourages collaboration based on equality, local relevance, and shared decision-making. Funding and Budget Information Selected projects can receive funding of up to EUR 50,000. Applicants should note the following financial requirements: A minimum of 5% co-funding must be provided by project partners Projects must be implemented between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027 Budgets must be submitted in EUR using the official templates provided by EUNIC The funding supports projects that demonstrate clear social impact and long-term sustainability. Important Dates and Deadlines Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to begin building partnerships and discussing project concepts as early as possible. Key dates for the Spaces of Culture 2026 call include: 30 March 2026 – Official launch of the call 30 April 2026 – Deadline to share one-page concept ideas with project partners April to June 2026 – Information webinars for applicants 21 June 2026 – Final application deadline Mid-July 2026 – Evaluation and project selection July to August 2026 – Contracting period 1 September 2026 – Start of project implementation Applicants are advised to use the preparation period to align goals, strengthen partnerships, and develop detailed proposals collaboratively. How to Prepare a Strong Project Proposal EUNIC encourages applicants to carefully develop proposals that reflect the programme’s cultural relations approach. Successful projects are expected to demonstrate collaboration, inclusivity, and long-term impact. Applicants are encouraged to: Explore examples of previous Spaces of Culture projects Review the official Guidance Pack Attend information webinars Consult the Frequently Asked Questions section Engage partners early in the proposal process The programme values projects that address community needs while encouraging equal collaboration between European and African organisations. Application Submission Process Applications must be submitted in English using the official templates provided by EUNIC. Required application documents include: Completed application form Estimated project budget in EUR Support letters from project partners Applications must be submitted via email to: spacesofculture@eunicglobal.eu Applicants will receive confirmation once their submission has been received. Evaluation and Selection Process An independent jury composed of cultural relations experts from Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe will evaluate all applications. Proposals will be assessed based on: Project objectives Relevance to target groups Proposed activities Partnership quality Social and cultural impact Sustainability and collaboration approach The selection process prioritises projects that embody fairness, inclusion, and meaningful intercultural exchange. Information Webinars for Applicants To support applicants during the process, EUNIC is organising a series of online webinars. Scheduled webinars include: Webinar I – Introduction to the Call 15 April 2026 Overview of criteria and partnership guidance Webinar II – Partnership & Project Support 13 May 2026 Advice from previous projects and collaboration strategies Webinar III – Application Clinic 9 June 2026 Final application support and troubleshooting These sessions provide valuable guidance for organisations preparing proposals. Why the Spaces of Culture Programme Matters The Spaces of Culture initiative highlights the growing importance of international cultural cooperation in addressing social and creative challenges. By supporting equal partnerships between Africa and Europe, the programme strengthens cultural diplomacy, creative innovation, and long-term collaboration. It also creates opportunities for artists, educators, cultural professionals, and civil society organisations to build impactful projects that contribute to sustainable development and intercultural understanding. Conclusion The Spaces of Culture 2026 Call for Proposals offers a significant opportunity for organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe to collaborate on innovative cultural projects with lasting social impact. Through funding, partnership development, and intercultural exchange, EUNIC continues to promote inclusive cultural relations and strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation in the creative sector. Organisations interested in participating are encouraged to begin building partnerships and preparing applications ahead of the June 2026 deadline. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.