CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Grants for Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives
Creating new narratives around cultural heritage
Deadline
Friday, 13 February 2026
Funded by the European Union
GRANTS FOR CO-CREATION OF NEW HERITAGE NARRATIVES
AFRICA–EUROPE PARTNERSHIPS FOR CULTURE
SOUTHERN AFRICA – GOETHE-INSTITUT
1. INTRODUCTION
The Goethe-Institut invites non-profit, non-governmental organisations in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to apply for grants under the “Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Southern Africa” project.
This initiative, funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen cultural cooperation within Southern Africa as well as between Southern Africa and Europe, to enhance regional cultural production capacities, and promote intercultural dialogue through the co-creation of new narratives around tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
This Call for Proposals seeks to select at least 8 organisations to lead “Narrative Clusters,” collaborating with interdisciplinary groups of artists/creatives to develop innovative stories that increase the visibility and contemporary relevance of their heritage.
Selected organisations will receive grants of up to €55,000 to manage these clusters, fund co-productions, and present new narratives to local audiences over an 15-month period.
2. WHAT IS A HERITAGE NARRATIVE IN THIS PROJECT?
A heritage narrative is a story that makes heritage sites and practices come to life.
It tells a story that allows people in the community and beyond relate to the heritage.
In that, a heritage narrative contributes to identity building and community building.
These narratives are not automatically present in the heritage itself but are actively created among communities to connect the past with contemporary issues and future possibilities.
Only when we narrate the stories of the food we eat, the blankets we weave, the sites we worship, they come alive and significant to us and future generations.
Thus, heritage narrative conveys significance, meaning, and identity associated with cultural heritage—whether tangible (like monuments, artifacts, landscapes) or intangible (such as traditions, languages, rituals).
Key aspects of a heritage narrative include the historical context, the cultural significance, its relation to identity and memory as well as its transmission.
3. OBJECTIVES
Overall Objective:
To increase public visibility and understanding of the selected heritage narratives (tangible or intangible) and their contemporary relevance in Southern Africa and beyond.
Specific Objectives:
- To support non-profit, non-governmental organisations in co-creating new, interdisciplinary narratives that communicate the meaning and significance of their heritage element to wide audiences.
- To foster collaboration between organisations and artists/creatives from at least three Southern African countries, with potential inclusion of European perspectives where relevant.
- To enhance the capacity of organisations for heritage cultural production, audience engagement, and regional/international cooperation.
Expected Results:
- Approximately three artistic co-productions per Narrative Cluster (e.g., performances, exhibitions, installations, films), highlighting the heritage narrative itself as well as its relevance.
- Dissemination or showcasing of co-productions to local and regional audiences through high-profile, multi-day public events.
- Increased visibility of the heritage organisation and its narrative/practice, contributing to intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity.
4. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES: WHAT YOU WILL DO
Selected organisations will lead a Narrative Cluster, managing and coordinating activities with approximately nine artists/creatives (recruited later via a separate call) over a 9-month period.
Eligible activities include:
- Call Development:
Collaborate with the Goethe-Institut to develop a tailored call for proposals to recruit artists/creatives for the Narrative Cluster. You will also assist in selecting the artists/creatives. - Cluster Management:
Coordinate and oversee the activities of the Narrative Cluster (6 months), including organising retreats, joint working sessions, and ongoing collaboration among artists/creatives. - Event Organisation:
Host a Narrative Development Retreat (2 weeks) and two joint working sessions within a six-month period to refine heritage narratives, as well as a multi-day local presentation event to showcase co-productions to communities. - Co-Production Support:
Fund the development and production of interdisciplinary artistic works (e.g., literature, film, performing arts, visual arts, crafts, digital/VR/AR productions) that bring your heritage narrative to life. - Outreach and Engagement:
Implement local outreach activities to engage communities, including youth and source communities, in the presentation of narratives. - Cross-Cutting Issues:
Incorporate measures to promote gender equality (aiming for 50% participation of women and/or women’s narratives/perspectives), inclusion of persons with disabilities, and environmentally sustainable/eco-friendly practices.
Note:
A separate call for artists/creatives will cover their transport, flights, accommodation and per diems. Do not include these in your budget.
5. WHAT IS A NARRATIVE CLUSTER?
A Narrative Cluster refers to a collaborative group led by a non-profit, non-governmental organisation and approximately nine creative/artistic practitioners from at least three different project countries, representing various artistic disciplines.
The purpose of these clusters is to develop co-created heritage narratives into interdisciplinary, multimodal co-productions that give meaning to tangible and intangible cultural heritage, exploring its contemporary relevance and broader themes over a period of six months.
5.1 NARRATIVE CLUSTER INFORMATION
- A Narrative Cluster is a group of coordinated cultural artists/creatives led by an organisation.
- It is composed of approximately nine interdisciplinary artists/creatives (from a minimum of three countries from the six).
- It is focused on developing innovative stories that enhance the visibility and contemporary relevance of tangible or intangible heritage.
6. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Legal Status:
The applicant must be a non-profit, non-governmental legal entity registered in one of the six project countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe). - Local Operation:
The organisation must be legally registered and operational in one of the project countries for at least two years, with a demonstrated track record of heritage-related activities. - Heritage Connection:
The organisation must manage a tangible heritage site (e.g., archaeological site, historical building) or an intangible heritage practice (e.g., folklore, music, traditional crafts). - Non-Urban Focus:
Preference will be given to organisations representing lesser-known heritage sites or practices, particularly those outside major urban centres.
The organisation will be selected during this call for proposals round.
Artists/Creatives will be selected via a separate call for proposals.
7. AWARD CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Thematic Approach (30%)
- Organisational Capacity (15%)
- Working Facilities (20%)
- Motivation and Collaboration (20%)
- Outreach Commitment (15%)
Selection considerations include geographical diversity, gender equality, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
8. FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Grant Amount: Up to €55,000 per selected organisation
- Number of Grants: At least 8
- Payment Structure: Instalments, subject to milestone-based reviews
Eligible Costs:
Staff costs, event organisation, co-production funding, outreach activities, accessibility and environmental sustainability costs.
8.1 INELIGIBLE COSTS
- Debt repayment
- Purchases of land or buildings
- Currency exchange losses
- Seed funding or initial capital
- Fundraising activities
- Operational costs not linked to the project
- Salary top-ups
- Costs outside the project period
- Purchase of alcohol
- Artists/creatives travel and accommodation
9. APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be submitted via the Goethe Application Portal (GAP).
No applications will be accepted via email.
9.1 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Organisational Profile (max. 500 words)
- Heritage Description (max. 1,000 words)
- Proposed Themes (max. 1,000 words)
- Collaboration Plan (max. 500 words)
- Outreach Strategy (max. 500 words)
- Detailed Budget (GAP template only)
9.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
I. Self-Declaration
II. Proof of legal registration
III. National ID (primary representative)
IV. National ID (secondary representative)
V. Financial statements (last two years)
VI. Proof of capacity
VII. Detailed Budget
VIII. Proof of Bank Account
IX. Tax compliance certificate
X. Two reference letters
XI. Additional proof of performance (optional)
9.3 TIMELINE
- Call Publication: 5 January 2026
- Application Deadline: 13 February 2026
- Deadline for Enquiries: 6 February 2026
- Evaluation: 16–27 February 2026
- Contracting: 2–6 March 2026
- Project Start: 16 March 2026
10. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
- Gender Equality
- Inclusion of persons with disabilities
- Environmental Sustainability
- Human Rights and participation
11. SUPPORT AND CONTACT INFORMATION
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: goethe.de/aepc
No queries will be accepted from 6 February 2026.
12. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Includes project context, workshops, and future funding opportunities.
13. EXCLUSION
- Organisations registered for less than two years
- Organisations on EU sanctions list
14. GLOSSARY
Includes definitions for co-creation, GAP, narrative clusters, tangible and intangible heritage, and related terms.