Collab 4 HY Sustain CCI Launches Open Call for Cultural and Creative Initiatives

What is it about?

Collab 4 HY Sustain CCI, an innovation incubation project supported by the European Union, invites creative and cultural organizations from across Europe to participate in a remarkable journey of growth, innovation, and collaboration. Our mission is to foster the sustainable development of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors, empowering local communities and driving transformative change within the industry.

The Collab 4 HY Sustain project launches an open call to support 15 European culture and creative organizations that want to innovate.

We are searching for ideas that make culture more accessible and find new ways to connect creators and distributors from culture and creative sectors with their audiences. We want to support initiatives that help the cultural and creative industries become more sustainable by using technology and digital advancements, and also bring about positive social changes.

Submissions are welcomed from projects in the early stage of ideation, as well as those that have already made notable progress and are in the implementation or prototype phase. Furthermore, projects that have already shown a positive impact and are seeking support to expand their reach are also eligible for consideration. Whether you have a promising concept or a project that is already gaining recognition, we invite you to submit and make use of the program’s resources and opportunities.

Who is it for?

Apply to one of the call topics and get selected for step-by-step support and funding! Only one project proposal is eligible per organization. 

Open Call Topic 1: Audience and Hybrid Approaches

Do you have an innovative idea to engage your audiences and explore hybrid approaches in the realm of contemporary arts, performances, heritage or entertainment? We want to hear from you! Collab 4 HySust is seeking exceptional initiatives to drive audience participation, improve management of audience monitoring, promote inclusivity in co-creation processes and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Open Call Topic 2: Sustainability in Processes of Collaboration

Are you passionate about promoting sustainable collaborations between culture and other industries? Are you eager to explore collaborative processes that address environmental concerns, gender equality, and inclusive practices? Collab 4 HySust is looking for initiatives that aim to create sustainable change and foster innovation within the value chain of artistic and cultural offerings.

Eligible subjects

We encourage a broad spectrum of organizations to submit their projects. This encompasses cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, startups, social enterprises, academic institutions, community-based organizations, and any other entities engaged in the intersection of culture, science and technology. We firmly believe that collaborations between individuals and organizations with diverse perspectives and resources have the potential to generate impactful and groundbreaking projects in the realm of social change.

What's in it for me?

Selected Initiatives Will Receive:

• Mentorship from experienced professionals who will guide and support the design, experimentation, and implementation of your innovative practices.
• A comprehensive training program tailored to enhance managerial, organizational, and design capabilities within your organization.
• A grant of €3,000 to fuel the development and realization of your project.
• Visibility and showcase opportunities in hybrid events
• SEE regional network and EU collaboration opportunities

How will I learn

Phases of the Open Call

Phase 1: Proposal Submission

Submit your proposal by September 30th, 2023, at 5 PM CET. We encourage eligible cultural and creative organizations, particularly those from Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Denmark, or cross-border initiatives involving partners from these countries, to apply. Choose one of the two innovation topics and carefully review the open call terms on our official website. The application form can be found there as well.

Phase 2: Collaboration and Tandem Formation

After the evaluation process, selected initiatives will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated mentor/expert from our pool of 15 selected professionals. This phase aims to foster collaboration, allowing you to connect, collaborate, and form an unstoppable creative tandem.

Commitment

The commencement of implementation should occur within three months after receiving the Award. The implementation period spans 16 months.

Applicants will be invited  to participate in the preparatory session at the Transnational Launch Event taking place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and online, September 1st.

Granted organizations are obligated to attend 4 knowledge sharing sessions, two of which will be conducted in a hybrid format.

Granted organizations are fully committed to actively participating in the Collab 4 HySust Incubation Program. Attendance at the training program and mentoring sessions is mandatory.

You will be expected to contribute your own experiences and learn from others, benefiting from a safe and trusted environment.

Selection criteria

Concrete: Project proposal should have measurable impact in one of the two innovation topics.

Sustainable: Market and innovation potential should be explained both for Topic 1 Audience or Topic 2 Sustainability

Feasible: The project should clearly demonstrate knowledge and technical feasibility (resources, skills and infrastructure) and applicants should take into account the capacity to embed the demonstration/piloting experience in the local scene.

Timeline

July 1st, 2023: Call for submissions opens.

September 30th, 2023, at 5 PM CET: Application deadline.

October 2023: Evaluation process ends.

December 2023: Incubation activities starts

Project duration: 16 months