Call for proposals 2026–2028
Perform Europe
Europe
Application deadline
Overview of the structure(s)
Perform Europe is a funding programme with a budget of 1.4 million euros, co-financed by the European Union. It aims to reinvent cross-border arts programming and touring across the 41 countries of Creative Europe, with a view to making them more sustainable, inclusive and equitable.
Description of the open call
Project proposals must address two key priorities, selecting one as the main focus and the other as a secondary focus:
- Inclusion and diversity: Highlighting, involving and promoting the artistic practices and realities of marginalised or under-represented groups (e.g. rural areas, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, etc.).
- Combating climate change: Proposing innovative actions through the lens of climate justice (raising awareness, reducing carbon emissions, digital environmental footprint).
All proposals must also be based on quality and innovation, equity (fair remuneration for artists, solidarity and resource sharing) and strive to integrate geographically under-represented regions into distribution channels.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, an application must meet all of the following criteria:
- Partnership: The partnership must comprise at least three partners (organisations or independent professionals) legally established in at least three different Creative Europe countries. A ‘lead partner’ must be designated to submit the application and manage the grant.
- Art forms covered: Theatre, dance, performance, circus, street arts and arts in public spaces, and puppetry. Please note: Live music and opera are excluded.
- The artistic work: The project must include at least one existing work or a finished artistic concept, ready for presentation. Production costs for new creations are not covered.
- Presentation: The work must be presented at least three times (in-person, digital or hybrid) in at least three different Creative Europe countries.
- Language and budget: The application form must be completed in English. The budget must be balanced (expenditure = income) and expressed in euros.
Successful applicants must undertake to:
- Carry out the planned cross-border dissemination activities.
- Allocate at least 1.5 per cent of their grant (excluding supplements) to capacity-building and training activities between partners.
- Take part in three online peer-to-peer exchange sessions (approximately 2 hours each) organised by Perform Europe.
- Contribute to the sharing of experiences and the promotion of the programme (interviews, social media).
- Undertake administrative management and financial reporting (payment of the grant in three instalments: 60 per cent upon signing the contract, 20 per cent after the first report, 20 per cent plus any additional funds upon final closure).
To find partners, professionals can use the ‘Matchmaking’ platform available on the official website: performeurope.eu.
Offered support
The total budget will enable at least 25 partnerships to be supported across three categories of grants:
- Small grant: €15,000
- Medium grant: €25,000
- Large grant: €55,000
Additional funding:
- Partnerships may apply for supplementary funding to meet accessibility and sustainability needs, up to a cumulative maximum of €5,000 per project (the total amount awarded per project may not exceed €60,000).
- Green travel: €400 per person per performance date (low-carbon transport such as trains or buses).
- Public access: €800 per date (translation, sign language, audio description, etc.).
- Accessibility support: €400 per person per date (for project participants with a disability).
- Visas: €120 per person concerned.
- Family: €200 per child per date (to remove barriers related to family responsibilities).
- Overseas territories and outermost regions: €175 per person per date.
- Specific support for Ukraine: 5 per cent of the overall budget is set aside for projects involving Ukrainian partners or supporting the performing arts sector in Ukraine.
Throughout the call for proposals, the Perform Europe team is organising support sessions, information sessions and knowledge-sharing events.
Contact for more information
Martha Gutierrez
martha.gutierrez@relais-culture-europe.eu