Cross-Sectoral Pioneers Program

Description

1) Objective

The cross-sectoral pioneers program aims to:

• Foster Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: Encourage cooperation between professionals from the cultural and creative sectors (CCSI) and those from different sectors, either within or beyond CCSI, to develop innovative partnerships.
• Create Tangible Outputs: Support the development of a working prototype, demonstration, creative/artistic production, or project proposal that can serve as a valuable asset for further development, validation, or investment.
• Enhance Peer Learning and Exchange: Enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning between participants from different sectors through a structured 5-day hackathon-style exchange program.
• Promote Innovation Through Creativity and AI: Special emphasis is placed on projects that explore the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence, encouraging participants to experiment with new technologies and creative practices

Extra consideration will be given to projects that:

• Involve vulnerable groups or promote gender balance
• Are led by young professionals
• Embrace sustainable and green practices
• Explore the intersection of creativity and AI

The sectors include architecture, archives, libraries and museums, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, video games and multimedia), tangible and intangible cultural heritage, design (including fashion design), festivals, music, literature, performing arts, books and publishing, radio, and visual arts.

2) Eligibility

One applicant must be a professional or legal entity belonging to a CCSI sector. The other must be a professional or legal entity belonging to another sector, within or beyond the CCSIs and from another eligible country.

3) Location

Actions must take place in Albania, Austria, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Tunisia and Ukraine.

4) Budget

They offer: (1) A grant of €2,300 equally divided between the host and the visitor (€1,150 each) to cover project-related costs (e.g., materials, local transport, equipment, etc.); (2) Coverage of travel and accommodation costs for the visitor (up to €1,175 max.).

5) Application

The application deadline is 9 February 2025. A full proposal must be submitted online. All application templates can be downloaded at the given website.