Open Call of Perform Europe 2026 – 2028
European Commission
Deadline
22 October 2026
Maximum amount
1.400.000 €
Description
Open Call of Perform Europe 2026 – 2028 Topic: Perform EU Identifier: CREA-CULT-2026-PERFORM-EU Kind: bando a cascata (competitive call) Status: aperto Opening date: 2026-06-23 Deadline: 2026-10-22 Deadline model: single-stage Budget: 1400000 Programme period: 2021 - 2027 Who can apply and how Perform Europe is a funding scheme offering EUR 1.4 million for performing arts collaborations across all 41 Creative Europe countries. Perform Europe supports partnership proposals which reinvent the way we tour across borders. The highly successful Perform Europe pilot (2020–2022) and second edition (2023–2026), was coordinated by a Consortium of six organisations; five major performing arts networks, IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts, European Festivals Association (EFA), European Dance Development Network (EDN), Circostrada, Pearle* - Live Performance Europe together with the research organisation IDEA Consult. Co-funded by the European Union, Perform Europe has granted a total of €3.5 million to 61 cross-border macro-projects involving 272 partners. Together, they have toured over 80 artistic works across 41 countries, reaching new audiences and testing innovative approaches to inclusion, sustainability and cooperation. Building on these achievements, the third and final edition of Perform Europe under the current Creative Europe programme (2021-2028) will continue to explore, together with the performing arts sector, how cross-border touring can become fairer, greener and more inclusive, while further consolidating the knowledge, partnerships and practices developed through the programme. By the end of this third edition, Perform Europe will have supported at least 86 cross-border touring projects in total, building a substantial body of experience and knowledge that continues to strengthen the European performing arts ecosystem. Keywords: performing arts, theatre, dance, performance, circus, outdoor arts, puppetry, interdisciplinary, change-makers, inclusion, diversity, fight against climate change, sustainability, fairness, cross-border mobility, innovation Do you have an innovative idea that resonates with these keywords? Read on! PRIORITIES OF PERFORM EUROPE Proposals are submitted by collaboration partnerships of performing arts professionals and organisations. Partners should work on their proposal together. This is a call to the sector to create partnerships and propose impactful ideas that can generate real change via two main priorities: - INCLUSION & DIVERSITY - FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Each proposal should choose one of the above main priorities to focus on, while still taking into account and implementing measures related to the second priority. In addition, all proposals should aim for quality and innovation, be built on fair practices, and are encouraged to promote collaboration across different regions within the 41 Creative Europe countries. Read more about the priorities in our guidelines below. CONDITIONS OF THE CALL The open call was launched on 23 June 2026. We invite you now to build partnerships, jointly develop proposals, and submit them through our website before 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST. FUNDING Perform Europe will grant EUR 1.4 million to at least 25 partnerships. Partnerships can apply for grants in three categories: - EUR 15,000 - small grant - EUR 25,000 - medium grant - EUR 55,000 - large grant In addition to the requested grant category, partnerships can request top-ups to address the sustainability and accessibility needs of their proposal. Each partnership may request any combination of the available top-ups, up to a maximum total top-up request of EUR 5,000 per proposal. The maximum granted amount, including top-ups, will be EUR 60,000, a requirement set by the funder, the European Union. Of the total funding, 5% will be allocated to proposals which involve a partnership with Ukrainian partners or support initiatives for the Ukrainian performing arts sector. WHO CAN APPLY Any organisation and professional working in the performing arts, and legally based in one of the Creative Europe Countries ( 27 EU member states plus 14 non-EU Participating Countries). PARTNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS Proposals are submitted by partnerships. Each partnership must consist of a minimum of three partners from a minimum of three Creative Europe countries. Each proposal must include at least one performing arts work (excluding live music and opera) to be presented in a minimum of three different Creative Europe countries. Important to note: Perform Europe will not cover production costs for new creations: proposals are supposed to include a finished artistic work (finished production or an artistic concept ready to be applied and presented in different contexts). Looking for partners? Use the Matchmaking Platform on the Perform Europe website to join a community of over 2,300 performing arts organisations and professionals from 41 countries looking to make changes in t
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