Programme Category
Programme Name
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The PartArt4OW Open Call is intended to support the implementation of participatory art initiatives (PAIs) addressing the following challenge: “Engage local communities for protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity”.
The overall goal of the supported PAI will be to:
- increase citizens’ ocean literacy;
- increase awareness on the challenges and pressures faced by the ocean and inland waters;
- mobilise citizens and stakeholders for the protection and restoration of oceans and inland waters.
Detailed Call Description
PartArt4OW is looking for interdisciplinary and intersectoral projects mixing art, science and participatory practices in innovative ways. PartArt4OW believes that collaborations between the creative and cultural sectors, the scientific community and the civic society organisations can lead to stronger projects, but this call is also open to individuals.
For this first open call, the specific challenge to be addressed is that of engaging local communities for protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.
Participants are free to explore the many aspects and threats related to ocean and water ecosystems and biodiversity (biodiversity loss, algae proliferation, alien specific just to name a few). PartArt4OW is particularly interested in:
- the unseen phenomenon, such as those related to climate change or those that are not-seen just because we are too disconnected from our ocean to see how it is changing.
- the interdependencies between different aspects of the specific challenge (natural, cultural, political, etc.) you will work on and the related societal implications.
Projects can focus on ocean or inland waters or on both at the same time.
Priority will be given to projects that engage citizens in different phases of the project and that are able to involve persons belonging to under-represented groups and/or groups at risk of social exclusion and discrimination (refugees, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQI+ community, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, etc). Special attention should be given to those far from art and science and with scarce cultural consumption and educational opportunities.
The focus should be on the communities living in close proximity to ocean, water basins and rivers and assure that the project proposed addresses key societal and environmental challenges of those communities.
Successful applicants will be expected to design, implement, and present the findings of a participatory art project to be implemented over the course of six months and they will be actively engaged in the PartArt4OW Accelerator, which provides mentoring, networking opportunities, and training sessions.
Selected projects are expected to be fully sustainable, including the use of sustainable materials, circular solutions and renewable energy.
DURATION:
During these 6 months, PAIs are expected to finetune the project/initiative idea, implement it at local level and promote it at a broader level.
The accelerator provides more than financial aid. It starts with an intensive 3-day online bootcamp, providing learning and exchange opportunities on the PartArt4OW topics. This training will equip participants with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to maximise their projects’ impact. At the same time, the bootcamp will be the starting point for connecting selected participants with the mentors.
Successful applicants will be expected to design, implement, and present the findings of a participatory art project to be implemented over the course of six months. In these six months period they will be actively engaged in the PartArt4OW Accelerator, which provides mentoring, networking opportunities, and training sessions.
PartArt4OW will provide funding for 6-month projects which must be implemented during the PartArt4OW acceleration programme scheduled to take place between 1 September 2025 and 27 February 2026.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Selected PAIs will receive up to €50.000 in funding and will participate in a six-month accelerator programme which includes mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
Thematic Categories
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Legal Entities
- Natual person / Citizen / Individual
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Individuals, legal entities, and consortia may apply. For consortia, all applicants must be eligible. They must choose a lead who will submit the application and engage with PartArt4OW on their behalf. The lead is the only entity receiving the total requested budget and is responsible for the expenditure of the funds and the complete realisation of the proposed project.
All applicants must address the challenge of the Open Call, outlined in Annex 1. They must propose a project that fits the PartArt4OW definition of participatory art, of ocean literacy and of the PAI.
All artistic and creative expressions are welcomed; more specifically, PAIs are expected to use at least one mode of artistic or creative expression: including but not limited to the following expressions: visual (painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts, and architecture), literary (prose, fiction, drama, poetry), performing (dance, drama, music, action art, street art), new media, digital art, fashion design and gaming.
Applicants must be individuals or organisations established or resident in EU Member States or third countries in Europe that are associated or negotiating an association agreement with Horizon Europe. A list of all eligible countries is available in Annex 2.. Each entity may participate in only one application, either as an individual applicant or as part of a consortium.
All applications must be submitted with a signed Declaration of Honour (see Annex 4 and the Call Page of the PartArt4OW website).
Projects already funded by other international, national, local, or private funds cannot apply for funding for the same activities through PartArt4OW.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Questions may be submitted by email to: opencall@partart4OW.eu
PartArt4OW will organise 2 webinars to help you prepare your project application.
The dates for the forthcoming webinars are: