Funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut, Expertise France, and the Institut français, Connect & Create is a landmark initiative designed to strengthen cultural ties between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
The program offers multi-track support including organizational grants, professional mentorship, media training, and international mobility funding across the performing arts, music, and media communications sectors.
Strategic Opportunity Schemes & Key Details
1. Connect & Create Mentoring Scheme
Focus: 1-year capacity building for early-career professionals in intermediary support roles (management, production, administration, communications, booking).
Financial Support: The mentee's organization receives a €7,500 grant to fund professional equipment, tools, software, communications, and operational growth.
Key Benefits: One-on-one mentor pairing, quarterly skill workshops, and a fully funded 4-to-5-day immersive trip to a major cultural event in Africa.
Eligibility: Permanent residents of Sub-Saharan Africa, aged 18+, with 2 to 5 years of professional experience in performing arts or music support roles, affiliated with an organization legally registered for at least 1 year.
Closing Date: October 9, 2026 at 23:59 UTC
2. Connect & Create Relay Scheme
Focus: 11-month professional development program for 16 young media and communications specialists supporting "Creative Tandem" projects.
Target Audience: Journalists, communications specialists, content creators, influencers, and media presenters with 2 to 5 years of experience.
Program Perks: 10 themed training sessions (storytelling, social media, editorial strategy, press relations) plus direct 1-on-1 mentoring.
Eligibility: Over 18 years old, proficient in English or French, residing in South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, or Senegal.
Closing Date: October 13, 2026
3. Circulation of Performing Arts and Music
Focus: Supporting tours and festival programming to display African artistic creations across Africa and Europe.
Eligible Costs: International and local transport, visas, insurance, per diems, and freight costs for technical/scenographic equipment.
Closing Date: September 30, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+2
4. Professional Mobility
Focus: Supporting international delegations of cultural professionals (minimum 8 professionals, multi-national composition) attending major industry gatherings in Africa or Europe.
Eligible Costs: Transport, visas, insurance, per diems/group accommodation, and translation services.
Closing Date: September 30, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+2
Required Application Materials
For the Mentoring Scheme:
Online application form.
Updated CV in English or French (PDF, under 3 MB).
Portfolio showcasing 2–3 projects completed over the last 3 years (PDF, under 3 MB).
Video presentation & motivation statement (Max 3 mins, MP4, under 10 MB).
Official legal registration document of your organization (registered for at least 1 year).
For Call for Projects (Circulation & Mobility):
Project presentation (free format).
Official Budget, Logical Framework, Implementation Timeline, and Sworn Statement using standard IFprog templates.
Proof of legal status (registered for at least 2 years) and official bank details capable of international transfers.
How to Apply
Mentoring Scheme: Apply directly via the Libr'Arts Application Portal before October 9, 2026.
Relay Scheme: Complete the application form via the Institut français platform before October 13, 2026.
Mobility & Circulation Calls: Access documents and submit completed proposal packages through the Institut français IFprog Platform before September 30, 2026.
Major Considerations
Regional Eligibility: All 47 Sub-Saharan African countries (including Sierra Leone) and 27 EU member states are fully eligible.
Execution Period: Project activities and eligible expenditures for mobility/circulation calls run from February to December 2027.
Co-financing: For circulation/mobility project calls, applicant organizations must demonstrate a minimum of 30% co-financing in their budget breakdown.
Should You Apply?
If you are an early-to-mid-career communications specialist, cultural manager, or organization leader working in media, music, or the performing arts across Sub-Saharan Africa, these schemes offer substantial financial backing and continental exposure.
Media creators in eligible target countries should target the Relay Scheme, while managers of arts organizations should apply for the €7,500 Mentoring Scheme.
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