Ugandan artists, cultural organisations, creative entrepreneurs and civil society groups have a new opportunity to seek international partnerships and funding under the Spaces of Culture 2026 programme.
The programme offers grants of up to €50,000, about Shs208m, for selected cultural projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative is led by the European Union National Institutes for Culture, known as EUNIC, under the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture framework.
It invites innovative proposals that promote cultural exchange, dialogue and collaboration between African and European partners.
Programme targets long-term cultural partnerships
Spaces of Culture 2026 aims to strengthen long-term cooperation among cultural institutions, artists, creative professionals and civil society organisations from Africa and Europe.
According to EUNIC, proposals should be jointly developed by local cultural organisations, European cultural institutions and European Union delegations operating in participating countries.
The organisers say the goal is to support sustainable cultural relations that continue beyond the grant period.
The funding window comes as Uganda’s creative sector gains more attention for its role in employment, cultural diplomacy and economic growth.
Creative professionals in music, film, fashion, literature, heritage tourism and digital arts are increasingly seeking new audiences, markets and partnerships outside Uganda.
Eligible themes include youth, heritage and inclusion
The programme welcomes projects across several themes.
These include heritage conservation, youth empowerment, gender equality, human rights, social inclusion, sports, sustainability and tourism.
Organisers are especially interested in initiatives that use culture to support social transformation, community engagement and innovation.
Successful applicants will receive grants of up to €50,000 per project.
However, participating organisations must contribute at least 5% of the total project budget through their own resources or partner support.
Selected projects are expected to run from September 2026 to August 2027.
Networking and skills development opportunities
Beyond funding, Spaces of Culture 2026 offers participants access to networking, knowledge exchange and skills development opportunities.
Previous cultural cooperation initiatives have helped organisations increase their international visibility, attract new audiences and build lasting partnerships across Europe and Africa.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Africa-Europe cultural cooperation through equitable partnerships.
Organisers emphasise local ownership, community relevance and long-term impact as key selection criteria.
They also encourage applicants to identify partners early and develop proposals that show innovation, inclusivity and measurable social impact.
Application deadline and contacts
Applications must be submitted by June 21.
For direct inquiries about applications and partnerships, EUNIC has provided the following contacts:
Robert Kieft – robert.kieft@eunicglobal.eu
Thoriso Moseneke – thoriso.moseneke@eunicglobal.eu
Partnership requirements
To qualify, projects must follow what organisers describe as a “triangular partnership” model.
This model requires the involvement of at least three local cultural or civil society organisations.
It also requires at least three EUNIC member organisations. Where no EUNIC cluster exists, two EUNIC member organisations may participate.
A European Union Delegation must also be involved in the partnership.
The structure is intended to promote shared ownership between African and European partners while ensuring that projects remain relevant to local communities.