Call for Community Music Projects for the Day of the Mediterranean

Deadline: July 25, 2026
Organiser:  Anna Lindh Foundation
Who is it for: civil society entities of the 43 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region 

Apply and read more

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About the Day of the Mediterranean

The Member States of the “Euro-Mediterranean Partnership/Barcelona Process” have declared 28 November as the ‘Day of the Mediterranean’– a day dedicated to cherishing our shared identity, embracing our common heritage, and nurturing the love we hold for the enchanting Mediterranean–. It’s a day where the ties between its two shores grow stronger, and intercultural exchanges flourish. 

ALF invites civil society entities to submit proposals to organise community-based musical performances (non-profit, no ticket sales). The most outstanding ones will be selected for simultaneous execution across the Euro-Mediterranean on 28 November 2026. Performances are to take place in partnership with Local Administrations (local government entities) and to be held in public spaces.  

The objective of the call is to orchestrate simultaneous free musical performances (lasting between an hour and a half and two hours) across different countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region on the same day and at the same time (around 19:00-20:00 CET), to generate a wave-like effect across the region.   

Likewise, this call seeks to encourage civil society entities to work in tandem with Local Administrations, to empower them at the local level while promoting the principles and values of intercultural dialogue both at a grassroots scale and to broader audiences. To achieve this, concert proposals must clearly demonstrate engagement with diversity, strong community roots and intercultural added value. 

This initiative is organised in coordination with the UfM Secretariat as a complement to its online campaign.  

The 2026 Theme: Sounds That Meet in the Med

Sounds That Meet in the Med is an expression of how cultures can come together through music to create a better understanding of one another. When communities shaped by different traditions discover what they hold in common, this is the space where that meeting happens, not just a musical performance, but a living dialogue. 

Through this call, we invite civil society organisations and entities, in partnership with local administrations in their areas, to organise a live, cross-cultural musical performance that shows how different cultures – whether from the same country or different origins – can meet on the same stage and generate innovative artistic expressions. 

1. Reach an agreement in principle with a local administration (local government entity) partner, such as a municipality, cultural institution, or regional body, to partner in the organisation of a free musical performance 
2. Identify a public space that is accessible and open to all, such as a square, a park, a community centre, or any venue that can host a large audience 
3. Identify a local music group or artists who have a particular intercultural added value and bring together cultural and cross-cultural sounds  
4. Complete the application form, including the budged breakdown following the budget template provided and elaborate an outline of your idea and the value your concert aims to bring to your local community 

 Who can apply

Interested civil society entities of the 43 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region (Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, The Netherlands, Tunisia and Türkiye) are invited to submit their proposals (in English, French or Arabic) before 25 July 2026 at 23.59 CET via the online application form only.  

The same entity may not submit more than one application to this call. 

Important note: As this is a call for musical performances, there is room/flexibility for adjustments and refinements. The ALF Secretariat may request modifications to the applications received prior to final selection and implementation to ensure the best use of available resources and maximise its impact. Shortlisted civil society entities have the right to decide whether to proceed with the proposed adjustments or withdraw their applications.

The evaluation process will consider the following key elements: 

• Engagement of the Local Administration involved in the free musical performance (30%) 

• Music group’s added value in terms of diversity/interculturalism and community rooting (30%) 

• Dissemination plan of the free musical performance at the local level (10%) 

• Environmental sustainability, gender equality and social responsibility approach (9%) 

• Inclusive target audience of the concert at the community level (6%) 

• Overall objective and quality of the proposal (15%) 

Applications should be complete and comprehensive and provide a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be used (venues, equipment, live stream, materials, fees, local transportation, main meals, and other necessary elements to carry out the proposed activity), ensuring all elements are covered. 

Each selected leading entity will receive a lump sum allocation of up to 3.500 euro to contribute to cover the costs of organising the free musical performance and other related expenses.  An additional up to 500 euro may be allocated to the selected proposals that live stream the concert through professional equipment and share it with the ALF Secretariat.  

For more information about the eligibility criteria and application process please visit ALF's official website.

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Main image:  ARTO SURAJ on Unsplash