15 January 2026 is the submissions deadline. The selected applicant will design and manage the Perform Europe digital platform (2026–2028) and regrant at least 70% of the €2 million budget to a minimum of 25 performing arts projects, reinventing cross-border touring and digital distribution, while prioritizing fair working conditions.
By Creatives Unite NewsroomContinuing Perform Europe, the new call published by the European Commission invites proposals to select one organisation or a consortium of organisations that will be responsible for developing and managing the Perform Europe digital platform (2026-2028).
The new Perform Europe platform aims at making the cross-border touring and digital distribution of performing arts more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative, such as by testing and promoting new touring models that reduce environmental impact and strengthen fair working conditions.
Prioritizing Fair Working Conditions for Artists and Cultural Professionals
Developing and puting into practice artists' and cultural professionals' "good working conditions and fair remuneration" is set in the specific priorities of the new call. The Report of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of EU Member States' experts “The status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals” and the “Mutual learning workshop on Access to social protection for artists” report are expected to be used as a principles basis for the proposals to be submitted.
For example, attribution of credits on all printed and online communication and dissemination material is explicitly required in the call, ensuring recognition and visibility for artists and cultural professionals. Applicants may find more info on the subject of working conditions on the Creatives Unite website, as suggested in the text of the call.
Specific priorities include as well the promotion of inclusion and equal access to distribution opportunities along with a diverse artistic offer. Proposed activities are expected to target both arts professionals and audiences, from ranging geographical and socio-economic backgrounds and including the youth.
Proposals are encouraged to establish synergies between ongoing actions or initiatives under EU policies and Creative Europe supporting the performing arts sectors, such as the first iteration of Perform Europe over the period 2023-2026 and the European Theatre Initiative.
Aiming at “helping the sector to ‘grow’ in a social, human-centred, artistic, economic and environmental sense, with a long-term perspective” proposals are to be in line with the European Commission’s cultural policy and overarching priorities.
Applicants must describe how their project is about to contribute to the EU's efforts on greening and digital transitions, inclusion, gender equality and the international dimension, while supporting the performing arts sector and its sub-sectors, including through projects involving Ukrainian performing artists, cultural professionals and organisations.
Background
The ongoing Perform Europe with a total budget of €2.1 million has distributed grants up €60.000 to 42 innovative partnership projects touring across all 40 Creative Europe countries and prioritizing underrepresented voices.
Funded by the European Commission, the initiative opened in 2021 and was led by a consortium of six organizations, IETM, European Festivals Association, Circostrada, European Dancehouse Network, PEARLE* - Live Performance Europe and IDEA.
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