The VAHA programme is now accepting applications for its third round, running from March 2025 to April 2026. Cultural initiatives and civil society actors from Turkey, other Council of Europe (CoE) countries, and Kosovo are invited to form hubs and propose local and transnational cultural programming activities.
By Creatives Unite CommunityApplication Deadline: February 2, 2025, 23:59 UTC+3
Organisers: Anadolu Kültür and zusa, funded by Stiftung Mercator and European Cultural Foundation
Who is it for: Cultural and civil society organisations in Europe, Turkey, and Kosovo fostering public dialogue and cultural collaboration
Apply here
---
About VAHA III
The VAHA programme, meaning "oasis" in Turkish, seeks to amplify independent arts and culture spaces that advocate for public discussion and dialogue across Europe and Turkey. In the face of growing political, social, and cultural challenges, VAHA III aims to reclaim common spaces and foster solidarity through art and culture.
This round builds on the successes of VAHA I and II, addressing critical issues such as funding cuts, censorship, and political pressures. The initiative supports cultural actors by providing grants, mobility opportunities, and platforms for collaborative programming.
VAHA III Theme:
"Reclaiming Common Spaces Through Art and Culture in Solidarity." The programme responds to pressing global issues, including authoritarianism, societal divisions, and environmental crises, by promoting collective imagination and transnational collaboration.
Who Can Apply:
- Cultural initiatives, art spaces, and civil society organisations from the 46 Council of Europe countries, Turkey and Kosovo
- Hubs must consist of at least two or three organisations, including at least one registered non-profit
- Geographic or thematic hubs are encouraged
Requirements:
- Applicants must organise cultural and artistic public programming
- Collaborations can include art spaces, cultural houses, literary venues, and municipal cultural organisations
What Participants Receive
Funding and Support:
- Local Activity Grant: EUR 12,000 per hub for local programming
- Transnational Networking Meeting: Opportunities to connect with 16 organisations for collaborative exchanges
- Learning and Mobility Grant: EUR 2,000 per organisation for training, networking, and residencies
- Transnational Exchange Grant: EUR 8,000 per exchange for co-programming events
- Public Events: Hosted in Turkey and Germany, these events facilitate dialogue on cultural and social issues
For more details please visit VAHA's official website.
---
Image credit: Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
