This call for proposals is dedicated to international organizations and events (festivals, professional gatherings, markets, fairs, conventions, etc.), both in sub-Saharan Africa and in the European Union, that host delegations of professionals (excluding artists) from the two continents.

The Connect and Create programme is an initiative implemented by the Goethe-Institut and Expertise France, in collaboration with the Institut français and with the support of the European Union. It seeks to foster collaboration, exchange, and circulation, both within the African continent and between Sub-Saharan Africa and European Union countries. Particular attention is given to the active involvement of young people and the promotion of cultural diversity. Connect and Create is the sub-Saharan Africa component of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme.

Connect and Create # Professional Mobility supports the mobility of performing arts and music professionals from sub-Saharan Africa and the European Union. These mobilities take the form of integrated programmes within international events or major cultural gatherings.

Objectives

Selected projects should foster:

• the discovery of local and international artistic scenes

• training activities and mutual learning

• experience-sharing and professional networking. 

Composition of delegations

Delegations must include at least 8 cultural professionals, aged over 18, from one of the 48 sub-Saharan African, countries or one of the 27 EU countries.

Delegations must demonstrate a strong international dimension:

• with at least 5 different nationalities for delegations of 8 to 10 professionals

• with at least 8 different nationalities for delegations of more than 10 professionals.

Eligible profiles

Delegations may include, among others:

• event organizers

• programmers, producers, and agents

• network managers

• representatives of companies and festivals,

• technical, communications, and public relations managers.

Eligible events

Mobility programmes may be integrated into:

• festivals, biennials, and major international events

• fairs, markets, and conventions

• summits, seminars, symposiums, and workshops.

Supported mobility

To Europe: support will apply exclusively to African professionals

To sub-Saharan Africa: support may apply to both African and European professionals. 

Priority will be given to projects that:

• innovative projects that build lasting collaborations, strengthen creative ecosystems, and boost the growth of the creative economy

• Highlight young generations, emerging artistic scenes, and new contemporary creative practices

• Integrate eco-responsible approaches in their implementation

• Actively address issues of inclusion (gender, disability, etc.) 

Deadline for applications 1/2: November 30th 2025 (23h59 CET)

Deadline for applications 2/2: June 30th 2026 (23h59 CET)

Selection committee 1/2 : January 2026

Selection committee 2/2 : (to be determined later)

Announcement of selected projects 1/2 : février 2026

Announcement of selected projects 2/2 : (to be determined later)

Applicants are invited to download the regulations governing grants awarded by Expertise France, as well as the preliminary documents available below.

Règlements Mobilités de professionnels FR 

Rules Professional mobilities fund ENG

Documents préalables à télécharger FR

Preliminary documents to download ENG

contact

Laetitia CHANTRAIT / Expertise France

Project Manager

Territorial Attractiveness, Culture and Heritage Division

Sustainable and Inclusive Economy Department

Mantchini TRAORÉ / Institut français

Project Manager for ICC and Artistic Cooperation in Africa

Culture and Solidarity Partnerships Division

Cooperation, Dialogue, Languages and Societies Department

connectandcreate@expertisefrance.fr