Deadline: February 13, 2026
The Goethe-Institut Grants for Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives 2026 is now open to eligible cultural and heritage organisations across Southern Africa. This funding opportunity supports innovative, collaborative projects that re-imagine tangible and intangible heritage through contemporary storytelling, artistic co-creation, and community engagement.
Under the Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture: Southern Africa programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut, this call aims to strengthen cultural cooperation within Southern Africa and between Africa and Europe by developing new, inclusive heritage narratives.
About the Goethe-Institut Grants for Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives 2026
The Goethe-Institut Grants for Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives 2026 supports selected organisations to lead Narrative Clusters—collaborative platforms where heritage practitioners work alongside artists, creatives, researchers, and cultural workers to reinterpret heritage in innovative and socially relevant ways.
These narrative clusters are designed to:
- Explore the contemporary relevance of heritage
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration
- Encourage community participation
- Produce new cultural narratives that reflect diverse perspectives
Projects may focus on tangible heritage such as historical sites, monuments, and archives, or intangible heritage including oral traditions, music, crafts, rituals, and cultural practices.
Funding Details
- Grant Amount: Up to €55,000 per selected organisation
- Number of Grants: At least eight (8) grants will be awarded
- Funding Structure: Grants are disbursed in instalments, subject to agreed milestones, reporting, and financial reviews
- Project Duration: As defined in the approved proposal and contract agreement
Eligible Costs
The grant may be used to cover the following eligible expenses:
- Personnel and staff costs related to project delivery
- Artistic production and co-creation activities
- Materials, equipment, and production resources
- Travel and accommodation related to project activities
- Workshops, retreats, and public events
- Outreach, communication, and dissemination activities
- Accessibility measures and environmental sustainability actions
All costs must be clearly justified and included in the submitted project budget.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to non-profit, non-governmental legal entities that meet the following criteria:
- Legally registered and operational for at least two (2) years
- Based in one of the following eligible countries:
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
Applicant organisations must:
- Manage, operate, or be closely connected to a tangible heritage site, or
- Be custodians or practitioners of intangible cultural heritage
Priority Consideration
Preference will be given to organisations representing:
- Lesser-known or under-represented heritage sites or practices
- Heritage initiatives located outside major urban centres
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed using the following weighted criteria:
1. Thematic Approach (30%)
- Clarity, relevance, and originality of the heritage theme
- Potential for meaningful narrative development
2. Organisational Capacity (15%)
- Experience managing cultural or heritage projects
- Ability to coordinate and support Narrative Clusters
3. Working Facilities (20%)
- Availability of appropriate spaces and infrastructure for creative work
4. Motivation and Collaboration (20%)
- Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
- Quality of proposed partnerships and co-creation processes
5. Outreach and Engagement (15%)
- Feasibility and impact of public engagement and dissemination strategies
Application Process
All applications must be submitted through the official Goethe-Institut Application Portal (GAP).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to:
- Start early to allow adequate time for concept development
- Prepare a realistic and well-structured budget
- Clearly articulate how heritage narratives will be co-created and shared
Application Deadline
📅 Deadline: 13 February 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Goethe-Institut Grants for Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives 2026 provides a unique opportunity to:
- Reframe heritage from local, community-driven perspectives
- Connect heritage practices with contemporary cultural expression
- Strengthen Africa–Europe cultural dialogue
- Amplify under-represented histories and narratives
Need Support With Your Application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to improve clarity, alignment with evaluation criteria, and overall competitiveness.
