Applications open: January 26, 2026

Deadline: March 31, 2026

Results announced: July 31, 2026

While each local ecology is a world unto itself, the interaction of one world with another can inspire novel strategies and solutions that may have exceeded our specific imaginations.

That is the core idea behind the Creative Caravans pillar. How can we make sure our ideas, projects, films, solutions travel in a world where border restrictions, censorship and atomization limit our ability to commune with one another?

For the Creative Caravans pillar, this question breaks down into two subpillars that target different aspects of dissemination:

• 1) In the first, we want to support the architecture and people that allow our ideas to travel, that allow us to see and think about art and culture, from festivals and exhibitions, to residencies that regionally circulate, tour and disseminate artistic and cultural works. Whether digital or physical, intimate or public, what matters is the project’s ability to move — across borders, languages, communities, or platforms — and to carry with it with a sense of shared urgency.
• 2) The second concerns media and the ways we address global and local challenges through arts and culture writing and multimedia production. Central to this work is storytelling: a way of making sense of the world, connecting lives and imagining alternatives. But stories do not simply present themselves, nor do they travel on their own. They are shaped, crafted and interpreted. Media practitioners determine not only how to tell a story, but what a story is in the first place. Media platforms then shape how meaning moves: framing narratives, filtering voices and determining what reaches whom. They do not simply relay the story. They create the conditions for engagement. At their best, they can open space for knowledge and perspectives that have long remained at the margins.

How can we infuse our regional media practices — in whatever format: audio, visual, or written — with the sensitivities that animate the Ecologies of Culture program at large? Can new ecologies of ideas shift how and what we write about? This sub-pillar supports both established and emerging digital media platforms that produce and disseminate stories engaging with the cultural dimensions of today’s global challenges and offer new ways for ideas to move and resonate.

By imagining creative caravans that connect up our local ecologies, we hope to be able to see the full reef even when we are swimming in our own small corner of the regional sea.

Application details

Ineligible candidates

AFAC will not consider applications submitted by:

• Local authorities and governmental entities or structures.
• Members of AFAC’s board of trustees, their business partners or family members.
• AFAC staff members, their business partners or family members.
• Members of the current year’s juror committees.

FESTIVALS AND TOURING PROJECTS

Who can apply

This call is open to structures and organizations — including festivals, exhibitions, residencies — that circulate, tour and disseminate artistic and cultural works in at least one of the nine countries and that engage with or reflect on global issues. Only established organizations who have organized at least two events in one of the nine countries are eligible to apply. Applicants who currently hold an active grant from AFAC — with the exception of NACP Cycle 2 grantees — are eligible to apply. However, priority will be given to applicants who are not currently receiving AFAC funding. Collaborative projects being highly encouraged, NACP Cycle 2 grantees may still be part of a project submitted by another eligible applicant.

Types of eligible projects

Projects may consist of: festivals, exhibitions, residencies or touring cultural events.

Implementation period: Projects must be completed within a maximum of 24 months from the date of signing the grant agreement. Any request for an extension beyond this period will not be granted.

Types of support

1- Financial support
Up to 12 projects will receive funding of up to EUR 65,000 each.

DIGITAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Who can apply

This call is open to independent digital media platforms that:

• Have been operating for at least two years (emerging or established).
• Provide content related either to one of the nine eligible countries and engage with regional or global issues from a cultural perspective.
• Applicants who currently hold an active grant from AFAC — with the exception of NACP Cycle 2 grantees — are eligible to apply. However, priority will be given to applicants who are not currently receiving AFAC funding. Collaborative projects being highly encouraged, NACP Cycle 2 grantees may still be part of a project submitted by another eligible applicant.

Types of eligible projects

Projects may consist of: journals, podcasts, artistic videos, and the development of critical content related to arts, culture and global issues, as well as the expansion and sustainability of cultural content on independent digital media platforms.

Implementation period: Projects must be completed within a maximum of 24 months from the date of signing the grant agreement. Any request for an extension beyond this period will not be granted.

Types of support

1- Financial support
Up to 14 independent digital media platforms working to expand their coverage of arts and culture and global issues will be supported:

• Up to 7 emerging platforms: up to EUR 15,000 each.
• Up to 7 established platforms: up to EUR 25,000 each.

2- Capacity-Building
Selected grantees are offered:

• A three-day training on content creation, digital tools and coverage of global issues.
• Peer-to-peer learning with representatives from established digital platforms.
• One-on-one mentorship and project support.
• Online webinars on gender equality and climate change.

How to Apply

APPLY HERE

Applications are only accepted through our online form which is available on our website. Applications submitted via regular mail or e-mail will not be accepted.

The applicant will receive a confirmation email once the online application has been received. Applicants are advised to follow up on the full completion and delivery of requested material as AFAC will not contact applicants if any part of their application is incomplete.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

The deadline to submit your Creative Caravans application is 31 March 2026 at 5:00 PM +3 GMT (Beirut time).

Please submit your application 24 hours before the deadline so we can help you in case of any technical difficulties.

We will not be able to assist you with any technical issues on the deadline day.

Preview the application forms

• Festivals and touring projects
• Digital media platforms