Ecologies of Culture | FAQs
What is Ecologies of Culture?
Ecologies of Culture is a four-year program (2025-2029) led by AFAC, in partnership with Oxfam, Megaphone, and Echos Electrik, and co-funded by the European Union. The program aims to raise awareness and inspire action on global issues, strengthen cultural infrastructures and networks, foster cross-sectoral collaboration, support civic engagement, and empower cultural actors across the Arab region. This will be achieved through financial support for selected projects, capacity-building and mentorship, and dissemination and showcasing of projects.
Why Ecologies of Culture?
In a time when social, political, and environmental challenges are deeply interconnected, Ecologies of Culture recognizes that solutions cannot rely on conventional scientific and policy frameworks alone. Climate change, gender inequality and digital transformation are not abstract issues, they shape our communities, economies, and ways of living. The program engages artists, cultural practitioners, and cross-sector collaborators to reimagine how we respond to these urgent global realities. It brings cultural perspectives into conversations about urgent global challenges.
Which countries does Ecologies of Culture cover?
The Program will support up to 58 projects across nine Arab countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia.
What are the three pillars under Ecologies of Culture?
Ecologies of Culture is organized around three pillars:
Creative Placemaking, which encourages community-centered cultural projects;
Creative Labs, which fosters cross-sector experimentation and collaborative inquiry;
Creative Caravans, which promotes the circulation of ideas and cultural content across borders.
Together, these pillars aim to catalyze creativity, encourage collaboration, and ensure artists have a meaningful role in co-thinking and co-creating solutions to pressing global challenges.
Creative Placemaking, which encourages community-centered cultural projects;
Creative Labs, which fosters cross-sector experimentation and collaborative inquiry;
Creative Caravans, which promotes the circulation of ideas and cultural content across borders.
Together, these pillars aim to catalyze creativity, encourage collaboration, and ensure artists have a meaningful role in co-thinking and co-creating solutions to pressing global challenges.
Is Ecologies of Culture an annual open call or a one-time initiative?
Ecologies of Culture has one open call, under three grant schemes: Creative Placemaking, Creative Labs, and Creative Caravans.
The call for applications for Creative Placemaking and the Creative Labs, opens on September 22, 2025, and closes on November 21, 2025, with results to be announced in March 2026.
The call for applications for Creative Caravans opens in January 2026 and closes in March 2026 (exact dates will be announced at a later stage, with results to be announced in June 2026).
The call for applications for Creative Placemaking and the Creative Labs, opens on September 22, 2025, and closes on November 21, 2025, with results to be announced in March 2026.
The call for applications for Creative Caravans opens in January 2026 and closes in March 2026 (exact dates will be announced at a later stage, with results to be announced in June 2026).
Can an applicant apply to all three pillars?
Applicants may submit only one application for the open call for Creative Placemaking or Creative Labs. Those who apply to one of these two may also apply to Creative Caravans when that call opens. However, each applicant is eligible to receive only one grant through the program. If an applicant is awarded a grant under Creative Placemaking or Creative Labs, any later application to Creative Caravans will be automatically discarded.
Can I apply if I have previously benefited from an AFAC grant?
Yes.
Are applicants who currently have an open grant from AFAC in any category eligible to apply?
Yes, applicants who currently hold an active grant from AFAC or have an application in process — 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.
Does AFAC offer 100% funding for projects?
Given the high demand for support, AFAC cannot ensure that grantees will receive the full amounts requested. Jurors recommend the amount to be awarded, taking into account the number of projects selected and the resources available.
Am I eligible to apply for Ecologies of Culture grant if I am not from the nine countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia)
but my work addresses these nine countries?
No, eligible applicants are local entities or individuals from one of the nine eligible countries. International and foreign organizations, including UN agencies are not eligible to apply.
However, in the “Creative Labs” call, entities or individuals who are not from the nine eligible countries may participate as co-creators. While applications must be submitted by an individual, collective, structure, institution, or organization based in one of the nine eligible countries, co-creators may be based outside these countries, provided they are not the lead applicant.
However, in the “Creative Labs” call, entities or individuals who are not from the nine eligible countries may participate as co-creators. While applications must be submitted by an individual, collective, structure, institution, or organization based in one of the nine eligible countries, co-creators may be based outside these countries, provided they are not the lead applicant.
If we are a second or third co-creator applying for Creative Labs, but the lead organization has no previous projects related to environment, culture, or digitalization—would the application still be eligible?
Yes. The lead organization does not necessarily need prior experience in all of these areas; eligibility is based on the collaborative nature of the proposal. However, each co-creator should bring expertise that is relevant to the project and its feasibility.
I am from one of the nine eligible countries but I live in the diaspora/My institution is based in the diaspora but focuses on one or more of the nine eligible countries. Am I eligible to apply for the Ecologies of Culture Program?
Yes. Applicants may operate outside the nine eligible countries, as long as their work is relevant to and benefits the arts and culture scene, they maintain a strong connection or active role within their communities and region, and their activities are implemented in one of the nine eligible countries.
What is the duration of the grant 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.
Is a no-cost extension available for selected projects?
No, a no-cost extension will not be granted for any selected projects.
How will I know my application has been submitted?
You will receive a confirmation email from the system informing you that you have submitted the application. If you do not receive an email, your application is incomplete and has not been submitted. If you have completed the application, but have not received an email, please
contact
rachad.chamoun@arabculturefund.org.
Is it possible to send updates on my application after the submission?
Yes. Applicants can contact nour.alhalabi@arabculturefund.org for any updates affecting their application as long the results are not announced. However, applicants cannot send a new project file (e.g. new project description) after their application has been submitted.
Do I have to submit my budget with the application?
Yes. Every application will require the completion of the online application form, which includes a budget.
Is it possible to apply for a grant without attaching supporting materials?
No. Every application will require the completion of the online application form, that includes a list of supporting materials to be submitted along with the application form. All supporting material (other than in pdf, word, excel…format) must be uploaded and remain available until the grants’ announcement to sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox or other similar services. Wetransfer or other temporary/expirable links are not accepted.
What materials will I have to submit for my application?
Refer to the application guidelines and template for a complete list of required materials, including any supporting documents.
It is not possible for me to submit an online application due to technical difficulties. Does this mean I cannot apply for the grant?
Yes. AFAC accepts online submissions only. Applications sent via regular mail or e-mail will not be accepted. However, if you are experiencing technical difficulties with the online application, please contact rachad.chamoun@arabculturefund.org for assistance.
In which language(s) can I submit my application?
Applications for Ecologies of Culture can be submitted in either Arabic, English, or French.
Can I apply with a multidisciplinary project?
Yes.
.
Is it possible to apply as an institution if we are registered as a commercial entity and not an NGO?
Applicants may be non-profit, social enterprises, registered, and non-registered entities.