For cross-sector collaborative projects that offer new perspectives on current crises including the climate crisis, discrimination, migration and asylum crisis, social and opportunity inequality or the housing crisis.
With the Open Call Fresh Perspectives, the Fund supports makers in offering new perspectives on social, cultural, economic and political issues. In doing so, the Fund stimulates cross-sector collaborations in which makers, designers and architects can, together with other organizations, come to new and surprising approaches.
Designers, architects, makers and observers who have been running their own practice for at least three years within the design, digital culture or architecture disciplines can submit an application. Collectives and duos are also welcome.
At least one of the collaboration partners has proven knowledge of the theme that is central to the proposal and is active in an area of expertise that is different from the designer’s. This can include partners like platforms, labs, collectives, knowledge institutions, archives and/or other types of social organizations.
Please note: In this open call we are explicitly stimulating cross-sector collaborations.
Proposals must be submitted by the designer, who will receive the grant.
The open call focuses on collaborations, in which parties work together to approach a social issue in a new way. Depending on the issue, the project can take on different forms, like an activation, programming, a publication, a service or a product.
(duration: max. 5 months – 10 x € 10,000. Start date: 10 June 2024)
You are applying to start up the project. This phase can be used to investigate what the possibilities of a project are. In the application, you should describe the activities aimed at refining the substantive and organizational aspects of the project. For example, you further elaborate a formulated problem or research questions, carry out preliminary research or an experiment, build a prototype or proof of concept, you further flesh out the audience or communication plan and consolidate the collaborations and financing.
Besides describing the activities to be carried out during the initial phase, it is important that you provide an outline of the intended follow-up project as well as the plan for sharing the knowledge acquired and the end results.
(duration of max. 12 months – 5 x € 40,000. Start date: 1 January 2025)
You are applying for the follow-up of the preliminary research and/or experiment from phase 1, i.e. for the implementation of the project. For example, the project could consist of an activation, programming, a publication, a service, a product, a podcast, an event or an intervention. At the end of the project, an appropriate presentation or other form of knowledge sharing is to be organized.
Please note: this amount is awarded in two phases. In this open call, co-financing is possible, but not necessary. Any contribution in terms of time and resources, including co-financing, if any, must be specified and quantified in the budget. You can only apply for phase 2 if you have fully completed phase 1.
In order to prepare the application, it is important to acquire the right information based on the following documents:
The Grant Application Guidelines - Open Call provide guidance and tips on preparing a grant application. You can use them to draw up your application as completely as possible.
Applications are assessed on the basis of the Open Call Fresh perspectives 2024, which describes the reason and objective, design challenges, phases, criteria and procedures.
Applications are also assessed on the basis of the Open Call Grant Scheme, which describes the general conditions, grounds for rejection, manner of publication, submission procedure, assessment, the award and any grant obligations.
Applications are assessed on the basis of the Open Call Fresh perspectives 2024 and the Open Call Grant Scheme.
When assessing applications within phase 1 and phase 2, consideration will be given to:
- The way in which the chosen issue, problem or challenge is addressed;
- The positioning in relation to existing knowledge and developments;
- The motivation and expertise of the partner on the issue;
- The degree to which the project will lead to a distinctive artistic/cultural product within the creative industry.
- The way in which the project is effective in design, methodology and expertise involved.
- The quality and form of the collaboration(s);
- The method of knowledge sharing and the expected (public) reach;
- The extent to which a new perspective is developed.
When you have submitted your application, the Fund Desk will check if your application complies with the formal requirements of the Open Call Grant Scheme.
An independent advisory committee will assess your application on the basis of the Open Call Grant Scheme and the Open Call Fresh perspectives. The committee advises the Fund’s Board.
The Board takes account of the committee’s advice in its decision on the rejection or provision of the grant. You will be notified about the result in a decision.
If you receive a grant from the Fund, then you will have to comply with the obligations. Two weeks before the conclusion of your project, you will be asked by email to submit your accountability form in the application environment.
be clear and do not repeat yourself
support your proposal with visuals
draw up a realistic budget
take into your account your fee and those of partners
ask for feedback and fine-tune your proposal
Do you want to apply for a subsidy under this open call?
Start your applicationIf some of the information is not clear, email your question to Sharvin Ramjan or Maria van der Togt. You can also call on 010 436 16 00. If you have a more general question, have a look at our frequently asked questions first.
