Open Call Platforms for design-based learning

With this open call, the Fund wants to give an impulse to initiatives that introduce groups of young people and starting designers to Dutch manufacturing and design culture. These include product design, textile and fashion design, spatial design, creative coding or, for example, visual storytelling.

The Fund focuses on (grassroots) initiatives that have a good understanding of what is going on in the living environment of the intended target group and know their needs. These initiatives reach new, potential makers from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

The call is open to platforms, organizations or institutions with a programme focused on the design field or creative culture. Parties in formation can also apply within this open call.

Grants can be applied for within this open call for:

1. Programmes with a duration of up to one year, taking place in 2024, involving one or more professional designers and focusing on one or more of the following activities:
- education (extracurricular), knowledge development or knowledge transfer;
- developing design strategies;
- supporting starting young creators in terms of their portfolio, network and/or starting their own practice.

2. Other activities aimed at:
- the professionalization of one’s own organization;
- strengthening the positioning of the organization.
Please note: This may be a maximum of 35% of the grant amount to be applied for.

In addition to Article 5 of the Open Call Grant Scheme, a grant application within this open call will not be considered if:

1. The same activities are already being subsidised:
- under the Grant Scheme on specific cultural policy (Basic Infrastructure);
- on the basis of another grant scheme of one of the national culture funds.
2. The application is submitted by an educational institution.

Proposals may, however, include a connection with education, or a collaboration with educational institutions, as long as the activities fall outside regular educational practice and school hours. A Summer School programme, for example, is one of the possibilities.

Parties who apply within this open call cannot apply for the same activities for the year 2024 in the 1- and 2-year Activities Programme Grant Scheme.

Before applying, read these three documents:

Open Call Platforms for design-based learning
The assessment of applications is based on the Open Call Platforms for design-based learning. This describes the background and objective, central questions, criteria and procedure.

Grant application guide
In the Grant Application Guide you will find guidelines and tips for preparing a grant application. Based on this, you can draw up the most complete application possible.

Open Call Grant Scheme
The assessment of applications is also based on the Open Call Grant Scheme. This describes the general conditions, grounds for refusal, method of publication, method of submission, assessment, awarding of a grant and subsidy obligations.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the Open Call Platforms for design-based learning and the Open Call Grant Scheme.

assessment criteria
- structure of the programme;
- role and quality of the designers involved;
- accessibility of the programme;
- positioning within the existing infrastructure.

For applications of € 50,000 – € 100,000, an additional assessment criterion applies, namely:
- sustainability of the programme

acceptance
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.

assessment
An independent advisory committee assesses your application on the basis of the Open Call Platforms for design-based learning and the Open Call Grant Scheme. The committee issues a recommendation to the Board of the Fund.

ranking
The assessment of the open call takes the form of a tender: this means that, within the available budget, a number of proposals will be prioritized over other submissions. Only programmes with a positive assessment can be supported.

decision
The Board will take the committee’s recommendation into account in their decision to award the grant or not. You are informed of this decision by means of an official notification.

accountability
If you receive a subsidy from the Fund, you also enter into obligations. Two weeks before completion of your project, you receive an e-mail requesting you to submit your accountability report in the online application environment.

Open Call Platforms for design-based learning
Open Call Grant Scheme
Grant Application Guide