IMPORTANT DATES
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
PartArt4OW is looking for interdisciplinary and intersectoral projects mixing art, science and participatory practices in innovative ways. We believe that collaborations between the creative and cultural sectors, the scientific community and the civic society organisations can lead to stronger projects.
THE SECOND OPEN CALL CHALLENGE
Engaging Mediterranean Communities to prevent,
study and
tackle water pollution.
We are looking for proposals that actively engage citizens and move beyond awareness-raising by combining science-based research with innovative, often understudied artistic practices to co-create new ways of understanding and tackling pollution.
Proposals can focus on any type of pollution, such as solid waste, chemical pollution, nutrient pollution, micro- and nanopollutants, biological pollution, noise, light, thermal, or pathogen pollution.
We welcome approaches that adopt a whole-system perspective, explore pollution’s hidden and uncertain aspects, and examine how pollution reshapes communities and their futures.
Before writing your proposal read carefully the full text of
the Second
Open Call Challenge (see the Guide for Applicants)
and be
sure to fully align with it!
THE PARTART4OW SAILING LAB
This second open call is exclusively for proposals that can host the PartArt4OW Sailing Lab in a yacht harbor or marina during its Mediterranean tour.
What is the PartArt4OW Sailing Lab?
The PartArt4OW Sailing Lab is a 15-metre sailboat traveling across the western Mediterranean to connect, document, and promote the work of selected PAIs (Participatory Art Initiatives).
- Route & Dates: The Sailing Lab will sail from Nettuno (Rome) to Badalona (Barcelona) between 21 June and 26 July 2026, visiting selected PAIs along the way.
-
Sailing Lab activities: During each stop, the
Sailing
Lab team will attend the hosted events, meet artists, experts, and
community members, conduct video interviews, and produce
high-quality
photo and video documentation. The goal is to strengthen connections
among creative communities and increase the visibility of the PAIs.
What is expected from applicants?
- Organise one event (ideally the final event of your programme) in a harbor or marina within the area marked in red on the map below, and within the Sailing Lab tour period (21 June – 26 July 2026).
- Provide a Letter of Intent from the relevant harbor or marina confirming their willingness to host the Sailing Lab. (The letter template can be downloaded at the bottom of this page).
- More details are available in the Guide for Applicants.
Applications must be accompanied by a Letter of Intent of a relevant harbor or marina (see the Guide of Applicants for more details and download the Letter of Intent template at the bottom of this page)
All artistic and creative expressions are welcome!
Including but not limited to the following expressions
VISUAL: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts, and architecture
LITERARY: prose, fiction, drama, poetry
PERFORMING: dance, drama, music, action art, street art
OTHER: new media, digital art, fashion design, gaming
Diversity matters
PartArt4OW in committed to making ocean literacy accessible to all, thus priority will be given to projects involving people from under-represented groups and/or groups at risk of social exclusion and discrimination (refugees, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQI+ community, individuals with disabilities, low income families, etc). Special attention should be given to people with low exposure to art and science and with scarce cultural consumption and educational opportunities.
Acting on what we preach!
We expect projects to be fully sustainable, including the use of sustainable materials, circular solutions and renewable energy. Proposals, if selected, must commit to a Climate Pact Pledge and should work towards full decarbonisation or at least carbon neutrality of the project and of all the proposed activities.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Funding and support to deliver a 6 month project
- A maximum lump sum of €50,000 per project
- Mentorship and training
- An intensive 3-day online bootcamp, providing learning and exchange opportunities on the PartArt4OW topics
- Guidance from experts on participatory and creative processes; on creative and innovative artistic expression, and on the conservation and protection of marine and freshwater ecosystems
- Networking and peer learning opportunities
-
Promotion and visibility through PartArt4OW online channels,
events
and connection with related communities
Funds will be disbursed in two stages: 50% at the beginning of the project and the remaining 50% after the final review, upon successful completion of the project and submission of the required deliverables.
WHO CAN APPLY
Consortia
- All partners must meet all eligibility criteria
- A lead partner must be designated to submit the application, engage with the PartArt4OW team, receive and manage the budget
- Each entity may participate in only one application, either as an individual applicant or as part of a consortium
- Applicants must be established or resident in EU Member States or third countries in Europe that are associated or negotiating an association agreement with Horizon Europe
Individuals
- Individuals must meet all eligibility criteria
- Each individual may participate in only one application, either as an individual applicant or as part of a consortium
-
Applicants must be established or resident in EU Member States or
third countries in Europe that are associated or negotiating an
association agreement with Horizon Europe
*** Detailed eligibility criteria can be found in the
Guidelines
for Applicants
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Any Questions?
All the information you need about the open call, the evaluation
process
and the accelerator are in the Guidelines for Applicants and the
FAQs
which are linked above.
If you need any further assistance please contact us at opencallpartart4ow@gmail.com
Webinars & Matchmaking sessions
Thinking of applying to the PartArt4OW First Open Call?
Join one of our webinars to learn more about the application
process and what the Accelerator offers. Each webinar will be
followed by a matchmaking session, where you can connect with
researchers, artists, and civic society organisations seeking
partners for their proposals.
The registration link for webinars and matchmaking sessions
will be available soon – stay tuned!
IMPORTANT DATES
WHEN TO APPLY
WHEN WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR AN INTERVIEW?
WHEN WILL THE INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE?
WHEN WILL THE ACCELERATOR START?
