Open Call of Perform Europe 2026 – 2028
Reference:
Opening date: 23 June 2026, 9:00 CEST
Deadline: 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
Extended deadline: /
After two highly successful editions (2020-2022 / 2023-2026), Perform Europe will continue to put emphasis on exploring, with the performing arts sector, how cross-border touring can be made fairer, greener, and more inclusive.
Priorities of Perform Europe
Proposals are submitted by collaboration partnerships of performing arts professionals and organisations. Partners should work on their proposal together. This is a call to the sector to create partnerships and propose impactful ideas that can generate real change via two main priorities:
- Inclusion and diversity
- Fight against climate change
Each proposal should choose one of the above main priorities to focus on, while still taking into account and implementing measures related to the second priority.
In addition, all proposals should aim for quality and innovation, be built on fair practices, and are encouraged to promote collaboration across different regions within the 41 Creative Europe countries.
Conditions of the call
The open call was launched on 23 June 2026. We invite you now to build partnerships, jointly develop proposals, and submit them through our website before 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Funding
Perform Europe will grant €1.4 million to at least 25 partnerships.
Partnerships can apply for grants in three categories:
- €15,000 - small grant
- €25,000 - medium grant
- €55,000 - large grant
In addition to the requested grant category, partnerships can request top-ups to address the sustainability and accessibility needs of their proposal. Each partnership may request any combination of the available top-ups, up to a maximum total top-up request of EUR 5,000 per proposal.
The maximum granted amount, including top-ups, will be EUR 60,000, a requirement set by the funder, the European Union.
Of the total funding, 5% will be allocated to proposals which involve a partnership with Ukrainian partners or support initiatives for the Ukrainian performing arts sector.
Who can apply
Any organisation and professional working in the performing arts and legally based in one of the Creative Europe Countries (27 EU member states plus 14 non-EU Participating Countries).
Partnership requirements
Proposals are submitted by partnerships. Each partnership must consist of a minimum of three partners from a minimum of three Creative Europe countries. Each proposal must include at least one performing arts work (excluding live music and opera) to be presented in a minimum of three different Creative Europe countries.
Important to note
Perform Europe will not cover production costs for new creations: proposals are supposed to include a finished artistic work (finished production or an artistic concept ready to be applied and presented in different contexts).
Looking for partners?
Use the Matchmaking Platform on the Perform Europe website to join a community of over 2,300 performing arts organisations and professionals from 41 countries looking to make changes in the sector.
Timeline
- 23 June 2026: Launch of the open call
- 22 October 2026 23:59 CEST: Deadline for submitting proposals
- January 2027: Announcement of selected partnerships
- 1 March 2027: Selected proposals start touring
- 31 January 2028: Selected proposals finish touring
During the open call period, Perform Europe will organise help desk sessions, information, promotion and knowledge-sharing events regarding the open call. Check out the events calendar for more details.