Call for applications: ANT Adaptation Fund in Zambia and Zimbabwe

The fund seeks to develop and realise adapted working practices, novel approaches to individual and organisational sustainability, as well as support the growth of new networks and markets with the rest of the continent. It also aims to sustain the creative industries in the two countries following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought arts operations to a halt.

The ANT Adaptation Fund is targeting proposals that explore new ways of working in the emerging post-COVID-19 reality of economic contraction, digital adaptation, a reduced local consumption base, ongoing challenges to infrastructure supporting the arts, and continued constraints on international mobility and touring.

Key focus areas

The fund supports projects and activities that involve one or more of the following areas of action supporting sustainability for individuals and organisations in Zambia and Zimbabwe:

• Transnational collaboration within the region or continent.
• Accessing new audiences and markets, whether domestic, regional or international.
• Digital adaptation, whether at the level of creation, collaboration, distribution, monetisation of artistic practice or work.
• Product and service development towards diversification of income streams.
• New approaches to partnership or collaboration between non-profit, commercial and/or public entities.

Applications should relate to at least one of the following disciplines:

• Music
• Performing arts: theatre, live arts and dance.
• Digital arts, gaming and new media.
• Visual art, craft and design.
• Literature and publishing.
• Multi or cross-disciplinary applications of the arts.

Activities and projects should take place between July and December 2021.

Finance can be assigned to the following types of costs or expenses:

• Time: the applicants’ time to develop new concepts, activities, products and projects (this should not exceed a third of the overall request. In the case of organisations this can be assigned to salaries.
• Tools: materials and equipment supporting new production methods and/or digital adaptation; software and hardware supporting digital adaptation; IT and connectivity costs, etc.
• Travel: local and international travel costs supporting collaboration, project development, presentation of work, etc. (including visa and accommodation costs). Note: Only economy flights are supported; per diem costs are supported up to $30 per day per person, and accommodation costs should not exceed $60 per person each night.
• Expertise: fees for creative collaborators, training, mentoring and support; organisational development expertise (for organisations and companies); promotional and marketing costs, product and/or service development inputs, etc.

Application process

• Applicants should address one or more of the key focus areas and disciplines mentioned above. The maximum value of grants for individuals and informally constituted groups is $3 000.
• Arts companies, festivals and arts organisations or businesses (legally constituted non-profit or commercial entities) are invited to submit proposals that address one or more of the key focus areas and disciplines mentioned above. The maximum value of grants for companies, festivals and arts organisations or businesses is $10 000.

Individuals and informally constituted groups can download the application form here, while arts companies, festivals and organisations can download the application form here. Completed applications must be submitted via email at [email protected].

The application deadline is 6 June. Successful applicants will be contacted and announced via the Pro Helvetia website at the end of June 2021.

View the original call here.