Open call: Catalyst Grant Zimbabwe 2025

The Catalyst Grant aims to facilitate new connections, collaborations, and artistic work among creative sector players. It also seeks to support partnerships between the creative sector and the British Council. Through the Culture Connects programme, the British Council is offering grants of up to $5 000 to support international artistic collaboration projects.

The Catalyst Grant supports the early and conceptual development of new and experimental ideas in the arts and cultural sector. This grant of up to $5 000 offers flexibility, enabling research, experimentation, and project development. Grantees are required to host at least one public event and provide evidence of concept development and/or research conducted.

The Catalyst Grant has three main components:

• Research and insights – For artists, cultural professionals, and creative sector researchers to conduct research in Zimbabwe, between Zimbabwe and the UK, and/or between Zimbabwe and another African country’s creative sectors. This may include travel for scoping purposes to build new connections as part of a long-term programme’s development, though it should not be contingent on it.
• Catalytic experimental artistic projects – For individuals or collaborative teams in Zimbabwe, other African countries, and/or the UK to develop innovative artistic projects. Supported projects must produce at least one publicly available output.
• Collaborative art making – For artists, creatives, and cultural professionals to collaborate on artistic projects that will result in new artwork shared with audiences online or in person in Zimbabwe and the UK.

Applicants should apply here before 23 March 2025.

How to complete the application

• The application form is divided into the following sections:
• Contact details
• Project Proposal
• Project Reach, Impact and Partnerships
• Project Management, Delivery and Budget
• Supporting documents: proposed budget, proposed activity plan, partner letter of intent
• Declaration

Applicants should keep in mind the assessment criteria below as they complete the application:

• Quality: The project proposal is of a high artistic/creative quality, is innovative in its approach and shows consideration how the project might continue after this year of delivery. 30%
• Partnerships: The project proposal is mutually and equally benefitting the collaborative applicants and /or creating opportunities for new connections. 15%
• Management: The project proposal is well planned and resourced and demonstrates equitable use of the budget on proposed key activities. 15%
• Documentation and Communication: The project proposal includes a plan to share / document the process / outputs/ outcomes. 15%
• Theme and relevance: The project proposal addresses equality, diversity, inclusion, or environmental sustainability. 25%