2015-06-22

Call for Applications: Robert Bosch Foundation Programme

Are you working in the cultural sphere (non-profit), public administration (public body & institutions) or the private sector (for-profit)? Do you have project ideas on how to contribute to the development of your city, together with partners from other sectors, and in a participatory and sustainable way? Are you looking for inspiration, knowledge-transfer and international exchange? If so, feel invited to apply to the program Actors of Urban Change. Urban Development through Cultural Activities and Cross-Sector Collaboration in Europe! It aims to achieve sustainable and participatory urban development through cultural activities. Participants are given an opportunity to strengthen their competencies in cross-sector collaboration. Through local projects, process-related consulting, and Europe-wide exchange, the program participants put their skills into practice.
Program Offers and Activities

The pilot stage of the program ran from autumn of 2013 until summer of 2015. The second round starts in December 2015 and runs until May 2017.

An actor from the cultural scene/civil society, the administration, and the private sector form a cross-sector team to implement an innovative local project. Over the course of 18 months, ten teams from various European cities receive support for the implementation of their joint local projects and obtain professional qualification, as well as networking opportunities.

The support for the local Laboratories consists of Project Grants of up to 5,000 as well as tailored support by local or international experts through Process-Related Consulting Grants of up to 5,000 .

Qualification of the program participants is fostered through five international Academy meetings in different European cities, which offer lectures, facilitated workshops, peer learning sessions and field trips. Besides, every participant is given the chance to spend a Shadowing Internship of up to 10 days in other program participants cities and thereby to share experiences, learn from one another, and to extend perspectives from a local to an international level. Moreover, participants profit from becoming part of a European network: They can exchange among them during through in-person meetings during the international Academy sessions and the Shadowing Internships and through virtual exchange through an online-platform and community.

At a local level, the teams receive project grants and individual support for their local projects through customized tools from experts such as coaching, moderation, counseling, process analysis etc. During the international Actors of Urban Change Academy, advanced training is given on topics such as project- and processmanagement, as well as transition management, citizen participation or design and implementation of cross-sector collaborations. Shadowing internships in other participants cities allow sharing of experiences and mutual learning, and help to extend perspectives from a local to an international level. Throughout the process, participants receive practical support for project and formal issues from the program management.

Potential Topics and Scope of Projects

From the programs perspective, urban change is not focused on formal processes of urban planning or development, but rather on strengthening community-driven engagement for local urban development. In this context, potential topics to be addressed include citizens participation, affordable housing/gentrification, inclusion/integration, cultural diversity, accessibility of (formerly) public urban resources and spaces, sustainable mobility, health and physical activity, green city/climate change, etc.

Social changes are intensified in urban contexts where the associated opportunities and risks appear in particularly pronounced ways. From a citizens perspective, the boundaries between sectors become more permeable and at the same time allow for cross-sector collaboration in urban development. We consider culture to be a fundamental dimension within the realm of sustainable development. Cultural activities have the potential to create meaning and identity, promote participation and social inclusion, and play an important role in the positive development of cities in terms of a common good.

Application

Actors of Urban Change is designed to strengthen participants skills and practical experience in the field of cross-sector collaboration and participatory urban development. The program addresses actors from the cultural sphere, public administration and the private sector who apply with a draft joint project addressing a particular aspect of urban or community development within their city through cultural activities (e.g. social inclusion, participation, cultural diversity, the responsible use of resources). These projects should be relevant to the citys development, innovative at the local level and involve the local community and citizens. Applicants are expected to have a strong interest in cross-sector collaboration through cultural projects or activities as well as in international exchange.

The call for the next round of the program is open until September 13, 2015. Details about application procedures and the call for applications can be found on the website. A good command of English is a requirement for participation. Applications are welcome from all 47 Council of Europe member states, Kosovo and Belarus.

Established in 1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is one of the major German foundations associated with a private company. It represents the philanthropic and social endeavors of Robert Bosch (1861-1942) and fulfills his legacy in a contemporary manner. The Robert Bosch Stiftung works in the fields of international relations, health, science, education, society, and culture.

MitOst is an international non-profit NGO that promotes cultural exchange and active citizenship in Europe and its neighboring regions, with a focus on Central, Eastern, and South Eastern Europe. It organizes international programs and projects and serves as a platform for new forms of social engagement, promoting cultural exchange and active citizenship to support an active civil society, regardless of cultural, linguistic, and political limitations. With 1,400 members in 40 countries and various partners, MitOst is part of a dynamic European network.
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