Heartefact Emergency Call for Action: Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program for Individuals and Organizations

News

Heartefact, a regional multi-disciplinary organization committed to fostering cooperation and dialogue between post-conflict societies in the Western Balkans, is excited to announce an open call for applications for individuals and organizations from Kosovo and Serbia to participate in the visiting program. This four-day visiting program to Kosovo/Serbia (whatever differs from the place of residence of individuals or registration of the organizations) aims to establish new channels of cooperation, understanding, and partnership between the two societies, transcending barriers and fostering a brighter future together.

In light of the sensitive political climate and recent unrests in relations between Belgrade and Prishtina and the pressing need for regional cooperation and the potential for transformative impact, this call for applications invites individuals and organizations from Kosovo and Serbia to participate in two types of visiting programs: for individuals and organizations. Both programs aim to promote understanding, reconciliation, and joint initiatives in various spheres, such as politics, social sciences, dealing with the past, business and economy, human rights, security, IT, arts and culture, and more.

TYPES OF VISITING PROGRAM

Visiting program for individuals: This program offers individuals the opportunity to engage in meaningful exchanges, forge valuable connections, and work towards joint initiatives that address shared challenges. Participants will have a chance to participate in the visiting program which addresses their own interests and serves for strengthening their connections with people and organizations from Kosovo/Serbia, building their capacities for future collaborative actions. The visits will be organized for groups of several people based on their mutual interests.

Visiting program for organizations: This program focuses on organizations seeking partnerships with individuals and organizations from Kosovo/Serbia. It aims to facilitate regional cooperation and project development that promotes understanding, peacebuilding, and sustainable initiatives. Organizations are encouraged to apply in order to strengthen their capacities to work on collaboration initiatives between two societies, meet potential future partners and identify areas of mutual interest for collaboration with organizations from Kosovo/Serbia.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Individuals and organizations must be residents or registered in either Kosovo or Serbia.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and cooperation between the two societies.
Fluency in English is required, as it will be the primary language of communication during the program.
Individuals and organizations with limited experience in cross-border initiatives and participating in regional programs are particularly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Individuals: Prepare up to 2-page proposal in which you should:

Highlight topics you wish to explore during the visit, including key issues of interest and relevance.
Identify individuals and organizations you would like to meet in Serbia/Kosovo who can contribute to your understanding of the relations between two societies and the development of joint initiatives.
Clearly outline an action plan or initiative that you aim to develop during the visit which promotes cooperation and seeks partners from the other society or potential follow up actions you plan to undertake following the participation in the program (such as writing articles and blogs, designing actions, engaging in collaboration initiatives, developing artistic intervention, etc.).
Include a brief personal statement highlighting your motivation, relevant experience, and your commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia.
Propose dates when you would like to take part in the visiting program.

Organizations: Prepare up to 3-page proposal in which you should:

Include a brief overview of your organization, its mission, objectives, and experience in regional and other cross-border initiatives or collaborations.
Clearly articulate the areas or themes in which you seek partnership with individuals or organizations from Kosovo/Serbia (whatever differs from the place of the registration of your organization).
Identify specific project idea(s) or initiative(s) which you plan to develop and outline the expected outcomes or impact.
Include a brief statement on how the partnership that you seek in Kosovo/Serbia aligns with your organization’s long-term goals and objectives.
Highlight any existing relationships or connections with individuals or organizations from Kosovo/Serbia, if applicable.
Propose dates when you would like to take part in the visiting program and the number of people who would participate in it.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Please submit your application in English via email [email protected], specifying whether you are applying for the Kosovo-Serbia Visiting Program for Individuals or Organizations. Include all relevant documents and information in a single PDF or Word document.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Deadline: 14 July
Selection Announcement: Applicants will be contacted as the applications are received
Program Duration: 4 days
Program Realization: July-October, depending on the availability of the applicants

BENEFITS

Access to a network of professionals, organizations, and experts working towards fostering cooperation and understanding between Kosovo and Serbia.
Potential to develop joint initiatives and partnerships that address shared challenges.
Covered all expenses related to travel, accommodation, food, and refreshments during visiting program.

For any further inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].

This program is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy. You can download the call HERE.

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CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT GRANTS (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

The Culture for Development project is announcing the second Call for Institutional Grants Scheme to support well-established cultural organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia. The objective of this call is to strengthen the organizational and financial capacities of these organizations by providing financial resources, infrastructural support and capacity building activities. This intervention seeks to enhance organizational stability, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience within the cultural sector.

The First Sarajevo Theatre Showcase Presented Numerous Young Artists to the Regional and European Theatre Public

From September 12 to 15, Sarajevo hosted the first edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, an annual professional event that provides a significant development platform for theatre professionals from Southeast Europe. The Showcase is organized by cultural organizations and theatres from five countries: Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, Heartefact from Serbia, Ulysses Theatre from Croatia, Binario Vivo from Italy, Para Film&Theatre from Norway, and Realstage from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Exhibition of Personal Stories from Marginalized Communities “There’s Room for Everyone” Opened at Heartefact House

The exhibition “There’s Room for Everyone”, part of the campaign of the same name, was officially opened on Thursday, September 4, in the lobby of Heartefact House and will be available to visitors until the end of September. Photographs of various marginalized communities in Serbia, staged inside an elevator, are accompanied by personal testimonies of participants, highlighting that diversity should not be a reason for exclusion, but rather an opportunity for solidarity.

Students from Serbia visited the Short Theatre Festival in Rome within the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices

As part of the final phase of the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices, in which Heartefact and partners from about ten countries have been participating over the past two and a half years, we organized a visit of students from Serbia to the partner festival Short Theatre in Rome. The visit took place from September 5 to 7, during the 20th anniversary edition of this renowned festival.

The project “Culture for Development” announces to the public the names of the projects that received support within the first call!

The grants for cultural and artistic projects are awarded for the development and implementation of socially relevant contemporary art projects that contribute to the enrichment of culture and promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and encourage community development.

Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.