Call for Applications for Job Shadowing Program

Grants for On-the-Job Training and Capacity Building of Cultural Organizations and Professionals / Job Shadowing

As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact is announcing a call for applications for on-the-job training and capacity building of cultural organizations and professionals through the job shadowing model.

About the CfD Project

Launched in October 2021, Culture for Democracy (CfD) is the first comprehensive and long-term initiative by Switzerland in the field of arts and culture in Serbia. Initiated and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the project uses arts and culture as tools to:

foster social inclusion and tolerance,
promote democratic values,
strengthen
intercultural dialogue
advocate for the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

In its first phase (2021–2025), CfD supported 89 projects across Serbia. The second phase of the project will be implemented from 2025 to 2028.

What is Job Shadowing?

Job shadowing aims to build capacities of cultural and artistic professionals in Serbia by providing grants for on-the-job training and learning from practice. It is a knowledge-transfer model based on peer-to-peer learning. This scheme is open to all cultural and artistic sectors, approaches, and work modalities.

Job shadowing may be implemented through two models:

1) Internship model – open to less experienced cultural workers from Serbia who will gain valuable work experience from the host organization and its employees, or

2) On-the-job training model – in which the host organization engages an expert who can contribute to higher quality and more efficient work of the organization and its employees through the exchange of knowledge and experience.

Who CAN apply?

cultural and artistic organizations,
artistic collectives and initiatives,
other legal entities active in the field of arts and culture (such as independent foundations, endowments, limited liability companies, and/or entrepreneurs).

Grant Amount:

The maximum amount that may be awarded per project is 400,000 RSD. The maximum duration of the job shadowing exchange is 4 weeks.

How to Apply?

More information about the call, application process, and required forms can be found at the page dedicated to the Job Shadowing program.

Check the page dedicated to the Job Shadowing program

Application Deadline:

The deadline for submitting project proposals is June 15th, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

Applications are to be sent to [email protected] with the subject line: JS 2026 – name of the applying organization.

For any questions, you can contact us at: [email protected].

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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.