Culture for Democracy Project: Supported Projects within the Call for Job Shadowing Training and Capacity Building for Cultural Organisations and Professionals

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Heartefact Foundation announces the selected organizations and individuals in the field of culture and arts who have been awarded grants for job shadowing training and capacity building within the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project.

Heartefact is awarding grants in this category for the second time, aiming to facilitate knowledge and experience exchange among independent cultural actors and strengthen the capacities of organizations engaged in the field of culture and arts.

Job shadowing is based on knowledge transfer, skills sharing, and learning from peers’ practical experience, and it is implemented through internships and on-the-job training.

In the context of this call, the Culture for Democracy project received a total of 27 applications, out of which 4 were approved for funding. The total approved funds amount to: 1,750,000 RSD (approximately 15,000 CHF), while the individual value of approved financial support ranges from 350,000 RSD to 470,000 RSD. The organizations whose projects were proposed for funding come from Belgrade and Preševo, and the activities will be implemented in Belgrade, Čačak, and Bujanovac.

The organizations selected through the open call for Job Shadowing are:

Applicant: Art Aparat, Belgrade; Model: internship – 346,200 RSD
Applicant: Talas TIRV Collective, Belgrade; Model:internship – 350,000 RSD
Applicant: WCSCD / What Could/Should Curating Do, Belgrade; Model: job shadowing – 496, 700 RSD
Applicant: Cultural Association Dituria, Preševo; Model: job shadowing – 346, 000 RSD

The Culture for Democracy Project (CfD) is the first comprehensive, long-term intervention in the field of culture and arts in Serbia supported by the Swiss Government. Its aim is to contribute to strengthening the independent cultural sector so that it can foster greater social cohesion and tolerance at the local level. The first phase of the project runs from October 2021 to February 2025 and is implemented by Heartefact Foundation.

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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.