Culture for Democracy Serbia
Launched in October 2021, the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project represents Switzerland’s first comprehensive and long-term initiative in the field of arts and culture in Serbia. Initiated and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the project aims to foster social inclusion and tolerance through arts and culture, promote democratic values, empower intercultural dialogue, and advocate for the rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities. The first phase of the CfD project was implemented by Heartefact from 2021 to 2025, during which 89 projects were supported with a total of 1,021,185 CHF. The second phase of the CfD project will be implemented from 2025 to 2028.
The goal of the CfD project is to support the independent cultural sector so that it can contribute to greater social cohesion and tolerance at the local level. In addition to artistic production, the project places a strong emphasis on exchange, collaboration, and learning as core values of its work. The CfD project focuses on independent cultural actors at the local level, acknowledging the evident lack of support they face.
The expected results of the CfD project during the second phase of implementation include:
- Improved organizational capacities and resilience of cultural and artistic actors and organizations, enabling their further development and the effective achievement of their goals.
- Contemporary creative work by individual cultural and artistic actors that fosters critical thinking, social dialogue, and raises awareness of issues that are of immediate relevance to local communities.
Hamam Internacionala – Under the Domes
Hamam Internacionala – Under the Domes is a transnational artistic project that traces this lost geography of togetherness: from Debar, Skopje, and Tetovo, through Prizren, Peć, and Pristina, to Mostar, Stolac, Sarajevo, Vranje, Niš, Novi Pazar, and Belgrade.
Call for Applications for Job Shadowing Program
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. This scheme is open to all cultural and artistic sectors, approaches, and work modalities.
Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia
Within the second call of the Kultura za demokratiju – Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, 18 projects have been selected to receive support through this grant line, with a total value of 195,000 euros (23,000,000 dinars).
Call for Project Proposals: Grants for the Implementation of Artistic Projects by Young and/or Emerging Artists (My First Time)
As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact announces a call aimed at encouraging and supporting the artistic production of young and/or emerging artists in Serbia by enabling them to develop and publicly present their first independent or early artistic productions, initiatives, and/or works.
Call for Project Proposals: Artistic Grants for the Implementation of Cultural and Artistic Projects
As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact is announcing a call for proposals for the implementation of cultural and artistic projects that contribute to the development of society, local communities, and contemporary cultural-artistic practices of the independent sector in Serbia.
12th Bašta Fest: All we need — connection, dialogue, and art!
The 12th Bašta Fest was held in Bajina Bašta, at the Vlaja Cultural Center, where 27 short films from 17 countries were screened over the course of three days. The festival was opened by Nevena Nerandžić, and the audience enjoyed a diverse film and educational program, as well as a stage-cleaning performance that symbolically marked a new beginning.
Pančevo Film Festival: Brave Cinematic Voices Driving Social Change
As part of the “Culture for Democracy” project, supported by the Government of Switzerland, the Pančevo Film Festival was officially opened last week in Pančevo. The ninth edition of the festival reaffirmed PAFF’s reputation as a platform for auteur cinema, social dialogue, and the promotion of young artistic voices.
Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Boost Grants Call
As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact launched the Boost Grants call on June 9, 2025, to support established cultural and artistic organizations in Serbia. The goal of this call was to strengthen the organizational capacities and resilience of independent cultural actors through long-term support, enhanced strategic development, and improved financial sustainability.
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.
Call for Project Proposals – Boost Grants
Within the framework of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact is launching a call for proposals aimed at strengthening the organizational, programmatic, and financial capacities of independent cultural actors in Serbia through multi-annual support.
Call for Project Proposals: Artistic Grants for Implementation of Cultural and Artistic Projects
As part of the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project, Heartefact is announcing a call for proposals for the implementation of cultural and artistic projects that contribute to the development of society, local communities, and contemporary cultural-artistic practices of the independent sector in Serbia. The deadline for submitting project proposals is May 30, 2025, by 5:00 PM.
Culture for Democracy Project: Supported Projects for On-the-Job Training and Capacity Building for Organizations and Professionals in the Field of Culture / Job Shadowing
The Heartefact Fund announces the selected organizations and individuals in the field of culture and the arts who will receive grants under the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project for on-the-job training and capacity building of organizations (Job Shadowing).
CULTURE FOR DEMOCRACY PROJECT: NEW PUBLIC CALL FOR PROPOSALS OPEN
New call for financing cultural and artistic organisations and professionals is open for proposals submission within Culture for Democracy Project targeting programatic and organizational development of cultural organziations.
Project Culture for Democracy: supported new projects under Art Boost grant line
Within the framework of the Culture for Democracy project, the Heartefact Foundation has supported five new organizations through the Art Boost Support grant line, with a total amount of 13,701,000 RSD.
Open call for submission of project proposals for realization of artistic and cultural project is open within the Culture for Democracy project
As part of the Culture for Democracy Project, the Heartefact Fund has open new call within support scheme Grants for Artistic Expressions for submission of the project proposals focused on realization of cultural and artistic projects.
Culture for Democracy Project: Supported Projects within the Call for Job Shadowing Training and Capacity Building for Cultural Organisations and Professionals
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.
Culture for Democracy project: new public call for proposals open
New call for financing cultural and artistic organisations and professionals is open for proposals submission within Culture for Democracy Project targeting programatic and organizational development of cultural organziations. Within the Culture for Democracy Project cultural actors will be provided with resources to unleash their potential for triggering critical and creative thinking around topics of immediate relevance for their communities.
