PartArt4OW First Call

Description

The PartArt4OW Open Call is intended to support the implementation of participatory art initiatives (PAIs) addressing the following challenge: “Engage local communities for protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity”. PartArt4OW is looking for interdisciplinary and intersectoral projects mixing art, science and participatory practices in innovative ways. PartArt4OW believes that collaborations between the creative and cultural sectors, the scientific community and the civic society organisations can lead to stronger projects, but this call is also open to individuals. The overall goal of the supported PAI will be to: increase citizens’ ocean literacy increase awareness on the challenges and pressures faced by the ocean and inland waters mobilise citizens and stakeholders for the protection and restoration of oceans and inland waters. For this first open call, the specific challenge to be addressed is that of engaging local communities for protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Participants are free to explore the many aspects and threats related to ocean and water ecosystems and biodiversity (biodiversity loss, algae proliferation, alien specific just to name a few). PartArt4OW is particularly interested in:  the unseen phenomenon, such as those related to climate change or those that are not-seen just because we are too disconnected from our ocean to see how it is changing.  the interdependencies between different aspects of the specific challenge (natural, cultural, political, etc.) you will work on and the related societal implications. Projects can focus on ocean or inland waters or on both at the same time. Priority will be given to projects that engage citizens in different phases of the project and that are able to involve persons belonging to under-represented groups and/or groups at risk of social exclusion and discrimination (refugees, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQI+ community, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, etc). Special attention should be given to those far from art and science and with scarce cultural consumption and educational opportunities. The focus should be on the communities living in close proximity to ocean, water basins and rivers and assure that the project proposed addresses key societal and environmental challenges of those communities. Successful applicants will be expected to design, implement, and present the findings of a participatory art project to be implemented over the course of six months. In these six months period they will be actively engaged in the PartArt4OW Accelerator, which provides mentoring, networking opportunities, and training sessions. Selected projects are expected to be fully sustainable, including the use of sustainable materials, circular solutions and renewable energy. Proposals, if selected, must commit to a Climate Pact Pledge (https://climate-pact.europa.eu/about/about-pact_en) leading to full decarbonisation or at least carbon neutrality of the project and of all the proposed activities. For more information on the objectives and actions expected to be implemented please visit the project website at: https://partart4ow.eu/the-calls.

Beneficiary & submission

Submission process: Applications will be made in English, online, via the submission platform that is accessible via the PartArt4OW website: https://partart4ow.eu/the-calls. Applications will consist of a short proposal (5 pages maximum) presenting the idea, the implementation plan, the resources needed, the team submitting the proposal, the communities engaged/beneficiaries of the initiative and the expected impact. Administrative information will be required too, and a declaration of honour must be signed and uploaded in the submission portal by the applicants. The proposal should follow the template available on the project website: https://partart4ow.eu/the-calls and in the submission platform. The evaluation process can be divided into the following stages: Eligibility check: Funding is available to individuals and legal entities established in a country or territory eligible to receive Horizon Europe grants. Each entity is allowed to participate in one application, either on its own or as part of a consortium. For consortia, all applicants must be eligible. Project activities must take place in EU Member States, or third countries associated with Horizon Europe. All applicants must submit, together with a project proposal, a signed Declaration of Honour. Proposal review: Each proposal will be assessed by at least three reviewers (one from social sciences, one from the artistic/creative domain and one from ocean science) against five criteria: idea, implementation, team and community, impact and feasibility. Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be invited to an online interview with an expert panel. The interviews will consist of a short pitch of the project followed by questions. After the interviews are concluded, the PartArt4OW consortium will decide which applicants will be accepted into the program. See PartArt4OW ‘Guide for applicants’ accessible via the project website for more detailed info on the evaluation process and the selection criteria: https://partart4ow.eu/the-calls

Further information

Further information is available on the dedicated page of the project website: https://partart4ow.eu/the-calls. It is also possible to reach the team responsible for the call by writing to: opencall@partart4OW.eu