Travel grants Balkans/Turkey 2023

General information
The growth off the immigrant population in Europe has brought about complex societal challenges – also in Switzerland. In view of this development, the Landis & Gyr Foundation’s work in Central and Eastern Europe includes supporting projects that focus on the Balkans and Turkey. Unlike the residencies, which are for a specific location abroad, the travel grants are not primarily designed to promote individuals, but rather a project-based approach to a socially relevant theme.

Kind of support/projects supported
The goal of the travel grants is to become better acquainted with the people and cultures of the Balkans and Turkey, to promote deeper understanding of the complex reality of lived experience in these regions, and to foster mutual interest and respect, especially as the area is the homeland of many immigrants who have settled in Switzerland. How project results will be communicated in Switzerland is lent particular weight in the selection process. Grant recipients are free choose where and when they will travel, although the Foundation encourages them to conduct a part of their research on site in the Balkans or Turkey. The Foundation has provided for the award of several grants every year; the grants are disbursed over a period of roughly six months (or distributed over an entire year, if required). The Foundation assumes expenses for project costs as well as travel and living costs. The grant is paid out in instalments during the project after receipt of progress reports.

Who may apply
Applications are accepted from Swiss cultural professionals as well as non-Swiss cultural professionals whose official residence has been in Switzerland for three or more years at the time of submitting the application. Applicants must have a professional record of achievement in an artistic, scholarly, journalistic or socio-cultural field; moreover, they must propose a convincing project with a particular connection to the geographic and cultural area (Balkans/Turkey) and with societal relevance for Switzerland. The travel grants are not designed to support students or cultural workers at the start of their careers. There is no age limit.  

Past recipients of a Landis & Gyr grant (residency, travel grant or artist grant) must wait at least three years before submitting a new application. The reference date is the date the final report was submitted. Persons who have unsuccessfully applied for a grant three times must wait three years before applying again. The reference date is the date the final report was submitted.

Conditions
The aspect of communicating project results in Switzerland is of central importance: the application documents must include a communication strategy that, if possible, is linked to an official event organiser or institution in Switzerland. 

Evaluation criteria

•  Level of artistic proficiency: artistic record of achievement and potential
• Need and motivation: personal and artistic relationship to the Balkans/Turkey as well as the added value the travel grant has for future artistic development
• Organisational clarity and project quality
• Impact: potential for reaching an audience and accessibility of project; expected echo

Final submission
The application must include the following documents:

• Documentation/portfolio of artistic career and activities including curriculum vitae (Please also provide a list of any grants and awards received to date, as well as previous residencies. All links in the document must be set as hyperlinks.)
• Letter of motivation/reason for application
• Project idea/description of planned activities including communication strategy and budget

Applications are accepted in German, French, Italian and English. German is the language of correspondence.

Selection process
The application documents must be submitted by 31 January 2022 at the latest. Confirmation of receipt will be sent via email by mid-February 2022.

All applications submitted will be reviewed, then submitted to the Foundation Board. Applicants who are not shortlisted will be informed in writing at the beginning of April 2022 (information sent to the address given in the application). The final decision on awarding a travel grant is communicated in writing by the Foundation Board by the end of May 2022.

No further information is given on the selection process.

Contact
Evelyne Lohm, grant coordinator, 041 725 23 58
evelyne.lohm@lg-stiftung.ch (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)

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