Halaqat (2024-2027): European Commission funds a €2 million project to strengthen cultural actors in Europe and the MENA region to artistically reflect on topics of gender equality.

The European Commission (DG Near) has signed an agreement with the Goethe-Institut to implement the €2 million project Halaqat (2024-2027). While strengthening cultural relationships between the EU, Middle East and North Africa (MENA region), the reflection of different perspectives and mutual learning from experiences are key to the project.

« I truly feel moved with the projects that are designed to enable Arab artists’ mobility and the opportunities that makes them feel as givers; not only receivers. »

Abd Al-Hadi Abunahleh – Founder & Director of Studio 8 and
IDEA – International Dance Encounters Amman (JORDAN) about Halaqat I

The project follows its successful predecessor Halaqat which started in 2021 and was co-financed by the European Union (under the designation: EU-LAS CULTURE), the Goethe-Institut and Bozar – Centre for Fine Arts Brussels. The networks, knowledge, lessons learned and exchanges from this first phase inform the design of the new iteration of Halaqat, with a greater focus on gender equality.

The project will be primarily implemented in the MENA region, (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco), as well as in Belgium and include:

• Grants for artists and curators, residency hosting organisations, festivals and projects
• Showcasing: public events and awareness campaigns
• Capacity-building: workshops and mentorship

The project addresses four distinct target groups, each with a distinct sub-granting scheme, capacity building and showcasing:

1. festivals
2. artist-in-residency host organisations
3. individual artists and curators
4. civil society/non-governmental organisations

Halaqat (2024-2027) is entirely funded by the European Union. The current iteration of the programme is foreseen to be implemented over 32 months, from fall 2024 until spring 2027.

The first open calls are expected by late 2024.