Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund: Empowering Creative Professionals in Sierra Leone

Deadline for Applications: March 23, 2026

The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund is an initiative designed to support cultural and creative professionals in Sierra Leone by offering grants of up to 95,000 SLE for short-term mobility across Africa. This funding is aimed at enhancing professional skills, fostering networks, encouraging collaboration, and providing opportunities for career growth.

Objectives of the Programme

The main goals of the Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund include:

• Access to Opportunities: Facilitating access to professional avenues, networks, and markets for cultural professionals.
• Skills Development: Encouraging personal and professional growth through mobility experiences and peer learning.
• Decentralized Participation: Promoting broader participation in the cultural sector throughout Sierra Leone.
• Collaboration: Fostering partnerships and exchanges among creative professionals across Africa.
• Sustainability: Strengthening the long-term viability and capacity of cultural and creative sector actors.

Funding Details

• Maximum Grant: 95,000 SLE per recipient
• Minimum Co-Funding: 10% required (can be in cash or kind)
• Number of Grants Available: Approximately 10–15 grants

Supported Activities

The fund supports a variety of mobility-related activities linked to professional development, such as:

Exploration

• Opportunities to explore new cultural environments.

Development

• Creative Production: Engagement in the production and dissemination of cultural works.
• Collaborations: Involvement in partnerships, co-productions, and co-creations.
• Showcases: Presenting works at exhibitions, performances, or festivals.

Learning

• Skill Development: Formal and informal training opportunities.
• Internships and Workshops: Participation in masterclasses and workshops.
• Peer Learning: Opportunities for knowledge sharing among peers.

Connection

• Networking: Building professional networks and engaging with new audiences through various events like seminars and trade shows.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Reside in Sierra Leone with proof of residential status.
• Be cultural or creative professionals or organizations. This includes:
  • Individual artists and cultural professionals
  • Cultural organizations (NGOs, hubs, collectives)
  • Public cultural institutions
  • Creative businesses registered as structured entities

Supported sectors include architecture, media, crafts, cultural heritage, design, fashion, literature, music, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts.

Mobility Requirements

• Duration of professional mobility must be 1–2 weeks.
• Trips must occur within Africa.
• Mobility must be directly linked to the applicant’s project or career development.

How to Apply

1. Prepare Your Application: Gather necessary documents, including a CV or portfolio.
2. Align Your Project: Clearly articulate how your mobility activities connect to professional growth.
3. Ensure Co-Funding: Prepare for a minimum 10% co-funding requirement.
4. Submit Your Application: Ensure your submission is before the March 23, 2026 deadline.
5. Post-Selection Compliance: Sign a grant agreement and submit a final report within one month of your return to access the remaining funds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planning mobility trips outside Africa.
• Failing to link mobility activities to professional development.
• Not meeting the co-funding requirement.
• Submitting incomplete application forms or missing necessary documents.
• Missing the submission deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply?
   Cultural professionals or organizations based in Sierra Leone, including artists, NGOs, collectives, public institutions, and creative businesses.

2. What is the grant amount?
   Up to 95,000 SLE per project, with an expected 10–15 grants available.

3. Is co-funding required?
   Yes, a minimum of 10% co-funding is mandatory.

4. What activities are eligible?
   Activities related to exploration, creative development, learning, and networking suitable for professional projects.

5. Can mobility be outside Africa?
   No, all mobility must occur within Africa.

6. How long can mobility last?
   Each project can fund mobility lasting 1–2 weeks.

7. What documents are required for the application?
   The application form, along with a one-page CV or portfolio and proof of residence in Sierra Leone.

Conclusion

The Culture Moves Salone Mobility Fund 2026 is an incredible opportunity that empowers cultural and creative professionals in Sierra Leone. By facilitating short-term mobility, recipients can gain valuable experience, cultivate connections, and enhance their careers within the cultural sector.

For further information and to access application forms, please visit KEA.