Perform EU

Perform Europe is a funding scheme offering EUR 1.4 million for performing arts collaborations across all 41 Creative Europe countries. Perform Europe supports partnership proposals which reinvent the way we tour across borders.

The highly successful Perform Europe pilot (2020–2022) and second edition (2023–2026), was coordinated by a Consortium of six organisations; five major performing arts networks, IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts, European Festivals Association (EFA), European Dance Development Network (EDN), Circostrada, Pearle* - Live Performance Europe together with the research organisation IDEA Consult.  

Co-funded by the European Union, Perform Europe has granted a total of €3.5 million to 61 cross-border macro-projects involving 272 partners. Together, they have toured over 80 artistic works across 41 countries, reaching new audiences and testing innovative approaches to inclusion, sustainability and cooperation.

Building on these achievements, the third and final edition of Perform Europe under the current Creative Europe programme (2021-2028) will continue to explore, together with the performing arts sector, how cross-border touring can become fairer, greener and more inclusive, while further consolidating the knowledge, partnerships and practices developed through the programme.

By the end of this third edition, Perform Europe will have supported at least 86 cross-border touring projects in total, building a substantial body of experience and knowledge that continues to strengthen the European performing arts ecosystem.

Keywords: performing arts, theatre, dance, performance, circus, outdoor arts, puppetry, interdisciplinary, change-makers, inclusion, diversity, fight against climate change, sustainability, fairness, cross-border mobility, innovation

Do you have an innovative idea that resonates with these keywords? Read on! 

PRIORITIES OF PERFORM EUROPE

Proposals are submitted by collaboration partnerships of performing arts professionals and organisations. Partners should work on their proposal together. This is a call to the sector to create partnerships and propose impactful ideas that can generate real change via two main priorities:

1. INCLUSION & DIVERSITY
2. FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Each proposal should choose one of the above main priorities to focus on, while still taking into account and implementing measures related to the second priority.

In addition, all proposals should aim for quality and innovation, be built on fair practices, and are encouraged to promote collaboration across different regions within the 41 Creative Europe countries.

Read more about the priorities in our guidelines below.

CONDITIONS OF THE CALL

The open call was launched on 23 June 2026. We invite you now to build partnerships, jointly develop proposals, and submit them through our website before 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST.

FUNDING 

Perform Europe will grant EUR 1.4 million to at least 25 partnerships. 

Partnerships can apply for grants in three categories:

1. EUR 15,000 - small grant
2. EUR 25,000 - medium grant
3. EUR 55,000 - large grant

In addition to the requested grant category, partnerships can request top-ups to address the sustainability and accessibility needs of their proposal. Each partnership may request any combination of the available top-ups, up to a maximum total top-up request of EUR 5,000 per proposal.

The maximum granted amount, including top-ups, will be EUR 60,000, a requirement set by the funder, the European Union.

Of the total funding, 5% will be allocated to proposals which involve a partnership with Ukrainian partners or support initiatives for the Ukrainian performing arts sector.

WHO CAN APPLY

Any organisation and professional working in the performing arts, and legally based in one of the Creative Europe Countries (27 EU member states plus 14 non-EU Participating Countries). 

PARTNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Proposals are submitted by partnerships. Each partnership must consist of a minimum of three partners from a minimum of three Creative Europe countries. Each proposal must include at least one performing arts work (excluding live music and opera) to be presented in a minimum of three different Creative Europe countries.

Important to note: Perform Europe will not cover production costs for new creations: proposals are supposed to include a finished artistic work (finished production or an artistic concept ready to be applied and presented in different contexts). 

Looking for partners? Use the Matchmaking Platform on the Perform Europe website to join a community of over 2,300 performing arts organisations and professionals from 41 countries looking to make changes in the sector.

TIMELINE 

1. 23 June 2026: Launch of the open call
2. 22 October 2026 23:59 CEST: Deadline for submitting proposals
3. January 2027: Announcement of selected partnerships
4. 1 March 2027: Selected proposals start touring
5. 31 January 2028: Selected proposals finish touring

During the open call period, Perform Europe will organise help desk sessions, information, promotion and knowledge-sharing events regarding the open call. Check out the events calendar for more details.

GET READY TO APPLY 

1. Read the full open call guidelines below
2. Register and apply on the Perform Europe website 
3. Apply before Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

1. Perform Europe Open Call and Guidelines
2. PDF-version of the digital application form
3. Budget template
4. Cooperation agreement template
5. Co-financing commitment letter template
6. Frequently Asked Questions 

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

1. Perform Europe Conversation Starter for building partnerships and designing your proposal
2. Perform Europe Guidebook and Resources for inspiration and research
3. Help Desk Sessions – for all your questions
4. The Matchmaking Platform – for finding partners

To stay updated about all events and important news, visit our website at performeurope.eu, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media @PerformEurope.

AHEAD TO THE PERFORM EUROPE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.