(PERMA)CULTURE OPEN CALL

Open call: Become part of the European Capital of Culture program for 2028!

České Budějovice is preparing for 2028, when it will become the European Capital of Culture. We are looking for cultural projects that bring innovation, appeal to the general public, respond to European challenges, and are based on the local context.

We are opening a call for all those who want to be part of it!

The call expands the ECoC program for 2028 and offers a chance to get involved to organizations that are not running a program from the winning application.

IN THREE YEARS, WE WILL LAUNCH THREE CALLS FOR PROPOSALS, IN WHICH WE WILL DISTIBUTE A TOTAL OF 50 MILION CZK.

The call will be open to organizations:

in 2025 from the South Bohemian Region
in 2026 from the Czech Republic and abroad
in 2027 from the South Bohemian Region (smaller grant call)

2. CALL

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Artistic or cultural output for the public in 2028.
Implementation in České Budějovice or the South Bohemian Region.
Cooperation – regional, national, and international.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The call for proposals in 2026 is open to legal entities and is not restricted by territory. Organizations from the South Bohemian Region, the Czech Republic, the European Union, and even from around the world can apply.

Individuals cannot apply, but they can join project implementation teams.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CALL

HOW TO APPLY?

Project registration by the Applicant is carried out by submitting the application and all mandatory attachments via email to opencall@budejovice2028.cz. The email subject must be: “(Perma)culture Open Call 2026 + [Applicant Name]”

Please include the following in your application:

A detailed description of the project (all pages completed)
Letter of Intent (intention to cooperate with partners: international partner, regional partner).
The organization's founding documents + list of beneficial owners.
Power of attorney for the statutory representative (if relevant).

I WANT TO APPLY

THEME OF THE 2nd CALL

The theme of the (Perma)culture Open Call 2026 is (Perma)culture as a content framework, not as an aesthetic style or a single theme that needs to be illustrated. (Perma)culture is a way of thinking, planning and collaborating that respects the principles of caring for the Earth, caring for people, and caring for the future (responsible use of resources). This is reflected in the content of the project, its implementation, and its impact.

Projects applying to the Open Call should engage with the concept of (Perma)culture in a conscious and concrete way. The aim is not for the project to deal thematically with agriculture or ecology, but to reflect the principles of (Perma)culture in one or more of the following dimensions:

PROCESS

How is the project created and who is involved? We prioritize participatory approaches, cooperation with local actors, communities, schools or European experts from various fields. Transparency, fair conditions and shared responsibility are important.

CONTENT

What topics does the project open up and how? Projects can reflect a person's relationship to place, landscape, society or memory, respond to current challenges or develop local cultural specifics in a European context.

IMPACT

What will remain after the project is completed? (Perma)culture emphasizes long-term benefits – skills development, strengthening community ties, new forms of collaboration, methodologies, infrastructure, or a change in approach to creation and cultural production.

(Perma)culture Open Call 2026 seeks projects that contribute to an open, sustainable and collaborative cultural ecosystem and which perceive culture as a tool for caring for place, people and the future.

ARTISTIC GENRES

The ECOC programme currently consists of over 60 projects across a wide range of genres and formats. However, some genres are under-represented or not represented at all in the ECOC programme.The call is open to all cultural and artistic fields and genres, but the following genres will be given preference in terms of points in the evaluation:

CONTEMPORARY AND CONCEPTUAL FINE ART

site-specific installations and artistic interventions in public space or landscape
conceptual exhibition project with a curatorial framework
participatory art projects involving the public
intermedia and interdisciplinary art projects

AUDIVISUAL, MULTIMEDIA AND DIGITAL ARTS, IMMERSIVE CONTENT, VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT, FILM

immersive audiovisual installation
interactive digital projects in public space
videomapping and large-format projections
projects using VR/AR/XR technologies
artistic or educational video games
multimedia performance connecting image, sound and technology
digital art working with data, AI or game principles
film festival

ARCHITECTURE

temporary architectural pavilions
experimental structures in public space
participatory architectural realizations
intervention in public space
tactical urbanism projects
architectural and artistic installations
research and mapping architectural projects with public output
publications about contemporary South Bohemian architecture

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND FASHION

designer fashion collections and their presentations
experimental fashion performances or shows
designer installations in public spaces
circular and sustainable design projects
interdisciplinary projects connecting design, craft and technology
contemporary design shows
participatory design projects with communities

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

international festival cooperation
site-specific music projects
experimental and intermedia concerts
audiovisual music performance
projects at the intersection of music and sound art
participatory music projects with the public
sound art installation

PHOTOGRAPHY

author's photography exhibitions
documentary photography projects with public outreach
participatory photography projects
multimedia projects combining photography with other media
photographic interventions in public space
long-term research photography projects

FINANCING

In 2026, projects can be submitted in two categories

Small projects:

minimum budget: CZK 750,000
maximum amount of support: CZK 1,500,000
maximum share of support in total costs: 70%

Large projects:

minimum budget: CZK 2,200,000
maximum amount of support: CZK 4,000,000
maximum share of support in total costs: 50%

TIMELINE FOR THE 2nd CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Subsequent timeline:

Conclusion of contracts by 1/2027
ČB28 Academy 2/2027–05/2027
Preparatory phase of projects 01/2027–12/2027
Implementation of main project outputs 01/2028–12/2028

I WANT TO KNOW MORE

Are you interested in how the call works, how to prepare a project, or how to establish a European partnership? Join one of our online information seminars. We will publish the recordings on this website.

Online seminar: About ECOC 2028 and the requirements

for Open Call projects

26. 3. 13:00–16:00 / in Czech language

We will present the Open Call in the context of EHMK 2028 and explain its conditions in more detail. We will go through the process of preparing and implementing projects that successful applicants can expect, including the ČB28 Academy, and explain how to correctly fill in all the requirements and how to draw up a project budget in accordance with the requirements of the Open Call.

Online seminar: Q&A / in English language

17. 4. 14:00 –16:00 / in English language

A brief introduction to Open Call in English, followed by a Q&A for international applicants.

Workshop: How to best fill out an application

28. 5. 10:00 - 15:00 / in Czech language

We are not planning any in-person consultations for this call. Instead, interested parties will be able to attend a workshop in České Budějovice, where we will go through the application form in detail and recommend how to fill it out so that it is as understandable as possible for the Evaluation Committee. We will also answer any questions that applicants may have about filling out the application form.

Matchmaking: Connecting organizations

Contact table

end of May/June 2026

Projects with high-quality regional, national and international partnerships will have a greater chance of succeeding in the Open Call. If you are looking for international or local partners, fill out this table by April 30th. Based on the number and type of organizations that fill out the table, we will organize a so-called matchmaking meeting to potentially connect partners. At the same time, it is possible to contact the organizations directly based on the data in the table.

Didn't find the answer to your question in the rules or during the seminar? Contact us at opencall@budejovice2028.cz.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I submit a project that will take place in 2027?

The project must have its main output for the public in 2028, and its budget must be compiled accordingly. In 2027, only activities that are important for the preparation of the project should take place.

We organize a regular/traditional event—can we still become part of the ECoC 2028 program?

The fact that the project is already underway does not prevent it from succeeding in the open call. However, it must meet the conditions and fit into the concept of the European Capital of Culture.

Our organization is not based in the South Bohemian Region. Can we still participate?

Yes, any organization can participate in this call, whether it is based in the South Bohemian Region or anywhere else in the world. However, if your organization is not based or does not have a branch in the South Bohemian Region, you must prepare the project in partnership with a South Bohemian partner.

I don't have a foreign partner. Can you help me find one?

If there are enough interested parties, we will organize an online matchmaking meeting where Czech organizations will be able to meet foreign organizations that also want to participate in the call. At the same time, it will be possible to find parties interested in partnership in this table. If you want to start searching now, we recommend looking at, for example, which relevant organizations operate in other European Capitals of Culture, in cross-border regions, or which are involved in Creative Europe projects and have experience with international cooperation, or which are currently even looking for project partners.

Can I submit more than one project?

As the main implementer, you can only submit one project.

However, you can be a partner in an unlimited number of supported projects.

Where can I get co-financing?

You can co-finance the project from admission fees, European funding, the founder/local authorities. From the Ministry of Culture, yes, but max. 70% of the budget (does not apply to the State Culture Fund).