The Franco-German Cultural Fund

Members of French diplomatic network

The Franco-German Cultural Fund was created on 22nd January 2003, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, sealing the friendship between France and Germany. It allows both countries to encourage and support cooperation initiatives conducted jointly by the French and German diplomatic networks in a third country.
This programme demonstrates France and Germany's shared desire to strengthen their cooperation in the cultural field, but also and above all to affirm their commitment to European integration.

For more than ten years, this fund has been promoting Franco-German cultural cooperation abroad by supporting projects carried out jointly by their national cultural institutes and the cultural services of the local embassies, in close collaboration with local cultural actors. They are active in many areas, covering a wide range of artistic fields: visual arts, performing arts, design, fashion, architecture, cinema, audiovisual art, new media, literature, public debate, etc. The Franco-German Cultural Fund is equally supported by French and German parties. Since 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development has entrusted responsibility for the French part of the Fund to the Institut français.

Call for applications open until 23/10/2020

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The Franco-German Cultural Fund in figures

18 calls for projects since its creation
1000 projects supported in 153 countries across the globe
280 artists and intellectuals supported each year

Who can propose a project ?

The Franco-German Cultural Fund only supports projects proposed by French and German diplomatic representatives abroad: the cultural services of Embassies or Consulates, Institut françaises, Alliances Françaises, Goethe-Institutes. The French and German diplomatic networks in the host country design and develop a shared project, in close partnership with the local institutions and actors. If the project is selected, it is conducted jointly by the French and German partners.

Call for proposals open to French cultural network representatives via IFprog in the autumn.

How are projects selected ?

Each year a joint newsletter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is sent to all German and French diplomatic missions and consular posts. It specifies the objectives of the Franco-German Cultural Fund and the priorities of the two ministries for the relevant year. Projects are reviewed by experts from both parties and evaluated using a shared evaluation rubric. A selection committee with representatives from both nations is then convened, alternating between Paris and Berlin each year, presided over by the two Ministries.