OPEN CALL Goethe-Institut Project Space (GPS) 2026

APPLY FOR THE 2026 GPS GRANT NOW: We welcome project proposals from across South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini for the annual call for applications in the Goethe-Institut Project Space (GPS).

!! Deadline 15 September 2025

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The Goethe-Institut Project Space (GPS) grant is now open for applications.

Goethe Project Space (GPS) – Open Call Art Project Funding in Rural Southern Africa

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS IS 30th SEPTEMBER 2025, 12:00 PM CAT

The GPS programme grants seed funding of up to R 100.000 per project to three artistic projects that are realised in rural and peri-urban parts of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini between February and November 2026. The Goethe-Institut set up this grant to support art professionals who collaborate with cultural or public spaces and engage with the people in the areas where these spaces are located.

The GPS programme is supporting artistic projects that are engaging with communities outside the big urban centres and are focusing on the production and/or facilitation of artistic content. We also welcome projects that deliberately foster collaboration and exchange between rural and urban spaces, and projects that seek to build partnerships with a specific community or arts space.

Please note: We are explicitly not looking for social cohesion or social development projects. Such projects are not eligible for funding through GPS. This grant specifically intends to support professional arts and cultural production. Projects that solely take place in urban centres (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban) will also not be considered.

In 2026, up to 3 arts projects will be chosen for support by GPS.