České Budějovice is officially ramping up its preparations for its tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2028.
The city has launched the (Perma)culture Open Call, inviting organizations to propose innovative cultural projects that bridge local context with broader European challenges.
This initiative adopts “permaculture” not as an aesthetic style, but as a framework for responsible resource use and community care.
Organizers are seeking projects that reflect these principles through their creation process, their thematic content, or their long-term social impact.
Funding and benefits
A total of 50 million CZK will be distributed across three calls, with the upcoming 2026 round offering two distinct funding tiers.
Small projects can receive up to 1.5 million CZK (covering 70% of costs), while large-scale initiatives are eligible for grants reaching 4 million CZK.
Successful applicants gain more than just financial support; they will join the ČB28 Academy in early 2027 to refine their projects for the big stage.
Additionally, the organizers provide “matchmaking” services to help applicants secure essential regional or international partners required for success.
Application requirements and eligibility
The 2026 call is open to legal entities worldwide, ranging from local NGOs to international artistic collectives.
While geography is not a barrier for the lead applicant, any organization based outside the South Bohemian Region must partner with a local entity to ensure regional relevance.
While the call welcomes all artistic fields, evaluators will give point preferences to specific genres, including digital and multimedia arts, contemporary music, and site-specific architectural intervention.
All submitted projects must be designed for their primary public implementation throughout the 2028 calendar year.
To apply, organizations must submit a detailed project description, a Letter of Intent from partners, and official founding documents.
Submission requires both an email to the official open call address and the completion of a formal registration form.
Deadline
Key preparation milestones begin immediately, with registration for preparatory workshops closing on May 18th.
Final project selections for this round will lead to contract signings by January 2027, allowing for a full year of preparation before the 2028 grand opening.
To apply, visit České Budějovice call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
