Apply for Networking and Promotional Trip Program (Switzerland)

Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council) offers support for networking and promotional trips for touring managers representing independent companies and artists. The programme covers travel and accommodation costs (up to three nights) for a maximum of two people. The submission deadline is open year-round for funding requests up to CHF 50,000, with specific quarterly deadlines for requests above CHF 50,000. Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council)

- Opportunity name: Networking and promotional trip

- Opportunity type: Promotional/networking support for touring managers

- Target group: Touring managers with connections to Switzerland

- Who can apply: Touring managers and/or artistic directors of independent companies and artists from Switzerland

- Eligible geography: Switzerland and events/festivals/platforms in Switzerland and abroad (connection and nationwide relevance requirements apply)

- Financial contribution: Travel and accommodation costs (up to three nights) for a maximum of two people

- Submission deadline:

- Funding requests up to CHF 25,000: Open year-round - Funding requests between CHF 25,001 and CHF 50,000: Open year-round

- Funding requests over CHF 50,000: 1 September, 1 December, 1 March, 1 June (year-round cycle)

- Earliest start date for the project:

- Up to CHF 25,000: Eight weeks after submitting the application

- Over CHF 25,000 (including CHF 25,001–50,000 and over CHF 50,000): Four months after submitting the application

- Decision timelines:

- Up to CHF 25,000: Within eight weeks

- Over CHF 25,000: Within four months

- Application status: Not specified in the source (use the official deadlines for planning)

About the Opportunity

This opportunity supports promotion activities undertaken by touring managers of independent companies and artists at major festivals and platforms in Switzerland and abroad. The trip is intended to enable professional networking and promotional activities connected to the Swiss cultural sector. Pro Helvetia is a national foundation and supports projects that have cross-regionally or internationally recognised relevance, aiming to promote contemporary Swiss art and cultural production. Funding and Benefits Pro Helvetia provides a financial contribution toward: - Travel and accommodation costs - Covering up to three nights - For a maximum of two people Other financial details (such as exact reimbursement rates, whether costs must be itemised, or whether partial funding is possible) are Not specified in the source. Who Is Eligible? Pro Helvetia will consider applications if: - The application is complete and submitted on time. - The project has a clear connection to Switzerland. - The project is of nationwide importance. - The project is adequately co-funded by other public or private means. - The project respects/guarantees fair working conditions. Specific eligibility for this opportunity

The opportunity is for:

- Touring managers and/or artistic directors of independent companies and artists from Switzerland. Additionally, Pro Helvetia states an opportunity-specific selection requirement: - The represented independent companies or artists regularly receive support from Pro Helvetia. Connection to Switzerland (applies to eligibility) A connection is given if at least one condition applies, for example: - The project is developed/implemented by artists and cultural practitioners who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents in Switzerland and are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland; or - The project is created/developed/implemented by an independent group or cultural institution with its place of production in Switzerland, which is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland. Nationwide relevance (applies to eligibility) Nationwide relevance is given if, for example: - Practitioners are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad; and the trip/project has transregional appeal; or - The project makes a significant contribution to the development and dissemination of Swiss artistic and cultural production; or - The project is of significant importance for exchange between Switzerland’s linguistic regions. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas

The opportunity specifically supports:

- Promotion activities by touring managers representing independent companies and artists - Conducted at major festivals and platforms in Switzerland and abroad The source does not list additional themes or sector priority areas for this specific opportunity. Eligibility and assessment also rely on Pro Helvetia’s general criteria (e.g., professional standards, commensurate costs, and diversity), described in the “General Requirements” section of the source. Why This Opportunity Matters For Swiss independent artists and companies (represented by touring managers/artistic directors), this support can help finance essential costs for attending major festivals and platforms. By focusing on networking and promotional activities, the funding supports efforts aimed at wider dissemination and professional engagement beyond one’s immediate local region, in line with Pro Helvetia’s cross-regional and international reach requirements. How to Apply The application method is indicated as “Send your application,” but the source text does not provide the submission channel details (e.g., online form vs. email) or the specific upload/portal link. Not specified in the source. What the application must include (under “Content of application”): - Purpose of the trip - Relevance of the event attended - Companies/productions represented - Planned meetings - Persons involved - Travel and accommodation costs Deadlines Use the deadlines below based on the size of the funding request: - Funding requests up to CHF 25,000: Open year-round - Funding requests between CHF 25,001 and CHF 50,000: Open year-round - Funding requests over