Open Call for Social Initiatives Program in Denmark

Deadline: 23-Oct-2026

The Augustinus Foundation supports collaborative projects in Denmark that combine professional arts and cultural practice with social support to improve the quality of life of adults in socially vulnerable situations. Applications may cover pilot initiatives or established multi-year collaborations, but every proposal must involve a partnership between relevant social and cultural actors.

About the Augustinus Foundation’s Social and Cultural Funding

The Augustinus Foundation has a longstanding commitment to supporting social initiatives that improve the quality of life of adults experiencing complex social or health-related challenges. The funding approach recognizes that participation in arts and culture can create meaningful relationships, strengthen life skills, reduce isolation, and provide opportunities for creative expression. Projects must bring together the experience of social organizations and the professional expertise of arts or cultural institutions. Purpose of the Funding The program supports projects that use arts and culture as part of a broader social effort.

Its objectives include:

- Improving participants’ quality of life - Reducing social isolation and exclusion - Creating meaningful communities - Strengthening personal and social skills - Supporting creative expression - Increasing access to professional arts and culture - Developing collaboration between social and cultural sectors - Testing new models of socially engaged cultural practice - Building sustainable partnerships - Involving vulnerable adults in project development and learning Who Should Benefit? Projects should primarily benefit adults aged 18 or older who are socially vulnerable or at risk of exclusion. Target groups may include adults affected by: - Homelessness - Substance use or dependency - Mental health challenges - Poverty - Social isolation - Minority status - Violence or abuse - Multiple and complex social challenges - Limited access to cultural participation - Barriers to community inclusion Projects may also include the children of particularly vulnerable adults where this is relevant to the project’s purpose. Role of Art and Culture Arts and culture should be central to the project rather than an incidental activity.

Projects may use:

- Visual arts - Music - Theatre - Dance - Literature - Film - Photography - Crafts - Performance - Museums and heritage - Community-based cultural practice - Interdisciplinary creative activities The cultural component should be professionally designed and connected to the project’s social objectives. Required Cross-Sector Collaboration Eligible projects must bridge the expertise of both social and cultural actors.

A strong partnership may include:

- A social organization that understands the target group’s needs - A professional arts or cultural institution - Artists or cultural practitioners - Social workers or other support professionals - Community-based organizations - Relevant public or private partners Each partner should contribute distinct expertise, resources, and responsibilities. Why Partnership Is Essential

The social partner can provide:

- Knowledge of participants’ circumstances - Trust-based relationships with the target group - Social and health-related support - Safeguarding and risk-management expertise - Assistance with recruitment and continued participation

The cultural partner can provide:

- Professional artistic expertise - Qualified artists or facilitators - Access to cultural spaces - Creative methodologies - Knowledge of artistic production and presentation Combining these strengths can make projects safer, more relevant, and more meaningful for participants. Types of Projects Supported The Foundation may consider projects at different stages of development. Pilot Initiatives Pilot projects can test a new partnership, methodology, or artistic approach on a limited scale.

A pilot proposal should explain:

- What will be tested - Why the approach is needed - Who will participate - How learning will be documented - How the pilot may develop after completion Developed Multi-Year Collaborations Established partnerships may seek support for longer-term initiatives with defined activities, outcomes, and organizational ownership.

A multi-year proposal should demonstrate:

- A clear long-term purpose - Strong partner commitment - Realistic annual plans - Appropriate project governance - Organizational capacity - Measurable social and cultural outcomes - A plan for sustainability or continued anchoring Examples of Potential Initiatives Subject to the official guidelines, potential projects may include: - Theatre programs involving adults experiencing homelessness - Music initiatives for people with mental health challenges - Visual arts workshops for survivors of violence - Cultural communities for socially isolated adults - Museum partnerships with social-service organizations - Creative programs for people affected by substance use - Participatory arts initiatives involving minority communities - Literature or storytelling projects supporting self-expression - Intergenerational cultural activities involving vulnerable families - Artist-led projects strengthening confidence and life skills - Programs improving access to cultural institutions - Creative communities that support belonging and participation Projects should avoid treating arts and culture as entertainment alone. Activities should contribute to defined social outcomes. Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants may include:

- Social organizations - Professional arts institutions - Cultural institutions - Other relevant organizations capable of leading an eligible partnership The applicant must collaborate with one or more partners representing the other sector. A social organization should involve professional cultural expertise, while a cultural institution should collaborate with an organization experienced in supporting the target population. Applicants and activi