Call launched for grants to develop projects involving stakeholders in strategic territories outside Europe (2024-2025)

The Basque Government´s Directorate of External Action has published a call for applications for grants to carry out technical cooperation projects in the strategic regions of Quebec (Canada), Querétaro (Mexico), Cundinamarca (Colombia) and the Metropolitan Region of Santiago de Chile. The invitation is extended to private legal entities interested in submitting action projects for bilateral cooperation, involving a partner from Quebec. Applications may be submitted until 9 May, in this link. 

The purpose of the call is to enhance and solidify bilateral relationships within the Basque Government´s Network of Strategic Partners. This initiative aims to support Basque internationalisation efforts by identifying opportunities overseas, fostering collaboration among stakeholders from diverse regions, facilitating the exchange of ideas, and promoting strategic partnerships to achieve shared objectives.

Applicants may submit proposals for collaborative projects in the areas of culture, language policy, economics, environment and R+D+I. The grant will be awarded for a period of one year and will be endowed with €80,000 (€40,000 for projects with Quebec and €40,000 for projects with Querétaro, Cundinamarca and the Santiago Metropolitan Region).

Selected projects will qualify for support for international transport costs (up to €1,000), accommodation and meals (€180/day up to a maximum of 7 days) and the implementation, promotion and dissemination of the project (up to €5,000).

Quebec - Euskadi

In 2017, the Basque Autonomous Community signed a memorandum of understanding with Quebec. The region is a key partner in Euskadi´s internationalisation strategy, sharing a commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity, innovation, environmental sustainability, and the fight against climate change. This agreement, together with the environment, economic development and innovation, aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the cultural sphere. Saison Québec – Pays Basque, promoted by the Etxepare Basque Institute, is one of the outcomes of cooperation between the two countries. As part of this project, cultural exchanges and showcases were organized between Quebec and the Basque Country in 2021 and 2022.

Querétaro, Cundinamarca and Metropolitan Santiago: priority regions

The Etxepare Basque Institute has implemented a series of agreements with cultural actors in these regions aimed at internationalising the work of Basque creators in these strategic territories for the Basque Country.

Bogota is both the capital of Colombia and the capital of the Cundinamarca region. Since 2017 it has been part of the Euskadi Strategic Alliances network. The Etxepare Basque Institute has agreements with important cultural organisations in the region, such as BIME Bogotá (Oreka TX, Zetak), Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo (Ttanttaka Teatroa, Kulunka Teatroa) and the Bogota Film Archive (series ¡Que haiga paz!), for the purpose of raising the international profile of Basque creation.

Thanks to the collaboration of the Institute in the Mexican region of Querétaro (since 2014 in the network of Strategic Alliances of Euskadi), writers such Amets Arzallus and Eider Rodríguez have participated in the HAY Festival Querétaro.

The Etxepare Basque Institute promotes lectureships and language assistants at the University of Santiago and at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, both in the Santiago Metropolitan Region (Euskadi Strategic Alliances network since 2022). In January 2024, the Institute also collaborated with the Santiago a Mil Theatre Festival, featuring the Basque company Deabru Beltzak  and more recently with the screening of the documentary ‘Chillida, el arte y los sueños’ at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.