LEGACY II - two pen calls for project for 2021 and 2022

Plovdiv 2019 announces two new open calls for projects and creative activities

The invitations are part of the Legacy programme of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019

Plovdiv 2019 Foundation, through its Legacy programme, announces two open calls for projects, festivals and creative activities to ensure the sustainability of the European Capital of Culture project in the city.

The common goal of the two calls – "Festivals and creative activities" and "Creative Plovdiv" – is to continue and expand the established partnerships, to develop and express the creative potential of the cultural organisations in Plovdiv and the country, establishing Plovdiv as an active cultural centre. The open calls are to be financed through the rest of the funds from the Melina Mercury Prize and thus the creative organizations and artists are given the opportunity to plan and work for cultural events in 2021 and 2022.

Anyone wishing to implement their projects under the Legacy programme can choose from two components of funding. The application deadline for both is from 18th January till 15th March 2021. The evaluation criteria for both of the components are identical, consistent with the core values and philosophy of the European Capital of Culture initiative.

The component Festivals and Creative Activities distributes the total amount of 1 million BGN and provides an opportunity for all interested organizations and artists from Bulgaria and abroad to present large-scale projects up to BGN 200 000.00 and small projects up to BGN 10 000.00.

Check the full details and documents HERE.


The component  "Creative Plovdiv" is aimed at activating the creative potential of the city and the implementation of events in 2021 and 2022 by organizations based in Plovdiv. A total of BGN 500,000 is distributed on it.

Check the full details and documents HERE.


In the first part of the Legacy programme of "Plovdiv 2019" 21 projects were confirmed for funding in 2020 and 2021.

After the challenging 2020, the legacy of the European Capital of Culture initiative is yet another tool for support of the cultural sector and for the gradual restoration of active cultural life in Plovdiv. The two new open calls provide optimal conditions for both experienced and large organizations, as well as smaller organizations and independent projects.

Plovdiv 2019 Foundation will organise a series of information meeting for those who may require clarifications.


The Melina Mercury Prize was awarded to the team of the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation in 2018 after the last monitoring meeting with the international jury of the European Commission for the successful work on the organization on the project. Half of the award was distributed in 2019 under an open call "Legacy" for projects and festivals that continue the programme of the European Capital of Culture. Out of the total of 21 projects selected under the first part of the Legacy programme, 7 managed to be implemented in 2020. The remaining 14 projects will have their public presentations in 2021, which will further reinforce the year with cultural content and the hope for new long-awaited meetings with our audiences.

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