SAIL - Support for Advocacy, Influence and Leverage

A targeted micro-grant programme to strengthen advocacy, boost visibility, and enhance recognition of contemporary circus and outdoor arts across Europe.

Boost your advocacy. Strengthen your voice. SAIL supports contemporary circus and outdoor arts at every level.

SAIL is a micro-grant programme designed to support Circostrada members' advocacy strategy and to leverage the network’s European influence to enhance their visibility, recognition, and legitimacy in the eyes of public funders and key stakeholders, whether at the local, regional, or national level. It supports relevant, context-based actions or projects that serve the general interest of contemporary circus and/or outdoor arts. The programme is structured around three key strands: Cultural Rights, Ecological Transformation and Digital Transformation. It runs continuously until August 2028 and is open exclusively to Circostrada members.

THEMATIC FOCUS

SAIL is built around three interconnected areas of transformation that reflect key challenges and ambitions of the contemporary circus and outdoor arts sectors. Projects may align with one or several of the following strands:

1. Cultural Rights: Advocating for the right of everyone to access, participate in, and contribute to cultural life. This includes actions that support diversity, representation, community empowerment, and the fair recognition of artistic practices within local, regional or national contexts.
2. Ecological Transformation: Promoting environmental responsibility in the sector through advocacy, awareness-raising, and structural change. This involves for example rethinking how we produce, tour, collaborate and engage with institutions and public policies in light of the ecological crisis.
3. Digital Transformation: Supporting the cultural sector in navigating digital change — from digital inclusion and access to tools, to rethinking processes, formats and platforms for artistic creation, communication and advocacy.

ELIGIBILITY & ACTIVITIES

The programme is open exclusively to Circostrada members.

Projects must align with at least one of the three strands - Cultural Rights / Ecological Transformations / Digital Transformation in the fields of contemporary circus or outdoor arts. They must aim to increase the applicant’s visibility, recognition, or legitimacy with public funders or decision-makers. They must have the potential to serve the general interest of contemporary circus and/or outdoor arts.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, depending on available budget. The coordination team will consider the following criteria:

• Relevance and strength of the proposed action 
• Potential for concrete and measurable impact
• Integration into a broader advocacy strategy 
• Diversity of actions across applications and across the three strands (Cultural Rights, Ecological and Digital Transformation)
• Geographical and sectoral balance 
• Previous receipt of a SAIL grant (considered, not exclusionary)
• A special attention will be paid to the ecological consciousness.

Note: The coordination team is available to advise and guide applicants at all stages of their application.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please complete this form.

Applications are open on a rolling basis during the whole duration of the EU funded CS VOICES project until August 2028, with no fixed deadlines.

Note: Submit one SAIL request at a time.  If applying for multiple projects, submit a separate request for each.

If you're interested but not sure where to start, reach out to Circostrada coordinator: alice.brunot@artcena.fr

FINANCIAL ASPECTS 

• Maximum Grant amount of 1000€ (all taxes included)
• Approximately 24 grants will be awarded over the course of the CS VOICES EU funded programme (2024-2028) 
• Circostrada does not contact providers or manage financial transactions directly. Members must advance the costs and will receive the grant after completion of the activity.

In order to get reimbursed, you will have to send us an invoice from your organisation with the supporting invoices proving the expenses.

Ineligible costs include: daily allowances, meals, fuel, taxi, salaries, capital assets, equipment acquisition, and catering.

EXAMPLE OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS  (non-exhaustive)  

SAIL supports relevant, context-based actions or projects. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of formats that could be supported:

• Translating, printing, disseminating articles or publications in any medium  
• Designing an advocacy campaign
• Commissioning a study or mapping of key stakeholders and narratives to strengthen your national advocacy efforts
• Organising training or peer-learning sessions to build collective capacity in advocacy, digital innovation, and eco-responsibility
• Supporting European expert mobility or knowledge sharing actions
• Inviting a high-profile guest to a key strategic event  (e.g. anniversary).
• Hosting professional meetings involving policy makers to amplify voices and gain political visibility.

Here are some concrete examples of projects that would not fit the programme (the following list is non exhaustive): 

• Actions unrelated to advocacy or not serving the general interest
• Actions that are part of your main or day-to-day activities
• Actions whose outcomes cannot be measured 
• Actions with illegible costs 

COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING

Circostrada is committed to highlight and amplify the impacts of supported projects within the network and beyond.

Beneficiaries are required to:

• Use the Circostrada and Creative Europe logos on all communication materials related to the supported action.
• Share relevant photos, quotes, or results that may be promoted across Circostrada channels (website, newsletters, social media)
• Share their advocacy stories with the network and its members
• Submit a short report on the project's implementation and impact
• Agree to be contacted by Circostrada’s coordination team for communication and promotion purposes and to share your experience with the network during events or videoconferences.
• Agree to being contacted by Circostrada external evaluator (as part of the CS VOICES 2024–2028 project) for a border impact assessment of the programme

Resources (logos, guidelines) are available in the Internal Communication section of the Circostrada website (via member login).

GREEN MOBILITY

Circostrada is Shift Eco-certificated, and encourages environmentally responsible stay and travel options, such as train travel over flights whenever feasible. Eco-conscious projects/activities will be prioritised. 

That said, we remain inclusive: members without access to green travel options (e.g., those who must fly) will still be fully eligible.

SAIL activity is open since 2022. Below you will find all the activities supported by Circostrada network, with the aim of increasing the visibility, recognition and legitimacy of contemporary circus and outdoor arts in the eyes of public funders and key stakeholders (whether local, regional or national). The programme only supports actions carried out by members that are relevant to their context and serve the general interest of the sectors.

DYNAMO Circus Festival, Odense, June 18, 2025

In 2025, the DYNAMO Circus Festival in Denmark have received a Circostrada SAIL grant / Cultural Rights to support the organising of Brancheseminar/Professional Day, dedicated to promoting circus touring in Denmark and fostering dialogue between artists and cultural institutions. The event aimed to break down barriers with venues and decision-makers previously reluctant to programme circus, while strengthening the visibility of contemporary circus as an art form.

Impact: This initiative directly supported lobbying and networking efforts in Denmark, where contemporary circus still struggles for recognition within the performing arts. By showcasing contemporary circus to professionals and institutions, the event created momentum for broader touring opportunities, stronger visibility for artists, and greater public demand for circus programming.

Concrete outcomes include:

• A framework established around the challenges faced by circus companies and artists in recent years.
• Strengthened professional networks among Danish cultural actors, with long-term potential for collaboration.
• A published summary report capturing key discussions and outlining clear next steps for advocacy.
• Increased recognition of DYNAMO as a central actor in the Danish circus field, representing independent artists and companies in lobbying efforts.

Cirkusfera: Advocacy Meeting – Belgrade, September 23–26, 2024

In September 2024, Cirkusfera, a key organisation for the development of contemporary circus and outdoor arts in Serbia, continued its advocacy efforts to strengthen the sustainability of the contemporary circus sector in the country. Together with the French Institute in Belgrade and the Teatroskop network, they organised during the "Circus Today" and Cirkobalkana festivals a meeting bringing together key cultural decision-makers from Serbia, France, and regional institutions to discuss ways to increase financial support for contemporary circus and improve working conditions for artists.

To support its participation in this dialogue, Cirkusfera received a Circostrada SAIL grant / Cultural Rights to cover travel and accommodation for Antonia Kuzmanić, director of ROOM100 and member of the Steering Committee of Circostrada. Drawing on her valuable experience in the sector, Antonia testified in favor of greater recognition of contemporary circus in Serbia, shared insights on its challenges and opportunities, and contributed to shaping strategies to support the sustainability of the field.

In 2024, Cirkusfera, key organisation for the development of contemporary circus and outdoor arts in Serbia have received a Circostrada SAIL grant / Cultural Rights to support travel and accommodation for Antonia Kuzmanić, director of ROOM100 and member of the Steering Committee of Circostrada, during the "Circus Today" and Cirkobalkana festivals, as part of their broader advocacy efforts for the sustainability of the contemporary circus sector in Serbia.

Organised by the French Institute in Belgrade and Teatroskop network, the meeting brought together key cultural decision-makers from Serbia, France, and regional institutions. The discussions focused on strengthening financial support for contemporary circus and improving working conditions for artists.

Impact: This meeting significantly increased the visibility and recognition of the contemporary circus sector in Serbia, where the art form is still not officially acknowledged. By engaging directly with Jagoda Stamenković from the Serbian Ministry of Culture, Snežana Janković from the Regional Government of Vojvodina, Violeta Đerković from the Network of Cultural Stations in Novi Sad, Igor Pucarević from the Union of Cities and Provinces of Serbia, along with Patrick Lardy from the French Ministry of Culture, Caroline Sotta, Director of the French Institute in Serbia, Tanja Gavrilović from Teatroskop, Mira Dobrković from Circus organization Ludifico, Dragan Jajić in front of the circus organization Kreativni Pogon , Cirkusfera positioned itself as a key actor in cultural policy dialogue.

Concrete outcomes include:

• Raised awareness among policymakers of the sector’s activities and European best practices.
• Initiation of follow-up meetings and joint activities with cultural institutions.
• A study visit to France by Jagoda Stamenković, advisor to the Minister of Culture, which directly influenced the Ministry’s steps toward developing a national strategy for contemporary circus.

'Circus - a safe(r) space for danger'

Throughout their careers, circus practitioners transition from one role to another. They navigate both informal and formal scenarios, taking up positions as educators, artists, or organisers; creating or performing, both on stage and behind the scenes. Ensuring safety in these transitions is crucial. How can we provide a safe environment and take care of ourselves and others? Over the course of three days, 146 participants were invited to explore this crucial question during the conference 'Circus - a safe(r) space for danger' (10-12 April, Belgium), exploring the importance of technical, psychosocial, and physical safety for circus professionals and practitioners.
The conference featured 2 keynote speakers, 3 panel discussions, 1 poster gallery walk, and 12 workshops.
The SAIL support was used to invite expert in the field to deliver workshops.
Afterwards the event’s website was transformed into a platform gathering all the content generated before, during, and after the conference with articles written by Around About Circus on the conference. With many thanks to the international networks Circostrada, FEDEC, EYCO and Caravan Circus Network for their collaboration.

Together Project! 

A Press and PR event with a focus on Together! collaboration will be organised in Hungary, mid- September 2023 to raise attention on contemporary circus and outdoor art while showing the remarkable work of Inspiral Circus Center and their partners.

Together! is a series of artistic interactions using the language of circus both in live and through digital platforms. 10 site-specific live performances are happening in two European Capitals of Culture:

Veszprém in Hungary, 16-23th September 2023

Elefsina in Greece, 13-21st June 2023

Partners of Inspirál: Kiev Circus Academy (Ukraine), Monokyklo (Greece), Culture En Mouvements (France)
https://youtu.be/Atzf_repn4s

TUTTI MATTI PER COLORNO ‘23, XVI ed. - international contemporary circus festival

EUROPA, EUROPA - 2 workshops dedicated to European funding programs for culture and arts

Friday 1st and 8th September – from 3 pm to 6 pm

@ Aranciaia, Piazzale Vittorio Veneto 22 - Colorno (PR)

more info www.tuttimattipercolorno.it

with Bruno Costa – Bùssola (PT) on the 1/09 -  Fanny Bouquerel – University Paris 8 (ITA/FR) on the 8/09

Thanks to the support of CIRCOSTRADA NETWORK, in the frame of SAIL, a programme dedicated to members of the international network who wish to implement advocacy - lobby actions to foster the contemporary circus sector reputation in their territories, the international circus festival Tutti Matti per Colorno 2023 last September held 2 special workshops dedicated to European funding and grants opportunities for culture and arts, with 2 different focus and targets: one will address Creative Europe grants and other public calls for international artistic cooperation and mobility; one will address larger scale programmes leaded by Regions. These 2 open workshops are dedicated to artists and professionals of the arts sector as well as to public officers of local administrations who are working on culture in their institutions.

Dynamo 

DYNAMO Circus Seminars is a biannual event – a series of talks, debates, panels, workshops, work in progress and reflections taking place in Odense, Denmark. The Seminars aim to facilitate a platform for organizers, producers, performers and creators to share knowledge and best practices across the region. We take a starting point in current realities and challenges in the field, with a focus on imagining and designing a more sustainable future for contemporary circus, in the Nordic Region and beyond. The SAIL grant in 2023 is used to ensure participation to the Seminars for international speakers and workshop facilitators, whose expertise we find inspiring in reflecting on sector development.

EYE'S WALK DIGITAL FESTIVAL 

Eye’s Walk Digital festival is  interested in fostering outdoor art and especially in contributing to the redistribution of ownership and power among the communities whose voice is diminished in the public space. In 2023 Eye’s Walk Digital festival is preparing  a “Memoryscape-Soundscape  walk” based on oral histories and testimonies of the citizens of Syros who live and work alongside the coastal area of Ermoupolis, an area that includes “Neorio Shipyard” among other industrial public and private buildings. Although  the shipyard due to  its 160 years of operation, is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Ermoupolis, its official history seems to exclude labor class memories while encouraging narratives derived from the Shipyard’s hierarchy, investors, government’s representatives. Nowadays we are witnessing a polarization and an  intense confrontation among the hierarchy of the Shipyard  and the citizens of Ermoupolis as a result of concerns  expressed by the latter regarding the environmental footprint of the industry. In 2020 Neorio has pursued judicially citizens-representatives of the  local Observatory  for the  Environment, using the  so called “Slapp method”.

Latitude 50 inauguration 

First digging in January 2020, launch of the artists' residencies in January 2021 and installation of the tier in July 2022... This is it, the Cirque de Latitude 50 is now ready to receive its public on October 14th, 2022! Marchinois, artists, professionals or simply curious, joined to celebrate the arrival of this unique place dedicated to circus and street arts.

Know more about the agenda of the day HERE