The overall project is expected to have an inception phase of six months (1 September 2024 - 31 February 2025) and a first implementation phase of 22 months (1 March 2025 - 31 December 2026).

Interested organisations (and consortiums) can access the full tender document issued on 26 February 2024/updated on 08 March 2024 on the following website: www.simap.ch (select Invitations to tender, then search by Keyword "pARTicipate!", Project number 275093 and/or Notice number 1398599).

The deadline for the submission of offers is 09 May 2024. The selection process is governed by strict rules and procedures outlined in the tender document. All potential applicant organisations and consortiums should follow them diligently.

Background

In the oPt, art and culture play a key role to preserve and promote Palestinian identities, dialogue and freedom of expression. For this reason, the SDC has supported the culture and arts sector in the oPt as a vector for social change since the 1990s. From ad hoc contributions to cultural events, Switzerland’s engagement has evolved into a culture programme with strategic interventions focused on community-building processes. The programme is embedded in a local governance and state building agenda that aims to enhance citizens’ participation and promote democratic and pluralistic values.

Since 2016, Switzerland has been focusing on strengthening civic engagement processes through cultural and artistic projects aimed at social empowerment and community development. A study on the culture sector in the oPt commissioned by the SDC in 2021 confirmed the pertinence and positive impact of this approach, which uses culture as a vector for social transformation. The report recommended to pursue this strategic track and encouraged to target marginalized communities through non-traditional artistic tools.