OPEN CALL: Behind the Scenes

Yemen Creative Hubs is a project funded by the EU and implemented by the Goethe-Institut and the consortium partners. It provides four creative hubs in Yemen (Aden, Mukalla, Sana’a, Taiz) and several training, networking, and mentorship opportunities.

The Goethe-Institut Jordan is launching an open call for applications for artists and cultural practitioners implementing artistic and socio-cultural projects in Yemen.

The theme "Behind the Scenes" invites artists to turn inward and to engage with emotions that many of us experience, yet so often prefer to silence and keep 'behind the scenes': feelings of loneliness, anxiety, inner tension and unease, deep worries and concerns, fear, as well as the shadows of depression and trauma.

How can these invisible worlds be translated into artistic expression? How can such emotions, which remain 'behind the scenes' be represented, made visible and tangible, and shared through art? And in what ways can art serve as a space not only to explore mental health, but also to gently express and transform it?

Artists are invited to submit works in disciplines that creatively depict and reflect mental health such as:

• Visual Arts – including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation art
• Film, Video & Digital Media – such as short films, animations, digital illustrations, or multimedia works
• Performing Arts – including theatre, dance, and performance art
• Music & Sound – traditional or contemporary compositions, oral storytelling, soundscapes, or podcasts
• Craft & Design – works rooted in traditional craftsmanship, including textile art, fashion design, product design, and object-making.
• Graphic & Mixed Media – posters, visual storytelling, or works combining traditional and modern techniques

• Individual artists and cultural practitioners working in creative or cultural fields 
• Applicant must be residing in Yemen
• Former grantees of Yemen Creative Hubs I are eligible to apply provided that their project idea builds up on their project idea from YCH I
• Grantees of the previous "Building Togetherness" and "Our Heritage Shines"call (Yemen Creative Hubs II) are not eligible to apply for this call
• The grantee must be above 18 on the day of the deadline

Project proposals will be evaluated on the following selection criteria: 

• Coherent project description, timeline, and budget plan
• The proposed project idea creatively depicts and reflects mental health
• Experience in the field of the proposed project
• Feasibility within the given time and budget
• The project is flexible and capable of responding to challenges
• Former grantees of Yemen Creative Hubs I must indicate in their project proposal how a second grant would build up on the former
• Geographical and gender balanceas well as inclusion

While we recognise that AI has become a widely used and helpful tool, we encourage applicants to rely on it only to a limited extent and to submit an original project proposal that clearly and concisely reflects their own ideas.

People who have not yet worked with Goethe-Institut as well as women are highly encouraged to apply. We aim to distribute at least 50% of the grants to women.
In addition, we warmly welcome applications from individuals living with chronic illnesses or disabilities. If you need assistance with your application due to your illness or your disability, please send your inquiry to Carina Puehl (email below).A jury consisting of external experts as well as of Yemen Creative Hubs’ consortium partners will select 14 grants of 1,500.00 EUR each in a two-step jurying process. If you can provide a disability ID or a medical report, you may receive a top up to your grant. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within one month after the application deadline.

The projects must be implemented between November 2026 and March 2027.

• Non-cumulative award and no double funding: each beneficiary may not get more than one grant per action. Same costs cannot be financed twice by the Goethe-Institut.
• Non-retroactivity: grants cannot finance actions that have already been completed and which have therefore proved achievable without financial support from the European Union.
• Non-profit: grants must not have the purpose or effect of producing a profit within the framework of the action of the beneficiary.

Applications must be submitted via the Goethe application platform by 14 September 2026 (at 23:59 PM Yemen time). Only complete applications sent via this platform can be considered.

Please watch here our video tutorial. It will give you further information on how to use the application platform.

Goethe-Institut is going to offer a Zoom Q & A session. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated.

For inquiries, please contact (Ms) Carina Puehl at carina.puehl@goethe.de until 07 September 2026.