The Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture announces the launch of the call for proposals for the “NOSTOS (2026)” Project.
Proposals may be submitted only electronically, from August 24, 2026, through Monday, September 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., via the Application Submission Platform www.grants4arts.cy
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The “NOSTOS” is a targeted initiative of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and promotion of the intangible and tangible cultural heritage of the occupied communities.
The purpose of the Project is to protect the cultural identity of the occupied communities and to preserve the historical continuity of the people and places that remain alive through narratives, history, customs, architecture, language, and collective experience.
“NOSTOS” strengthens efforts to preserve the history and the intangible and tangible cultural heritage of the occupied communities, prioritizing the systematic collection of testimonies, the digital documentation of cultural resources, as well as the preservation and promotion of historical elements that reflect the memory of the occupied communities.
At the same time, it supports initiatives that encourage the participation of displaced persons, the intergenerational transmission of tradition, and the maintenance of ties to their place of origin.
Through new tools, targeted partnerships, and expanded thematic coverage, the Project strengthens the emotional, social, and cultural continuity of the occupied communities by applying modern methodologies for documentation, preservation, and promotion, in line with international cultural heritage management practices.
Objectives of the Plan
The “NOSTOS” focuses on strengthening cooperation among cultural organizations, refugee associations, and community councils in the occupied communities, as well as on the joint development and implementation of cultural initiatives.
The Project also aims to foster a framework for the sustainable management of cultural heritage, with an emphasis on strengthening local structures, the effective use of resources, and the long-term resilience of the occupied communities and their initiatives.
The beneficiaries of the Program are:
- Occupied communities that have established contact with artists, scientists, intellectuals, cultural figures, and/or organizations, with the aim of developing and submitting proposals that support the preservation of the cultural identity, memory, and creative continuity of displaced communities.
- Refugee associations from occupied communities that have established contact with artists, scientists, intellectuals, cultural figures, and/or organizations, and have received a letter of support from the respective Community Authority.
- Individuals or organizations that have been in contact with the Community Council or the Refugee Association of the occupied community and have received a letter of support from the respective Community Authority.
Duration and Eligible Activities
The Program covers activities from December 2026 through June 2027.
Proposed activities may relate to the fields of literature, the visual arts, music, theater, contemporary dance, traditional culture, film, and the audiovisual arts, as well as historical research.
Through these initiatives, culture is called upon to serve as a catalyst for social cohesion, dialogue, and sustainable development.
Funding
Grants cover up to 100% of the total cost of the proposed initiative.
In this context, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Klea Papaellina, emphasized that the “NOSTOS” Project focuses on the preservation, documentation, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the occupied communities, thereby strengthening collective memory, cultural identity, and people’s connection to their place of origin.
