Funding African cultural cooperation
AOCA — Support for Cultural Operators in Africa 2027, an Institut français programme, supports Africa-based cultural organisations, including Moroccan institutions, associations and professional cultural operators. Projects must involve international collaboration and run between March and December 2027 in Africa. The scheme targets regional tours, exhibitions, festivals and artistic co-production, rather than unrestricted grants to every individual artist.Grant size and disciplines
Awards range from €5,000 to €15,000 and may cover up to 50% of the total project budget. The remaining funds must be justified in a co-funding plan. Eligible disciplines include visual art, photography, digital creation, music, theatre, dance, circus, puppetry and street arts.
Four eligible project formats
Performing-arts tours: at least five dates in three African countries other than the applicant’s home country, with three dates supported by an Institut français or Alliance française.Travelling exhibitions: at least three stops in three other African countries and three linked activities with the French network.
Festivals and biennials: a programme with artists from three other African countries, or at least two French and two African artists or companies.
New artistic work and co-productions: artists from three other African countries or collaboration between an African creative team and French artists, companies or cultural institutions.
Essential requirement for Moroccan organisations
Applicants outside the French cultural network must provide a formal letter of support from an Institut français, Alliance française or French embassy cultural office. It is mandatory, not an optional endorsement. The application should demonstrate a coherent professional structure, genuine international partners, feasibility and funding. The jury also values emerging talent, eco-responsibility and gender equality.
How to apply
Submit online through IFprog with the project, organisation and partner profiles, programme, schedule, detailed budget and co-financing, support letter and required administrative material. The selection committee is expected in February 2027.
Deadline: 30 October 2026 at 23:59 Paris time. [Official AOCA programme](https://www.institutfrancais.com/en/programme/project-support/aoca-support-cultural-operators-africa) · [IFprog application](https://ifprog.emundus.fr/fr/campagne-info?cid=339&view=programme) · [More cultural opportunities](https://culturama.ma/opportunites).