The call offered organizations the opportunity to apply under one of two support models: an internship, designed for young and emerging cultural professionals to gain new knowledge and experience through hands-on work, and on-the-job training, aimed at strengthening the knowledge and competencies of existing organizational team members through collaboration with experienced experts.

The selected proposals address several key priorities of the Culture for Democracy project, with a particular focus on ecological sustainability and the greening of the cultural sector, as well as social inclusion through the active participation and professional development of young people. All four programmes contribute to strengthening the organizational capacities of independent cultural actors through knowledge transfer, practical experience and the introduction of new approaches into their work.

Particular attention was given to geographic representation and the decentralisation of the cultural sector. Three of the four selected organizations operate outside Belgrade and Novi Sad, in Bačka Palanka, Bajina Bašta and Pančevo. For the first time, this year’s selection also includes more internships than on-the-job training programmes, enabling greater direct engagement with young people and increased investment in the development of a new generation of cultural professionals.

The organizations supported through the Job Shadowing Call 2026 are listed here.

Launched in October 2021, the Culture for Democracy (CfD) project represents Switzerland’s first comprehensive and long-term initiative in the field of arts and culture in Serbia. Heartefact implemented the first phase of the project between 2021 and 2025, while the second phase will be implemented from 2025 to 2028.