Applications Open: CCL Switzerland 2024

Creative Climate Leadership (CCL) is a transformation programme for creative changemakers committed to taking action on the climate crisis through the arts and culture.

The first CCL Switzerland programme will be delivered in 2024 by Julie’s Bicycle in partnership with Vert le Futur, initiated and funded by Pro Helvetia and Stiftung Mercator Schweiz.

In a group together with other changemakers, participants can expect to learn and unlearn together, nurture creative possibilities, strengthen communities of practice, and refocus on what the arts and culture can bring to the climate movement.

Participants will become part of a global network of over 200 creative changemakers, working in more than 30 countries.

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What does the programme offer?

The CCL Switzerland programme includes:

• An inspiring 5 day residential programme of learning and peer-to-peer exchange for 24 motivated participants based in or from Switzerland who want to take a lead on climate transformation, taking place 3 – 8 March 2024.
• A supportive network of national and international CCL alumni, through which we will facilitate ongoing learning and exchange including alumni webinars.
• Participants will also have an opportunity to apply for one of five CHF 5,000 ‘Creative Climate Leadership Action’ seed grants to support emerging projects and ideas.

The programme will:

• Explore the role of culture and creativity in responding to climate change and environmental challenges.
• Offer a powerful opportunity to collaborate and develop creative ideas in a serene environment, and a space to develop cultural leadership on climate action and justice.
• Share case studies, research, approaches and collaborative ways of working to maximise impact in the creative sector, civic society, and policy making.

Acknowledging the urgent need for renewal, our approach is rooted in reciprocity and care for an immersive experience to explore what kind of leadership is needed now, together.

Please note: the programme will be delivered in English.

Who is eligible to apply?

CCL Switzerland is open to artists and creative/cultural professionals based in or from Switzerland at all stages in their career.

You can be working across a range of artforms including design, interactive media, literature, music, performing arts, visual arts, and architecture as well as projects that combine multiple disciplines both within and beyond the arts.

We encourage applications from those who want to challenge the status quo and conventional ways of thinking.

The five ‘CCL Action’ seed grants will be open to applications from the 24 participants after completion of the residential programme.

Please note: students are generally not eligible to apply (see FAQs).

What are the dates and time commitments?

CCL Switzerland will take place 3 – 8 March 2024 at Mattli Antoniushaus in Morschach, Switzerland.

We expect applicants to ensure you are available and committed to participate fully for the entire duration of the residential:

• Sunday 3 March 2024 – Participants arrive at Mattli Antoniushaus (afternoon)
• Monday 4 to Friday 8 March 2024 – Residential programme
• Friday 8 March 2024 – Participants depart Mattli Antoniushaus (afternoon)

There will be three follow-up online webinars for participants to reconvene together in May, August, and November 2024.

We encourage CCL participants to commit to sharing their learning via their own ‘CCL Action’ after the residential.

Application process and key dates

Application deadline: 11.59pm CET, 15 November 2023

Applications are now closed.

The application form has around 10 questions. Based on the character limit we would expect the total length of applications to be between 1,000 – 1,750 words.

If you would prefer to submit a video application, please record a video of max 5 minutes addressing the questions in the application form, and send this as an MP4 file via WeTransfer to cclswitzerland@juliesbicycle.com with the subject line ‘CCL Switzerland Video Application’ along with your Personal Details.

If you would like to discuss submitting an application in another format, please email cclswitzerland@juliesbicycle.com

Please check the FAQs for additional information about the programme and eligibility.

Successful applicants will be notified by early January 2024.

Jury

Applications will be evaluated by a panel consisting of staff members from Julie’s Bicycle, Vert le Futur, Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, and an external expert member of the Pro Helvetia jury pool. Staff from Pro Helvetia will act as observers and will also have access to applications.

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate:

• Nuanced understanding and reflection on what creative climate leadership means.
• Engagement with and awareness of climate change, environmental and/or social justice themes, issues and connections in your work to date.
• Ability and willingness to take action and lead change.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively and contribute to a group.

Not sure if the programme is for you? Watch back our online information session

With inputs from Julie’s Bicycle, Vert le Futur, Pro Helvetia and Stiftung Mercator. Captions are available.

Partners