Beirut /PNN/ The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), the largest fund for independent artists and cultural institutions in the Arab world, announced its latest program titled Ecologies of Culture.This launch marks a regional milestone, as AFAC becomes the first Arab organization to serve as lead applicant on a European Union-funded cultural initiative. Co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with Oxfam Italy, Megaphone, and Echos Electrik, the program invites applicants from inside and outside artistic practice to bring new insights into global issues and develop pathways toward solutions.In a time when social, political, and environmental challenges are deeply interconnected, Ecologies of Culture recognizes that solutions cannot rely on conventional scientific and policy frameworks alone. Climate change, gender inequality and digital transformation are not abstract issues, they shape our communities, economies, and ways of living. The program engages artists, cultural practitioners, and cross-sector collaborators to reimagine how we respond to these urgent global realities.While international programs may often overlook the cultural sector, Ecologies of Culture places creativity at the heart of global problem-solving. AFAC’s leadership ensures the program is rooted in the realities of Arab cultural communities while connecting them to global conversations and resources.“Arts and culture are not peripheral to our world’s challenges — they are vital in shaping how we understand, connect, and act as a collective,” said Rima Mismar, Executive Director of AFAC. “Through Ecologies of Culture, AFAC is reaffirming the essential role of cultural practice in creating sustainable and interconnected futures. This program is an invitation to take part in imagining solutions that have the potential to transform our current realities.”Over four years, Ecologies of Culture will support up to 58 projects across nine countries in the Arab region. Projects will receive financial support alongside capacity-building opportunities, including mentorship, peer-to-peer exchanges, workshops, and networking. The program is structured around three components:● Creative Placemaking – Supporting artistic projects that reimagine shared spaces and foster connection within communities, both physical and virtual. ● Creative Labs – Bringing together artists, scientists, technologists, and professionals from diverse sectors to experiment and co-create solutions to complex global issues. ● Creative Caravans – Expanding the reach of cultural content through touring, festivals, residencies, and digital media platforms, ensuring artistic works and stories travel across borders, languages, and communities.By weaving together these three pillars, Ecologies of Culture aims to nurture collaborative ecosystems where culture becomes a driver of innovation and collective action.The open call for Ecologies of Culture will launch on September 22, 2025. Artists, collectives, and cultural organizations from eligible countries are invited to apply with projects that embody the program’s spirit of imagination, collaboration, and social impact.Full details on eligibility, criteria, and support for each program component can be found on the Ecologies of Culture program page on AFAC’s website: www.arabculturefund.orgThe Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) is the leading independent regional organization supporting individual artists and cultural institutions across the Arab region. Since 2007, AFAC has awarded more than 2,200 grants, mobilized over USD 70 million in funding, and supported cultural projects in 22 Arab countries and the diaspora. AFAC’s mission is to empower artists, conserve diverse narratives, and foster creative freedom across the region. Through the non-restrictive support of independent voices, AFAC champions the cultural richness, complexity, and evolving identity of the region.