This is a call for proposals for EU action grants in the field of pilot projects and preparatory actions.

Consortia are invited to propose concrete ideas at the nexus of art, digital, and water on how an alliance of digital experts, artists and stakeholders can contribute to sustainable water management. A major task will be to facilitate in STARTS residencies collaboration of artists with engineers and stakeholders concerned with water.

In order to ensure the implementation of pilot projects and preparatory actions in the field of “Communications Networks, Content and Technology”, the Commission has adopted an annual financing decision, which constitutes the annual work programme, for 2023.

This call for proposals seeks to promote an alternative approach to innovation worldwide that forges synergies between art and (digital) technology and thereby fosters regional development on a social, ecological and economic level compatible with local culture and values.

The goal of this call for proposals - in the spirit of the STARTS program - is to enable crossovers between technology/economy and the arts in regional development by supporting the creation of regional STARTS centres as catalysts of such crossovers. Synergies between art and technology shall help in regional development on a social, ecological and economic level by boosting creativity in industry and business.

In order to ensure the implementation of pilot projects and preparatory actions in the field of “Communications Networks, Content and Technology”, as set out in the annex, it is necessary to adopt an annual financing decision, which constitutes the annual work programme for 2022.

The STARTS programme launches local initiatives in schools to have artists and IT experts jointly teach digital skills.

The call for proposals will explore how to broaden STARTS beyond its industry focus and extend it from pure industrial settings to regional and urban development where the digital plays today a prominent role and where a joint effort of art and digital technologies could help create a burgeoning environment for prospering cities.