Funding

Who can be funded?

Sparx is open to any idea or group that is part of the cultural sector and of which at least 2/3 are between 18 and 25 years old. Particular emphasis is placed on ideas that tackle social and political issues.

How does the funding process work?

1. Call for ideas

During the call for ideas, you and your group can submit your idea for Sparx.

The first call for ideas is open from 31 October 2021 to 12 January 2022.

2. Selection

The selection committee is made up of seven people aged between 18 and 25, who are nominated by our partners. The selection committee decides which groups and ideas will be awarded a Sparx studio period.

The groups selected for a Sparx studio period in 2022 will be announced on 1 March 2022.

3. Sparx Studio

The selected ideas are developed further during the three-month studio period. You are not expected to create a finished product during this time. As a participant, you each receive a grant of CHF 6,000 during the studio period. This is divided into three monthly grants of CHF 2,000 per person. Once a month, a studio weekend will be held during which participants can exchange ideas.

The first Sparx studio period is from 1 April to 30 June 2022.

4. Sparx Cosmos

Sparx Cosmos takes place in autumn and is an opportunity to exchange ideas. It brings together all of the Studio participants with the groups from the new call for ideas and our partners.

Looking for bright ideas!

Call for Ideas

You are not expected to have a finished concept to receive sponsorship from Sparx. Sparx focuses on innovative ideas in all fields with the potential for development. Sparx is interested in applications that employ an innovative approach or deal with issues that are culturally, politically or socially relevant. More details can be found on the information sheet.

Ideas can be submitted from 31 October 2021 until 12 January 2022 via the Migros Culture Percentage application portal.
Submit an idea
Information Sheet

Terms and conditions of participation

To submit your ideas for the Sparx studio period, you must fulfil these terms and conditions of participation:

  • You are a group of at least two people.
  • You have an idea that you want to work on and refine together.
  • At least two thirds of your group are aged between 18 and 25 (born between 1996 and 2003).
  • A minimum of two and a maximum of four members of your group would like to take part in the three-month studio period (including the studio weekend).
  • The Studio participants are Swiss residents aged between 18 and 25.

FAQ

If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please contact us at sparx@mgb.ch , on WhatsApp (+41 79 249 76 39) or Instagram.

I would like to submit an idea as an individual, is this still permitted?

You cannot apply for Sparx Studio as an individual, as only groups of two or more can take part in the studio period.

How many people can join our group?

There is no upper limit on group size. However, a maximum of four people from a group can take part in the studio period.

Not everyone in our group is aged between 18 and 25. Does this mean we are excluded from the funding?

Two-thirds of the group must be aged between 18 and 25. If some members are older or younger, you can still submit the idea. However, grants and the studio period can only be awarded to people aged between 18 and 25.

Who is excluded from participation?

Sparx does not support ideas that

  • … discriminate against people.
  • … are developed within an institutional or commercial framework.
  • … are currently being developed or marked as part of training at schools or universities.
Not all members of our group members are able to take part in the studio period from April to June. Are we still allowed to submit our idea?

No problem! A minimum of two and a maximum of four people per group must take part in the studio period and the studio weekends. The others are members of the group, but do not have time commitments or receive a grant.

Are we allowed to submit a final project from our studies?

You may submit a final project, but two conditions apply.

  • It must have been handed in and graded already.
  • You want to work on developing it further
Are we allowed to submit a project for which we are already receiving funding?

We are looking for ideas with the potential for development, rather than finished concepts. If this applies to your project, then you are allowed to submit it, even if it already is receiving another funding.