Project Groundswell

Open Call Terms and Conditions

Project Groundswell is organized by a partnership of four photo organisations, Photo Museum Ireland (project lead), Fotohof, Cortona on the Move and Imago Lisboa.
All entries must be submitted via the official competition website (Picter).
By entering the competition, entrants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions. Any deviation from these terms may result in disqualification.

Submissions are welcome from:

Artists of any nationality who are based in Europe. 'Europe' includes:
All the EU Member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)
Plus: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK.
Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels who are at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Proposals from artists' collectives and collaborations, as well as individual practitioners are welcome. In the case of collectives, please nominate a single overall representative/contact person.

Total cash awards: €32,000
4 x €5,000 grant for the Overall Winners.
12 x €1,000 grants for the Finalists
Overall Winners will have their work exhibited at Fotohof, Photo Museum Ireland, Cortona On The Move and Imago Lisboa throughout 2026.
Overall Winners will have their work published as a monograph photobook promoted at Fotohof, Photo Museum Ireland, Cortona On The Move and Imago Lisboa throughout 2026.
Finalists will have their work presented on the Project Website and as large scale projections at Imago Lisboa, Fotohof, Photo Museum Ireland and Cortona on the Move
Travel and accommodation for the Overall Winners to attend two exhibition events will be supported by the organizers (up to €400 per event).

Entrants retain full copyright over their submitted work.
Entrants must confirm that their work is original and that they hold all necessary permissions, including from identifiable individuals and property owners.
Entrants indemnify the organizers against claims related to copyright or permission issues.

Entrants grant a non-exclusive license to the organizers to reproduce and display work for competition-related promotional purposes, and, if selected, for Project Groundswell exhibitions, publications, and the promotion of the same.
Two sets of prints will be made for touring exhibitions. At the end of the Project Groundswell, one set will be given to the artist, and the other set will be deposited at Fotohof Archive for posterity.
Entrants retain full commercial rights outside the scope of competition-related activities.

Submissions will be judged by the international Jury on the following criteria:

Relevance to the theme of climate action.
Innovation / dynamism of the proposed approach.
Potential Impact: The project's capacity to engage audiences and inspire meaningful dialogue.
Practicability: does the project's ambition align with Project Groundswell's timeframe?
Judges' decisions are final.

Open Call starts: 17 February 2025.
Deadline for entries: April 30 at 23:59 CET.
Twelve Finalists notified by email by 31 May 2025.
Four Overall Winners notified by 31 July 2025.
Overall Winners' Exhibitions and Publications launched in February 2026, and exhibited in the four partner organisations during 2026.
Submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.
The organizers reserve the right to extend the closing date.

Entrants agree to participate in promotional activities, including exhibitions and media coverage.
Personal data will be stored securely and used solely for competition-related purposes in accordance with data protection laws.

Organizers reserve the right to modify these terms, withdraw inappropriate entries, or disqualify entries that breach rules.
Entries cannot be withdrawn after submission unless significant permission issues arise.
Entrants release organizers from claims or damages arising from participation in the Open Call.
Project Groundswell is co-funded by the EU. The views and opinions expressed are however those of the Organizers only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.