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Open Call: «Sprout!» For a social, sufficient and regenerative society

The project funding platform of the School of Design, Film and Art enters its second round!

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A future-proof society needs solutions that address changing consumer behaviours and promote conscious, resource-friendly lifestyles and business models. The Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art supports students and employees committed to effecting positive change in society.

Our goal:

The purpose of the open call is to support projects by students and employees of the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art that contribute to strengthening the School's culture of sustainability and sufficiency. Eligible are, e.g., regenerative practices, circular approaches and collective strategies for more sufficient and resource-friendly consumer behaviours and production practices, and activities for the common good. The funding platform targets initiatives that advance sustainability issues and develop ways of addressing them by applying design, film and art expertise and methods. The proposals being considered for funding are rooted in the design, film and art communities and their intersections, and aim for excellence within their respective sector.

Selection criteria:

Sustainability orientation

The project goals must be geared towards sustainability and the project’s intended effects and social relevance must be set out clearly. Possible thematic and methodological focal points include sufficiency, regenerative practices, circular approaches and socially transformative initiatives. Prototypes may be submitted as well.

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Level of innovation and creativity

The underlying innovative and creative ideas must be evident in the proposal. Inter- and transdisciplinary, experimental and collaborative approaches proposing new and original ways of addressing environmental, social and economic challenges are particularly eligible for this funding.

Long-term effect

It is recommended to address the project’s long-term effect and scalability by describing e.g., the project’s economic viability, institutional entrenchment or expected multiplier effects.

Participation and collaboration

Where applicable, the potential involvement of different actors (students, co-workers, external partners) and contributions to knowledge exchange should be discussed in the proposal.

Design, film, art, or social focus

The projects should focus on the entrenchment and advancement of a sustainability culture at the School of Design, Film and Art and/or help to drive positive change in society. Projects will be favoured if they can be realised locally. 

The platform will not support:

Projects without sustainability orientation

Projects without a direct connection to the topics of sustainability, sufficiency, or social responsibility.

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Purely commercial projects without community benefit

Projects that are purely commercial in nature and offer no added value for the community or the education landscape.

Projects that lack a clear implementation plan or are not realistically feasible

Projects should start in 2026 and conclude before the end of 2026.

One-off events without long-term effect

Events that only have a short-term effect, no lasting impact on sustainable practices, and do not help to raise awareness for sufficiency.

Salaries for student projects

BA and MA projects that are part of the curriculum and awarded with ECTS credits may be submitted, but the funding requested cannot include labour costs. However, it is permitted to claim expenses for materials used.

Finished projects or retroactive applications

Projects that are finished or for which retroactive funding is requested will not be considered.

Proposals should contain (on 3 pages max)

Project idea and goal

Detailed description of the project’s goals and its contribution to sustainability. Extent to which the project meets the criteria listed above, as well as its why, what, how, for whom, and impact.

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Impact analysis

Discussion of the project’s potential social, environmental and economic effects, using e.g., qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Finance and resource planning

Realistic budget plan showing how the funds requested will be used and what (own and third-party) funding has already been secured. Amount requested (CHF 5,000, 3,000 or 1,000).

Feasibility and schedule

A realistic and detailed project schedule.

Risk analysis

Assessment of potential risks and strategies for risk management.

Long-term sustainability

Strategies for the project’s continued existence and continuation after funding has been granted.

List of potential partners

Desired, requested, confirmed/declined partners

Contact information incl. email address

The proposals will be assessed along the following criteria:

  • Consistency of the stated goals and desired effect, including (if applicable) scalability
  • Alignment with selection criteria (sufficiency, regenerative or circular approaches, social relevance)
  • Feasibility and implementation (efficient use of funds)
  • Relation to design / film / art (perspectives, methods, approaches, etc.)
  • Evidence of innovative thinking

The NEB offers a useful frame of reference: : https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/system/files/2023-01/NEB_Compass_V_4.pdf

Panel of experts:

The members of Sustainability@DFK (Karina Kaindl, Jan-Christoph Zoels, Nicole Rickli, Jens Badura, Christoph Schindler, Isabelle Müggler, Theres Waeckerlin, Michael Speranza plus two of last year’s winners)

Timeline:

  • Submission of entries until 24 April
  • Panel decides on invitations to pitch by mid/end-of-May
  • Pitch date: Second half of June
  • The projects chosen for funding will be communicated at the end of June/beginning of July.