- Posted on October 9th, 2025
Applications Open: CCC Switzerland 2026
Creative Climate Changemakers (CCC) is a transformation programme for creative changemakers committed to taking action on the climate crisis through the arts and culture.
The second CCC Switzerland programme will be delivered in 2026 by Julie’s Bicycle in partnership with Vert le Futur, initiated and funded by Pro Helvetia and Stiftung Mercator Schweiz.
In a group together with other changemakers, participants can expect to learn and unlearn together, nurture creative possibilities, strengthen communities of practice, and refocus on what the arts and culture can bring to the climate movement.
Participants will become part of a global network of over 200 creative changemakers, working in more than 30 countries.
What does the programme offer?
The CCC Switzerland programme includes:
- An inspiring 5 day residential programme of learning and peer-to-peer exchange for 24 motivated participants living and working in Switzerland who want to take a lead on climate transformation, taking place 29 March – 03 April 2026.
- Networking, peer-support, knowledge sharing and group coaching through a Swiss CCC alumni network, focusing on building new relationships between the CCC Switzerland 2024 cohort and the new CCC Switzerland 2026 cohort.
- Participants will also have an opportunity to apply for one of up to three CHF 10,000 collaborative CCC Seed Grants to support emerging projects and ideas.
The programme will:
- Explore the role of culture and creativity in responding to climate change and environmental challenges.
- Offer a powerful opportunity to collaborate and develop creative ideas in a serene environment, and a space to develop cultural leadership on climate action and justice.
- Share case studies, research, approaches and collaborative ways of working to maximise impact in the creative sector, civic society, and policy making.
Acknowledging the urgent need for renewal, our approach is rooted in reciprocity and care for an immersive experience to explore what kind of leadership is needed now, together.
Please note: the programme will be delivered in English.
Who is eligible to apply?
CCC Switzerland is open to artists and cultural workers (including those working in organisations, for funding bodies, on cultural policy) and freelance practitioners based in or from Switzerland at all stages in their career.
You can be working across a range of artforms including design, interactive media, literature, music, performing arts, visual arts, and architecture as well as projects that combine multiple disciplines both within and beyond the arts.
We encourage applications from those who want to challenge the status quo and conventional ways of thinking.
The up to three collaborative CCC Seed Grants will be open to applications from the 24 participants after completion of the residential programme.
Please note: students are generally not eligible to apply (see FAQs).
What are the dates and time commitments?
CCC Switzerland will take place 29 March – 3 April 2026 at Mattli Antoniushaus in Morschach, Switzerland.
We expect applicants to ensure you are available and committed to participate fully for the entire duration of the residential:
Sunday 29 March 2026 – Participants arrive at Mattli Antoniushaus (afternoon)
Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April 2026 – Residential programme
Friday 3 April 2026 – Participants depart Mattli Antoniushaus (afternoon)
Pre-Course Webinars and One-on-One Mentorship
Two pre-residential webinars will be organised in the month before the residential as an introductory overview to create an equal baseline of knowledge among the cohort. These will be mandatory to attend for selected participants.
There will be six follow-up online webinars for participants to reconvene within 12 months after the residential, in addition to one-on-one mentorship opportunities with Julie’s Bicycle and Vert le Futur.
We encourage CCC participants to commit to sharing their learning via their own ‘CCC Action’ after the residential.
Application process and key dates
Application deadline: 11.59pm CET, November 17 2025
Applicants should fill out the application form here.
The application form has around 10 questions. Based on the character limit we would expect the total length of applications to be between 1,000 – 1,750 words.
If you would prefer to submit a video application, please record a video of max 5 minutes addressing the questions in the application form, and send this as an MP4 file via WeTransfer to us. with the subject line ‘CCC Switzerland Video Application’ along with your Personal Details.
If you would like to discuss submitting an application in another format, please email us.
Successful applicants will be notified by December 2025.
Jury
Applications will be evaluated by a panel consisting of staff members from Julie’s Bicycle, Vert le Futur, and an external expert member of the Pro Helvetia ‘Innovation & Society’ jury pool. Staff from Pro Helvetia and Stiftung Mercator Schweiz will act as observers and will also have access to applications.
We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate:
- Nuanced understanding and reflection on what creative climate leadership means.
- Engagement with and awareness of climate change, environmental and/or social justice themes, issues and connections in your work to date.
- Ability and willingness to take action and lead change.
- Ability and willingness to work collaboratively and contribute to a group.
Still unsure?
Join us on Monday 3 November, 2pm GMT / 3pm CET for a 50 minute online zoom session, co-hosted by Julie’s Bicycle and Vert le Futur, which will give you all the information you need to make your decision, and answer any questions you might have. Sign up now.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.