START - Create Cultural Change

START - Create Cultural Change supports creative minds to kick-start cultural initiatives that generate a positive social impact on their local communities. By facilitating growth and exchange in the sociocultural sector, START aims to create new perspectives for young professionals in Greece and foster social cohesion in their local communities. 

The programme consits of 3 consecutive phases in Germany and Greece, enabling START Fellows to develop an innovative project idea into a cultural initiative and acquire the entrepreneurial skills to scale it up to become a sustainable creative venture.

• Phase I: A 3-month capacity building programme in Germany for the 30 fellows (September - November)
• Phase II: A 6-month fellowship and project implementation phase in Greece provides 15 START Fellows with funds, networks, and a support structure to launch their cultural initiative in Greece. (December - May) 
• Phase III: START Scaling Awards are awarded to exemplary initiatives that have excelled in creating a positive social impact, sparked cultural innovation and shown outstanding potential for future expansion. (June onwards)

START is a programme of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, conducted in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki, and the German Association of Sociocultural Centers, supported by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and the Bodossaki Foundation.