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Congratulations to the 2024 European Leadership Summit (ELS) Civic Ignition Grant Winner!  
We received 14 submissions and had  16 participants join the workshop to discuss each application. Thank you to all the applicants and participants for an engaged conversation around the submitted civic impact projects. 

Congratulations to: 
Temple of Re:creation
Poltava, Ukraine
Off-Road Sisters, Hanna Kroitor and Eva Neidlinger
About the project:

The “Temple of Re:creation” is a collaborative land art project for women impacted by the war in Ukraine, conceived as a symbolic haven for healing and empowerment. Central to the initiative are three components: the Art Residency, Land Art Construction, and Documentary Production, with the BWB Civic Ignition grant being allocated specifically for the Land Art Construction phase.

Set during a six-day art residency, titled “The Worth of my Anger,” and situated within an eco-center in central Ukraine, the project will explore the societal, cultural, and personal implications of anger within the Ukrainian war context. The project entails creating a land art installation utilizing recycled materials like found metal rods, wood, and concrete. The construction unfolds in two stages: first, the assembly of a metal framework for the sanctuary during autumn, followed by the spring phase involving the planting of willow trees around the frame, symbolizing strength and resilience. The culmination of this project is the creation of a lasting land art installation that serves as a temple for reflection and re:creation and is a safe space for women affected by conflict, to foster resilience, healing, and community.

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If you are in Europe, please be sure to join our Burners Without Borders European Working Group (FB)

 What is the European Leadership Summit (ELS) Civic Ignition Grant?
A program aimed at funding innovative community & civic projects within the network. We are interested in programs that create collaborations, produce direct actions, utilize several of the 10 Burning Man Principles, are reproducible, and creatively tackle local social problems. This grant allows anyone to submit a collaborative, creative, and principle-focused project with a chance to receive up to a $1,500 grant. This ELS edition of the Civic Ignition Grant is aimed at funding projects in the larger European region.

Timeline:
–Grant opportunity is announced on March 4, 2024
–The deadline for grant submissions is March 29th, 2024 (Midnight wherever you are)
–Workshop participants will review the grant proposals at the 2024 European Leadership Summit in Tallinn, Estonia (Weekend of April 4-7, 2024)
–The winner (s) will be announced the week of April 8th, 2024

Apply here: https://forms.gle/m9erjYmctK6wVKZb6 

What’s unique about the European Leadership Summit Civic Ignition Grant?
Submissions to the 2024 European Leadership Summit Civic Ignition grant cycle will be workshopped and judged by a group of participants and community leaders that attend this year’s European Leadership Summit. This group will use the submissions as material to review and workshop while learning how to administer their civic grant programs.

Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone! Individuals, Groups, and Not-for-Profits are all eligible. You do not need to be a participant in the leadership gathering to apply.

How much can you ask for?
The maximum grant that may be awarded is $1,500. We encourage your project’s viability to not solely depend on this grant. Think about other sources of funding that might be available. Grants awarded could be less than the full amount that was requested in the application. 

What types of proposals will likely not get funded by this program?
Programs solely based on artistic endeavors and do not have a community or civic aspect will most likely not be considered for funding. Funds should not be used for direct fundraising, chapter promotion efforts, or paying people for their work.

What follow-up will be expected by grant recipients?
All recipients will be expected to submit written reports on what they have accomplished and learned in the course of their projects, along with accompanying visual media. This media will be hosted on the Burners Without Borders website.

Suggestions for a quality grant proposal:
– Look at the BWB Grant Impact & Criteria Document to see how we think about grants.
– Reach out to your local Burning Man Regional Contact and ask if they might be an advisor.
– Watch our video “How to write Quality Grants: Burning Man 101” (Starts rough but gets going at (9:00 min)
– Listen to our podcast “Targeted Grant Writing: with Meta-Regional Jacqui Latendresse”

Who won the Civic Ignition Grant in the past?
This will be our sixth time producing the European Leadership Summit Civic Ignition grant. Check out the past winners to get inspired to apply for the 2024 cycle!
2019 ELS Civic Ignition Grant Winners
2018 ELS Civic Ignition Grant Winners
2017 ELS Civic Ignition Grant winners
2016 ELS Civic Ignition Grant winners

How long will it take to receive the funds if selected?
In order to process your grant funds, we’ll require contracting and payment information about the Grantee, including tax information as applicable. Once all grantee information has been collected, it may take an additional 2-8 weeks to process your payment. We strive to complete all grant payments as quickly as possible.

Are the funds taxable?
Yes, grants are considered income and are taxable for organizations and individuals.
International Wires for Grantees: International payees are responsible for any foreign exchange or bank fees associated with funds being sent as USD to local currency. Please speak with your bank about receiving funds from the United States of America to be aware of any fees that might be incurred.

Burning Man Project is not responsible for researching foreign transaction fees or related bank charges. Please ensure that your wiring information is accurate, otherwise potential additional fees may be incurred against your grant. If you are unclear about receiving an international wire, please contact your bank for further information.