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Design

Emerging Talents: Seoul Matchmaking Programme

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Target group
Practitioner with connection to Switzerland
Submission deadline
1 March

What

Four design studios will be invited to Seoul (KR) between 27 October and 31 October 2025 to explore business opportunities with the local design industry.

For Whom

Emerging Talents’ are professional designers whose design-relevant training or registration (self-employed, sole proprietorship, company) dates back less than seven years.

Selection Criteria

  • Substantial interest in establishing contacts with Korean design companies
  • High degree of innovation, marketability and demonstrable sustainability concept for production and practice

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

  • CHF 2,500 allowance grant per studio for travel costs and accommodation (round trip, economy)
  • Individual coaching and business meetings, visits to selected companies

In addition, designers with childcare responsibilities can apply for financial support of up to CHF 250 per week as a contribution to childcare or for the travel expenses of their children and, if necessary, a carer. This also applies if the child/children stay at home and are cared for. Applicants must present a budget of all expenses in advance.

Content Of Application

  • Short CV (incl. training, nationality and/or residency status – max. 500 characters incl. spaces)
  • Portfolio
  • Proof of status as an Emerging Talent: diploma or proof of registration (as self-employed, a sole trader or company)
  • Description of business objectives and target group in relation to the Korean market
  • List of companies you would like to meet

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

The following are excluded:

  • Commissioned work and projects that are part of an advertising campaign
  • Unique pieces, craft projects, new editions, collectible projects
  • Promotional platforms or publications

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Applications can be submitted from1 January
Submission deadline1 March
Notification of decisionEnd of June

Additional Information

  • In collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Seoul
  • Organised with a local design agency
  • Participation in local events
  • The selection is made by a panel of experts
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Image by Data Orbit and Lucas Manser

General Requirements

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Introduction

Pro Helvetia promotes the professional contemporary Swiss art and cultural production (without film) with a view to diversity as well as national and international reach. It supports the creation of new artistic works and productions, the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions, the dissemination of Swiss art and culture outside Switzerland and international cultural exchange. As a national foundation, Pro Helvetia supplements the promotional activities of Swiss cantons and municipalities and only supports projects that are cross-regionally or internationally recognised.

Pro Helvetia will only consider funding applications if they are complete and have been submitted on time.

To be eligible for support, projects must

  • have a clear connection to Switzerland
  • be of nationwide importance
  • be adequately co-funded by other public or private means
  • respects/guarantee fair working conditions

Connection to Switzerland

A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.
  • The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.

Nationwide relevance

Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.
  • The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career.
  • The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination.
  • The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.

Assessment of content and quality

Within the framework of the available funds, Pro Helvetia prioritises projects that most comprehensively meet the funding criteria. The Foundation assesses whether

  • the project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance
  • the project is implemented according to professional standards
  • the costs are commensurate with the expected impact
  • a lasting impact can be expected

Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects:

  • The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.
  • Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.

Restrictions

Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if

  • the same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
  • the project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.)
  • funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections
  • the project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia

Status: January 2024