IDO Dance Development Fund Workshop Inspires Strong International Engagement

International Dance Organization marked an important milestone on 23 February 2026 with the successful organization of the official workshop dedicated to the newly established IDO Dance Development Fund (IDO DDF).

The online workshop gathered representatives from 11 countries, clearly demonstrating the strong international interest in this historic initiative — the first grant support program ever introduced within IDO.

A Historic Step for IDO Development

Officially established as of 1 January 2026, the IDO Dance Development Fund provides €55,000.00 in available funds for the 2026 Call. The maximum financial support per approved project is €5,000, with funds allocated across four strategic program objectives:

• Support for smaller and developing IDO Members
• Fostering cooperation among IDO Members
• Support for IDO Members with outstanding competitive results
• Support for IDO choreographers, coaches, and dance teachers

During the workshop, participants received detailed guidance on:

• Eligibility requirements and application procedures
• Evaluation criteria and scoring methodology
• Eligible and ineligible costs
• Funding agreements and reporting obligations
• Transparency, monitoring, and public visibility requirements

The session was highly interactive, with participants raising practical and strategic questions, reflecting both preparedness and strong motivation to submit quality project proposals.

Call for Proposals Open – Members Highly Active

The Call for Proposals is currently open, and IDO Members have already shown remarkable initiative and engagement. Communication with the IDO leadership has been dynamic and constructive, with numerous inquiries aimed at ensuring strong, sustainable, and impactful applications.

This proactive response confirms that the IDO DDF is recognized not merely as financial assistance, but as a strategic development instrument designed to:

• Strengthen national member organizations
• Encourage international cooperation
• Reward excellence in results
• Invest in professional growth and education

Statement from the IDO President

Prof. Dr.sc. Velibor Srdic, President of IDO, highlighted the broader significance of this initiative:

“This is our strong message to everyone who contributes to making the IDO family so large, popular, and impressive. We are proud within IDO to have enabled this form of support for dancers, coaches, and national member organizations. This is the first grant support ever, and I hope that the funds will be increased in the coming years.’’

Applications are accepted exclusively online via the application link and must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM CET.

A Strategic Investment in the Future of Dance

The IDO Dance Development Fund represents more than financial support — it marks the beginning of a new phase of structured development, solidarity, and long-term strategic growth within the global IDO community.

With transparent evaluation procedures, clearly defined scoring systems, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and impact, the DDF establishes a new benchmark in organizational support within the international dance sector.

The enthusiasm demonstrated during the workshop and the active communication from members clearly confirm that IDO continues to evolve as a modern, responsible, and forward-looking global dance federation.

The future of development within IDO has officially begun.

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