OPEN CALL FOR DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Nicosia Pop Up Festival 2021
The Nicosia Pop Up Festival is back once again in Nicosia, at the revamped Makarios Avenue and in the old town, aiming to showcase and promote creative and innovative ideas in various fields, and test them in real market conditions.
In the context of the organisation of the Nicosia Pop Up Festival 2021, the Nicosia Municipality, in collaboration with the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Associated with the Pierides Foundation [NiMAC], extends an open call for proposals for the allocation of vacant shops at the City Plaza Mall, situated in Makarios III Avenue in the centre of Nicosia, and the organisation of events at Theatro Polis – OPAP during the period 27 November – 31 December 2021.
As you are aware, in the context of the capital’s new urban planning and specifically the commercial triangle project, the Municipality of Nicosia has proceeded to the Makarios III Avenue revamp, looking toward a more sustainable, smart and human city.
As you are aware, as part of the capital’s new urban planning and specifically the commercial triangle project, the Municipality of Nicosia has proceeded to the Makarios III Avenue revamp, looking toward a more sustainable, smart and human city. The main objective of the festival, which has been identified as best practice at European level for creative industries, remains the support of the local community. The festival furthermore aims to gather in to the commercial centre of Nicosia everything innovative, inventive and creative that exists today, in the fields of young entrepreneurship, entertainment, culture and education.
This year’s event will be extensively promoted in the local press, as well as selected international media, on the social network platforms of the festival, the Municipality of Nicosia and NiMAC, as well as the platforms of NTB (Nicosia Tourism Board), and selected bloggers who use social media for promoting their content, on radio and television. The media partnerships will be announced in due time.
The festival will be accompanied by a range of parallel activities –educational, cultural, recreational– focusing on the active participation of the public (adhering to the relevant protocols to limit the spread of Covid-19).
The proposals will concern the following areas:
A. Innovation
Proposals concerning innovative ideas from new companies (start-ups), as well as new services.
B. Commerce
Proposals by professionals or young entrepreneurs and artists in relation to retail trade.
C. Art
Proposals relating to arts and culture (e.g., art exhibitions, installations, theatre, music, performances, dance).
D. Education
Proposals of educational interest (e.g., workshops, courses, lectures and other related activities), which will be held in appropriate predefined spaces.
Ε. Food and Drink service
Proposals from licensed food vendors dealing with street food. A number of stalls will be granted and each provider will have the option to share the stand with other providers. It is pointed out, howerver, that the food and/or the drinks must have the the characteristics of street food.
F. Music
Young and emerging musicians may submit their proposals for the Open Stage programme, which will be set up in the basement of City Plaza. Please note that Open Stage will provide audio support.
Innovation Awards
The main criterion for selecting the proposals will be innovation in products, services and practices. For this year’s festival, NTB (Nicosia Tourism Board) in its effort to strengthen culturally creative enterprises, will award a prize of best participation worth 500 euros in the category Innovation in Culture and Creativity, as well as the prize of best participation worth 500 in the category Trade in Culture and Creativity. The proposals that will be distinguished will be awarded in a special ceremony that will take place during the Nicosia Pop Up Festival 2021, on a date that will be announced in due course.
Festival venue and opening hours
The venue for the Nicosia Pop Up Festival 2021 will be the City Plaza Shopping Mall and Theatro Polis – OPAP in Nicosia.
Duration of festival: 27 November – 31 December 2021
Days and opening hours of commercial spaces:
Tuesday to Friday: 11:00–13:30 and 15:00–20:30
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00–20:00
Monday: Closed
During the festive Christmas season, the shops and various vendors will remain open daily from 10:00 – 21:00.
Note: The opening hours of commercial spaces should be strictly observed. However, these are not binding for those participating entrepreneurs wishing to open their shops or hold scheduled events before the scheduled opening hours.
- The realisation of the festival as well as whatever changes may be deemed necessary will depend on the epidemiological conditions prevailing in Cyprus at the specified period.
Participation cost (for those selected)
Α. For concession of shop, the one-time participation fee is set at €150 (for the entire duration of the festival).
B. For concession of food/drink stalls, the one-time participation fee is set at €200 (for the entire duration of the festival).
C. For holding events/happenings, which will generate revenue (not applicable to shops) the one-time participation fee is set at €50.
D. For holding events and happenings, which will not generate revenue (not applicable to shops), participation is Free of charge.
Deadline for submission of proposals
Proposals should be submitted:
Α. In person, at the offices of NiMAC located on the corner of Tempon and Pentadaktylos Streets in the Old Town, Monday–Friday, 09:00–14:30 by: Friday, 29 October 2021 at 14:30.
Β. In electronic form, to info@nimac.org.cy writing as Subject: POP UP FESTIVAL 2021 Declaration of Interest for Nicosia Pop Up Festival 2021 (please note that the file should not
exceed 7MB) by 31 October 2021.
For further information and clarification questions, please call at 22 797400, Monday–Friday, 09:00–14:30.
Selection Criteria
The selection of the proposals will be made on the basis of innovation, originality, quality and on whether the proposal is feasible and practicable.
Selection Procedure
- The final number of the applicants who will be selected will depend both on the final number of available shops and the available budget.
- Selection will take place in two phases: pre-selection and final selection. Applicants for short-listed proposals will be invited for an interview for further discussion and analysis of their proposal, if necessary.
- The Municipality and the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre are not obliged to justify to any applicant whichever decision they make regarding his/her participation in the festival.
- Participants will be selected by a committee formed for this purpose.
Financial Support
Category A
(With regard to proposals which will generate revenue)
The Municipality will be responsible for the operational costs of the shops such as electricity and water (only where water supply is available).
Category B
(With regard to proposals which will not generate revenue)
- The Municipality will be responsible for the operational costs of the shops such as electricity and water (only where water supply is available).
- In addition, the Municipality will also cover part of the funds required for the implementation of events/happenings during the festival, which will not exceed 50% of the total budget. The maximum subsidy amount will not exceed €400.
Note: During the final selection phase a detailed statement of expenses will have to be submitted for both categories. Original receipts or invoices are required for all expenses incurred.
