Haus am Schottentor
Vienna Think Tank Revolutionizes Cultural Collaboration with the
Launch of the European Silk Road Cultural Fund
Vienna, 11 December, 2024 – The Callias Foundation, a pioneering think-and-do tank
dedicated to intercultural innovation through music and art, has announced the launch of
the European Silk Road Cultural Fund (ESRCF). Building on the ambitious vision of the
European Silk Road, first proposed by the Vienna Institute for International Economic
Studies (wiiw) in 2018, this new initiative takes a bold step forward by focusing on cultural
collaboration and the transformative power of human creativity.
From Infrastructure to Innovation: A New Chapter for the European Silk Road
In 2018, wiiw introduced the idea of a European Silk Road to connect the continent through 11,000
kilometers of high-speed rail and road networks, aiming to stimulate economic growth and
cooperation. Inspired by this vision, the Callias Foundation shifted the focus from infrastructure
to culture, unveiling the European Silk Road App—a digital platform that brings together over 40
artists from 15 EU countries. This app fosters cross-cultural dialogue and creative exploration,
uncovering new potentials within Europe’s rich cultural fabric.
The Vision of the ESRCF
The European Silk Road Cultural Fund (ESRCF) introduces a transformative approach to project
evaluation and funding. It functions as a think-do tank, combining a design hub, accelerator, and
network under the Callias Foundation’s umbrella. Through its value-driven evaluation system,
which employs a 147-step methodology incorporating humanistic and project-specific criteria
like sustainability and ROI, it ensures fair and transparent project assessments. Additionally, its
circular economy model reinvests 2–10 percent of revenues from successfully funded projects
back into the fund, sustaining future cultural initiatives.
“The ESRCF is a very new approach,” said Jan Moritz Onken, Founder of the Callias Foundation.
“It addresses long-standing challenges in cultural funding, providing a transparent, human-
centred framework that values creativity and collaboration.”
Why the ESRCF Matters
The ESRCF offers groundbreaking solutions to key stakeholders in the cultural sector. For funders
and evaluators, it provides a clear and reliable framework to align funding decisions with their
organizational missions. For artists and innovators, it delivers actionable feedback and a step-by-
step guide to refine proposals, significantly improving their chances of securing funding.
A Call for Collaboration
The Callias Foundation invites funders, artists, and cultural practitioners to join the European Silk
Road Cultural Fund in shaping a brighter future for Europe’s cultural landscape. By placing human
values at the centre of cultural innovation, the ESRCF is paving the way for sustainable, impactful
collaboration.For more information about the ESRCF or to explore partnership opportunities, visit callias-
About the Callias Foundation
The Callias Foundation is a Vienna-based non-profit think-and-do tank dedicated to fostering
intercultural innovation through classical music and cross-sectoral collaboration. Supporting
artistic and cultural projects that promote intercultural dialogue, it is closely associated with the
Silk Road Symphony Orchestra, providing financial and organisational support for its work. This
connection reinforces the shared values of cultural diversity, exchange and artistic excellence.
Together, both contribute to bringing the vision of the European Silk Road into the present as a
platform for peaceful understanding and cultural co-operation.
Thanks to the generous support of the pro bono legal advice – program of DLA Piper, the
presentation of the ESRCF will take place on Wednesday, 11th of December 2024, in the office of
DLA Piper in Vienna.
Press Contact
CALLIAS FOUNDATION
Goldeggasse 6 / 3
1040 Wien
T +43 1 4420047
F +43 1 2533033 4249
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