Institut français Opens Relais Connect & Create Applications for 16 Media Professionals Across Sub-Saharan Africa
The application period for the Relais Connect & Create program began on September 15, 2026. This initiative, coordinated by Imago Médias alongside the Institut français and Expertise France, will run for 11 months. It seeks to enroll 16 individuals from 12 Sub-Saharan African nations, including countries like South Africa and Ghana. The program is scheduled to commence in late January or early February 2027 and will offer 10 training sessions complemented by specialized mentoring. Prospective candidates, aged 18 and over with 2-5 years of experience, must submit their applications by October 13, 2026, with outcomes revealed by December 7, 2026.
Key facts
- Applications for Relais Connect & Create opened on 15 September 2026 and close on 13 October 2026
- The programme offers 11 months of professional development to 16 participants
- Participants must reside in one of 12 countries: South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda or Senegal
- The programme starts in late January or early February 2027
- Training covers 10 themed sessions including storytelling, social media, editorial strategy and press relations, plus one-to-one mentoring
- Applicants need two to five years of professional experience and must be at least 18 years old
- Applications are accepted in French or English and require a CV and a portfolio of two to three projects
- The 16 Connect & Create Hubs will be announced on 7 December 2026
Entities
Institutions
- Institut français
- Expertise France
- Imago Médias
- Connect & Create
- Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture
- European Union
- Goethe-Institut
Locations
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- South Africa
- Benin
- Cameroon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Uganda
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Africa
- Europe