Terms of Reference (ToR) for “Regional Research on Sound Art, Dealing with the Past, and Public Spaces within the framework of the project Landscapes of Repair“
forumZFD supports people involved in violent conflicts on the path to peace. Since 2000, forumZFD has been present in the Western Balkans region and has implemented projects supporting non- violent conflict transformation, contributing to peacebuilding and reconciliation. Since 2013, the Western Balkans program (Bosnia and Hercegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo) works commonly in the area of Dealing with the Past and Peace Education.
- Background and Context:
The “Landscapes of Repair” project seeks to re-appropriate public spaces impacted and formed by the violent and traumatic past in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo (KS), North Macedonia (NMK), and Serbia (SER) by harnessing the potential of sound art to evoke collective memories and facilitate community dialogue. Through the collection and utilization of sounds from public spaces, this project seeks to create immersive sound art installations that encourage critical engagement with the historical narratives of these spaces, ultimately fostering reconciliation and positive peace.
The initial phase of the project is regional research on sound (art), memorialization processes, dealing with the past, and public spaces in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Therefore, forumZFD invites research teams to apply to conduct research for the initial phase of the project “Landscapes of Repair”.
Tasks of the research teams
- Build a theoretical framework and research concept to explore the relationship between sound, memory, and public spaces in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- Conduct a thorough desk research into the interplay of sound, memorialization processes, and public spaces in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- Conduct qualitative interviews with relevant sound artists, civil society activists, researchers, projects, and individuals utilizing sound art, field recording, sound scaping et al in their work on Dealing with the Past and Public Spaces (at least 5 interviews per country). Other methodologies of data collection are welcome.
- Identify potential communities and individuals with focus on marginalized voices for further cooperation within the Landscapes of Repair project.
- Develop recommendations for further regional approach of the Landscapes of Repair project and concrete suggestions for activities with respective communities, groups, and/or individual.
- Deliver an inception report (3-5 pages) in English.
- Deliver a final report and an executive summary in English.
forumZFD encourages the application of research teams (minimum two researchers) with proven expertise and work experience in the respective research areas and in the Western Balkans region (especially Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The application should include a cover letter, wresearch concept, methodology, detailed timeline, and budget. For further information please contact Alexander Vojvoda via vojvoda@forumzfd.de.
3. Timeline:
Deadline Application: February 21, 2024
Research Teams will be contacted until February 26, 2024
Presentation Inception Report: March 13, 2024
Submission Final Report: until April 30, 2024
4. Reporting: Researchers are required to provide regulars progress reports and updates. Additionally, a public presentation summarizing and showcasing the research findings will be organized at the end of the project.
These Term of References outlines the scope, objectives, and activities for the “Landscapes of Repair” project, providing a roadmap for researchers to undertake a meaningful exploration of sound, memory, and public spaces in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
