Grantspace Funding in the WorkCoopHub for the queer‑feminist festival IN THE MOUNTAINS
How can artistic, political, and collective struggles from different regions be thought together—without flattening their differences?
And how do we create a space where migrant, queer, self‑organised perspectives are more than just “interesting”?
One possible answer is IN THE MOUNTAINS, a queer‑feminist arts and culture festival rooted in the South Caucasus. From 12–14 September 2025, it will gather artists and activists in Berlin who position themselves as anti‑colonial, diverse, and defiant—beyond nationalist narratives. The organisers: untitled tbilisi and the South Caucasus Center for Culture.
A room full of possibilities
Sometimes all it takes is a key to connect worlds. Since 10 May 2025, IN THE MOUNTAINS has been the very first project partner in the new Grantspace of the WorkCoopHub—a funding programme by the Smart cooperative. For six months, a 60 m² studio at Wilhelmstraße 150 turns empty walls into sketches, plans, and late‑night debates.
No rent, no red tape—just a key, a Wi‑Fi password, and an open door to the Smart network. Solidarity, furnished.
Reversed Rivers – against the current, together
Since 2022, the festival has offered queer and feminist artists, activists, and communities from the South Caucasus a platform beyond nationalist narratives, aiming to make diversity visible and recognise it as a collective strength.
The 2025 theme “Reversed Rivers” explores new paths of resistance and care: in politically uncertain times, the festival rejects a retreat into the private and instead opens spaces for collective reflection, artistic expression, and lived solidarity.
From 12–14 September 2025, performances, films, panels, workshops, community dinners, drag shows, art installations, and podcasts will all revolve around one question: How do we stay in solidarity when everything shakes? Place: Panke Club in Wedding, Hof V, Gerichtstraße 23, 13347 Berlin
Why Smart & IN THE MOUNTAINS fit so well
The WorkCoopHub (launched January 2025) is Smart’s lab for collaborative work and solidarity‑based economy. Its Grantspace offers projects with social, ecological, or feminist aims six months of free workspace plus resonance.
Smart believes in self‑employment no one has to shoulder alone. IN THE MOUNTAINS brings transnational experience, queer joy, and South‑Caucasian hospitality. Together they build a resonance field where economy, art, and activism forge new alliances.
What’s next?
The WorkCoopHub keeps growing—online and offline. Grantspace will continue to allocate rooms to projects that reinvent community, share knowledge, and practice self‑employment collectively.
Got an idea that fits? → Get in touch!
Stronger together, more visible together—even beyond the mountains.
Further links
Welcome to Berlin. Welcome to the WorkCoopHub.