Invest in Creativity & Transform Societies
Culture is strong thanks to the passion of cultural entrepreneurs, artists, producers and the great spectrum of talented people engaged in the creative economy. With double-digit growth globally, creative industries can help generate jobs and income, especially for developing countries. That’s why we created the Int’l Fund for Cultural Diversity -- it finances projects that foster the emergence of local cultural sectors & strengthens cultural industries. Discover our many success stories!
Did you know that #IFCD projects are empowering individuals and social groups in Uruguay, South Africa and Brazil? #supportcreativity
Can Creativity be a driver for Sustainable Development? #IFCD #SupportCreativity
What does creativity mean for you? Young Guatemalan creators from indigenous communities and those of African descent were trained in audiovisual production at Aula INCREA with the support of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity. They shared with us what creativity means for them. #IFCD Check their video: “One minute for creativity” here (vimeo.com/67910183) and tell us what ‘creativity’ means for you.
With support from the #IFCD, women are finding new opportunities in cultural industries in Côte d’Ivoire. The balafon, a popular instrument in West African countries, has traditionally only been played by men. The NGO ‘Groupe Ba Banga Nyeck’ is promoting the creation of a cultural industry around the balafon, where at least 50% of the musicians in training are women. This time - women are full on board!
Bosnia and Herzegovina’’s films are the country’s best cultural export.But, Bosnian filmmakers fear the tide of the financial crisis may be washing away their cinematography gains over the past 15 years. They believe much more investment and bold action is needed to keep the industry afloat and to curb, for example, the on-going brain drain. 1€ invested by the State in filmmaking delivers 8€ return for the industry
Policy action revives Togolese arts scene
Investing in cultural industries helps job creation, markets, resources and partnerships that promote these cultural expressions in our globalized world.
Cultural and creative industries represent one of the most rapidly expanding sectors in the global economy with a growth rate of 17.6% in the Middle East, 13.9% in Africa, 11.9% in South America, 9.7% in Asia, 6.9% in Oceania, and 4.3% in North and Central America, according to a 2008 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Our Int'l Fund for Cultural Diversity helps implement 61 projects from 40 developing countries totaling around USD 4 million in funding
Coolest building in the world? - Page 10
How can we make the most of culture for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion?
Support UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity. Culture is a motor for sustainable growth.
The creative economy, fueled by the power of new technologies, may be the next new economy, following the agrarian, industrial, and service economies.
Cultural and creative industries are engines for social cohesion, as well as jobs and revenues, especially in developing countries, thereby fighting poverty, unemployment and violence.
Culture is at the vanguard of social and economic development in an increasing number of countries. Yet culture is still not fully integrated into sustainable development strategies worldwide.
Diversity of Cultural Expressions
We often forget to turn to the vitality of our own cultures as an inspirational force to help find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. Our cultures are a wellspring of creativity & ingenuity that can help economic growth, social cohesion & so much more.
The skills and capacities of cultural managers of Zimbabwe’s top arts and culture festivals are being strengthened through this program, to improve their contribution to development.
What a smart approach! This research institute is mapping out where all the creative industries are located in Zagreb, in an effort to diversify the city’s economy & to connect all stakeholders.
Diversity of Cultural Expressions
In Serbia, where small & medium enterprises are the backbone of the national economy, there are strangely no programs that groom entrepreneurs interested in the creative sector. Academica is set to change all that.
Escuela Teatro Argentino de la Plata graduates boost Argentina’s performing arts sector. We must support artists & all those who take forward humanity’s great cultural diversity.
Ecology meets Entertainment: The Harlequin Foundation in South Africa aims to train members of underprivileged communities from the Cape Town area in recycled arts and to give them the skills to set-up micro businesses related to carnivals and festivals.
Audiovisual production, script writing, film directing, light and photography, camera work, editing -- This training center in Guatemala is proof that these creative skills can land you a secure job.
Did you know? The balafon is a popular musical instrument in the Côte d’Ivoire (and a living tradition listed as UNESCO Intangible Heritage). It’s the soundtrack of life there, providing entertainment during festivities and the individual in day-to-day activities.
Benin’s got some great music. World Rhythm Productions, which promotes local recording artists, helps the country nurture its homegrown talent.
In Guatemala, training programs broaden opportunities for indigenous people in the film industry, greatly improving their participation in the country’s cultural expressions.