Costa Rica, Mexico and Uganda prepare measures to stimulate creative industries with EU/UNESCO project
The EU/UNESCO Steering Committee approved applications by Costa Rica, Mexico and Uganda. The three countries join Georgia, Gabon, South Sudan and Zimbabwe as partners of the EU/UNESCO project that assists the development of creative sectors in developing countries.
Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are key drivers of job creation and an important source of income generation. In order for CCIs to develop fully, policies and legislations to regulate businesses, taxation, copyright, and access to funding are essential. The project partner countries are committed to strengthening governmental support systems for creative sectors, guided by needs on the ground and the spirit of partnership, especially in the form of South-South cooperation.
Costa Rica: Optimizing public funding for the competitiveness of the music sector
The Costa Rican music sector represents more than 0.1% of the national GDP, and it has the potential to support the country’s economic growth and the sustainable development with adequate public policies. Through UNESCO’s participatory policymaking and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, Costa Rica will design a measure to optimize public funds for the expansion of markets and improved competitiveness of the music sector. It is expected to generate a better business environment for musicians at the national and international levels, strengthen the ecosystem of the music sector, and develop practical skills and knowledge among actors of the music sector.
Mexico: Designing policies for indigenous and community radio
In Mexico, radio represents a prominent cultural outlet and indigenous media are a powerful means of promoting indigenous languages, identities and stories. Thus, radio stations have naturally become a platform to unite indigenous communities and celebrate their cultural expressions. Through this EU/UNESCO project, Mexico will create a policy that simplifies the granting of licenses to indigenous and community radios. A new regulation to incorporate indigenous content in commercial and public media will also be designed, widely disseminating and promoting diverse cultural expressions throughout the country.
Uganda: Creating tax incentives to support local content and the professionalization of the film sector
In Uganda, cultural and creative industries operate in an informal and fragmented environment, and the film industry is no exception. This hinders creative actors to reach their full potential, and especially that of young professionals, given that they represent the largest group of employees in the film sector.
Uganda will elaborate a measure to provide tax incentives for the film sector as well as to encourage the formation of professional film associations in order to support local content development and professionalization.
Ongoing on-demand call for assistance
The EU/UNESCO project provides on-demand provision of cultural- governance expertise and peer-to-peer learning. The project lasts between 18 to 24 months, laying a solid groundwork for dynamic CCIs in selected countries. The call for application, launched in December 2018, will close once twelve countries (or more if budget allows) are selected. A number of countries are currently preparing their applications.
The next submission deadline is 16 December 2019.
To apply for the EU/UNESCO project, visit the call for applications page.