UNESCO funds six new projects to support creativity and creative industries in developing countries
On February 4, 2021, the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions approved funding for six new projects by the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).
These projects bring to 120 the total number of projects supported by the IFCD, which since 2010 has invested US$8.7 million in 60 developing countries.
Each of the approved projects will receive more than US$70,000. The the funds granted in 2021 will contribute to ‘building back better’ the cultural and creative industries, which are severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The beneficiaries are:
- The Jamaica Business Development Corporation - JBDC (Jamaica), for the project 'Evaluating Jamaica’s Cultural and Creative Industries'
- Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria A.C. (Mexico), for the project 'Cultural Nests, supporting indigenous cultural start-ups'
- Cambodian Living Arts (Cambodia), for the project 'Strengthening civil society engagement in cultural policy development in Cambodia'
- Muda Africa Organization (United Republic of Tanzania), for the project 'Strengthening the contemporary dance scene in East Africa'
- Asociación Mujeres en las Artes "Leticia de Oyuela" (Honduras), for the project 'Building the capacities of women and young creators for an inclusive cultural policy in Honduras'
- Association Independent Cultural Scene of Serbia (Serbia), for the project 'Gender equality for cultural diversity'
Selected from 1027 applications from 102 countries, these projects range from nurturing cultural entrepreneurship in indigenous communities, supporting the mobility of East African dancers, widening the engagement of women, youth and civil society in cultural policymaking, to boosting evidence-based cultural policies and measures. For the first time, Honduras and the United Republic of Tanzania will benefit from the support of the IFCD.
The Committee also decided to launch the twelfth call for funding requests in 2021.
The IFCD is a voluntary multi-donor fund established under the 2005 Convention to support the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors in developing countries. The Fund aims to support sustainable systems of governance for culture, create an enabling environment for cultural entrepreneurs, facilitate market access, and ensure the accessibility of diverse cultural expressions for all.
To discover more about IFCD funded projects, click here.