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Cultural Domains:
UNESCO Priorities:
Africa
Funds Allocated:
US$ 10 000.00
Beneficiary countries:
Malawi
Applicant:
Malawi National Commission for UNESCO
Start date
Feb 2012
End date
Feb 2013

About the project:

The project aims to elaborate, through a workshop and stakeholder consultations, an IFCD project proposal on strengthening Malawi’s cultural industries.
 
The main aim of Malawi’s National Commission is to contribute to economic and social development and poverty reduction by raising awareness among citizens, government, NGOs, civil society and communities about UNESCO’s programs. The National Commission is tasked with reinforcing the potential for growth of the country’s creative sector through capacity-building workshops focused on skill development. In addition, it is involved in fund-raising activities to promote Malawi’s cultural productions and it organizes national and regional conferences to better understand how to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the culture sector.

Local context:

Lack of cultural policies in Malawi means its cultural industries are particularly fragile. The current national cultural policy is still a draft, but it is nearly ten years old and already in need of a review before it can even be adopted. The country’s annual economic growth has averaged about 7% over the past 6 years, household incomes are rising, new institutions are emerging and some segments of the country’s economy are booming. All of these developments are increasing the demand for cultural products. Yet, there has been no corresponding growth in the cultural sector: cultural products and events are few, and development plans in this area are limited.

Main objectives:

The NatCom’s main objective is to develop an IFCD project proposal that best targets cultural industries growth in Malawi. Thus, the objective of this preparatory assistance request is to determine which methods will be used for growth and what activities need to be implemented to spur this growth.

Main activities:

  • First, this project called for the identification of international UNESCO experts/consultants to: moderate a conference taking place in Lilongwe City, develop draft proposals and finalize Malawi’s IFCD application. This conference not only generated debate about Malawi's cultural industries, it also developed a project proposal that would enable the country to update its cultural policy and call for specific measures aimed at strengthening the cultural industries. This entailed holding consultations with local cultural industry experts in areas of interest.
  • Local experts prepared sector specific proposals, to be submitted to the coordinator of the National Commission. These proposals focus on different sectors of Malawi’s cultural industries, highlighting potential for development and giving concrete suggestions about what needs to be done in order for projects to materialize. Identified sectors include: the book chain, digital filmmaking, digital music production, events such as festivals and carnivals, performing arts, and last but not least, cultural entrepreneurship. The National Commission was responsible for the logistics of the conference and supervised the elaboration of reports. Following the conference, the project coordinator works with the Director of Culture’s team to elaborate a project proposal document based on the presentations given by local experts.

Strengthening the cultural industries

English
Project implementation period: 
2012 to 2013
About the project: 
The project aims to elaborate, through a workshop and stakeholder consultations, an IFCD project proposal on strengthening Malawi’s cultural industries.
 
The main aim of Malawi’s National Commission is to contribute to economic and social development and poverty reduction by raising awareness among citizens, government, NGOs, civil society and communities about UNESCO’s programs. The National Commission is tasked with reinforcing the potential for growth of the country’s creative sector through capacity-building workshops focused on skill development. In addition, it is involved in fund-raising activities to promote Malawi’s cultural productions and it organizes national and regional conferences to better understand how to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the culture sector.
Beneficiary countries: 
Malawi
Country of applicant: 
Malawi
Action Impact: 
Cultural and Creative Industry Development
Broader Participation of Individuals and Social Groups
Capacity Development
Needs Assessment and Mapping
UNESCO Priorities: 
Africa
Funds allocated (in USD): 
USD10000.00
Sections: 
Title of the section: 
Local context:
Short Description: 

Lack of cultural policies in Malawi means its cultural industries are particularly fragile. The current national cultural policy is still a draft, but it is nearly ten years old and already in need of a review before it can even be adopted. The country’s annual economic growth has averaged about 7% over the past 6 years, household incomes are rising, new institutions are emerging and some segments of the country’s economy are booming. All of these developments are increasing the demand for cultural products. Yet, there has been no corresponding growth in the cultural sector: cultural products and events are few, and development plans in this area are limited.

Position: 
Top left
Title of the section: 
Main objectives:
Short Description: 

The NatCom’s main objective is to develop an IFCD project proposal that best targets cultural industries growth in Malawi. Thus, the objective of this preparatory assistance request is to determine which methods will be used for growth and what activities need to be implemented to spur this growth.

Position: 
Bottom Left
Title of the section: 
Main activities:
Short Description: 
  • First, this project called for the identification of international UNESCO experts/consultants to: moderate a conference taking place in Lilongwe City, develop draft proposals and finalize Malawi’s IFCD application. This conference not only generated debate about Malawi's cultural industries, it also developed a project proposal that would enable the country to update its cultural policy and call for specific measures aimed at strengthening the cultural industries. This entailed holding consultations with local cultural industry experts in areas of interest.
  • Local experts prepared sector specific proposals, to be submitted to the coordinator of the National Commission. These proposals focus on different sectors of Malawi’s cultural industries, highlighting potential for development and giving concrete suggestions about what needs to be done in order for projects to materialize. Identified sectors include: the book chain, digital filmmaking, digital music production, events such as festivals and carnivals, performing arts, and last but not least, cultural entrepreneurship. The National Commission was responsible for the logistics of the conference and supervised the elaboration of reports. Following the conference, the project coordinator works with the Director of Culture’s team to elaborate a project proposal document based on the presentations given by local experts.
Position: 
Bottom Right
Style: 
highlighted
Organization: 
Malawi National Commission for UNESCO
Family name: 
Mkandawire
Given name: 
Francis
Position: 
Executive Secretary
Year of application: 
2011