IFCD | Results of the last cycle

Mapping of the Cultural Creative industries in Lesotho

Project ID: 2022-9281

Name of applicant:

Department of Culture

Country of applicant:

Lesotho

Type of applicant:

Party

Amount requested:

99.810,00USD

Beneficiary country(ies):

Lesotho

Status:

Non Recommended

Total Score: 21

IFCD Submissions details

Preselection | National Commissions Review

IFCD Preselection form - - 07/15/2022 - 11:47

Submitted by on 15 Jul 2022

1. Name and contact details of officer from the National Commission for UNESCO

Title:

Family name:

Seala

Given name:

'Mabafokeng

Position:

Programme coodinator-Culture

Address:

P.O.Box 47

Postcode:

100

Town:

Maseru

E-mail:

matsooana7@yahoo.com

2. Justification of pre-selection

What are the main reasons for having pre-selected this project proposal, as compared to other proposals received by the National Commission for UNESCO?:

- This project proposal is the strongest of the two submitted by the country, it also aims to respond to one of the needs of mapping the sector.

3. The applicant institution/organization

What elements demonstrate that the applicant institution/organization is a significant stakeholder in the culture sector (locally / nationally / internationally)?:

The applicant here is the State's ministry responsible for the implementation of the culture conventions, which makes it a key stakeholder locally, nationally and internationally.

4. Relevance of the pre-selected project proposal

4.1. What are the main current needs and priorities in your country in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

We need - A more relevant Cultural policy that speaks to the contemporary needs for the growth of this industry. - A user friendly implementation plan that speaks to the National Cultural policy - Monitoring and evaluation strategy - Marketing and promotions for the culture and creative industries - Arts Council that will oversee the implementation of all the above with the support of the responsible Ministry

4.2. How do the objectives of this pre-selected project proposal meet the current needs and priorities of the country in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

The project's objectives will meet one of the needs we have with regards to the database and the statistics that serves as evidence of the situation on the ground. Availability of data in different forms will help in understanding and identifying gaps in the industry

4.3. To what extent do you expect this pre-selected project proposal to have an impact on the country’s cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

The project will be able to collect data that will help understand the state of creative industry; it will enhance the statistical data that the sector/ other stakeholders needs to have more informed approach, engagement and plans. Most local and regional applicants need statistical data to be able to have measurable indicators based on real state situation than assumptions.

5. Other information

Please indicate other contextual information that the IFCD Panel of Experts should take into consideration when evaluating the pre-selected project proposal.:

As a country, even though we are more than 10 years on after the ratification of the 2005 Convection, we are still at an initial stage with regard to the understanding the appreciation of the creative industry and its importance in over all development. There is need for an in-depth study and profiling of the industry. This proposal is part of the learning process with regard to the fund for our stakeholders.

6. The pre-selection process at the national level

Sehloho Soole

Full name:

Sehloho Soole

Organization:

Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing

Type of organization/Institution:

Party

Position:

Chief Commercial Manager

Mpho Letima

Full name:

Mpho Letima

Organization:

GEM

Type of organization/Institution:

NGO

Position:

Founder and Director

Pusetso Nyabela

Full name:

Pusetso Nyabela

Organization:

Morija Museum and Archives

Type of organization/Institution:

NGO

Position:

Director

Date:

2022

Full Name of the representative of the National Commission as Signature:

'Mabafokeng M. Seala

IFCD Submissions details

Eligibility | Technical Assessment

IFCD Eligibility form - - 09/29/2022 - 15:47

Submitted by on 29 Sep 2022

Eligibility Status:

Eligible

Technical Examination

Submitted by the deadline:

Yes

Application Form submitted either in English or French:

Yes

Maximum amount requested is US$ 100,000 or below:

Yes

Project implementation period is between 12 and 24 months:

Yes

All sections of the Form are completed:

Yes

Signature of applicant:

Yes

The applicant does not have an ongoing IFCD funded project:

Yes

Falls within the areas of intervention of IFCD:

Yes

IF PARTY OR NGO

Party to the 2005 Convention from developing countries:

Yes

National Commission Review Form:

Yes

Signature of National Commission:

Yes

Official document/ statutes (with English or French translation if necessary):

Yes

IFCD Submissions details

Experts Evaluations

EVALUATION GRID
8 points	The project proposal addresses perfectly all relevant aspect of the criterion under consideration. The answer provides all the information needed and there are no concerns or areas of weakness
6-7 points	The proposal addressed the criterion well, although some improvements could be made. The answer gives clear information on all or nearly all of the evidence needed.
5-4 points	The project proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are still some weaknesses. The answer gives some relevant information, but there are several areas where detail is lacking or the information is unclear.
3-2 points	The project proposal does not entirely address the criterion or cannot be judged properly due to missing or incomplete information. The answer does not necessarily address the question asked, or gives very little relevant information.
1 point	The project proposal barely addresses the criterion. There is a clear lack of relevant information that makes it extremely difficult to judge whether the question asked is addressed.
0 points	The project proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to the lack of pertinent information. The answer does not address the question asked, or does not provide relevant information.

Expert 1

Sub-Total Expert 1 : 10

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - - 10/16/2022 - 21:25

Submitted by on 16 Oct 2022

Brief summary of the project:

The project Mapping of the Cultural Creative industries in Lesotho focuses on mapping the status of CCIs in the country, especially in audiovisual, performing arts and design, covering 10 districts of Lesotho. The project is extended for two years and the applicant is the Ministry of Tourism Environment and Culture through the Department of Culture and Planning Unit. There are two major partners envisaged - the Bureau of Statistics and the Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors and Artists (LESCOSAA). The requested amount is 99 810 USD and there is self-funding by the Ministry at the amount of 35 790 USD.

1. RELEVANCE AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PROJECT TO THE OBJECTIVES AND AREAS OF INTERVENTION OF THE IFCD

1.1 Please describe how the project objectives and proposed impact/long-term benefits are aligned with at least one of the IFCD’s outcomes and associated expected results.:

The project objectives are in general in line with IFCD areas of intervention as the project focuses on the mapping of CCIs and establishing of strategy that encourages investments and public-private cooperation. The project also aims at improving cross-sectoral cooperation in cultural policy-making, which corresponds to another IFCD priority. There is a goodwill to focus on processes and mechanisms for public policy-making through the involvement of the civil society, although this objective is not clearly formulated.

1.2 How do the objectives of this project proposal meet the current needs and priorities of the country/ region in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

The project meets broadly the needs of the country and fills the gap that the CCI sector is not organized and is not documented. A large part of the CCIs sector in Lesotho is operating in informal groups, and there are no records. The sector is poorly organized and without sufficient resources. On another hand, the local needs are not initially researched, and there is little evidence that the project will meet the needs of the 10 districts, involved in the mapping and documentation.

1.3 To what extent are the project’s objectives specific and measurable?:

The two objectives, formulated in the project’s framework, are elaborated very broadly without specific and measurable indicators. The objective to develop and implement a National Framework for Cultural Creative Industries Statistic is something needed, although it is not specific enough to be able to monitor the progress. The second objective is even broader, related to informing policy-makers and encouraging investment opportunities in Lesotho’s CCIs, although it is not sufficiently clear in what way this would happen.

1.4 To what extent does the project contribute to the promotion of gender equality, the empowerment of youth, South-South and North-South-South cooperation and/or the participation of various groups in the areas of intervention of the IFCD?:

The project does not refer to South-South or North-South-South cooperation(only that there is a consultant from South Africa to be invited to the project’s implementation). It is mentioned that some groups are often excluded from policy making such as women, girls, youth and other marginalized groups, but the project does not elaborate on how these groups will be involved in this specific project.

Score:

2. FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE RELEVANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MODALITIES OF EXECUTION

2.1 What elements demonstrate the applicant’s organizational capacity (main activities of the institution/organization) and competence (skills and background of staff) to implement the work plan and manage the budget?:

The main applicant – the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture, has the organizational capacity to undertake a project of such scale. The issue is that the team consists of 13 people with not very well explained roles. For example, there are 5 project coordinators, and there is no sufficiently competent team to undertake the research and the mapping, as well as the strategy development, which are at the core of the project.

2.2 To what extent do the activities address relevant issues? Please explain how the methodology is appropriate to achieving the objectives?:

The overall methodology of the mapping, data collection and strategy development is not clear. It is also not specified in what way the CCIs sector will be involved in the process. The methods to undertake the mapping are unclear. The engagement of a local consultant to design a national cultural policy implementation plan is also not sufficiently specified. It is not clarified in what way the data collectors will be organized and what are the methods to collect the data from all CCIs in the country in the respective branches. The objectives are written broadly and there is an absence of a specific methodology for how they will be achieved.

2.3 To what extent is the time frame realistic and coherent with the activities?:

The project’s time frame is extended to two years (1/6/2023 to 31/5/2025), but as the activities are not identified with qualitative indicators, it is not convincing to what extent this time frame is realistic.

2.4 Have the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project been clearly identified? To what extent are the outputs/deliverables and main activities relevant to the target beneficiaries and address their needs?:

The direct and indirect beneficiaries are not split based on the project’s activities and are elaborated very broadly. For example, the direct beneficiaries are identified as CCIs (Design, audio-visual, performing arts, Department of Culture and Bureau of Statistics, Development Planning, and Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors and Artists. There are no qualitative indicators attached to these direct beneficiaries based on activities to be undertaken. The indirect beneficiaries are also the same group for all activities and related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation, Ministry of Trade and Lesotho Tourism Development cooperation. It is not clarified in what way this target group is related to the project’s activities. Also, the outputs/deliverables are not coherently connected with the needs of the beneficiaries. There is an absence of initial need analysis too.

Score:

3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

3.1 Does the budget provide for adequate resources (salaries, fees, equipment, travel, communication, etc.) necessary for success of the project? If the budget has been overestimated or underestimated, please explain how.:

The requested amount for undertaking this project is 99 810 USD. Several budget items are not sufficiently justified. It is not clear why there is a need for cartage for printers (2 520 USD), why there is a need for brander t-shirt and floppy hats for data collectors. There are budget items for publications, but it is not clear what kind of publications are planned – there is no elaboration on this in the project outcomes and the project framework. The budget item for facilitation and monitoring allowance at the amount of 25 560 USD is also not justified and not clear in the project framework.

3.2 What proportion of the budget is allocated to project activities versus overhead costs? Does the budget seem adequate and overhead costs estimated in compliance with the limit to a maximum of 30% of the total project budget?:

The overhead costs are low – 100$, which is much below the limit.

3.3 Does the project proposal indicate any additional financial contributions to the project, such as co-funding and/or self- funding?:

There is a self-contribution by the ministry at the amount of 35 790 USD, which is positive.

3.4 What actions have been foreseen to ensure financial accountability (e.g. Involvement of a financial officer)?:

The Ministry has a system of financial statements and reporting. The financial plan is that the UNESCO grant will be transferred into the account of the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO, and there is no clarification why is this needed while the Department of Culture uses integrated financial management information for financial operations and reporting.

Score :

4. IMPACT AND EXPECTED RESULTS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE

4.1 Are the project’s expected outputs and/or deliverables concrete, measurable and realistic? To what extent are they likely to achieve the objectives of the project?:

The envisaged outputs/deliverables of the project are the National Framework for CCIs, National Data Framework for CCIs and the reviewed Cultural policy. These deliverables do not have specific quantitative and qualitative indicators and the means of verification are elaborated broadly. The connection between deliverables and objectives is very blurred, because both are not specifically defined.

4.2 To what extent are the main activities and the budget relevant and appropriate to achieving the intended outputs and/or deliverables?:

There is no sufficiently elaborated connection between key activities and budget items that also corresponds well to the intended outputs. This is because the activities and outputs are elaborated broadly without specific quantitative indicators that can form the budget items in a coherent way.

4.3 To what extent is it expected that this project will have an impact/long-term benefits on the country/region’s cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

There is a general wish that the project will have an impact on cultural policy and cultural industries in the country, but there is no specific evidence of how would this happen.

4.4 To what extent does the project demonstrate potential for structural change (for example: changes in the policy environment; far-reaching changes in public and professional organizational structures; and changes in the way government and regulatory authorities do business)?:

The project has a good intention to improve the policy environment through the data collection, mapping and documentation of CCIs in the country, although this connection is not proven well in the project’s framework. The potential for structural change and change in the regulatory environment as a result of the project is not sufficiently demonstrated in the project.

Score:

5. SUSTAINABILITY

5.1 To what extent are contractors and partners involved in the implementation of the project’s activities? Has the role of each contractor and/or partner been clearly described?:

There are two key partners in the project – the Bureau of Statistics will lead the mapping exercise and the Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors and Artists (LESCOSAA) will help identify data gaps and data sources within the sector. It will also assist in compiling and analyzing copyright and creative industries data. Nevertheless, it is not clear who are the professionals to collect data, what would be the specific role of the international and local consultants, and how the CCI organisations and creatives are going to be involved in the process.

5.2 How does the project relate to and/or complement the work that is already being carried out in the country/region in terms of cultural policies and/or industries?:

The project is a continuation of previously completed work on case studies in the CCI sectors, and other policy-related work done by the Ministry. There is a complementarity of activities and objectives.

5.3 What measures/steps are proposed to ensure that the project’s impact/long-term benefits can be achieved?:

There is an intention to elaborate a tool for collecting and analyzing data, although there are no sufficient details and explanations on what this tool/method is and in what way the mapping will benefit the long-term development of the policy environment.

5.4 What measures/steps are proposed to follow up with the beneficiaries of the project after its completion?:

There is an intention that the Department of Culture, Bureau of Statistics, LESCOSAA, will maintain further the training of trainers model, but there are no clear steps or measures on how would this be organised. There are no specific steps on how the gathered data and results of the mapping will be maintained and updated further after the project is completed. The project beneficiaries, as already mentioned, are elaborated broadly and there are no certain methods on how they would continue being involved in the project. The sustainability of the project is not sufficiently proven.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

The project is important and actual for the country’s CCIs development and broadly corresponds to IFCDs areas of intervention. Nevertheless, the objectives are formulated broadly and are not SMART. The methodology for collecting data and the overall mapping is not clarified. The methods of research and the one for the elaboration of the strategic document are also not clear. There is no need analysis initially performed in the 10 districts of Lesotho. It is not specified why the mapping will cover mainly audiovisual, performing arts and design. The mapping does not involve sufficiently the creatives from the CCIs sectors and the beneficiaries, both direct and indirect, are elaborated broadly without specificities. The project has key partners, although the role of the data collectors and researchers to be involved in the project is not sufficiently clarified. Several key budget items do not match well the project’s activities. The Ministry who is the applicant has a financial system for monitoring and reporting. The impact of the project on policy-making and structural changes is a good wish, but not sufficiently proven by specific actions. The sustainability of the project is not sufficiently proven, as it is not clear how and who will maintain the data and will update them after the project is completed. Specific actions/steps to continue keeping in contact with beneficiaries after the project lifetime, are not clear.

Expert 2

Sub-Total Expert 2 : 11

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - a_wangusa - 10/27/2022 - 22:22

Submitted by a_wangusa on 27 Oct 2022

Brief summary of the project:

The project aims to explore and map the status of Lesotho`s Creative and Cultural Industries in particular the audio visual, performing arts and design in order to understand and define the nature of CCIs available in the country. While the CCIs have become one of the most dynamic sectors in the world economy and international trade; Lesotho has not yet able to fully harness the potential of its creative economies to create jobs, increase revenues, and export earnings. Part of the major challenge to Lesotho CCIs is that the sector the sector is neither well documented and nor organised. Therefore the project seeks to redress the problem by mapping and documenting the status of CCIs in Lesotho. It aims to raise awareness on the role played by the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression on the development, promotion and protection of the CCIs in Lesotho. Furthermore, the project will use UNESCO`s conceptual framework as an international standardized framework appropriate and applicable in defining and understanding CCIs. The project is envisaged to subsequently contribute to a foundation and strategies through which the country can start on towards the development and promotion of the sector with a clear overview of what/ which kind of CCIs exist in Lesotho. The project will cover ten districts of Lesotho and is envisaged to take a period of two years and will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism Environment and Culture through the Department of Culture and Planning Unit in collaboration with Bureau of Statistics and Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors and Artists (LESCOSAA).

1. RELEVANCE AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PROJECT TO THE OBJECTIVES AND AREAS OF INTERVENTION OF THE IFCD

1.1 Please describe how the project objectives and proposed impact/long-term benefits are aligned with at least one of the IFCD’s outcomes and associated expected results.:

ER 1.1. Cross-sectoral cooperation in cultural policy making and implementation is demonstrated The Department of Culture’s coorperation with the Ministry of Finance will enable the development and implementation of policies that support inclusive economic growth. It will also mobilise and allocate financial resources accordingly. While the Lesotho Revenue Authority will assist with assessment and effective revenue collection of CCIs. ER 1.2. Processes and mechanisms for public policy making and implementation are strengthened: Policies specific to subsectors of culture and heritage will be developed, a case in point is a framework on film and music performing arts and its impact on investments the same applies to television and radio. Copyright, intellectual property and digital regime will be reviewed. ER 1.3. The role of civil society in cultural policy making and implementation is strengthened: The Department of Culture will continue to engage a diverse set of civil society organisations in research and policymaking decisions

1.2 How do the objectives of this project proposal meet the current needs and priorities of the country/ region in terms of cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

Over the years, Lesotho has lost many artists trying to make a living and obligated to accept their work being waned. This is one of the diﬃculties which many artists have been experiencing during Lesotho's continued talent drain. The prevailing scenario in the CCIs in Lesotho calls for necessary intervention. As a result, this project intends to explore the status of the CCIs in Lesotho in order to understand the nature of the CCIs in the sector as the government is working towards their development.

1.3 To what extent are the project’s objectives specific and measurable?:

The objectives are not specific and measurable

The project is not specific to gender, youth or South-South and North-South-South cooperation

Score:

2. FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE RELEVANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MODALITIES OF EXECUTION

The Department of Culture’s mission is to -Safeguard Lesotho`s arts, culture and heritage as a unique national identity that evokes a strong sense of pride, patriotism and contributor to economic growth among Basotho.

2.2 To what extent do the activities address relevant issues? Please explain how the methodology is appropriate to achieving the objectives?:

The project will engage a consultant to do data collection; also come up with an implementation plan for the CCI policy.

2.3 To what extent is the time frame realistic and coherent with the activities?:

The project is a two-year project, which is realistic for a mapping study.

Yes Direct CCIs (Design, audio-visual, performing arts, Department of Culture and Bureau of Statistics, Development Planning, and Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors and Artists. Ministry of finance. Ministry of Small business Indirect Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation, Ministry of Trade and Lesotho Tourism Development cooperation.

Score:

3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Overheads costs of $100 seem too low to cover courier services of the project

Overheads is minimal

3.3 Does the project proposal indicate any additional financial contributions to the project, such as co-funding and/or self- funding?:

Yes. Co-funding of $35,790

3.4 What actions have been foreseen to ensure financial accountability (e.g. Involvement of a financial officer)?:

As per the Procurement Regulations of 2009, the Department of Culture is required to report all resources received from partners like UNESCO and the implementation status of all projects to the Ministry of Development Planning and other statutory bodies such as the parliament. Accountant General provides the ministry with charts of accounts which are the guiding tools for standard preparations and reporting of financial statements. For this project, all funds from UNESCO will be transferred into the account of the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO

Score :

4. IMPACT AND EXPECTED RESULTS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE

4.1 Are the project’s expected outputs and/or deliverables concrete, measurable and realistic? To what extent are they likely to achieve the objectives of the project?:

The outputs are not measurable and it difficult to access if they are likely to achieve the objectives of the project

4.2 To what extent are the main activities and the budget relevant and appropriate to achieving the intended outputs and/or deliverables?:

The activities and budget are relevant and appropriate and can lead to the intended outputs

4.3 To what extent is it expected that this project will have an impact/long-term benefits on the country/region’s cultural policies and/or cultural industries?:

The CCI statistics will inform policy implementation

The project demonstrates structural change in terms of generating data that will inform planning and attracting investment

Score:

5. SUSTAINABILITY

5.1 To what extent are contractors and partners involved in the implementation of the project’s activities? Has the role of each contractor and/or partner been clearly described?:

The role of partners and contractors is clear

5.2 How does the project relate to and/or complement the work that is already being carried out in the country/region in terms of cultural policies and/or industries?:

The project does don’t indicate other ongoing projects that project will complement

5.3 What measures/steps are proposed to ensure that the project’s impact/long-term benefits can be achieved?:

The government of Lesotho through the National Strategic Development Plan 11 (NSDP 11) has put culture and creative industries as priority sector that can lead to the economic growth. Therefore, the Department of Culture will ensure that the budget is allocated for the creative sector to maintain its viability.

5.4 What measures/steps are proposed to follow up with the beneficiaries of the project after its completion?:

Periodic reporting keep on working with stakeholders in classifying and clustering the CCIs as they grow. A better understanding of the variations will help to make a more persuasive case to policy makers.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

The project aims to explore and map the status of Lesotho`s Creative and Cultural Industries in particular the audio visual, performing arts and design in order to understand and define the nature of Culture and Creative Industries (CCIs) sectors available in Lesotho. The Department of Culture plans to have cross-sectoral cooperation with the Ministry of Finance for planning and budgeting and the Lesotho Revenue Authority to assist with assessment and effective revenue collection of CCIs. The Department of Culture will also engage with a diverse set of civil society organizations in research and policymaking decisions. The project demonstrates potential for structural change in terms of generating data that will inform planning and attracting investment. However, the objectives are not specific and measurable. In addition, the project does don’t indicate other ongoing projects that project will complement. Furthermore, while the budget is appropriate for the activities, the overheads costs of $100 appears too low to cover the courier services of the project.

IFCD Submissions details

Recommandation review

IFCD Recommendation form - j_casas - 12/16/2022 - 20:07

Submitted by j_casas on 16 Dec 2022

Recommendation Status:

Non recommended

Recommended Funding:

0.00

Evaluation summary:

When assessed according to the criteria listed in the evaluations, the experts did not consider this application suitable to be recommended for funding in this round. In accordance with Decision 12.IGC 6, paragraph 7, one (1) bonus point has been attributed to this project as it was submitted by a country that has not received funding from the IFCD.