IFCD | Results of the last cycle

STRENGHTENING THE CAPACITY OF EMERGING WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS TO AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE NONFICTION BOOKS IN NIGERIA, GAMBIA AND GHANA

Project ID: 2022-9241

Name of applicant:

Mutiat Oladejo

Country of applicant:

Nigeria

Type of applicant:

NGO

Amount requested:

96.381,00USD

Beneficiary country(ies):

Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria

Status:

Non Recommended

Total Score: 18

IFCD Submissions details

Preselection | National Commissions Review

IFCD Preselection form - - 08/12/2022 - 12:17

Submitted by on 12 Aug 2022

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

Title:

Family name:

Olagunju

Given name:

Idowu Lateef

Position:

Secretary-General

Address:

Plot 245, Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja

Postcode:

900247

Town:

Abuja

E-mail:

natcom.ng@natcom.unesco.org

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?:

1. The project aims to build the capacity of young writers in creative writing. 2. It proposes to create a pilot training module for Nigeria, Gambia and Ghana which can be adopted in West Africa for writing, with writers and publishers being the direct beneficiaries and the indirect beneficiaries being other stakeholders. 3. The proposal aims to re-introduce creative writing to the age bracket of 18 -35 years, which encompasses the youthful population of Africa. 4. The project aims to create entrepreneurs in publishing industry.

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 elements that demonstrate that the applicant institution/organisation is a significant stakeholder in the culture sector are as follows: Locally: It is an NGO, focused on research, transformation, advocacy and community development. It creates solution-driven results on developmental problems for sustainable impact in Africa. Nationally: It is registered with Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission Internationally: It aims to collaborate with the African Books Collective, which has been a sale platform for African Books outside Africa. It has established relationships with the Nigerian Publishers Assosiation and the Ghana Publishers Association.

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?:

1. The poor digitization of literary arts and intellectual property. 2. The lack of gender balance in the cultural policy and cultural industries. 3. The lack of proper funding for the sector. 4. The poor opportunities for funding for youths. 5. Poor enforcement of government policy in the literary arts and the development of young creative writers in Africa. 6. Poor reading culture amongst the youths, which has led to less transfer of knowledge and education.

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?:

1. Building of capacity among writers and publishers, and expansion of the book market. 2. Propagation and acculturisation of Nigerian youths to use cultural motives in their creative writings. 3. Ensure South-South and North-South exchange of intellectual property, to create a global market for young African creative writers. 4. Advance the need for the review of policies as regards literary studies and culture in Nigeria.

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?:

This pre-selected proposal will have a very good impact on the country's cultural policies as it will increase the skill and education among young creative writers, challenge the policy makers to do more, for African creative writing. Positively engage Nigerian, Ghanaian and Gambian publishers as it projects indigenous histories, language, science, culture and social change.

6. The pre-selection process at the national level

Mr. Okide Maduka Tochukwu

Full name:

Mr. Okide Maduka Tochukwu

Organization:

Federal Ministry of Information and Culture

Type of organization/Institution:

Party

Position:

Assistant Chief Cultural Officer

Date:

2022

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

Mr. Olagunju Idowu Lateef

IFCD Submissions details

Eligibility | Technical Assessment

IFCD Eligibility form - - 09/29/2022 - 16:13

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 : 9

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - a_wangusa - 10/29/2022 - 19:46

Submitted by a_wangusa on 29 Oct 2022

Brief summary of the project:

The project proposes to build the capacity of emerging writers and publishers to aid the development of creative nonfiction books in Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia. It involves training towards the expansion of the market for books beyond the classroom. The project aims at building capacity of emerging writers and publishers to make creative nonfiction books with contents that feature indigenous histories, culture, language, science and business. Secondly, the project develops a training module aimed at aiding creative nonfiction book production. Thirdly, it aims at creating a network that connects publishers, writers and other stakeholders in the industry with a view to initiate a writing programme. This project is concerned about creating a platform to build capacity and strengthen the abilities of writers and publishers

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 2.2. Networks and initiatives, with a focus on North-South-South cooperation, that support and facilitate the mobility of artists and cultural professionals from the global South The project facilitates relationship between writers, publishers and other actors in the book industry. Basically, it establishes a north-south-south cooperation in book marketing as the beneficiaries are linked up with African Books Collective to aid the distribution of creative nonfiction books to Europe and North America. ER 4.1. Women’s representation as creators and producers of cultural expressions is increased through strengthened professional networks and capacity development: Generally, women lack the requisite capacities to gain mastery of formal businesses in west Africa, because they conveniently thrive in the informal sector. It is a major plan in this project to ensure that 50% of women benefit from these project.

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?:

Youthful generations in west Africa have limited access to books that motivates, inform and enlighten beyond classroom education. This is a social problem created by dearth of general books. Publishers tend to focus on educational books because it is the most sought category of books. Books beyond the curriculum are underdeveloped in west Africa. Most of the governments in African countries rarely encourage the growth of the book industry, they only subsidise the provision for educational books in schools for classroom learning. Yet, west Africa has a large youthful population who needs to be read and get enlightened beyond the classroom.

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

The objectives are specific but not measurable

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 promotes gender equity, targets youth readers and has a South-South cooperation component

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?:

Obinrin Afrika Initiative for Research and Development (OBIRAD) is a non-governmental organization based in Nigeria. OBIRAD is focused on research, transformation, advocacy and community development. We are a solution-driven organization that takes on developmental problems to transform for sustainable impact in Africa. OBIRAD is duly registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. It is not clear it has experience working with writers the organization activities and mission are not indicated.

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

The project involves capacity building programme, development of training module and creating a network of writers, publishers and experts to aid production of creative nonfiction books in Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia. At the end of the project, there will be a capacity building programme through a one-week training, a training module for creative nonfiction writing and publishing and a network of writers and publishers for creative nonfict1on books to aid writ1ng programme.

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

The one-year timeframe 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?:

Yes. Direct The direct beneficiaries of the project are emerging writers and publishers, while the indirect beneficiaries are other stakeholders in the book industry. The direct and indirect beneficiaries are expected to be youth between 18 and 35 years. The emerging publishers are regarded as start-up owners and founders with less than five years’ experience in book publishing. Indirect other stakeholders in the West African book industry However, the data a is not gender disaggregated

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 project budget for a 5-day workshop is not value for money. Project does not cover cost of full-time staff

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?:

There are no overheads

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

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

The financial management will be handled by the accounts officer of OBIRAD.

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?:

Expected outputs are measurable

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

The budget is heavily weighted around a 5-day workshop

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 project focused on strengthening the creative stage of the value chain

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 does not demonstrate potential for structural change at policy level

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 the 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 not indicate any work that the intervention will complement

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

The project intends to initiate a website to facilitate interactions and implementation of the writing programme. The training modules will be uploaded on the website. A team of experts will be initiated to work together to encourage discussion on topical issues that could form themes for writing programmes. The writing programme will be a periodic project to facilitate constant activities that will sustain the creative nonfiction book industry in west Africa.

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

After completion, the project follows up through the networks of writers and publishers created as it aims to be the hub for professional interactions and business development in west Africa. The network will be formed to coordinate a writing programme where manuscripts can be submitted and evaluated. Subsequently, the writing programme will be a medium to award prizes to writers through sponsorships from philanthropists.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

The project proposes to build the capacity of emerging writers and publishers to aid the development of creative nonfiction books in Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia. To project is aligned to IFCD's outcomes ER 2.2 and ER 2.2 and ER 4.1. In addition, the project promotes gender equity, targets youth readers and has a South-South cooperation. However, project’s objectives are specific but not measurable. In addition, the project's focus on a five-day workshop with the highest expenditure being air tickets is not value for money. Furthermore, the project does not cover cost of full-time staff to implement the project. The project does not indicate any work that the intervention will complement or structural change at policy level. This project would have had more value, if it integrated an e-learning component e.g., platform and webinars to the design. Mobility in the project could be limited to the trainers who would meet the nonfiction writers and publishers onsite.

Expert 2

Sub-Total Expert 2 : 9

IFCD Expert Evaluation form - a_sekhar - 11/01/2022 - 11:04

Submitted by a_sekhar on 01 Nov 2022

Brief summary of the project:

The proposed project, Strengthening the Capacity of Emerging Writers and Publishers to Aid Development of Creative Nonfiction Books in Nigeria, Gambia And Ghana, seeks to build capacities of young writers and publishers operating in the creative non fiction space in three countries in West Africa (Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana). To this end, the project will develop a training module, deliver a training workshop and create a network of publishers and writers. The project will run from April 2023 to March 2024 and is requesting an amount of USD 96381.

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 proposal aligns itself with Outcome 2 (more balanced North-South and South-South flow of cultural goods and services), specifically ER 2.1 (policy, advocacy and promotional mechanisms … to improve access to local, national or global markets for cultural goods and services) and ER 2.2 (networks and initiatives, with a focus on North-South-South cooperation that support and facilitate the mobility of artists and cultural professionals from the global South). However, the project’s activities are more in line with capacity building rather than enabling market access (ER 2.1). The project supports mobility of its participants and a network is envisaged but the proposal does not elaborate as to how it will be administered or sustained. The proposal also aligns itself with Outcome 4: Gender inequalities in cultural sectors are addressed, specifically ER 4.1 Women’s representation as creators and producers (in that 50% of the project beneficiaries will be women) and with ER 4.2 Specific policy measures and/or funding mechanisms are introduced to encourage and improve equitable access to cultural activities, goods and services. However, no details are provided in the proposal related to ER 4.2. The project seems aligned to Outcome 3: The value and opportunities that cultural and creative industries contribute to sustainable development, specifically ER 3.2 Critical capacity development needs relating to creation, production and distribution are assessed and addressed at appropriate levels, given that training is its main focus.

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 seeks to focus on creative nonfiction (history, culture, language etc.) in response to the ground reality in West Africa wherein educational books for a classroom setting dominate the market. Further, few women writers and publishers appear to work in the creative nonfiction space.

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

The project’s objectives are reasonably specific and measurable

The project contributes to the promotion of gender equality and to the empowerment of youth in that its direct beneficiaries will be writers and publishers between 18-25 years of age and at least 50% of them will be women. The project also contributes to South-South cooperation by bringing together writers and publishers from three countries in West Africa for joint training and in networks.

Score:

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

The applicant (Obirin Afrika Initiative for Research and Development/OBIRAD) is a non profit set up in 2018 and focusing on research, advocacy and community development. Its expertise in running training programmes and in the publishing space is not outlined. It is not clear how the project staff will be involved in 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 main activities (training module preparation, training workshop and network) are intended to respond to the gaps in the creative nonfiction publishing market in West Africa. The training module will focus on 15 different topics and is to be prepared by 15 different experts. The pedagogy of the workshop is not outlined. How the various modules will be brought together in a cohesive training targeted at both writers and publishers could have been better outlined. Similarly, the methodology informing the formation and maintenance of the network are not detailed.

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

The project will run from April 2023 to March 2024 for 12 months. Yes, the time frame is realistic and coherent with the activities

The direct beneficiaries are clearly identified, and the main activities are directly relevant to them. However, the indirect beneficiaries (other stakeholders in the West African book industry) could have been better articulated and the benefits to them outlined in more detail.

Score:

3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The amount requested provides for adequate resources for fees (for training facilitators) as well as travel and per diems (for beneficiaries). There are no staff salary or administrative costs and the bulk of the expenses are related to the implementation of the activities

There are no overhead costs.

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

No, there are no additional financial contributions to the project.

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

The applicant’s accounts officer will manage the budget. Monthly reports will be generated. An external audit will take place.

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?:

Two of three outputs are concrete, measurable and realistic; however, the output related to the formation of a sustainable transnational network appears more difficult to achieve.

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

The main activities are in line with the intended outputs. The budget is relevant and appropriate to achieving 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 impact of the project on the region’s cultural industries is limited to the formation of a network of writers and publishers from three countries in West Africa; however, mechanisms for the growth and maintenance of the network are not explained.

The project does not demonstrate much potential for structural change.

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?:

Around 20 contractors are listed with expertise in publishing, writing book marketing and IT. Their role in the project is not clearly defined. Two partner organisations are mentioned; several individual experts are listed as partners but their role in the capacity building is not clearly outlined.

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 proposal indicates that only two training programmes exist in West Africa for book publishing and none focusing on young writers and publishers. The proposal complements these existing programmes in the region.

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

A network of writers and publishers will be established at the end of the training programme and a website set up for discussions. The training module will be made available online. The network and its online presence are expected to support the continued interaction of the participants. However, it is unclear how the website and network will be managed after the project period. The network is expected to work towards a writing programme, which will also award writers. However, the funding and feasibility of these long term actions have not been explained in detail.

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

A network of beneficiary writers and publishers is envisaged.

Score:

Overall evaluation:

The project, Strengthening the Capacity of Emerging Writers and Publishers to Aid Development of Creative Nonfiction Books in Nigeria, Gambia and Ghana, responds to gaps in creative nonfiction publishing in West Africa through a training and networking initiative for young writers and publishers, with a strong focus on women. The proposal would have been strengthened by outlining a clearer pedagogical methodology for the training as well as for the formation and administration of the network.

IFCD Submissions details

Recommandation review

IFCD Recommendation form - - 12/21/2022 - 15:17

Submitted by on 21 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.