The United Kingdom, through British Council (Kenya) on Friday, December 2, announced grants of up to a maximum of Ksh23 million (180,000 euros) per successful applicant.
Ignite Culture grant is meant to support Creative and Cultural industries (CCIs) in 14 countries in Eastern Africa, including Kenya.
“The grant will be implemented by HEVA in partnership with the British Council Kenya, with the financial contribution of the European Union, and further support from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states (OACPS),” read a statement from the UK government.
Creatives were urged to implement all proposed projects within six months.
“Ignite Culture grant will also enable recipients to design, implement and engage in any suitable activities that strengthen the creative and cultural ecosystem in which practitioners and organisations operate in Eastern Africa,” read the statement.
Successful applicants will further be expected to improve the access and visibility of the region’s diverse creative and cultural sectors.
At the same time, Ignite Culture organisers will nurture talents that seek to promote economic growth in the creative and cultural sectors.
“Through grant financing of between Ksh3.9 million and Ksh23 million, prospective applicants should direct any financial support toward increasing the quality and quantity of creative and cultural goods and services,” British Council clarified.
Applicants will have to demonstrate that their projects will improve the visual literacy of audiences, visibility of makers and access to new markets for creative and cultural goods and services.
The project owners ought to also work on building appropriate, industry-ready skills and capacity for young people entering the cultural and creative sectors.
“These projects should be geared towards improving the capacity and knowledge of Eastern Africa’s creative and cultural practitioners on policy, legal and financing frameworks impacting the sector and increasing their ability to advocate for more supportive policy and legal structure,” the council added.
British Council advised prospective applicants to visit their website, on which they will submit their applications.
This was the second call for applications for the ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa). The first call was made in August 2021 and awarded grants to the first cohort of 19 organisations in early 2022.
The British government has supported county and national projects through various partnerships, including bilateral agreements.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE