Call for applications: 2021 UNESCO cultural diversity fund

The IFCD is a voluntary multi-donor fund established under the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions to support the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors in developing countries.

This year, the IFCD joins the celebration of the International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development by calling for projects aiming to make strong contributions to the creative economy in developing countries that are parties to the 2005 Convention.

Who can apply?

The call is open to public institutions and NGOs from eligible countries, as well as international NGOs registered in countries that are parties to the 2005 Convention. 

Eligible African countries include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, DRC, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, eSwatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

View the complete list of eligible countries here.

The proposals must fall within the following domains:

• Music
• Performing Arts
• Cinema / Audiovisual Arts
• Visual Arts
• Publishing
• Design
• Media Arts

Project eligibility

The projects must clearly lead to structural changes through:

• Introduction and/or elaboration of policies and strategies that have a direct and structural impact on the creation, production, distribution of and access to a diversity of cultural goods and services
• Reinforcement of skills in the public sector and civil society organisations to support viable local and regional cultural industries and markets in developing countries.

All projects will ultimately contribute to a sustainable creative ecosystem and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations.

“Since 2010, the IFCD has invested $8.7m through 120 projects in 60 developing countries,” the IFCD said. “These diverse initiatives have assisted the emergence of sustainable systems of cultural governance, notably by creating an enabling environment for cultural entrepreneurs, access to new markets for cultural goods and services, and accessibility to diverse cultural expressions. 

“In 2021, as the creative sector faces an unprecedented challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the IFCD reaffirms its commitment to continue investing in culture and creativity as drivers of sustainable development.”

The application deadline is 16 June before 1pm CAT.

For more information, interested individuals can contact the 2005 Convention UNESCO secretariat at convention2005.ifcd@unesco.org.

View the original call here.