Arts Writer
The European Union has injected a total US$748 588 towards the country’s inspiring 42 culture based projects.
The community transforming grant was distributed in collaboration with the Culture Fund.
The funds are part of the first round of the Creative Actions II project meant to help artists and cultural practitioners from various disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, literary arts, and fashion.
Speaking on the landmark development Friday, the EU Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann, expressed his excitement underscoring that the amount will positively impact communities.
“As the European Union, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering Zimbabwean creativity. The projects will not only entertain but create jobs, raise awareness, promote tolerance and preserve Zimbabwean art and culture,” he said.
Culture Fund director , Farai Mpfunya said the responses to the grant were highly competitive.
“We are delighted to share that the project received a remarkable response during the first Grant cycle, with 248 highly competitive proposals submitted,” he said.
In a joint statement the two organizations said the 42 projects covering all ten provinces in Zimbabwe will promote culture as a goal in itself and as a powerful vector for social and economic development.
Some of the activities to be implemented include the creation of a diverse range of artistic and cultural expressions by artists in Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo, Bindura, Chinhoyi and other areas, encompassing film making, music, theatre, crafts, fashion, sculpturing, comedy and dance.
“Some projects will support the holding of festivals, fairs, exhibitions and awards ceremonies in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Victoria Falls, Matobo, Murehwa and other areas. Projects will also empower creatives (especially women and youth) from Hwange, Binga, Tsholotsho, Lupane, Masvingo, Murehwa, Harare, Bulawayo and other areas on digital technologies, intellectual property rights, accessing new markets and professionalizing their work,” reads the statement.
Added the organisations, “Preservation and promotion of minority cultures of communities such as the San and Ndau as well as promoting accessibility to arts and cultural creations by people with disabilities will also be the focus of some of the awarded projects.”
The large share of the grants- 42% -is from 2 provinces only, Harare and Bulawayo and the EU is calling for creatives from other provinces to apply for the grants.
“The projects will also support women, youth and people with disabilities, however only 31% of the projects are led by women while 34% are led by youth. To address these imbalances, the EU and the Culture Fund strongly encourage creatives from provinces with fewer grant awards, as well as women, youth and people with disabilities, to apply for the ongoing Small Grants scheme.”
The Creative Actions II project aligns fully with the Government of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1) and contributes to its implementation by funding innovative Artistic and cultural expressions, empowering civil society, promoting gender equality and Women’s empowerment, and providing training and skills development programs for arts and culture practitioners.
