The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) has launched the 2^nd call for applications of the ACP-EU Cultural Programme for East Africa, entitled “Ignite Culture”, from 6 July to 17 August 2022.

A total of €4.5million will be made available as grants for eligible organisations in the cultural and creative sectors of the 14 countries of the Eastern Africa region. East African artists and other cultural professionals with operational and registered businesses may apply for grant funding of between €30,000 to €180,000. This call aims to increase access to local, regional and international markets, as well as to improve the visibility of creative and cultural practitioners throughout the East African region.

The primary purpose of all projects awarded funding under this programme must be the growth and development of the cultural and creative sectors of one or more of the following fourteen (14) Eastern African countries: Burundi, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda. The lead applicants must be from one of these countries and the project activities will need to benefit target populations in the ACP countries in the region. Lead applicants may apply with co-applicants from another African country, (including those outside the group of 14 eligible countries in Eastern Africa) or an EU state.

The grant programme, implemented by the British Council and the Heva Fund (Kenya), is designed to enable organisations to successfully develop new businesses, programmes and projects for their target communities and demographic groups, witch will greatly contribute to making their own work and that of their target communities more sustainable. In addition, it will enable the winners to design, implement and engage in an activity aimed at:

• Strengthening the creative and cultural ecosystem in East Africa;
• Improving access and visibility of the region’s diverse creative and cultural sectors;
• Promoting the economic growth of the creative and cultural sector in East Africa.

The guidelines for applications are attached to facilitate the submission of projects.

Deadline: Applications are to be submitted by 17 August 2022.

Questions may be sent by e-mail no later than 10 days before the deadline for the submission of applications to the following address: igniteculture@hevafund.com