Launch of the ACP-EU Culture Programme “Towards a sustainable cultural industry”

18th October 2019: the ACP Group of States, in partnership with the European Commission, is
launching the new Programme to support cultural sector, ACP-EU Culture.

Entitled “Towards a sustainable cultural industry”, it will be officially launched and presented by
Léonard-Emile Ognimba, Deputy Secretary-General of the ACP Group, at the 5th meeting of
ACP Ministers of Culture, to be held in Niamey, Niger, on 19 and 20 October 2019.

This ambitious Programme aims to boost the potential of the cultural and creative sector and to
contribute to the social and economic development of the ACP countries.

It aims at promoting entrepreneurship and cultural and technological innovation, especially
among young people, at creating jobs and increasing the income of artists and cultural
professionals and at improving the quality of ACP cultural production.

It will support among others the access to international and regional markets, the mobility of
artists and creators, the dissemination and promotion of ACP cultural goods and services, image
education, the creation and production of quality goods and services at a competitive cost
supported by digital technologies and a better access to finance through innovative mechanisms.
This is the 4
th Programme supporting culture in the ACP countries, implemented by the ACP
Secretariat and funded by the European Development Fund (EU).

With a budget of €40 million for the period 2019-2024, the Programme foresees several actions
and tools to support the cultural sector across the ACP countries: 3 calls for proposals in the
fields of audiovisual co-production, of performing and visual arts, cultural heritage, books and
literature, as well as design, fashion and crafts. A digital platform will allow cultural professionals
to meet, network, exchange information and share projects (www.culturexchange.eu). A number
of partnerships in the public and private sectors are also planned, while the Programme will rely
on various communication and visibility initiatives.

The guidelines of the different calls for proposals will be published soon on our website www.acpue-culture.org and we invite you to regularly follow the announcements posted.
Communication contact: Technical Assistance Unit of the ACP EU CULTURE Programme, Maryse
Henry, tel.: +32 (0)497 45 44 40, mh@acp-ue-culture.eu or info@acp-ue-culture.eu