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Southern Africa: The Sound Connects Fund launches its first call for projects
The Sound Connects Fund is a multifaceted initiative aimed at accelerating development and increasing the capacity of the cultural and creative sectors in Southern Africa. From 2021 to 2024, the fund will award grants worth €2.85m ($3.4m) and offer a robust capacity-building programme to the value of €570 000 to eligible creative and cultural industry organisations in nine SADC countries: Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Eligible organisations include arts organisations, education institutions, associations, industry bodies, hubs and incubators, media houses, civil society and other relevant registered entities.
Multiple disciplines and key focus areas
Using the theme of Sound as a strong connecting factor across the creative industries in the region, the fund will support multiple disciplines including, but not limited to, the performing arts, visual arts, animation, film, gaming, photography and videography.
The initiative seeks to support projects and activities that:
- Facilitate the rapid production and distribution of high-quality goods within and outside the Southern African region.
- Increase capacities among professionals.
- Support rapid mobility and exchange among creators.
- Enhance access to new markets.
- Develop visual literacy (especially among underrepresented groups).
- Promote advocacy aimed at protecting the interests of creators.
- Support the existence of sustainable financing structures.
How to apply ?
Calls for applications will be announced annually via the Music In Africa portal. At least 35 grants will be awarded between 2021 and 2024. The grants will range between €35 000 and €180 000.
The first call for grant applications opened on 17 June 2021 and will close at midnight on Sunday 25 July 2021. The second and third calls for grant applications are scheduled for 2022.
Interested organisations can apply for funding HERE.
For more information about the Sound Connects Fund, visit the official website, email scf@musicinafrica.net, or call +27 (0)10 140 1317.
About the Sound Connects Fund
Operating under the banner ‘ACP-EU Culture Programme (Southern Africa) – Sound Connects Fund‘, the initiative is made possible with funding from the ACP-EU Culture Programme, a project implemented by the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and funded by the European Union (EU). The programme is co-funded by Goethe-Institut. The Sound Connect Fund is implemented by the MIAF in partnership with Goethe-Institut South Africa. The Siemens Stiftung, a founding partner of the MIAF, is also a partner of the fund.