The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann
By George Swarei
Harare, Zimbabwe, September 9, 2024 – The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) Delegation to Zimbabwe, has granted a total of USD 280,494 to 20 new arts and culture projects across Zimbabwe under the CreativeACTIONs 2 initiative. The grants, ranging from USD 1,556 to USD 30,930, aim to empower creative practitioners from diverse regions, including Bulawayo, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Midlands, Mashonaland East, Harare, Manicaland, Matabeleland South, and Masvingo.
The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating, “Zimbabwe’s creative sector is key to bringing people together and driving economic growth. With CreativeACTIONs 2, we are excited to see how artists and cultural practitioners are making a difference.”
Among the newly funded projects is a range of initiatives promoting diverse cultural expressions and supporting marginalized communities. These include the promotion of Sign Language through innovative content creation, beadwork training for women to enhance their livelihoods, and music training and advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Since its launch in 2023, CreativeACTIONs 2 has funded 74 projects with a total investment of USD 1,140,270. The initiative addresses critical capacity gaps, supports innovation, fosters advocacy, and facilitates the mobility of artists and cultural goods, allowing them to access new markets and reach broader audiences.
The impact of these grants is already visible across the country. The Binga Craft Centre, for example, has expanded export markets to Spain and Australia by providing skills training in quality control for craft products. Meanwhile, CHIPAWO, an organization focused on children’s arts education, has trained young people in video recording and presenting skills, resulting in 13 episodes broadcast on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television (ZBC TV). Zimbabwe Fashion Week has also joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network and is mentoring fashion design graduates through a Creative Accelerator Programme in partnership with Chinhoyi University of Technology.
Educational initiatives are also a key component of CreativeACTIONs 2. Organizations like the Centre for Talent Development, Rawstone Galleries, and TIME Entertainment Promotions have trained 37 schools in various forms of performance-based literature, visual arts, and music. Zimbabwe Deaf Media has produced African folktales in Sign Language, enhancing learning opportunities for hearing-impaired students, while Matamba Film Labs is pioneering new innovations in virtual reality in collaboration with regional organizations.
CreativeACTIONs 2 has further facilitated international cultural exchanges between Zimbabwean creators and EU Member States such as Portugal, Germany, and Greece. Supported artists have participated in training programs and showcased Zimbabwean fashion and fabrics to international audiences, strengthening Zimbabwe’s representation on the global cultural stage.
The Culture Fund and the EU emphasize the crucial role of the arts and culture sector in nation-building, advocacy, and policy development. Through CreativeACTIONs 2, they continue to enhance the capacity of creative civil society institutions and independent artists, aiming to enrich youth empowerment, address gender disparities, and prioritize the inclusion of people with disabilities.