This booklet presents the vision, progress, and key results of Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA), a regional initiative implemented by Selam in collaboration with the African Union and supported by the Swedish Government. CfCA advocates for increased public investment in arts, culture, and heritage across Africa, with the goal of allocating at least 1% of …
In December 2024, CfCA took a bold step in its advocacy journey by launching the Cartoonist Residency Program—an initiative designed to harness the power of visual storytelling to influence hearts, minds, and policies. Hosted in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, this hybrid residency brought together 15 cartoonists from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The artists …
This report presents key outcomes from the Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) Regional Network Meeting held on February 16, 2025, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Bringing together 40 stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and the creative sector, the meeting advanced CfCA’s advocacy for increased public investment in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). The report captures …
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In alignment with the African Union’s directive for Member States to allocate at least 1% of their annual budgets to cultural development by 2030, Selam, a Pan-African organization, through its Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) initiative and in collaboration with the African Union, commissioned this study. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the …
African Union Member States are committed to allocating 1% of national budgets to arts, culture, and heritage by 2030. Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Zambia, like elsewhere, drive economic growth through sectors such as performing arts and publishing. Strengthening cultural entrepreneurship can help Zambia harness its CCIs’ full potential despite current challenges.
The study analyzes public investment in Uganda’s culture sector, identifying key stakeholders for enhanced lobbying. Conducted by CfCA and Selam in collaboration with the African Union, it explores baseline data, actor mapping, and government funding trends, proposing strategies to increase public funding to 1% of the national budget.
Zimbabwe’s national budget significantly impacts the cultural sector, but artists and cultural professionals have shown limited participation in the budget process. Despite some funding for culture, its impact is difficult to assess due to the lack of a clear system for allocation. Improved stakeholder engagement, transparency, and accountability are essential for effective cultural development.
Ethiopia prioritizes preserving its cultural heritage despite financial challenges. The “Connect for Culture Africa” initiative, by Selam and the African Union, aims to allocate 1% of national budgets to culture by 2030. Baseline studies on public funding and stakeholder mapping support efforts for cultural development and financial sustainability.