Malawi to host Sound Connects Fund Networking and Capacity Building Workshop

Implemented by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in partnership with Goethe-Institut, the SCF is a multifaceted initiative that aims to accelerate development and increase the capacity of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Southern Africa by offering financial support in the form of different sized grants and comprehensive capacity-building programmes to eligible creative and cultural industry organisations based in Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The SCF is made possible with funding from the ACP-EU Culture programme, a project implemented by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).

The workshop is part of the fund’s capacity-building programme designed to support and empower the sub-grantees as they deliver their SCF-funded projects. Some 20 delegates representing the SCF’s second cohort of grantees from seven Southern African countries will be in attendance. The workshop will include activities that foster sharing, peer-to-peer learning, team building and networking. All topics to be covered during the workshop will be geared towards capacitating the delegates as organisational leaders, who will also be afforded the opportunity to engage with various players and organisations in the Malawian CCI space, including sub-grantees based in that country.

The first SCF Grantee Networking and Capacity Building Workshop took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in February 2022.

“We are proud to be hosting this capacity-focused workshop for the fund’s second cohort of grantees,” MIAF project manager Violet Maila said. “The programme is interactive and engaging, and provides a great opportunity for them to network, connect and learn from each other.”

Goethe-Institut Johannesburg head of culture and development Carolin Christgau said: “We hope that in addition to hosting a successful workshop, we will be able to garner more awareness about the fund in that region. The SCF will publish its last open call in December 2022.” 

For more information about the Sound Connects Fund, visit the official website.

About the Sound Connects Fund

The Sound Connects Fund is an initiative of the Music In Africa Foundation in partnership with Goethe-Institut South Africa and made possible with funding from the ACP-EU Culture Programme – a project implemented by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and funded by the European Union (EU). The Sound Connects Fund is also co-funded by Goethe-Institut South Africa and Siemens Stiftung.

About the Music In Africa Foundation

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. The MIAF’s mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals. The Foundation does this in two ways: digitally via the Music In Africa website (www.musicinafrica.net) and offline through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.

About Goethe-Institut

Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. The institute promotes knowledge of the German language abroad and fosters international cultural cooperation. It conveys a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany’s cultural, social and political life.

About the ACP-EU Culture Programme

Implemented by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and funded by the European Union (EU), the ‘ACP-EU towards a viable cultural industry’ programme (ACP-EU CULTURE) intends to boost the potential of the cultural and creative sector and its contribution to the social and economic development of the ACP countries.