Call for proposals: ACP-EU fund for Central African creative sector

The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the European Union (ACP-EU) are calling on players in cultural and creative industry (CCI) sector in the Central African region to apply for funding.

With a budget of €1 050 000 (about $1 265 000), the fund seeks to support CCI organisations in the region and in their capacity as economic, social and cultural players. The call is open to organisations that are legally registered in any of the following Central African countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tome and Principe and Chad.

Projects should aim to achieve lasting results and encourage cooperation. The call is designed for projects that focus on four priority axes and applicants must explain which axis the project addresses:

• Axis 1: Projects aimed at enhancing the creation and production of goods and services, as well as increasing quantity and quality.
• Axis 2: Projects aimed at supporting market access and dissemination of goods and services.
• Axis 3: Projects aimed at promoting visual image education among the public, in particular among young people.
• Axis 4: Projects aimed at promoting access to financing through innovative mechanisms.

All grant applications under this call for proposals must be between a minimum of €35 000 and a maximum of €105 000. The indicative available amount for this call for proposals is €1 050 000.

Eligibility

To be eligible, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Projects must involve at least two partners: one must act as lead partner and the other(s) as co-applicant(s). The lead partner must be legally established in one of the above-mentioned eight target countries and have been active in the CCI since 2017.
• The co-applicant(s) may be legally established in an African or European country.
• The lead partner must have directly implemented at least one project in the cultural and creative sector in the last two years (2019-20) with an amount equivalent to at least 50% of the requested grant and must have been directly responsible for organising and managing the activities financed.
• For proposals with an application for European funding of over €70 000, the lead partner must submit their annual accounts for 2019 and 2020, either audited or with proof of submission to the competent tax authorities.
• The lead partner must certify that the organisation and its representative have no outstanding social security or financial obligations.
• Unlike the lead partner, the co-applicant(s) may be organisations that are not legally established, only in duly justified cases and provided that their existence can be proven (e.g. cultural and artistic groups or platforms of professionals that have implemented activities).
• The lead partner is directly responsible for drawing up and managing the project proposal with the co-applicant(s), and must not act as an intermediary.
• The lead partner must have a valid and registered bank account in its own name.

The following project types will not be eligible for funding:

• Events of a religious or political nature.
• Projects related to sponsorship.
• Projects exclusively or primarily linked to individual scholarships for studies, research or training courses.
• Projects to raise funds for the lead partner or co-applicant(s).
• Projects aimed solely at raising the profile of the lead partner or co-applicant(s).

Eligible costs

The grant will cover eligible costs that meet the following criteria:

• They are incurred during the duration of the project.
• They are indicated in the estimated overall budget of the project.
• They are incurred by and necessary for the implementation of the action that is the subject of the grant.
• They are identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the accounting records of the beneficiary.
• They comply with the requirements of applicable tax and social legislation.
• They are reasonable, justified and comply with the principle of sound financial management, in particular regarding economy and efficiency.

Submission and selection of proposals

Project proposals must be submitted by completing an application form here before 8 June. They must be written in French, Spanish, English or Portuguese.

Queries about applications should be sent via email before 3 May 2021 to [email protected].

All applicants will be notified about the outcome of the evaluation process via email on 10 August 2021.

View the original call here.