The Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions has approved funding for initiatives that will boost the cultural and creative industries in developing countries around the world, during its annual meeting, held online from 1 to 6 February.

During the Committee session, a high-level ResiliArt debate took place, celebrating the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Building Back Better through the Creative Economy. Participants discussed how artists and creators are adapting in response to the pandemic, and stressed that they need greater support from governments, and regional and international organizations.
The debate brought together Jean-Michel Jarre (musician and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador), Adberrahmane Sissako (film director) Thomas Steffens, (CEO of Primephonic), Vanja Kaludjercic (Director, International Film Festival Rotterdam), Victoria Contreras (founder and General Director of the Association Conecta Cultura de México) and Alvaro Osmar Narvaez (Secretary of Culture, City of Medelln, Colombia, UNESCO Creative City of Music).

Each project will receive more than $70,000 from the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). With this year’s attribution, the IFCD will have supported 120 projects in 60 developing countries with over $8.7 million since 2010.
The projects will include, evaluating Jamaica’s Cultural and Creative Industries, proposed by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC); Cultural Nests, supporting indigenous cultural start-ups, proposed by Mexico’s Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria A.C,; and Strengthening the contemporary dance scene in East Africa, proposed by Tanzania’s Muda Africa Organization.