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The closeout event for Kenya’s UNESCO-Aschberg project, held on 5 December 2024 in Westlands, Nairobi, was a celebration of the year’s accomplishments. Spearheaded by the Nairobi City County, and The GoDown Arts Centre, the event brought together 120 stakeholders who delved into the project’s outcomes and aspirations for strengthening Nairobi’s cultural sector.

The project’s primary goal was ambitious yet essential: mapping Nairobi County’s cultural assets and infrastructure. Using digital toolkits and Google Maps, cultural mapping was conducted across 17 sub-counties. The exercise captured a wealth of data, from heritage sites and studios to training facilities, recreational spaces, tourist villages, and community centers.

Fifty-one cultural and tourism officers played a pivotal role throughout the year, demonstrating how localized, data-driven efforts can unlock a county’s cultural and creative potential. With this mapping, Nairobi now has a clearer blueprint for developing its arts and tourism sectors strategically.

Notably, the project explored how cultural data could drive socio-economic gains. Two consultants were engaged to conduct archival research, storytelling, and design walking tours, showcasing how cultural offerings can create opportunities for economic revitalization.

Discussions on policy and regulatory frameworks added depth to the initiative. Experts, county officials, and stakeholders examined public participation mechanisms in light of the . These discussions touched on professional recognition, employment, market access, and inclusivity—addressing gender, disability, and infrastructure considerations.

Nairobi’s decision to recruit young cultural officers is a promising step toward sustaining these efforts. Their work sets a precedent for regular cultural mapping and underscores the importance of institutionalizing processes that can evolve alongside the dynamic needs of creative industries.

The closeout event provided a platform for county officials to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the policy environment, with a particular focus on updating the Cultural Heritage Act of 2017 based on the valuable insights gained through this initiative.

In Rwanda, the Ikirenga Artistic Freedom Initiative marked a milestone in advancing artistic expression. Launched in 2023 by Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion (ACP), this project tackled the legal, social, and economic barriers limiting Rwandan artists.

At its core, the initiative aimed to deconstruct stigmas, create a safe environment for free expression, and empower artists to forge sustainable creative careers. Through a multifaceted approach, it delivered profound results, setting a benchmark for promoting artistic freedom in Rwanda’s cultural sector. Key activities included capacity-building workshops that addressed critical topics such as digital security, financial management, and project planning. Artistic residencies provided space for creative exploration, while advocacy campaigns raised awareness about the value of artistic freedom.

The Ikirenga Culture Tourism Festival and Women’s Day, inspired by the findings on the voice of women through the data collected in this project, offered a platform for redefining women’s narratives in Rwanda’s creative industries. With themes like "Empowering Voices," the festival highlighted the vital role of women in shaping cultural narratives and fostering innovation. Legal frameworks were also in focus, with discussions on how to create robust policies to safeguard artists’ rights. By addressing systemic challenges, the initiative laid the groundwork for advocacy and reform.

The initiative has nurtured a supportive environment for artistic expression, fostered new networks, and elevated public appreciation of art. Artists have a renewed sense of freedom, emboldened by the skills and support systems cultivated through the project.