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UNESCO invests over US$1 million to support the creative economy in the Global South

Established by the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the IFCD is a multi-donor fund that aims to foster the emergence of dynamic cultural and creative sectors in developing countries by supporting the development and implementation of cultural policies, capacity building for cultural professionals and entrepreneurs, access to new markets for cultural goods and services, and increased participation in cultural life. From training young women artists in Costa Rica to bolstering copyright governance in Eswatini, the selected projects recognize the importance of laying a strong foundation from which the creative economy can prosper.
The 2025 IFCD beneficiary projects are:
Professionalizing the theatre sector in The Bahamas, the Bahamas
Cultural Innovators: Empowering youth through creativity and entrepreneurship, Costa Rica
Enhancing cultural management and participation through the Cultural Houses in Manizales, Colombia
SDGs STARS: Empowering youth street theatre groups for policy reform and sustainable development, Egypt
Strengthening children鈥檚 literature ecosystem in Ethiopia, Ethiopia
Reinforcing copyrights for Eswatini鈥檚 cultural and creative industries, Eswatini
Promoting gender equality in India鈥檚 music industry, India
AnimHouse, Madagascar
MADE by HER: Empowering women artists in Mexico, Mexico
Play it! 颅鈥 Strengthening cooperation in the music industry to make a change, Serbia
Advancing Gender Equity and Professionalization in the East African Live Music Industry, the United Republic of Tanzania
Strengthening the Arts Business Environment in Zambia, Zambia
Since 2010, the IFCD has invested $12.6 million in 164 projects aimed at strengthening the cultural and creative sectors in 76 countries in the Global South.
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the 2005 Convention, we are celebrating the remarkable achievements of the IFCD in strengthening the creative economy. We are seeking more support to seize greater opportunities and more accessible cultural expressions for people in all corners of the world.
For more information on IFCD funded projects, visit our website.
To find out more about contributing to the IFCD, contact: convention2005.ifcd@unesco.org