Call for grant applications: Sound Connects Fund in southern Africa

The Sound Connects Fund (SCF), an initiative aimed at the development of cultural and creative industries, is inviting organisations operating in southern Africa to apply for funding.

The fund aims to accelerate development and increase the capacities of practitioners in the region. Its third and final call is now open and will close on Sunday, 15 January 2023. The value of the approved grants will range between €45 000 and €70 000 (about N$830 000 to N$1.29 million).

The SCF is implemented by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), in partnership with the Goethe-Institut. It is made possible with funding from the ACP-EU Culture Programme, a project implemented by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and funded by the European Union.

To date, the fund has awarded grants worth over €2 million (N$36.9 million) to 23 organisations based in Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Eligible projects

The fund seeks to support projects and activities in the cultural and creative sector that:

• Facilitate the rapid production and distribution of high-quality goods within and outside the southern African region;
• Increase capacities among professionals;
  
  Support rapid mobility and exchange among creators;
  
  Enhance access to new markets;
• Develop visual literacy (especially among underrepresented groups);
• Promote advocacy aimed at protecting the interests of creators;
• Support the existence of sustainable financing structures.

Eligible countries

Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Eligible disciplines

The fund supports projects across a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to, performing arts, visual arts, animation, film, gaming, photography and videography.

Eligible languages

Applications to the SCF can made in both English and Portuguese from organisations based in the eligible countries. The English and Portuguese application forms can be downloaded from its website.

How to apply

Interested organisations are urged to visit the SCF website for more information about the fund and the application process.

If you have any queries, read through the FAQs, or email [email protected].

About MIAF

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. Its 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 musicinafrica.net, and offline through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.