The European Union Delegation to the Republic of Zimbabwe on the 9th of May 2013, signed a Euro 500,000.00 partnership agreement with the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, for arts and culture development in Zimbabwe. The financial support extended through the Culture Fund- EU Partnership for Arts and Culture Development programme, aims to foster Zimbabwe’s dynamic and diversified culture both in the country and abroad. The programme will be rolled out over a two year period.
The partnership will provide a vessel for Arts Culture, Heritage and cultural exchange between the diversity of the peoples of Zimbabwe and Europe. Based on the understanding that culture is the glue that bonds people together and that artistic expression empowers them to explore the best way to be human, to test and celebrate Zimbabwe’s highest values.
Overall objectives of the partnership are to see that the condition of arts management, production and showcasing by a selected group of arts organisations and individuals is more professional and economically viable, and specifically to sustain Zimbabwean arts and culture by increasing the opportunities and visibility of Zimbabwean cultural actors producing good art. The Culture Fund with the European Union (EU) and others will address some of these gaps through the following work packages; National Arts Management Training (NAMT), Arts and Rights Advocacy (ARA), Performing Arts Performing Arts for Young Audiences, Multimedia Arts (MAP), Arts Education and Training , Literary Arts, Emerging Arts, Sustainable Development and Cultural Encounters.
The funding for the programme will be managed by the Culture Fund, a long-standing partner of Sweden in Zimbabwe. The Culture Fund is a sector convenor and an enabler that extends financial and technical support to cultural practitioners, institutions, and activities with the ultimate aim of contributing to a dynamic, diversified and sustainable culture sector in Zimbabwe. The Culture Fund remains a strategic partner to national institutions promoting the growth of Arts and Culture in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the signing Culture Fund Executive Director Farai Mpfunya said “The Culture Fund is excited about winds of optimism blowing in our country. Our new partnership with the EU will help cement new bridges being built with Zimbabwe. The Creative Sector and the Arts in particular, have this great ability of taking us out of our comfort zone and often into the disquiet of the unfamiliar enabling us to confront our fears and address those things that prevent us from being at peace, assertive and prosperous.”
The EU seeks to enhance its cultural strategy for its foreign policy that will strengthen relations with Zimbabwe beyond cultural links and alliances.
European Union Invests Euro 500,000 through the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust to the Country’s Creative Sector
Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust,
05 June 2013, Zimbabwe