Cultural & Creative Entrepreneurs: Apply for Support via AFD's Digital Challenge

Cultural projects can enrich the intellectual and cultural life of communities, contribute to employment, and strengthen social bonds and inclusion. They also make it possible to promote specific themes such as gender equality, climate change awareness and civic engagement.  Supporting programs like Creative Africa and Access Culture, creativity and culture for all are among AFD Group's top priorities.

The new edition of the AFD Digital Challenge is dedicated to digital technology in the service of cultural and creative industries (CCI), which include music, publishing, audiovisual, the press, video games and the performing arts. Via digital platforms, the cultural and creative sector can act as a kind of accelerator to promote the creation of economic opportunities for African youth, and thus encourage growth and sustainable development.

Support worth up to €45,000

For the sixth consecutive year, AFD Group is committed to supporting African start-ups and digital players. Since 2016, 35 entrepreneurs have benefited from financial support and coaching sessions to help them scale up.

The 10 winning projects will be supported by AFD via an “acceleration pack” combining technical and financial support, worth up to €45,000.

 

Applications can be submitted from January 17 to March 3, 2023 on AFD Digital Challenge. 

Read also: Combining Culture, Creativity and Development in East Africa 

6 cultural and creative categories  

• Cultural and natural heritage, including museums, historic sites, archaeological sites, cultural landscapes
  
  Examples: an online ticketing platform allowing users to search and buy museum and tourist attraction tickets; a project specializing in the development of immersive experiences that enhance heritage; a virtual museum
• Performing arts and festivities: concerts, dance, festivals, fairs
  
  Examples: a networking platform serving as a springboard for emerging artists and producers; a streaming platform dedicated to theater and the performing arts; a platform facilitating the management and marketing of events related to the performing arts
• Visual arts and crafts, including fine arts and photography
  
  Examples: a virtual gallery; a craft marketplace; an online painting learning platform for young people
• Publishing and press: books, newspapers, magazines, libraries and book fairs
  
  Examples: an online book consultation and sale platform; an audiobook platform; digital media, magazines
• Audiovisual and interactive media: cinema, TV and radio, streaming, podcasts, video games
  
  Examples: a podcast hosting platform; a collaborative platform facilitating the sharing of production material; a platform for creating web radio; video game production studios
• Design and creative services: architecture, styling, graphics, interior decoration, advertising
  
  Examples: augmented reality tools serving e-commerce platforms in the fashion sector; a fablab for product designers

Read more: Cultural & Creative Industries for Multi-dimensional Development

4 phases: analysis & selection

• Examination of the application files to validate the admissibility of the candidates and pre-select 30 start-ups and associations on the basis of an analysis of the projects, their innovative character, their economic model, impact, and the role that digital technology plays
• A phase of in-depth analysis by AFD experts of shortlisted projects
• A final selection by the jury, made up of AFD experts
• Announcement of results on Friday, May 19, 2023

How to apply?

Applications are to be submitted from January 17 to March 3, 2023 on the AFD Digital Challenge website.

Discover the AFD Digital Challenge winners of 2021