Cultural and Creative Industries

AFD is working to open up a dialogue around public policy with its partners, with a view to maximizing the structural impact of CCI development projects. As part of a trajectory-based approach, it plans to provide financial support for public policy in this sector, and in the following areas in particular:

• intellectual property and copyright regulations;
• tax and customs regulations on the movement of cultural goods;
• increasing private-sector involvement in the cultural sector (tax credits, tax regulations);
• financing of festivals and live shows. 

This support for public policy reform will therefore establish a framework conducive to the development of CCIs, and lead to the implementation of policies that promote diverse cultural works based on transparent, collaborative and participatory governance processes and systems.

For example, alongside Expertise France, AFD is implementing a project with SACEM to support the development of the Palestinian music scene, namely through legal structuring, provision of training and entrepreneurial support.

The cultural and creative industries have a key role to play in improving access to employment, as they promote the inclusion of the most vulnerable social groups and individuals. While the creative entrepreneurship sector has been boosted by digital technology, which has profoundly changed the way cultural works are produced, distributed and consumed, it is often hampered by issues with funding access.

To support cultural entrepreneurship, AFD is focusing on initiatives that provide direct aid to entrepreneurs in the sector, while encouraging banks and financial funds to invest in this still largely neglected field.

Financed by the European Commission and implemented by AFD, the “Innovative Financing Initiative for Culture” program has granted financial support to the Kenyan Heva Fund, in order to boost the creative economy in East Africa. Through co-financing provided by AFD and the European Union (IFIC funding), entrepreneurs from the region were selected via a call for applications, and provided with funding to develop their cultural and creative projects. In addition, the long-term aim of this project is to support public policy in East Africa to promote the development of the CCI sector. 

The development of the creative industries requires the professionalization of sector operators in terms of general management and cultural facilities management, as well as in the technical aspects of culture (live performance techniques, audiovisual trades, heritage conservation, etc.). To help achieve this goal, AFD is working to develop permanent training programs while drawing on French expertise.

AFD is supporting the Canal + University project which aims to train a group of audiovisual professionals and facilitate their integration into local institutions and companies responsible for developing production activities in the countries concerned.

Technical support and skills development are key to the development of the cultural and creative industries. These aspects are incorporated into all the projects financed in 2022, and for 19% of them, are even their main focus. This is demonstrated through the financing of projects to create film schools and provide structured museum and heritage training programs.

The availability of high-quality cultural facilities creates a virtuous circle by improving access to culture for local communities and stimulating creativity, while promoting social inclusion, youth education and citizenship.

In turn, this enhances the attractiveness of a region, particularly through its heritage, whose promotion has long been a key focus of AFD’s actions, thus having a positive impact on tourism and the local economy in general.

In Haiti, the Tanbou project is working to generate income in the CCI sector and rebuild social ties. To this end, it plans to construct an independent, productive and sustainable cultural space, named the Fabrique des Arts. It will be a safe, communal space for creativity, performance in multiple disciplines, training, free expression and dialogue for all. The Fabrique des Arts will thus promote the development of a meaningful cultural heritage for the local population, and particularly for women and young people in Port-au-Prince.

As part of this project, cultural sector professionals and operators will also have access to two mobility programs led in partnership with the French Institute: a volunteer scheme and a professional training program offering long-term residencies.