PRESS RELEASE ACPCultures+: Results of the first Call for Proposals
The ACP-EU support programme for the culture sector of the ACP states, ACPCultures+, is financing 20 projects for a total of €8,3 million.
Brussels 24 September 2012/ ACPCultures+: The Secretariat of the ACP Group of States is pleased to announce the results of the first Call for Proposals of the ACP-EU Support Programme to the culture sector of the ACP States, “ACPCultures+”, which was launched on 28th February 2011 and was closed on 30th June 2011. It was divided into two lots. The first, with a budget of €7 million, covered cinema and television broadcasting. The second concerned cultural industries and had a budget of €5 million.
In the scope of this Call for Proposals, 216 cooperation projects were received and examined by an independent evaluation committee. Following a rigorous assessment, adhering to the criteria of the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EU External Actions, 20 projects, developed by different branches of the culture sector, were selected for financing. (See full list of results)
The 20 projects selected covered the six geographic regions of the ACP Group of States, in Africa, in the Caribbean and in the Pacific. They included 62 ACP culture sector operators, as well as 22 European operators in the various consortia. Their activities will be executed in 37 ACP States. The grants awarded them total €8.3 million.
Implemented by the ACP Group of States and financed by the European Union (10th European Development Fund – EDF), the ACPCultures+ programme aims to contribute to a reduction in poverty through the consolidation and support of viable cultural industries in ACP countries. It will support their contribution to social and economic development, as well as ensuring the preservation of cultural diversity.
Following on from the previous ACPFilms and ACPCultures programmes (2007-2012), financed under the EU’s 9th EDF, ACPCultures+ specifically supports the following: Strengthening intra-ACP culture sector cooperation, Developing the production of cultural goods and services within ACP States, using an approach that integrates distribution channels, Improving local, regional and international access for these cultural goods and services, Reinforcing technical and entrepreneurial skills for culture sector organisations and artists in the ACP States.
A second Call for Proposals has been launched the 18th of September 2012.
The Secretariat of the ACP Group of States and the European Commission confirm their support of high quality projects that positively contribute to the objectives of the ACPCultures+ programme while additionally reinforcing intra-ACP synergies.
Download full list of results (PDF)
– ACPCultures+
For further information, please contact
ACPCultures+ Programme
Secretariat of the ACP Group of States
Office of the Under-Secretary General
Department of Political Issues and Human Development
451 avenue Georges Henri
1200 Brussels Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 743 06 29 Email: acp-culture-film@acp.int