Background

In an age where civic space is fast shrinking and the political context worsening, free expression through critical content creation and cultural production is an essential condition for open and democratic societies and people to flourish, but is too often inhibited by restrictive political and social norms and a lack of sustainable resourcing.

We have, for example, witnessed internet shutdowns in East Africa in an attempt to quiet the online voices of young people who use social media to organize, challenge oppressive systems and call for accountability on societal issues. While we continue to see the dimming light of freedom of expression, there has been an expansion of access to mobile telephony and internet on the African continent which has enabled new modes of free expression and access to information. There is resistance from young frontrunners, artists, musicians, artivists, hacktivists, vloggers, writers and bloggers who are on a quest to fight challenges such as growing levels of disinformation and a loss of contextual identity and diversity due to the digital monocultures fuelled by the dominant digital platforms. As these ‘young’ makers and creators challenge harmful societal and outdated perspectives, they can subsequently break the hegemonic structures that currently exist in society.

Resource of Open Minds

In 2017 with support of Sida, Hivos launched Resource of Open Minds (R.O.O.M). This program has been supporting makers’ and creators’ contribution to diversification of dialogue, debate and dissent in their societies. Hivos does this by supporting young makers like artists, designers, film makers, vloggers and communities who create independent cultural and media productions, which are diverse in their identities, mediums, content, channels and audiences.

In this program, we not only provide young makers with the means to produce critical art and media productions, support the creative hubs that offer them a safe work environment and meeting ground, but also hope to make a positive contribution to countering the shrinking freedom of expression in societies that have no ear for or acceptance of critical and necessary voices. With a renewed collaboration with Sida dubbed R.O.O.M 2.0, we continue to aim to work towards the objective of contributing to progressive, diversified, necessary and critical dialogue, debate and dissent in African societies. Hivos is intentional about creating a professional environment for makers and a platform for them to experiment and flourish in.

Call summary

Hivos (East Africa) is seeking concept notes from registered artistic collectives, creative hubs, and groups of content creators in the audio-visual sector in order to support the production of more consciously independent and self-sufficient makers, who create more critical, African cultural, media and intellectual productions, reach a wider and more diverse African audience and have an increased capacity to promote gender inclusivity, economic class diversity, and local accessibility and ownership in facilitating African cultural and media productions. This open call is directed to registered entities that have grown their capacity to manage long-term grants and have carried at least one project audit currently based in the following East African countries: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Besides artistic imagination, the production of Afrocentric/ Pan-African independent and conscious work that challenges or questions norms in society will be an important factor in the awarding of grants.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

This call is primarily directed to:

1. Registered and previously audited entities that are, or are representing communities and networks of young makers, i.e., physical and virtual spaces in which they can safely work, collaborate, and produce critical content in the audio-visual sector such as creative spaces, groups of artists, music studios, hubs, cafés, art spaces, art galleries, independent production houses, networks of artists and producers, online platforms, collectives, co-working spaces focusing on the creative industry.

2. Entities with experience and a traceable portfolio of working with content producers that are working in one or more of the following audio-visual sectors:

• Graphic Design
• Fashion Design
• Comics / Cartoons
• Animation
• Poetry / Slam poetry / Spoken word
• Storytelling
• Music Rap / Hip hop
• DJ
• VJ
• Radio shows/ Radio Series/ Pod-casts/ Community radios
• TV show / TV series/ Online channels
• Short film / video
• Feature film / Documentary
• Video Blog
• Visual Art (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Digital Art)
• Sculpture (objects)
• Mixed media installations
• Performance Virtual reality
• Videogame

3. Entities that make use of digital means (online platforms) to strategically distribute their content to their audiences. (i.e., through social media) with record of measurable audience engagement. Entities are strongly encouraged to coordinate with offline digital platforms e.g. community radios to increase reach in remote/ marginalized communities.

4. Entities that produce content/work that aims to show alternative viewpoints on big issues affecting society that challenges or question certain norms in society and promote Pan-African social progress. This content/work should challenge and examine repressive norms and tendencies within African societies, question the status quo and hegemonic power in society, and show alternative perspectives and points of view.

NB: Remotely located hubs and entities representing marginalized groups, e.g., low-income communities, gender minorities and women, are encouraged to apply. Collaboration is also greatly encouraged among entities for effective implementation and impact.

Eligible countries

Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda.

Amount

The requested amount should be not less than EUR 25,000 and not more than EUR 30,000 over a 5-6 month period.

Format of concept notes

Applications are accepted in English. The concept notes must be no more than 4 pages using this Call for Concept Notes Form template.

Deadline and other requirements

The submission deadline is 14 August 2023, 1700 hours EAT.

Applicants must ensure that their concept notes are in Word or pdf format and are clearly marked with the title ‘Amplification Grants- Call for Concepts: Creative Expression in 21^st Century East Africa’. All applications must be sent to the following email address: GrantsEA@hivos.org   

NB: – Former R.O.O.M partners can apply for this grant.