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 As these ‘young’ makers and creators challenge harmful societal and outdated perspectives, they can subsequently break the hegemonic structures that currently exist in society.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 young changemakers (young people between 18 and 35), creating culture and media productions and (interested in) contributing to critical dialogue, challenging and examining the status quo, social norms, and hegemonic power in society through alternative Pan-African perspectives and points of view.

The R.O.O.M project seeks to raise the capacity of young small and emerging initiatives in order for them to become more consciously independent and self-sustainable, produce more African cultural and critical audio-visual content, and reach wider audiences with their productions. 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. Young change makers (young people between 18 and 35), creating culture and media productions and/ or collaborating and producing critical content in the audio-visual sector, such as individuals or start-ups, or newly registered entities focusing on the creative industry.

2. Individuals or entities with experience 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. Individuals/ entities that make use of digital means (online platforms) to strategically distribute their content to their audiences. (i.e., through Social Media).

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 entities representing marginalized groups, e.g., low-income communities, gender minorities, and women, are encouraged to apply. Collaboration is strongly encouraged among entities for effective implementation and impact.

Eligible countries

Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda

Amount

The requested amount should be not less than EUR 5,000 and not more than EUR 7,500 over a 5 to 6-month period.

Format of concept notes

Applications should be submitted 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 ‘Production 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