The Resources of Open Minds (R.O.O.M.) program, which Hivos started in 2017, is a great example of how creativity can challenge the status quo. Ending this year, R.O.O.M. empowered creators across Africa and the Middle East to amplify diverse, alternative ethical and social narratives in societies where public space continues to shrink. As we close off the program, we can be very proud of its rich legacy of promoting dialogue and encouraging critical debate.
A platform for voices
Implemented during seven years across Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Egypt, with additional efforts in Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia, R.O.O.M. became a valuable support system for emerging content makers. The program used grants and capacity-building training to support artists, creative hubs, and agencies that created music, art, film, photography, graffiti, literature, and virtual reality. All of them addressed social issues with bold narratives despite working under oppressive conditions.
According to the final evaluations below, “R.O.O.M. successfully facilitated a space for dialogue, debate, and dissent, particularly through new, traditionally unheard voices.”
Key highlights
Grantmaking for impact
Through Amplification and Production Grants, R.O.O.M. enabled approximately 342 critical audiovisual productions and supported 159 initiatives, many of which grew into professional organizations reaching millions. For example, Zimbabwe’s Bustop TV evolved from a small satire platform to a major YouTube channel with over 145,000 subscribers by 2024. Similarly, The Women’s History Museum of Zambia and Mfalme Productions grew with R.O.O.M.’s support, becoming notable hubs of creative expression.
Capacity building for sustainability
Training, mentorship, resources like the Creative Hub Leaders Toolkit, and financial management guides helped creative partners achieve new editorial skills and financial resilience. Initiatives like the New Ways of Working during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic also encouraged innovative content production, focusing on critical exploration of history.
Amplifying voices and collaboration
The African Crossroads gathering is another example of R.O.O.M.’s success in building pan-African networks. Growing from 3,000 followers in 2019 to 95,000 in 2024, the African Crossroads community brought together academics, artists, and activists to hone their skills, debate the foundations of critical African thought and productions, and amplify voices across regions.
Experimentation and learning
The Roaming Academy provided 39 fellowships and 34 collaboration grants, promoting learning and innovation in areas like artificial intelligence, digital colonialism, and Pan-Africanism. Publications like Forces of Art and Vertical Atlas also further explored issues and narratives of culture and technology.
A vision for tomorrow
Through its dedication to freedom of thought and expression, the R.O.O.M. program paved the way for a dynamic and inclusive cultural landscape across many creative sectors. The program’s support for young and bold talent will certainly continue shaping the narratives of tomorrow – without fear and brimming with new ideas!
Read the Synthetic (2017-2024) and the Annual (2024) reports below.
