Strengthening the Creative Industries in Five ACP Countries through Employment and Trade Expansion

Purpose: Offering policy guidance to decision-makers and providing entrepreneurship training for people working in the creative sector.

Organization: Managed by the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and funded by the European Commission, this pilot project – implemented jointly by the ILO, UNCTAD and UNESCO – began operations in 2008.

Training: For example, the ILO organized training courses for cultural entrepreneurs in 2009 in Maputo, Inhambane and Nampula provinces, Mozambique, using "Business Skills for Artists" training material in Portuguese. A training of trainers seminar in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2008 enabled participants to use the Business Skills for Artists Manual, and to organize, conduct, monitor and evaluate training of artists in entrepreneurship.

Outcome: The pilot project provided lessons for other developing countries wanting to invest in strengthening the performance and competitiveness of their creative industries.

Countries concerned: Situational analyses and consultations with stakeholders were carried out in Fiji, Mozambique, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia. Initial country missions were also carried out to assess challenges and opportunities, consult with stakeholders and establish local teams, as follows:
- Lusaka, Zambia: 28 July to 1 August 2008. Meetings with around 20 individuals and one meeting for 30 stakeholders.
- Maputo, Mozambique: 30 August to 6 September 2008. Meetings with around 30 individuals and two meetings for a total of 60 stakeholders.
- Dakar, Senegal: 1 to 7 November 2008. Meetings with around 50 individuals and one meeting for 30 stakeholders.
- Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: 1 to 6 December 2008. Meetings with around 50 individuals and one meeting for 43 stakeholders
- Suva, Fiji: 2 to 6 March 2009. Meetings with around 20 individuals and one meeting for 30 stakeholders.