The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO has approved funding of over $95,000, about (K2,500,000) for the National Arts Council of Zambia (NAC) to strengthen the arts business environment in Zambia.
The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, taking place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, from February 11 to 14, 2025, has approved the funding request for Zambia under the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). The Committee allocated a total of $1,023,290.65 for the 12 approved projects across UNESCO’s five electoral groups.
This is the first time that Zambia has benefited from IFCD support. The 18-month-long project by NAC aims to review and elaborate on the regulatory frameworks for the cultural and creative industries and improve the working conditions for artists through the revision of the National Arts Council of Zambia Act and the Theatres and Cinematography Exhibitions Act.
The project will strengthen Zambia’s creative industries by revising outdated legislation and establishing mechanisms for long-term governance, complementing ongoing national efforts, including the approved National Arts Policy and National Film Policy. The project will involve the development of National Arts Labour Standards and a Code of Conduct, as well as the organization of national consultations for policy revision and elaboration processes.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Mr. Chama Fumba, who is leading the Zambian delegation to the session, said the IFCD resonates with President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to transforming the creative sector from a social to a socio-economic sector, due to its massive economic potential for job creation and sustainable livelihoods. Mr. Fumba emphasized that the funding would focus on revising the NAC Act to better address the business aspects of the creative sector, aligning with the government’s vision for a thriving creative industry.
“The government is committed to placing the creative sector at the center of economic growth due to its potential to create future businesses and jobs,” said Mr. Fumba.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fumba challenged artists to position themselves as active players in the country’s economic development, noting that the government has created the necessary conditions for artists to thrive, providing tools and resources that align with their aspirations to become economically viable and support their growth.
Once implemented, the potential impacts and expected results of the project will include, among others, the review of policies and measures supporting the development of dynamic cultural and creative sectors. The revision of the National Arts Council of Zambia Act and the Theatres and Cinematography Exhibitions Act will ensure that the business needs of the arts sector are addressed.
The elaboration of the National Arts Labour Standards will ensure fair labor practices, equitable compensation, and a sustainable working environment for artists across Zambia, including specific measures addressing gender equality and youth, thereby improving artists’ working conditions and labor rights in the cultural and creative industries.
This is according to a statement issued by Zambia’s First Secretary, Press at the Zambian Embassy in Paris, France Ms. Naomi Mweemba.