The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture - AFAC and UNESCO have partnered to launch an empowerment program designed for ten young Yemeni institutions, set for October 2021.

Emerging arts and culture institutions in the Arab region have been facing major challenges and setbacks in their operation, as a consequence of contextual and institutional factors such as lack of public funding and independent resources, limited knowledge about alternative sources of income, weak institutional structures, limited communication, outreach and distribution, and a need for local trainers and expertise.

True to its mission, and driven by its experience with the Arts and Culture Entrepreneurship (ACE) program, AFAC will design and manage a training and mentorship program, consisting of two online workshops, intersected with mentorship sessions, with the aim of providing the necessary grounds and tools for participating Yemeni institutions to grow, think strategically, and remain viable.

"Yemeni cultural associations suffer significant management gaps, both because of the conflict and for long-term pre-existing factors. We are looking forward to our partnership with AFAC to facilitate the economic resilience of local communities and develop their organizational structures and sustainability," said Anna Paolini, Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Doha and UNESCO Representative in the Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen.

“Through accumulated experience in supporting the cultural scene in the Arab region as a whole, we have come to detect sub-regions that have less access to learning, opportunities and culture at large. In that respect, we have designed this program catering to the specific needs of the local institutions”, stated Rima Mismar, Executive Director of AFAC.

Aimed at harnessing the skills of young creators and cultural operators who are at the heart of the arts and culture institutions and collectives, the program will launch in October 2021, and will run until February 2022.

The program is funded by the European Union towards UNESCO under the project “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen”. The project is supporting the rehabilitation of Yemen's unique heritage, while promoting creative industries as vital forms of income generation for the youth.