Call for Proposals: Creators/Entrepreneurs in the Cultural and Creatives Industries – Ghana

Création Africa Ghana (CAG) is a dynamic initiative launched by the French government through the French Embassy in Ghana to empower entrepreneurs in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

CCIs are sectors of activity involving the creation, development, production and distribution of goods, services and activities with cultural, artistic and/or heritage content (architecture, design, books & publishing, music, cinema, audiovisual content, digital creations, museums & heritage, media, visual arts, video games, fashion & luxury goods, performing arts, culinary arts). The cultural and creative industries play a crucial role in promoting cultural diversity, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable and inclusive economic development.

The local selected incubator, Impact Hub Accra (IHA), is a collaborative organisation providing growth support services to innovative startup businesses, including; pre-seed investment, accelerator program for entrepreneurs, workshops, networking events, opportunity to design and prototype, and more. The hub with all its spaces, is an active nexus where different local and global ecosystem players converge and engage Ghana’s vibrant community of entrepreneur.

Program Goals and Outcomes

• Identifying and supporting emerging creators and entrepreneurs, ranging from innovative students to creators in search of their economic models.
• Facilitating connections with local structures and incubators to nurture projects and connect them with economic actors in African and European countries.
• Strengthening beneficiaries’ capacities through training, coaching and access to resources.
• Showcasing participating entrepreneurs as central figures in project communications and materials.
• Ensuring a connection with the upper end of the entrepreneurial spectrum in conjunction with existing or upcoming initiatives or financial support.
• Fostering transparency by regularly sharing project results and their broader impact.

Program Benefits

Over the course of eight months, participants will engage in comprehensive capacity-building sessions and have access to collaborative opportunities within a dedicated workspace at Ako Adjei Park. This space is part of the innovative startup campus powered by Impact Hub Accra (IHA). The program offers a range of benefits for participants, including:

• Business trainings conducted by industry experts specialising in the Cultural and Creative Industries.
• Personalised expert support from professionals in the Cultural and Creative Industries and business sector.
• Connectivity to Impact Hub Accra’s extensive national and international network, fostering strategic connections for partnership development.
• Opportunities to present projects to investors, strategic partners, and the public, resulting in heightened exposure and awareness at both national and international levels.
• Funding Opportunity: The top participants who distinguish themselves will be chosen to receive funding of up to €30,000.

Selection Criteria

• Alignment with Creation Africa Ghana Objectives
• Innovation and Creativity within their chosen domain
• Market viability of products/services/artist
• Potential for economic impact: job creation, contribution to the economy
• Sustainability of projects beyond CAG programming
• Business stage: Lower-upper tiers of entrepreneurship spectrum
• Collaboration Potential
• Scalability Potential
• Gender Balanced

Evaluation Procedure

• Projects should showcase and promote local talent and entrepreneurship within Ghana. Applications are welcome from residents across Ghana.
• The evaluation will cover a review of essays, pictures, videos, physical (where possible) and digital projects. Each evaluation criterion will be assessed on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. An overall score will be calculated by summing up the individual scores for each criterion, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s suitability for the program.

For more information, visit French Embassy in Ghana.