The call for applications for the second cycle of the North Africa Cultural Programme (NACP) is now open, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) said on Monday.

“Taking the five North African countries, namely Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Libya and Morocco as primary focus, the NACP aims to strengthen independent arts and culture entities, including institutions, collectives, networks, and spaces- with an emphasis on regional partnerships, and a particular focus on engaging young audiences and extending outreach to underserved or remote areas beyond urban centers. Furthermore, NACP provides tailored capacity-building, training, and mentorship opportunities to the organisations and projects it supports within the programme.

The NACP is carried out by the AFAC, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The overall goal of the NACP is to strengthen intercultural dialogue, solidarity and livelihoods especially among young women and men and empower creative expression as a vehi
cle for change.

The first cycle of the program benefited more than 50 cultural organisations and over 2,500 practitioners and professionals, through diversified grants, training, events, and encounters that offered opportunities for networking and exchange among participants.

Deadline is set for March 5.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, through its Youth and After School Programme, is calling for unemployed youth, aged between 18 and 25, to apply to be part of the Year Beyond Youth Service Programme for 2024.

Applications for the education programmes are now open for youth living in the Western and Eastern Cape who meet the criteria.

All the education programmes require a matric certificate and some require minimum marks for language or maths.

The Year Beyond platform offers young people the opportunity to get a year of hands on working experience and build their work readiness competencies, while also giving back to their communities.

Commonly known as YeBoneers, successful applicants will be placed either at a school or community hub where they will assist learners and parents.

The Eastern Cape programme is run with funding from the national government and facilitated by the Western Cape Year Beyond team.

‘The opportunity to provide youth in the Eastern Cape with this experi
ence is an important part of skills development beyond the Western Cape,’ the statement read.

According to the provincial department, the success of the programme is evident as seen from the feedback received from previous years.

Citing the data, the department said 96% of participants believe the experience helped them to get to know themselves better and 95% feel the programme prepared them better for the world of work and study.

Meanwhile, between 75% and 78% of YeBoneers have progressed to becoming economically active in the world of employment or study, or a combination of the two, upon finishing the programme.

‘I encourage our young people to apply for this opportunity. It is a great programme for our youth which equips them with skills for entering the world of work or study. We want to give our youth a hand up to become successful and active members of society who contribute not only to the economy but also serve their communities,’ said Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marai
s.

Applications and further information on the education streams are now open via the website: https://www.yearbeyond.org/apply.

Source: South African Government News Agency