New project for development of the cultural institutions of Mozambique

3 April 2006: UNESCO and Ministry of Education and Culture have signed a plan of operation for a new project for the development of the cultural institutions of Mozambique. The Project is financed by Sweden with a total budget of SEK 20,000,000 (approx. three million dollars) for the three years duration.

The new project encompasses on one hand the support to selected cultural institutions in the country and on the other hand, capacity building of government entities at central and decentralized level for the management of the culture sector. It will contribute to the safeguarding of cultural heritage for present and future generations with emphasis on the protection and promotion of the rich Mozambican cultural diversity. It will strengthen the capacity within the country to identify priorities, to plan, implement and manage cultural programmes. It will also promote the wide diversity of cultural expressions through organization of arts and crafts events at national, provincial and local levels.

The culture of visiting cultural institutions will be promoted by enhancing the attractiveness and accessibility of the institutions; especially to children and adolescents. Intangible heritage will be documented and preserved for future generations. Management of cultural assets will be improved and their contribution to the poverty reduction efforts strengthened. The project will also increase the role of local communities and promote their active contribution to the safeguarding of their cultural heritage.

In order to ensure sustainability, an in-service capacity building process will be put in place, consisting of joint planning, monitoring and evaluation together with the national and provincial governmental authorities and services during the implementation of the project.

It is expected that at the end of the project, the managerial skills of officials from both Government and cultural institutions are improved, a greater impact at local level achieved trough involvement of communities in the management of cultural heritage and the awareness and interest among children on arts and their own culture, raised. The project will start in April 2006.

For more information please contact Zulmira Rodrigues, UNESCO Maputo, z.rodrigues@unesco.org