UN Tourism and TUI offer art grants for ten African countries
UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation have unveiled 'Colourful Cultures', a new initiative aimed at supporting artists and artisans in rural tourism destinations across ten African countries.
The programme, announced on 4 October, will offer grants of up to €20,000 to civil society and non-governmental organisations in countries including Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. Projects will focus particularly on empowering women and youth in the creative sector.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted tourism's potential to preserve cultural heritage and create jobs in rural areas, calling the initiative "the first-ever Tourism for Rural Development Small Grants Programme at UN Tourism".
The scheme aims to help local artists better access the tourism economy and increase their visibility in tourist destinations. Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation, emphasised the programme's role in promoting economic growth whilst preserving cultural heritage in vulnerable communities.
Applications for the initiative will close on 2 December.
Source: Travel Trends Today
