Culture as a tool for economic development

Despite the wealth of talent and rich cultural heritage in the developing world, these countries remain largely marginal players in the cultural industries sector. The large majority of cultural enterprises in developing countries is in the informal sector and operates in contexts of significant poverty. As a consequence, cultural projects in developing countries face a number of weaknesses and constraints such as: high risk aversion, low literacy and innumeracy, short-term strategies related to limited means to invest, lack of entrepreneurial approach and managerial skills, lack of arts training programmes, lack of innovation due to financial constraints, poor market and audience development.

The important role that the cultural sector can play in developing economies has not yet received its due recognition and cultural initiatives too rarely benefit from public support. In this context, it is all the more valuable to raise awareness among European development actors about the role of culture in economic development.

Cultural diversity and human development in the context of globalisation

“[W]hile globalization offers great potential for countries to share their cultures and creative talents, it is clear that not all nations are able to take advantage of this opportunity. Without support to help these countries participate in this trade, their cultural voices will remain marginalized and isolated.” - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura

Globalisation or the removal of barriers to free trade has resulted in the opening of local economies to competition from foreign cultural industries producing films, books and music. There is a risk that the activities of local cultural industries might decrease or simply cease to exist, resulting in a loss of work for local cultural actors but also with major consequences in terms of local cultural identity and social cohesion. It is also feared that those with access to resources will be the most able to create and distribute their art and values, thus leading to a sort of cultural homogenisation with adverse implications for the freedom of expression and the exercise of human rights.

Consequently, in this context in which governments are inclined to decrease subsidies to the arts and support for the creativity of individual artists, it is of crucial importance to promote original and innovative partnerships between development and cultural actors to support the cultural sector of developing countries.

Cultural aspects of European development programmes

Most development programmes initiated by European organisations focus on concrete and tangible aspects of poverty like access to housing, education, health care, etc. However, this approach to development based primarily on quantitative, material growth and Western cultural values rapidly revealed its limitations. More recent development strategies emphasize the importance of the cultural dimension and the stimulation of creative skills and cultural life in the development process.

Cultural projects do not only bring economic benefits in terms of job creation and income-generating potential but also contribute to individual development and community stability. Indeed, a sense of identity, self-esteem and the core values of a community are also acquired through the expression of a community’s culture, including: language, music, visual arts, crafts and traditional practices, theatre, poetry and song. Because of the reciprocal relationship between culture and development, the cultural dimension of development cannot be ignored. To be effective and sustainable, European development programmes should respect and promote the cultures of the intended beneficiaries.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) – “Culture Matters”

In accordance with its mandate, SDC seeks to promote the awareness and development of culture with the aim of reinforcing development and transition processes in the countries of operation.

Danish Center for Culture and Development (DCCD)

DCCD administrates a support scheme for cultural exchange between Denmark and the developing countries, implements and supports development projects and organizes the Images-festivals.

Eurocities (Culture Forum) - www.eurocities.org

EUROCITIES (the network of major European cities) believes that culture and creativity should be supported by public policies at all levels, including the European level, and that the impact of culture on the economic development and social cohesion of cities should be recognised.

United Cities and Local Governments  (Working Group on Culture)

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) represents and defends the interests of local governments on the world stage, regardless of the size of the communities they serve. The main objective of the UCLG Working Group on Cultures, chaired by Carles Martí, Councillor for Culture, City of Barcelona, is to promote the role of culture as a central dimension of local policies through the dissemination and implementation of the Agenda 21 for culture.

Observatoire de Politiques Culturelles - www.observatoire-culture.net

Il s’agit d’un organisme national français qui a été créé pour accompagner la décentralisation, la déconcentration des politiques culturelles, la réflexion sur le développement et l’aménagement culturel du territoire, les dynamiques culturelles et artistiques à travers des missions de formation, d’études, de conseil et d’information.

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)  - Support to Culture and Media

The aim of Sida's culture and media cooperation is to create conditions for cultural diversity, creative activities and opportunities for mass media to operate freely.

The Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity (UNESCO)

A UNESCO project aimed to strengthen cultural industries in the developing countries.

The World Bank – Culture and Poverty Initiative

The Dutch-Supported program "Learning and Research on Culture and Poverty" has two aims: to pilot innovative operational ways a) to improve poverty reduction efforts by mobilizing cultural strengths and assets and b) to improve the effectiveness of investment projects by integrating explicit attention to culture into their design. 

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie – Arts et Culture

L'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie contribue à promouvoir la production culturelle francophone du Sud, facteur d'enrichissement mutuel, de rapprochement entre les personnes et de paix.

Creative Exchange - http://www.creativexchange.org/

Creative Exchange is a charity and global network dedicated to the social role of arts and culture. We connect people, provide information and raise awareness of how arts and culture contribute to international development and social change.

The Power of Culture - www.powerofculture.nl/uk
A website focusing on Culture and Development. "Culture as a driving force behind development".

LabforCulture - www.labforculture.org

LabforCulture is an online information and knowledge platform dedicated to European cultural cooperation, complemented by a range of offline services and programmed activities.

The SDC Culture Matters Project Database

Using Culture as a Tool for Development : This section is dedicated to projects using culture to propel development.

LabforCulture Case Studies

Inspiring & informative stories of cross-border cooperation in Europe

Creative Exchange - http://www.creativexchange.org/

Creative Exchange is a charity and global network dedicated to the social role of arts and culture. We connect people, provide information and raise awareness of how arts and culture contribute to international development and social change.

Culture Matters: the SDC Platform for Culture and Development - www.culturematters.ch

This is a site for sharpening the cultural lens in development cooperations. It is designed for project managers working with arts and culture projects. And for practitioners working in the many fields of development cooperation who want to be more sensitive to the cultural context they are working in. The idea is for interested persons to share their best practices and lessons learnt in working with cultural awareness in development and transitional contexts.

Culture and Public Action - www.cultureandpublicaction.org

A forum to foster dialogue across disciplines on issues related to culture and development.and their implications for public action. Based on the book: Culture and Public Action, Vijayendra Rao and Michael Walton (editors).

EuroCult21 - www.eurocult21.org

This project aims to promote discussion, identify challenges, exchange best practices and diffuse knowledge concerning the current role of culture in urban governance, from city objectives (policy making and programmes) to the methodologies (strategic planning or public-private partnerships); Identify new research and funding needs on urban cultural policy in the years to come; Formulate innovative cultural strategies in collaboration with other European cities and University centres; Prepare a clear set of recommendations on cultural policy to the European institutions and Members States.

The Power of Culture - www.powerofculture.nl/uk
A website focusing on Culture and Development. "Culture as a driving force behind development".

LabforCulture - www.labforculture.org

LabforCulture is an online information and knowledge platform dedicated to European cultural cooperation, complemented by a range of offline services and programmed activities.

Culture and Development (Cultur Cooperation e.V.)

The Development Gateway - Culture and Development Page

Culture.Info: the first port-of-call for users seeking cultural information on a particular topic

LabforCulture

Find out how to get funding for your project, initiative or organisation. Learn more about mobility schemes, support from foundations, corporate sponsorship, alternative sources of funding and philanthropy.

Culture.Info

This webpage focuses on organisation and websites providing advice, guidance and support for those seeking funding.