The H&M Foundation's Saamuhika Shakti project (2020-2026) tackles social inclusion in India's textile recycling industry. This initiative empowers informal waste pickers, a marginalized group, by integrating them into the recycling value chain. By treating waste as a valuable resource, Saamuhika Shakti aims to create a more sustainable and equitable circular economy in India's textile sector.
This publication aims to inspire international development organisations, affected ministries such as ministries of economic affairs and ministries of culture, and the private sector to explore and implement initiatives that support the cultural and creative industries as an effective means of contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 6 (Gender Equality). I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this publication. Be inspired and enjoy the read!
The Jeans Redesign (2019-2023) aimed to revolutionize jeans production for a circular fashion economy. Partnering with industry experts, the project created guidelines for brands to design jeans that are durable, recyclable, and made with minimal environmental impact. Launched in 2021, these guidelines have been adopted by over 100 organizations, leading to the creation of more sustainable jeans and a significant step towards a more responsible fashion industry.
Engaging in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) as international development cooperation (DC) organisation involves navigating a dynamic and multifaceted landscape. This guide provides a comprehensive framework to assist organisations in understanding and analysing the CCI and in planning, implementing, and evaluating initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the CCI. It aims to assist international DC organisations to collaborate effectively with creative communities worldwide and implement projects successfully. This guide recognises the intrinsic value of culture and creativity in fostering economic growth, cultural expression, and social inclusion. Furthermore, it acknowledges these factors in the context of their contribution to the goals of many international DC organisations, such as: job and income generation, innovation promotion, climate change, gender equality, just transition, and disrupting postcolonial continuities. The guide has been formulated within the framework of the Global Project CCI, executed by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
This S4YE Note analyzes the importance of the fashion industry for socio-economic growth and examines its potential as a source of job opportunities for young people. It discusses jobs along the industry’s value chain, its contribution to global revenues and trade, and its evolution with changes in technology, environmental concerns, and changing consumption patterns. The note also highlights the skills required for jobs in the fashion industry and presents analysis to support the claim that the industry is a key driver of jobs for youth and women. The note concludes with policy recommendations to promote circular economy job creation, skill development of young talent, and investment in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the fashion industry.
Since 2018, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has been promoting the sector cultural and creative industries (CCI) through its implementing organisations Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Goethe-Institut. This future oriented sector offers important levers for the implementation of a feminist development policy, which is a priority of the BMZ. Almost half of employees in the CCI sector are women but they often work under precarious conditions. The sector offers the potential to contribute to gender equality in terms of necessary improvements for women and of working conditions.
The cultural organizations and events considered in this policy brief are those whose mission and activities are aimed at disseminating and broadening access to a diversity of cultural expressions. They include, among others, cultural centres, festivals, book fairs, bookshops and libraries, theatres, cinemas, performance venues, broadcasters, and online cultural platforms. Individually and collectively, these organizations and events contribute significantly to the achievement of Article 7 of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which urges Parties to foster an environment that encourages individuals and social groups to provide “access to diverse cultural expressions from within their territory as well as from other countries of the world.” Whether they belong to the public, private or associative sector, these organizations and cultural events spearhead innovative practices, which makes them strategic allies in achieving the objectives of the 2005 Convention.
Cultural and creative sectors are a significant driver of local development both through direct job creation and income generation but also indirectly by spurring innovation across the economy. Beyond their economic impacts, they also have significant social impacts, from supporting health and wellbeing to promoting social inclusion and local social capital. Flanders (Belgium) has placed cultural and creative sectors as a priority in the region’s economic and social strategy. This paper provides an overview of cultural and creative sectors in Flanders, highlighting trends in employment, business dynamics, entrepreneurship and financing as well as cultural participation. It offers analysis and recommendations to support the region in continuing to build on its local cultural and creative ecosystem.
This case study offers a review of cultural and creative sectors in Lithuania, highlighting issues and trends in employment and business development, financing and cultural participation. It brings a specific focus on three municipalities within the County of Klaipėda located on the Baltic coast – Klaipėda City, Neringa and Palanga – small cities specialised in port activities, logistics, traditional manufacturing and seaside resort tourism. It highlights how culture and creative sectors can be leveraged to foster local development, diversify the economy and strengthen territorial attractiveness. It provides recommendations and international examples on ways to support business development in creative sectors and to strengthen synergies between culture and tourism.
This study represents the culmination of extensive research and the findings from twenty interviews with experts specialized in media freedom, artistic freedom, the protection of human rights defenders and artists. It provides a comparison of the protective frameworks and mechanisms in place to defend the rights of journalists and artists in times of emergency. The ultimate goal of the study is to encourage synergies between artists and journalists, and the communities that work towards their safety. It suggests concrete action to expand protection for artists’ safety in crises, learning lessons from the advanced movement for the protection of journalists; all while highlighting ways in which collaboration could be of benefit to both the advocacy communities focused, respectively, on artistic and on media freedom.
As part of the Cultural and Creative Industries project, the Goethe-Institut and Africa Beyond 4IR (AB4IR), a non-profit organisation that aims to bridge the digital and gender gaps in access to technology in South African townships, co-developed Drone Divas. The four-to-six-week Drone Divas training is a very successful collaboration between the training organisation and the private sector as internships form an integral part of the programme. Women learn how to operate drones with applications in many creative fields such as photography, cinematography, architecture, and also agriculture, tourism, research and science. The curriculum provides hands-on training in drone operation, programming, filming, 3D modelling, and an introduction to entrepreneurship, including the modules Design Thinking and Business Model Canvas. Afterwards, the top ten participants complete a three-month internship with a company specialised in drone operation services.
This short report summarizes a Creative Economy Alliance (CEA) webinar hosted by the Cultural and Creative Industries global project (implemented by GIZ and the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) Project. The webinar focused on using international cooperation to drive gender equality within the creative economy.
This report highlights the Better Work strategy (2018-2022), a collaborative effort by the ILO and IFC to promote gender equality in the global garment industry. It highlights the importance of decent work conditions, including fair treatment, social protections, and work-life balance, for empowering women and fostering a thriving garment industry.
To better address gender inequalities and promote an inclusive environment, the supra-regional project, Cultural and Creative Industries, commissioned a gender analysis. It highlights gender-based differences in terms of the relative distribution of resources, opportunities, constraints and power in the Creative and Cultural Industries.
In Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, professions in creative and cultural industries have long been regarded as non-serious jobs by society, government authorities, and economic players. However, with the ever-increasing demand for digital design professionals, especially in the field of User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) design, the domestic supply cannot keep up with the needs of the market. Therefore, Re:Coded and GIZ teamed up to change this perception. As part of the project Cultural and Creative Industries, they jointly developed a two-phased advocacy campaign to promote the UX/UI design profession.
EGSINA is a collective of designers that have joined forces to organise tours promoting local Senegalese fashion across multiple countries. EGSINA’s innovative approach demonstrates how a collective of designers can help develop and promote the national fashion industry. With organisational development support from GIZ, to date, EGSINA generates enough revenue to self-finance its tours.
The Jigeen Ñi Academie Musique (JAM) is a ground-breaking project in Senegal dedicated to the professional development of women. Along with practical music skills, the academy provides training in leadership and cultural entrepreneurship to enhance income and employment opportunities for women in the music industry.
Although the music sector in Senegal is a promising source of income, the musicians and sound engineers are mostly self-taught. The event and music sectors in the country lack vocational education and training offers. As a result, the quality of products or services within the music industry often lag behind international standards and professionals in the industry do not receive national recognition. In partnership with Senegal Talents Campus and Africulturban, the project Cultural and Creative Industries has established a three-to-six-month state-recognised training programme for sound engineers that supports creative talents to form a promising future.
The Goethe-Institut Jordan established the takween Circular Design training programme to provide an opportunity for aspiring designers, creatives, and entrepreneurs from diverse fields, such as architecture, fashion, as well as product and packaging design, to develop sustainable product ideas that promote a cleaner planet.
The Goethe-Institut Jordan initiated the takween Product Design Fellowship programme as part of the Cultural and Creative Industries project. The programme offers a hands-on training for product designers and digital designers to enhance their skills and develop innovative sustainable ideas for the modern market.
