Call for Proposals: Creative Audio- Visual Online Expression in 21st Century Southern Africa Region | WestMac Media

Deadline: September 19, 2018 

Hivos Southern Africa is seeking proposals from artistic collectives, creative hubs and groups of creative content makers in the audio-visual sectors. These proposals are geared to support the production of more independently creative audio visual artistic content. Furthermore the intention is to also support these initiatives to become more independent, self-sufficient and to reach larger audiences. 

This open call is directed to initiatives who are currently based in the following Southern African countries: Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Besides artistic imagination, the production of independent and conscious work that challenges or questions norms in society will be an important factor in the awarding of grants. 

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants 

This call is primary directed to: 

A. Entities that are or are representing communities of makers and content creators in the audio-visual sector such as: creative spaces, groups of artists, music studios, hubs, cafés, art spaces, art galleries, independent production houses, networks of artists and producers, online platforms, collectives, co-working spaces focusing on the creative industry. 

B. Entities should be working with content producers that are working in one or more of the following audio-visual sectors: 

• Graphic Design 

• Fashion Design 

• Comics / Cartoons 

• Animation 

• Poetry / Slam poetry / Spoken word 

• Storytelling 

• Music 

• Rap / Hip hop 

• DJ-ing 

• VJ-ing 

• Radio shows/ Radio 

• Series/ Pod-casts 

• TV show / TV series/ Online 

• channels 

• Short film / video 

• Feature film / Documentary 

• Vlogging 

• Visual Art (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Digital Art) 

• Sculpture (objects) 

• Mixed media installations 

• Performance Virtual reality 

• Videogame 

• Architecture 

• Other (specify) 

C. Entities should make use of digital means (online platforms) to strategically distribute their content to their audiences. (eg through online channels as youtube, spotify etc.). 

D. Entities should produce content/work that aims to show alternative viewpoints on big issues affecting society that challenges or question certain norms in society. This content/work should enhance public debate through enabling alternative viewpoints to mainstream societal narratives. This type of work is often called socially engaged work or conscious work. 

E. Eligible countries: Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 

F. The requested amount should be between 7.500 and 15.000EUR over a three (3) to six (6) month period. 

G. The applying entity must ensure they are registered in their country of origin either as a non-profit or for-profit entity in terms of the law, have a bank account in their own name with at least two signatories and have a tax clearance certificate. Proof of this registration must be provided. 

How the Proposals will be reviewed and processed: 

The following are the steps that will be undertaken by Hivos Southern Africa to review the proposals and determine the awarding of grants: 

1: Step 1: Submission of Proposals; Deadline Wednesday 19 September 2018. 

2: Step 2: Review and Selection of received proposals by a Hivos Southern Africa grants selection committee: Thursday 27 September 2018 . (Grant Recipients will be notified shortly after). 

3: Step 3: Capacity assessments of selected applicants on organizational and financial eligibility; October 2018. 

4: Step 4: Contracting: October 2018. 

Format of Proposals 

Applications are accepted in English The proposals must be no more than 5 pages with the following sections: 

• Name of the entity, focus country/countries and representative that will sign the agreement if the grant is awarded (including registration/deed/company number of entity); 

• Start and estimated end date of the project; 

• The requested amount and budget (In EUR); 

• Short description of your work/ practice and the mission of your organization; 

• One (1) example of a previous creative work that was produced by you or one of the members of your organization that provides alternative points of view on big issues affecting society and that challenges or questions a certain norm in society. Together with a link to an online platform where the work has been posted and viewed; 

• Brief outline of what you would like to do with the grant. Try to be as concrete as possible. Please describe how the project is challenging norms in society; 

• Brief outline of proposed activities, including a simple schedule, time frame or step to step list 

Deadline and other Requirements 

Hivos will be accepting questions from prospective applications until Tuesday 5th of September 2018 (please use email cited below). 

All of these questions will be answered in an online question and answer session on Wednesday 5th of September 2018. The link to the meeting shall be shared on Hivos Southern Africa social media platforms on Tuesday 4th of September 2018. 

The deadline for submissions of proposals is Wednesday 19th of September 2018 at 1700 hours. 

Applicants must ensure that their concept notes are in word or pdf format and are clearly marked with the title ‘ Call for Proposals: Creative Audio-Visual Online Expression in 21st Century Southern Africa. 

All applications must be sent to the following email address: proposals.hubsaf@hivos.org.