UNESCO has kicked off its Alwaleed Philanthropies project to empower communities, elevate culture and arts while strengthening technical and vocational skills to drive sustainable development in Tanzania.

 The revelations were made over the weekend in Dar es Salaam by UNESCO Head of Office and Country representative Michel Toto during a kick off hybrid meeting for grantees.

 The UNESCO Head said through the financial and technical support provided to the five selected grantees, the project intends to create lasting impact within the communities they serve.

For his part, Boniface Kadili who is the Director of Culture in Tanzania applauded the joint efforts adding that the culture and arts education through technical and vocational education training, will help to preserve the unique and rich cultural heritage in Tanzania transmitting it to the generations.

“The project will also help to promote cultural entrepreneurs who will be the bearers of economic transformation within our communities,” said Kadili.

For her part, UNESCO Programme Coordinator Ke Leng said the focus on community-based development will strengthen the capacities of local cultural institutions to act as knowledge hubs and incubators for skills development.

Titled Crafting Change, ‘Fostering Community-Based Development through Culture-Related Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Employment,’ the project is meant to foster economic opportunities, especially for youth and women, while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tanzania. 

The grant initiative is part of a broader three-year partnership between UNESCO and Alwaleed Philanthropies, aligning with the recently adopted global Framework for Culture and Arts Education, which focuses on local cultures, teacher training, and the recognition of artistic skills in the professional world.

Alwaleed Philanthropies, led by H.R.H. Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, collaborates globally to combat poverty, empower women and youth, and foster intercultural understanding

 After a thorough evaluation by an independent jury and UNESCO representatives, five outstanding projects were selected to receive financial support to implement their activities.

The five selected grantees are Mwanyanya Green Society, Tanzania Media for Community Development (TAMCODE), Youth Alliance for Progress Organization (YAPO), Readership for Learning and Development (SOMA), and the Centre for African Development through Economics and the Arts (ADEA). 

The joint project UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies, focuses on supporting community-based development by strengthening the role of culture and arts through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The initiative is part of a larger effort to promote the economic and social importance of cultural heritage and institutions in Tanzania.

 The hybrid kick -off meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Information, Youth and Culture in mainland and Zanzibar, Vocational Education and Training, UNESCO staff members from the Dar es Salaam Office and Paris Headquarters, ministry officials in mainland, grantees as well as social media influencers.