LOBAMBA, Eswatini | Seventy five EmaSwati working in the youth, arts, culture and creative sectors have received training on how to develop competitive funding proposals as applications open for a European Union funded creative grants programme.
The training was delivered during a one day Proposal Writing and Application Workshop held at King Sobhuza II Park in Lobamba on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The workshop brought together representatives of youth organisations, individual artists, creative practitioners and entrepreneurs operating within Eswatini’s creative economy.
Organisers said the session was designed to strengthen the ability of local creatives to access funding opportunities in Eswatini and abroad.
Participants were introduced to different funding opportunities, grant writing principles and proposal development techniques before applying what they had learned to an active funding opportunity.
The afternoon session focused on the Africa Europe Partnerships for Culture: Southern Africa (AEPC Southern Africa) Grants for Creative and Artistic Practitioners call.
The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe Institut across Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Under the second round, at least 99 creative and artistic practitioners will be selected through 11 Heritage Narrative Clusters. Each successful practitioner will receive a €6,000 grant, equivalent to approximately E112,700 based on current exchange rates.
Selected artists will work with practitioners from different countries and creative disciplines to develop new narratives around cultural heritage over a six month period.
Two Eswatini projects
Eswatini is one of the six participating countries and will host two Heritage Narrative Clusters.
One of the projects is being led by the Babukisi Foundation and will bring together nine interdisciplinary artists to explore siSwati cultural heritage through animation, documentary film and visual arts.
“The project will work with cultural custodians, elders, researchers and creatives to produce animated stories around Swazi ceremonies, traditions and values. We will also produce a documentary exploring everyday experiences, knowledge systems and cultural practices that shape Swati identity, as well as a fine-art exhibition featuring 12 paintings and installation pieces inspired by the 12 siSwati month names and their links to environmental knowledge, seasonal cycles and community life,” said Babukisi Foundation Executive Director, Thobejane Magagula.
The second Eswatini based project, Folklore Futures, will bring together nine artists working in photography, performance, music and related disciplines to examine contemporary expressions of Swazi life, culture and identity.
The two projects are part of the wider AEPC Southern Africa programme, which aims to expand cultural cooperation within Southern Africa and between the region and Europe while strengthening the skills of artists and creative practitioners.
Eswatini creatives already participating
The second funding round follows the selection of Eswatini animator Mfanelo Masuku during the first round of the AEPC programme.
Masuku is a self taught animator and creative entrepreneur from Eswatini. He is the founder of Siyakhula Kids’ Habits and has produced work in animation, television and children’s content.
He was also selected for the Talents Durban programme at Durban FilmMart 2025 with his animation project, Sisonkhe Kids Habits.
His participation in the programme has provided an example of how EmaSwati creatives can engage in regional and international cultural collaborations while developing projects rooted in local heritage.
Lot Kafesu, Project Team Manager for the Southern African Component of AEPC at Goethe Institut South Africa, said the programme was intended to link skills development with practical funding opportunities.
“I would like to thank the European Union, who have funded this project that has gotten us here, all together. I would also like to thank the Eswatini National Trust Commission, I would like to thank Ms Bonisile Ndlangamandla for graciously providing us with a venue to congregate this morning,” said Kafesu.
Kafesu also thanked the Eswatini National Trust Commission and Babukisi Foundation for working with the Goethe Institut to provide EmaSwati with grant proposal writing skills and promote the funding call among artists and creative practitioners.
Applications close in October
The current funding call is open to creative and artistic practitioners from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Applicants may apply to a maximum of three Heritage Narrative Clusters, although each practitioner can only be selected for one cluster.
Successful applicants will take part in a narrative retreat, joint working sessions and online collaboration over six months. The programme will conclude with public presentations of the work produced.
Applications close on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Organisers said the Lobamba workshop was intended to connect practical skills development with an immediate funding opportunity, allowing creatives to turn ideas into structured projects capable of attracting financial support.
The AEPC Southern Africa programme forms part of broader cultural cooperation between Southern Africa and Europe, with the current funding round providing selected practitioners with financial support and opportunities to collaborate across borders.
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