Promoting the International Fund for Cultural Diversity in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - On Wednesday, 10 April 2024, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and Ministry of Culture hosted a one-day capacity-building workshop. The workshop was attended by 75 participants from civil society and government agencies in the culture and the arts sectors.

The workshop's primary aim was to disseminate knowledge about the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). The IFCD, a mechanism under the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, has been instrumental in investing in the cultural and creative industries and empowering countries in the Global South. Since its inception in 2010, the IFCD has granted more than US$10 million to 140 projects across 69 countries, including three projects in Mongolia.

The workshop was facilitated by members of the 2005 Convention Expert Facility, Hiroko Tsuboi-Friedman and Yoon Huyng Jeon, and Duong Bich Hanh, UNESCO Program Specialist for Culture. They provided a comprehensive understanding of the IFCD and offered strategic insights and guidance on crafting successful applications. National experts provided an overview of Mongolia's culture sector highlighting its challenges and the areas where IFCD support could be instrumental, including low human resources, limited state budgets, and the imperative for capacity-building in culture and arts. The participants also heard first-hand experiences from organizations that have benefited from IFCD grants.

Developing project objectives, results and activities © Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO

An integral component of the workshop was the group work session, during which participants were divided into groups to develop mock project frameworks. One group developed a project to build capacity for musicians to enhance the distribution of their work, another group planned to establish an online platform to showcase the talents of visual artists, while the third group offered opportunities for communities from rural areas to have access to theater performances. This hands-on exercise enabled participants to put into practice the insights gained during the workshop, thereby deepening their understanding of the application process and the practical implementation of IFCD-supported projects. It also provided clarification on what is and what is not suitable to be submitted to the IFCD.

Presentation of a project developed during group discussion © Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO