HoA, Culture for Peace


The Culture for Peace (C4P) Programme in the Horn of Africa (HoA), seeks to safeguard cultural heritage while fostering economic opportunities in the region. The initiative supports local cultural entities, enhancing livelihoods through market-driven interventions by working with the youth, women and marginalized groups. By preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, Switzerland contributes to improved social cohesion thus contributing to peace and stability across the region.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Corne de l’Afrique
Culture / sensibilisation por le développement
Conflit & fragilité
Culture & loisirs
Prévention des conflits
Sensibilisation au développement
01.07.2022 - 30.11.2028
CHF  2’300’000
Contexte Somali culture places a great emphasis on the importance of family and community, serving as a foundation for social values, relationships, and collective identity. The cultural sector in the Horn of Africa, particularly among the Somali-speaking regions, is highly fragmented, with tangible and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at risk due to conflict, displacement, and a lack of institutional capacity. Limited economic growth and infrastructure, weak institutions, and lack of access to basic services like education, healthcare, and cultural resources further exacerbate these issues. Despite these challenges, culture in the HoA serves as a critical element for social cohesion and economic development, thus promoting peace and contributing to stablity within and across borders. Cultural expressions, including oral traditions, music, dance, and handicrafts, remain important vectors for identity formation, community dialogue, and reconciliation. These cultural assets also hold economic potential, which can provide sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities, including women and youth.
Objectifs To enhance social cohesion, promote peacebuilding and strengthen local and regional cultural identities in the HoA, through fostering greater awareness, appreciation, and preservation of shared regional cultural heritage.
Groupes cibles
  • Government institutions responsible for cultural heritage (local government bodies), Somali National Academy for Arts and Sciences (SOMASA), Horn Heritage.
  • Private entities involved in cultural production and consumption, Mandera blacksmith group.
Effets à moyen terme
  1. Tangible and intangible culture heritage is preserved.
  2. Sustainable culture associations / fora provide economic opportunities.
Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • Enhanced safeguarding plans for Somali tangible and ICH.
  • Improved and updated data base of Somali tangibe and ICH.
  • Improved tangible and ICH documentation and archiving processes.
  • Increased market-based interventions to enhance the culture industry.
  • Increased inter-regional and cross-border cultural exchange and dialogue.


Principaux résultats antérieurs:   Previsously, culture was supported through small scale ad-hoc projects. In 2020, SDC commissioned two assessments: the HoA Culture Sector Assessment, which recommended mapping of tangible and ICH, and the Culture Markets Assessment (2021), which advised the development of networks such as art forums and women's handicraft forums through existing art associations.The Inception phase activities identified key gaps in capacity for cultural preservation and market opportunities. Stakeholder’s engagement identified a need for cultural heritage inventorying, safeguarding and improved market access for local crafts.This is the first phase.


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Secteur privé
  • Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est

Partenaire de mise en œuvre
Main contractor: DT Global
Sub-contractor: Somali Arts Foundation

Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

SDC: Regional GBV Programme, Road to Peace Programme.

EU: Ignite Culture programme; UNESCO.

Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    2’300’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    509’826 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   224’098 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   7’780’000