Tfanen-Tunisie Créative / Strengthening the cultural sector in Tunisia

Tfanen is a pioneer bilateral cultural project financed by the European union (EU). It is implemented by the British Council on behalf of the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) and in collaboration with the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs (MAC). The project falls under the Programme to Support Cultural Sector in Tunisia (PACT) of the MAC. Along with a budget of 9,7 M €, a team of 20 European and Tunisian staff were dedicated to provide financial and technical support to local cultural actors through a combination of grant-making, capacity building and policy advice. Since 2016, Tfanen has subsidised 88 projects that enhance local cultural engagement, young artists’ creativity, festivals’ sustainability and preservation of heritage. It has also delivered structural funds to 7 leading cultural organisations allowing them to enhance internal capabilities, enlarge external audiences, professionalise their actions and contribute to the strengthening of the cultural ecosystem. Technical assistance takes place through regional and thematic learning and sharing laboratories (Labs) which engage cultural actors in a participatory and multidisciplinary co-construction of public policies. Tfanen also provides mentorship sessions, workshops, networking events and training programmes to cultural actors. Tfanen follows a holistic and systemic approach in order to measure its achievements. Various monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to allow a learning from the implemented activities and a continuous adaptation to the local context. An online dashboard was designed to communicate its achievements to various audiences. Projects’ case studies and success stories are also shared to inspire cultural actors and build knowledge about the sector.