The UNESCO Office in Haiti officially launched a new cultural support initiative last week titled “Support for Artistic Creation, the Revival of Cultural Events, and Access to Cultural Life in Haiti Amid the Security Crisis.” The program is being implemented with assistance from UNESCO’s Emergency Heritage Fund and is designed to help sustain Haiti’s cultural sector during one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s recent history.
The initiative aims to provide direct support to cultural professionals who have been severely affected by the ongoing security crisis. Priority will be given to individuals and organizations located in areas most impacted by violence and instability, particularly in Port-au-Prince.
Eligible participants for the program include a broad range of cultural actors such as individual artists, musicians, actors, visual artists, and writers, along with creative collectives, cultural operators, stage technicians, and cultural mediators. By targeting these groups, the project seeks to stabilize the creative ecosystem and ensure that artistic expression continues despite the difficult circumstances.
The program is structured around two main components. The first focuses on supporting the development and implementation of cultural projects led by artists, collectives, and local cultural organizations. These initiatives are expected to respond to urgent community needs by promoting expression, resilience, and social engagement in areas deeply affected by the crisis.
The second component introduces a specialized training program centered on project management in crisis conditions. Through interactive modules, participants will strengthen their abilities in strategic planning, risk assessment, resource mobilization, and communication during emergencies, skills that are increasingly essential for cultural leaders operating in unstable environments.
Through this initiative, UNESCO reiterates its commitment to strengthening cultural resilience in Haiti and to supporting the artists, institutions, and communities that safeguard the nation’s cultural vitality.
As part of the program, cultural actors in Haiti’s Western Department will have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $8,000 to support artistic creation projects and cultural events, helping to restore creative activity and public engagement in the arts despite the ongoing challenges.
