The development and evaluation of programmes to support youth and creativity are essential issues to promote the development of young people and the social and economic development of communities. It is with this in mind that the Belgian development agency, Enabel, recently organised an evaluation meeting of the “Creative Youth” programme in partnership with various stakeholders.
This meeting, which took place on Tuesday 17 December 2024, was an important opportunity to take stock of the actions carried out under this programme. The project manager stressed the importance of this meeting, which makes it possible to measure the progress and results achieved so far. The discussions focused on the activities carried out in 2024, highlighting the efforts made to promote the professionalisation of young artists and cultural and creative entrepreneurship.
One of the highlights of this meeting was the development of the Work Plan for the 2025 financial year. The partners worked together to define the priorities and actions to be implemented next year, with the aim of strengthening the impact of the program and ensuring its sustainability. A reference document, based on a study of local needs, was presented to ensure the relevance of the actions undertaken.
The prospects for the coming year are ambitious. The project aims to boost the cultural ecosystem in the urban centers of Kinshasa, Kisangani, Bukavu, Mbuji-Mayi and Lubumbashi. The young beneficiary artists will be supported in their professionalization, while actions such as off-season festivals will be organized to promote access to culture for all.
The cooperation between Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the framework of this program is crucial to support the cultural and artistic development of the country. The support of the Congolese government, particularly in providing the necessary administrative resources, is a key element in the success of this project.
In conclusion, the evaluation meeting of the “Creative Youth” program proved to be a strong moment in the collaboration between the different actors involved. The consultation and the definition of common objectives made it possible to consolidate the foundations of an ambitious project that brings hope to Congolese youth.