The British Council is launching an ambitious programme to support the development of creative and social enterprises in the UK and five emerging economies – Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Aiming to promote sustainable and inclusive development, ‘Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies’ (DICE) will work at policy, institutional and individual levels and provide funded opportunities for UK organisations to deliver interventions with counterparts in these countries.
DICE will engage with policymakers to help participating countries address systemic barriers and create an environment in which social and creative enterprises can flourish.
The British Council will commission surveys on the social and creative economies in participating countries to enhance understanding of these sectors and their contributions to sustainable and inclusive growth. A report on UK social and creative enterprises in emerging economies will also be produced to identify the barriers and opportunities for them to work internationally.
In addition, DICE will provide funding for interventions by UK intermediary organisations (e.g. incubators, accelerators, higher education institutions) to address the issues of unemployment and unequal economic growth in these emerging economies. Investment will focus on actions that empower women and girls, foster youth employment, and support people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
On 1 April 2018, the British Council will invite UK intermediaries to apply for ‘Scoping and Business Development’ grants to broker partnerships and develop project proposals. UK organisations that secure these initial grants will then be eligible to bid with an overseas partner for a ‘Collaboration’ grant to co-deliver these interventions.
Visit the DICE website for more information.