MBABANE - The Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) is inviting eligible creators and rights holders to apply for support under the Fund for Creativity and Artist Development.
As a sub-fund of the recently launched Creative Industries Development Fund (CIDF), this initiative supports the creation, production and promotion of new copyright works by local creators. Through the fund, ESWACOS aims to strengthen creative production, improve the quality and visibility of local works and boost Eswatini’s cultural industries.
The funding has currently called on creatives to apply for funding, under the Creativity and Artist Development, as it is a social and development initiative aimed at supporting the creation, production and promotion of new copyright works by Eswatini creators. The fund will provide financial support of up to E5 000 per successful application for eligible activities such as recording a song or EP, shooting a music video, publishing a book, marketing creative works, supporting digital distribution costs and other professional development activities linked to creative production.
The funding will also soon launch another subdued under the Film, where creatives will be creating films meant to educate viewers more on Copyrights.
The artists fund opened on the first of June 2026 providing small-scale financial assistance to qualifying ESWACOS members for developing new creative projects and professional activities.
Supported Activities
- Financing is available for a variety of creative and professional endeavours, including:
- Recording a song, single or EP
- Producing or shooting a music video
- Publishing a book or literary work
- Digital distribution costs
- Producing promotional material for a creative work
- Marketing and promoting new copyright works
- Professional development directly linked to creating, producing or promoting copyright works
Successful applicants may receive support of up to: E5,000.00 (Five Thousand Emalangeni) per application. ESWACOS reserves the right to approve the full amount requested or a portion thereof, depending on the nature of the project, available resources and the assessment outcome.
3. Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a member of ESWACOS in good standing
- Be a creator, performer, producer, author, publisher, songwriter, artist or rights holder whose work falls within the copyright and neighbouring rights sector
- Apply for support towards a new work or new creative activity
- Submit a clear project proposal and budget
- Demonstrate how the proposed activity will contribute to the creation, production, or promotion of the proposed copyright works
Applications will only be considered for new works or works currently in development. The Fund will not support works that have already been completed, commercially released, commercially published or fully produced before the application date.
7. Application Requirements Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application (link: https://forms.gle/57cnAvSqCCSQgRPm8)
- Brief project proposal describing the work or activity to be supported
- Project budget showing how the requested amount will be used
- Timeline for completion of the proposed activity
- Samples of previous work, where available
- Any supporting quotations, invoices or cost estimates, where applicable.
ESWACOS Director, Mmeli Hlanze. (Pic Neliswa Sibiya)
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