Yesterday The National Arts Council of Zambia launched The Presidential Arts Development and Empowerment Scheme which saw hundreds of artists from all art sectors show up to event with the Vice-President “Inonge Wina” as the special guest.
The controversial 30 Million Kwacha Youth Empowerment Scheme targeting Artists was finally launched, and every artist is wondering how they can get their hands on that money. Well, there is good and bad news, the good news is that the money is real and it is there and you can get it, and the bad news is that the money will be given to you as a loan (it is not really bad news.) Before getting to how you get this money lets first understand what is The Presidential Arts Development and Empowerment Scheme.
The Presidential Arts Development and Empowerment Scheme is established as a Government Stimulus Package for arts businesses to cushion the devastating effects of COVID-19 and stimulate the creation of employment opportunities for the youths. The Scheme’s main programme is the Thirty Million Kwacha (K30,000, 000.00) revolving fund for artists
across the country. The National Arts Council of Zambia is hereby obliged to issue these guidelines for the smooth implementation of the scheme.
The objective of the scheme is to:
- Create a revolving fund that will develop the arts sector and benefit many artists and arts businesses in the long run.
- Provide continued business support services for the development of sustainable arts enterprises.
- Stimulate the creation of employment opportunities for the youths by supporting the growth and sustainability of arts enterprises.
Who is Eligible to get funding?
- The applicant must be a Zambian Citizen
- Applicants must be practicing artists and paid up members of any of the National Arts Associations affiliated to the National Arts Council (NAC).
- Must be a legally incorporated entity pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act no. 10 of 2019 of the laws of Zambia and or ordinarily registered under the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).
- The applicant must have traceable referees or guarantors as provided in the application form.
- The entity must have an active business bank account
How Much Can You Get?
The loans vary from project to project so does the repayment periods. Below is the amounts you can apply for and how long you will be required to pay it back.
- Loan repayments will commence after a grace period that will vary from project to project.
- An entity will have the option to pay back the whole loan amount before the agreed loan repayment period or in
installments according to the scheduled period. - A simple interest rate of 9% per annum shall be charged on all loans.
- The loans will be collateral free; The loans shall be secured through a lien on the assets;
plant, equipment or property purchased or renovated from the loan funds.
Which Projects will be considered?
- Projects that are community based in either rural or urban areas.
- Generally benefitting a large number of artists and impacting society
- Facilities/projects that will offer services to multiple art forms.
- Viability of the proposed business as demonstrated in the proposal.
- Businesses that are within the ambits of the law.
- One-off events shall not qualify under this Scheme.
How can you apply?
Applicants will fill in the prescribed Artists Empowerment Loan Application Form. Application forms are free and there are no application fees for this scheme. You can get theme at your Town Councils or other national arts offices.
The application should come with the following attachments;
- A copy of valid registration certificate of the business or Cooperative;
- A Business proposal;
- Certified copies of the National Registration Cards for all key members of the management team; and
- Valid Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Tax certificate and TPIN.
All applications will be sent to the National Arts Council of Zambia through Provincial Arts and Cultural offices, Provincial CEEC
offices, District Arts and Cultural Offices or any other designated government office in the district where there are no District Arts and Cultural Offices.
The Council shall set up submission points (drop in boxes) in all districts. After the closing date for submissions, the boxes
at every submission center shall be opened and applications compiled, sealed in envelops and sent to the NAC Secretariat in
Lusaka.
How will you know your application was successful?
After careful reviewing of proposal the National Arts Council will announce the selected successful applicants will be published in the public media.
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