Scale Your Creative Business with the UNDP Timbuktoo Creatives Lab 2025 | Apply by May 7 2025

Scale Your Creative Business with the UNDP Timbuktoo Creatives Lab 2025 | Apply by May 7 2025.

Scale Your Creative Business with the UNDP Timbuktoo Creatives Lab 2025 | Apply by May 7 2025

Apply now for the UNDP timbuktoo Creatives Lab 2025 and unlock growth opportunities for your cultural or creative business. Open to African entrepreneurs in design, music, film, and more. Deadline: May 7, 2025.

Unleash the potential of your creative business with the UNDP timbuktoo Creatives Lab

The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) timbuktoo Creatives Lab is here to power innovation in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

If you’re a creative entrepreneur in the sectors below (see the ‘Who should apply’ section) and are looking to scale your business, this is your opportunity!

What is the UNDP timbuktoo Creatives Lab?

Implemented by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), this pioneering accelerator programme is designed to help 15 high-potential creative businesses thrive in 2025.

As part of the global UNDP timbuktoo initiative, our Creatives Lab is a unique acceleration programme that blends financial and non-financial support, tailored to the specific needs of each participating creative entrepreneur. The Lab is a new UNDP offering, alongside the soon-to-be-launched timbuktoo Creatives Hub (implemented by UVU Africa) in District Six, Cape Town – a dynamic space where creatives can connect, collaborate, and innovate.

Why apply?

• Tailor-made growth support: We’ll deep dive into digital technologies, advanced production techniques, sustainable design methods, and market access strategies.
• Bespoke financial support: Receive a targeted grant aligned with a personalised growth intervention plan.
• Vital business skills: Learn key strategies to scale your business.
• Access to experts & networks: Connect with leading industry professionals, investors, and mentors.
• Opportunity to join a thriving creative ecosystem: Become part of a community of high-growth creative entrepreneurs.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for ambitious creative entrepreneurs in the following sectors:

• Audio-visual
• Design: Graphic, Fashion, Industrial, Architecture, Interior
• Music: Recording, Live Music, Instruments & Production, Festivals
• Multi-media
• Organisations aligned to Cultural & Natural Heritage Preservation

Interested and wondering if you are eligible?

We’re looking for applicants that meet these criteria below:

• Applicants from all regions in South Africa and all other African countries will be considered

• Applicants must have a registered businesses, operating within the sectors of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) listed above

• Businesses between 2 – 5 years in operation

• Businesses with an annual turnover of R200 000 and above

• Women, youth and marginalised groups are encouraged to apply (including black-owned businesses, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and rural-area based entrepreneurs)
• This is a bespoke part-time programme, designed around your needs and will require an agreed number of hours in commitment per month.

PLUS: Special pre-application masterclasses are now available – Join us for free!

What’s more, before you apply to participate in the Creatives Lab, you can gain key insights through our 5 specialised masterclasses in April.

These masterclasses are aimed at convening the creative sector and inspiring creativity, as well as providing an opportunity for anyone interested in joining the Creatives Lab to receive more information and support from CDI to assist with an application.
(Attendance of a masterclass is not mandatory to apply to the Creatives Lab).

These will cover:

• Design-Dash by the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (UCT) (23 April 2025) – book here
• The evolution of engagement and role of immersive storytelling — with Lebo Lekoma (24 April 2025) – book here
• How design can (and should) circle back to nature — with Jackie May (25 April 2025) – book here
• AI, the tool African creatives need — with Jon Savage (29 April 2025) – book here
• Telling African stories through VR & tech — with Dylan Valley (30 April 2025) – book here

Seats are limited – secure your spot now!

How to apply for the timbuktoo Creatives Lab accelerator

Please proceed to the application form: click here

Deadline: 07 May 2025

For more information or enquiries please contact:
Nicole Martin
timbuktoo@thecdi.org.za