Through this initiative, ESWACOS intends to strengthen creative production, improve the quality of local creative works, increase visibility of Eswatini creators, and contribute to the advancement of the country’s creative and cultural enterprises.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
The Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) has announced an application for the country’s creators and rights holders to apply for grants from the Fund for Creativity and Artist Development, a subset and initiative of the recently established Creative Industries Development Fund (CIDF) created to support the creation, production and promotion of new copyright works by Eswatini creators.
Through this initiative, ESWACOS intends to strengthen creative production, improve the quality of local creative works, increase visibility of Eswatini creators, and contribute to the advancement of the country’s creative and cultural enterprises. Successful entrants may receive up to E5000 (Five Thousand Emalangeni) per application, with ESWACOS reserving the right to approve the full amount requested or a fraction of it, based on factors such as the nature of the project, available resources, and assessment.
Funding obtained through this initiative may be channelled towards recording a single or music project, producing or shooting a music video, publishing a book or literary work, producing promotional material for a creative work, marketing and promoting new copyright works, covering digital distribution costs, and engaging in professional development activities tied to the creation and advancement of copyright works.
To apply for the Fund, creatives are required to submit a completed application form, project budget, completion timeline, samples of previous works (where available), and quotations, invoices or cost estimates. Applicants will be assessed based on the following criteria: eligibility and membership status, artistic or creative merit, project feasibility, budget clarity and viability, contributions to the applicant’s creative career, contributions to Eswatini’s creative and cultural industries, and inclusion of youth, women and underrepresented groups.
ESWACOS is Eswatini’s primary multi-rights authority responsible for the administration of copyright and neighbouring rights in the country. The organisation promotes and safeguards the interests of copyright holders across diverse creative industries. Operating under the country’s Copyright & Neighbouring Rights Act, ESWACOS aims to create economic value for rights holders by registering and licensing their works, receiving and distributing royalties, and maintaining a relationship of mutual benefits involving creators, users, and the public.
With the latest funding initiative, ESWACOS joins a series of other Africa-led incubators slated for the development of the continent’s dynamic screen industries.
Applications for the ESWACOS Fund may be submitted through the online portal until 30th June, 2026. Successful recipients will be announced on 17th July, 2026, with project completion set for 21st August, 2026.