Initiative targeting young creatives launches in Kisumu

Sanara, an ambitious and inclusive programme aimed at empowering young creatives, recently launched its Kisumu initiative, targeting to empower youths in the creative and cultural industries in the county.
Sanara, inspired by the Kiswahili words sanaa (arts) and biashara (business), is a key driver for advancing Kenya’s cultural and creative economy.
The Kisumu launch marks a significant milestone in Sanara’s goal of reaching 110,000 young people, including 77,000 young women, 11,000 refugees, and 5,500 people with disabilities across five regions in the county including Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Turkana.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, brings together a consortium of leading organisations including HEVA, SNDBX, Baraza Media Lab, and GoDown Arts Centre.
The three-year programme is designed to provide the youth across the country with dignified, sustainable employment opportunities in the arts, fashion, media, and entertainment sectors.
Sanara’s Kisumu initiative will empower creatives in various fields, including fashion, garments, accessories, film, television, content creation, gaming, live music, theatre, and the performing arts
HEVA, a key implementing partner in the program, launched the Ota Growth initiative as part of the Sanara programme to provide targeted financial support and resources for creative businesses in Kenya.
Ota Growth aims to empower youth-led and women-led enterprises within the cultural and creative sectors, facilitating access to loans ranging from KSh5 million to KSh20 million at a competitive interest rate.