Sanara is inspired by the Swahili words sanaa (arts) and biashara (business). This exciting inclusive program designed for young women and men across Kenya aims to enable access to dignified and fulfilling work in the creative and cultural industries.
Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with the consortium of HEVA, SNDBX-Ubuntu, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Centre, have launched this 3 year program to offer opportunities for financing, skilling, enterprise support, and adoption of sustainable practices that advance fair and safer working environments for creatives.
OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this program are to:
Design and offer tailored and inclusive finance for creative and cultural entrepreneurs
Equip young people with market-relevant skilling programs for the creative and cultural industries
Advance the adoption of inclusive and sustainable practices that advance a safer working environment for young women and men
INTERVENTIONS
ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE FINANCE
Responsive loan and grant facilities to support production, trade, working capital, project and business development needs
Led by: HEVA
Loan Facilities
We will have 3 loan facilities designed for creative entrepreneurs and businesses - Ota Growth, Ota Kopa and Ota Kopa+
Ota Growth is a loan facility featuring targeted debt investments. This means that eligible businesses can apply for a minimum of KES 5,000,000 and a maximum of KES 20,000,000 at a rate of 9% interest. Ota Growth will disburse loans between the period of 1st December 2024 and 31st December 2026. Visit the Ota Growth webpage for more.
Our other loan facilities will be made available in 2025.
Grant Facilities
To support the objectives of Sanara, we are seeking community based organisations (CBOs) in the Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Turkana counties which are primarily working in the CCIs OR utilising artistic/creative/cultural approaches in working with young women, people with disabilities and/or refugees.
Successful applicants will receive a single grant of between KES 2M - 6M over a 3-year implementation period to be utilised to cover CBOs ongoing costs and activities, as well as further resourcing them to implement direct activities supporting the Sanara program. Visit the Ota Grants webpage for more.
ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
Led by: SNDBX-Ubuntu
SNDBX Ubuntu is a subsidiary of SNDBX International, a Business Growth Accelerator with more than 15 years of experience working with SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Operating as a Foundation, SNDBX Ubuntu, is the arm of the business that delivers impact work across social sectors including, youth, women and green programs.
Using the Village Formula, a collaborative approach that leverages the collective African genius and expertise, SNDBX delivers value as the world’s first comprehensive one-stop shop for entrepreneur growth solutions.
Through an army of experts who empathise with each entrepreneur’s needs, and understand their journey, we design specific solutions that build unique, profitable and scalable businesses whose leaders are accountable to their goals.
Delivery & Outputs for the Sanara Program
Interventions Areas
Deliver tailored enterprise support to creative enterprises run by young men and women in the creative sector.
Aim: Through its expert-base of over 33 professional services under one roof, SNDBX will offer cohort-based capacity building to equip 5400 creative entrepreneurs with essential skills for sustainable business growth. The training modules will cover critical areas such as
Business Strategy
Marketing & Communication - strategy, brand, communication, messaging
People, Processes, Licencing
Financial Management & Tax Compliance
Legal, IP, Protection and Contracting
2. Post-financing support delivered in partnership with Tactive Consulting;
Aim: After creatives receive funding to scale, they will receive help to manage change, market entry and compliance support amongst other intervention areas.
This dual approach will strengthen the mentorship ecosystem, fostering a more robust and sustainable creative industry in Kenya.
Contacts:
SNDBX Ubuntu Facebook | LinkedIn | SNDBX International Website
ENABLING FAIR & SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Led by: GoDown Arts Centre
The GoDown Arts Centre is a long running multi-disciplinary non-profit focal point for artistic experimentation, cross-sector partnerships and creative collaborations in East Africa. The GoDown is active in policy advocacy for a better working environment for Kenyan artists and promotes community engagement with culture and the arts, championing the role of culture in sustainable urban development and nation-making.
The 4 Intervention Areas by The GoDown in the Sanara program are:
1. County Mapping, Cultural Planning, Policy & Legislation
Aim: Help create a policy, legislation, and strategic planning framework for creative and cultural industries (CCIs) at the county level by training county culture departments and raising awareness among CCI stakeholders.
2. Job Classification in the CCIs
Aim: Identify job types in CCIs coming out of the skilling programs to advocate for official recognition and job classifications in the CCIs.
3. Safeguarding
Aim: Identify major safeguarding challenges in CCIs and educate project participants and CCI organizations about these issues to increase their awareness and advocacy for safeguarding measures.
4. Collective Representation in the CCIs
Aim: Research and build capacity for collective groups in CCIs to help them develop and function effectively in supporting the sector.
Contacts:
GoDown Arts Centre, Kilimani, Nairobi
+254 726 992200 | info@thegodown.org
SKILLING FOR WORK & INFRASTRUCTURE
Led by: Baraza Media Lab
Baraza Media Lab is Africa’s platform for creatives and media practitioners to co-create experiment, share resources, and learn. Through physical hubs, training, and incubation programs, curated knowledge sharing, and networking events, as well as our research initiatives, our vision is to build a strong and collective community of African storytellers and public interest media.
As part of the Sanara program, Baraza Media Lab will lead the Skilling for Work component, coordinating diverse partners to deliver high-quality skilling, reskilling, and upskilling programs. To support this effort, we are setting up physical creative, and cultural learning hubs in key counties across Kenya—including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kakamega. These hubs will be mapped, equipped, and maintained to provide accessible spaces for young women and men to receive hands-on training, mentorship, and the tools needed to build fulfilling careers in the creative industries.
The consortium of skilling partners will work to deliver tailored training across key creative value chains:
Fashion, Garments, and Accessories:
Skilling in fashion design, garment production, and accessories will focus on practical training, job placements, and mentorship. Young creatives will gain expertise in design, production techniques, and market readiness.
Film, Television, and Audio-Visual:
Hands-on training in film production, content creation, and audiovisual techniques will equip participants with industry-relevant skills for careers in film, television, and digital media.
Music, and Performing Arts:
Participants will engage in masterclasses, music creation sessions, and theatre workshops to hone their performance skills, build creative networks, and prepare for work in music and performing arts industries.
Gaming and Digital Content Creation:
Training in gaming and digital content creation will focus on building strong digital storytelling skills and honing technical abilities in game development and multimedia production. Participants will also learn effective audience engagement strategies, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in digital media, including game design, animation, and content creation.
From empowering young people through hands-on specialized skilling to developing and nurturing artistic talent, Baraza Media Lab, will continue to be at the forefront of empowering Kenya’s next generation of creatives.
Contacts:
Baraza Media Lab
HASHTAGS TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
#YoungAfricaWorks
#SanaraKE
LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH
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