Cape Town, South Africa – April 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa, in partnership with the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), is proud to announce the launch of the call for applications to the Timbuktoo Creatives Lab — an innovation and acceleration programme designed to unlock the growth potential of South Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

Set to support 15 creative businesses in its 2025 cohort, the Lab will offer tailored mentorship, access to enabling technologies, and investment-readiness support. The initiative seeks to drive job creation, business scalability, and inclusive economic development. Applications are open and close on 07 May 2025.

Part of the broader UNDP Timbuktoo initiative, the Creatives Lab forms the foundation of the soon-to-be-launched Timbuktoo Creatives Hub in District Six, a dedicated space where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and create. The Lab will respond to the unique needs of each creative enterprise, offering targeted support across areas such as production enhancement, digital integration, and sustainable design.

“The Timbuktoo Creatives Lab is a bold investment in Africa’s imagination economy — where creativity meets innovation to solve real-world challenges. By nurturing creative entrepreneurs and catalysing new business models, we are not only unlocking economic opportunity but also shaping a new narrative for Africa, driven by the ingenuity of its people,”— Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative, UNDP South Africa and Director, UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub

The Lab will focus on businesses in the following sub-sectors:

• Audio-visual

• Design (graphic, fashion, industrial, architecture, interior)

• Music (production, festivals, live events, instruments)

• Multimedia

• Heritage organisations preserving cultural and natural legacies

“The Cultural and Creative Industries have enormous untapped potential. Through the UNDP Timbuktoo Creatives Lab, we aim to provide creative entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and knowledge they need to scale and compete globally,”— Erica Elk, Group CEO, Craft and Design Institute

The initiative also draws support from strategic partners, including the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, UVU Africa, and Snake Nation.

Empowering Creatives Through Masterclasses

To complement the Lab, the CDI will host four free masterclasses in April at the Timbuktoo Creatives Hub. These sessions will convene the sector, inspire creativity, and provide insights to support strong applications to the Lab (attendance is not a prerequisite to apply).

Masterclass topics include:

• AI in the creative economy

• Immersive storytelling with AR/VR

• Blockchain for IP protection in music and film

• Sustainable design and the circular economy

A highlight of the programme is the Design-Dash by the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, offering practical tools for creative thinking and innovation.

About UNDP Timbuktoo
The UNDP Timbuktoo initiative is a pan-African platform committed to unlocking the continent’s innovation potential. It supports businesses in high-growth sectors through funding, expertise, and access to global markets. The Creatives Hub is one of ten Timbuktoo hubs being launched across Africa.

About the Craft and Design Institute (CDI)
The CDI is a non-profit organisation with over 24 years of success in building South Africa’s craft and design sector. With a national network of over 7,100 member businesses, the CDI provides business development, digital upskilling, and access to markets.