Call for Operator to Implement Bouaké Urban Nursery (Côte d’Ivoire)

Deadline: 04-May-2026

The Bouaké Urban Nursery Call for Initiatives seeks an operator to implement a cultural and social innovation space in Bouaké under the Cultures Côte d’Ivoire project. Funded by the French Development Agency, the initiative supports participatory urban development, cultural programming, and creative industries. Eligible applicants include NGOs, associations, and consortiums with strong experience in socio-cultural project management and urban space development.

What is the Bouaké Urban Nursery Initiative?

The Bouaké Urban Nursery Initiative is part of the broader Cultures Côte d’Ivoire Project, designed to:

Develop public cultural spaces
Promote community engagement and social inclusion
Support cultural and creative
industries (CCIs)

The project focuses on transforming the Jacques Aka Cultural Center into a vibrant hub for cultural and social activities.

Key Definition: Urban Nursery

An Urban Nursery is a temporary, participatory space that:

Tests ideas for urban development
Engages local communities in design and use
Supports cultural and social activities before permanent infrastructure is finalized

Project Objectives

Overall Objective

Accelerate the growth of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Côte d’Ivoire by:

Expanding cultural access
Creating employment opportunities
Strengthening governance and inclusion

Specific Objectives

Improve access to culture in Bouaké
Support sectors like music, cinema, and fashion
Strengthen institutional capacity of the Ministry of Culture
Promote gender equality and women’s safety

Project Components

1. Rehabilitation of Cultural Infrastructure

Renovation of the Jacques Aka Cultural Center
Development of new cultural programming

2. Cultural and Creative Industries Development

Professionalization of creative sectors
Support for entrepreneurship and job creation

3. Monitoring and Management

Project coordination, evaluation, and communication

Urban Nursery Role and Activities

Core Functions

The selected operator will:

Co-design and build a temporary cultural space
Facilitate community-led cultural programming
Engage stakeholders in participatory planning
Test and refine future programming for the cultural center

Key Activities

Cultural events and social programming
Community workshops and consultations
Artistic performances and exhibitions
Public engagement and outreach

Project Location and Timeline

Location: Bouaké
Duration: Up to 36 months
Total Budget: EUR 900,000
Funding Source: French Development Agency

Stakeholder Engagement

The initiative emphasizes collaboration with:

Local residents
Civil society organizations
Cultural and creative industry actors
Entrepreneurs and community groups

This ensures the project reflects local needs, identity, and aspirations.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

National and international associations and NGOs
Civil society organizations
Consortiums of non-profits and private companies

Key Eligibility Criteria

Proven experience in socio-cultural space development
Ability to manage complex institutional projects
Experience in multidisciplinary team coordination

Financial Requirement

Minimum annual budget of EUR 430,000 (last 3 years)
For consortiums: combined financial capacity applies

Important Note

Private companies can participate only as consortium members, not as lead applicants

Required Team Expertise

Applicants must demonstrate capacity in:

Cultural programming and art direction
Social and civic mobilization
Communication and media outreach
Architecture or civil engineering
Project management and reporting
Participatory facilitation and community engagement

Why This Initiative Matters

Cultural Development

Strengthens Côte d’Ivoire’s cultural ecosystem and creative economy.

Urban Innovation

Introduces participatory approaches to urban planning and design.

Social Inclusion

Engages communities in shaping public spaces and cultural identity.

Economic Impact

Creates jobs and opportunities in cultural and creative industries.

How It Works

Implementation Approach

The Urban Nursery operates alongside infrastructure development:

Engage communities in co-design processes
Develop temporary cultural spaces
Test programming and activities
Gather feedback and refine future plans
Transition into permanent cultural center operations

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Review Call Requirements

Understand project objectives and eligibility criteria
Assess organizational capacity

Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium (if applicable)

Include partners with complementary expertise
Ensure financial and technical capacity

Step 3: Develop a Proposal

Include:

Implementation methodology
Cultural programming plan
Stakeholder engagement strategy
Risk management plan

Step 4: Prepare Documentation

Organizational profile
Financial statements
Evidence of past projects
Team structure and CVs

Step 5: Submit Application

Follow official submission guidelines
Ensure completeness and compliance

Step 6: Evaluation

Proposals are assessed based on:

Technical quality
Experience and expertise
Feasibility and sustainability
Stakeholder engagement

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Weak community engagement strategy
Lack of relevant project experience
Incomplete consortium structure
Unrealistic timelines or budgets
Insufficient technical expertise

Tips for a Strong Application

Emphasize participatory and inclusive approaches
Demonstrate experience in cultural programming
Highlight multidisciplinary team strength
Align clearly with project objectives and local context

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Bouaké Urban Nursery?

A participatory cultural space that tests and develops programming for the Jacques Aka Cultural Center.

2. Who funds this initiative?

The French Development Agency.

3. Where will the project take place?

In Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.

4. What is the total budget?

EUR 900,000 for up to 36 months.

5. Who can apply?

NGOs, associations, civil society organizations, and consortiums.

6. Can private companies apply?

Only as consortium members, not as lead applicants.

7. What makes a strong proposal?

Strong community engagement, technical expertise, and clear implementation plans.

Conclusion

The Bouaké Urban Nursery Initiative offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of cultural infrastructure and community engagement in Côte d’Ivoire. By combining participatory urban development with creative industries support, the project fosters inclusive growth and innovation. Organizations with strong technical, cultural, and community engagement expertise are best positioned to deliver impactful and sustainable results.

For more information, visit AFD.