The seminar brought together EUNIC cluster colleagues, Africa–Europe Spaces of Culture jury members, partners from supported projects and colleagues from EU Delegations for three days of exchange, discussion and reflection on Africa-Europe cultural relations.

Participants based in 19 different countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 16 different EUNIC member organisations, joined the conversation.

The seminar aimed to strengthen EUNIC collaboration in Sub-Saharan Africa and build wider alliances and links between partners, programmes, and initiatives in Africa and with Europe.

Over three days, it provided an open and honest space to reflect on EUNIC's role in strengthening cultural relations between Europe and Africa, while exploring the topics, needs, and opportunities emerging from the region’s dynamic cultural and creative sectors, through the lens of projects and partnerships.

Day 1 focused on EUNIC’s shared work and collaboration as a network.

The discussions centred on how EUNIC members collaborate within the network, with critical friend insights from independent experts on the role of our members and the added value they can bring. Participants also explored how current geopolitical developments are raising the stakes for international cultural relations, and how EUNIC’s work connects with EU-level policy developments.

This included a look at the European Commission’s new Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, positioning EUNIC’s contribution within this framework and clarifying the role and expectations for EUNIC clusters in Africa.

EUNIC members need to be part of the development chain - not the full value chain... Support what partners really want to do and achieve.

Yemisi Mokuolu Spaces of Culture jury member

Day 2 broadened the discussion to an open conversation on the wider context of Africa-Europe.

The second day zoomed out, opening up the discussion on Africa-Europe cultural relations in context, with contributions from local partners and Africa-Europe Spaces of Culture jury members.

Discussions addressed the urgency and complexity of Africa-Europe cultural collaboration and how cultural relations intersect with wider cultural, economic, social, and political developments on the continent.

Informality is growing - not shrinking on the continent... pockets of excellence abound, we need to be better at supporting and contributing to robust and full cultural ecosystems.

Avril Joffe Spaces of Culture jury member

The day concluded with a walking expo of the selected Spaces of Culture projects, offering insights into the ambitions, vision and goals of each initiative.

Day 3 took the form of an 'Africa-Europe Spaces of Culture Lab' dedicated to the selected projects from this year's Spaces of Culture call.

The final day was hosted at a Tshimologong, where - together with Spaces of Culture project partners - we delved deeper into the project plans and the 'Spaces' cultural relations model itself, including a speed-dating session with jury members to unpack the project proposals, share constructive feedback and build useful links and possible leads for collaboration.

The day wrapped up by exploring the project cohort’s shared vision for care, dialogue and shared learning - using EUNIC’s Fair Collaboration resources to reflect on partnership dynamics, fair collaboration and what mutual learning and support look like in practice.

We can broker a cross-sectoral space where culture can draw on mentorship from other sectors, including energy, health, banking, agriculture, and beyond.

Farai Ncube Regional Director, Arts and Culture, British Council

This interactive and deeply insightful three-day gathering came at an important moment as the Spaces of Culture programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (2025–2029) gets underway. Participants had the chance to learn more about the wider EU-funded Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, and to gain deeper insights into currents shaping the continent's cultural and creative sectors today.

Engaging with local projects while in South Africa

Before the regional seminar, EUNIC’s Spaces of Culture team attended the Fak’ugesi Festival in Johannesburg, which featured the launch of one of the seven Africa–Europe Spaces of Culture projects: Immersive Africa: Bridging Continents Through Digital Creativity.

The EUNIC team also had the chance to attend the Creative Future Africa Summit ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa, as well as visit the NIROX Sculpture Park to see one of the first projects supported by the EUNIC Ukraine Fund, which supports Ukrainian artists and cultural initiatives around the world.

Find photos from the seminar here.