The Knowledge and Freedom Foundation (FOKAL), in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Haiti, officially launched the "Revitalization and Visibility of Haitian Culture" (REVIV) project during a ceremony attended by numerous figures from the cultural, institutional, and diplomatic worlds.

This initiative aims to strengthen the vitality and visibility of the Haitian cultural sector, which has been particularly affected by the current economic situation. It is part of a shared desire to make culture a lever for sustainable development, social resilience, and civic dialogue.

In her speech, Lorraine Mangonès, Executive Director of FOKAL, emphasized the Foundation's ongoing commitment to the cultural sector : "Over the past ten years, we have awarded between 30 and 70 direct grants each year to support the arts, the creative economy, and the protection and promotion of our heritage."

This commitment reflects FOKAL's conviction that culture is an essential pillar of change, social cohesion, and resilience in a country facing multiple crises.

For his part, Gary Lubin, head of the REVIV project, presented the three main pillars of the project :

1. Promoting the dissemination of artistic creations, particularly in times of crisis, in order to keep the voices of artists and communities alive;

2. Strengthening the capacities of cultural organizations by providing them with structural, technical, and strategic support;

3. Highlighting the values of the European Union, particularly human rights, equality, solidarity, and cultural diversity, through art.

"REVIV is designed as a response to the deep needs of the cultural sector, to make it a lever for economic, social, and civic development," he stated.

In his speech, Johan Eidman, Chargé d'affaires of the European Union delegation, emphasized the fundamental role of culture as a space for symbolic and community reconstruction in a Haitian context marked by a multidimensional crisis. "Culture is a vector of dialogue, hope, and cohesion; it contributes to the reinvention of living together, even in the most fragile contexts," he stated.

According to him, REVIV also represents a high-impact investment opportunity, particularly for young people, women, emerging artists, and local organizations.

Aiming at cultural organizations, artists, artisans, and young cultural operators across the country, the project includes a range of support measures : thematic conferences on the orange economy, training sessions, calls for projects, technical support, as well as activities to promote Haitian cultural expressions in all their forms, including digital arts, media, and contemporary practices.

Online information sessions are planned for July 23 and 24, 2025, to present the participation procedures to applicants for the first two calls for projects :

• Art and culture for the promotion of human rights.

• Culture, witness to our common future.

Interested individuals are invited to register by email at : reviv-ue@fokal.org

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