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:

1. Engage communities in co-design processes

2. Develop temporary cultural spaces

3. Test programming and activities

4. Gather feedback and refine future plans

5. 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.