The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, has unveiled the key features of the second cycle of its "North Africa Cultural Programme" (NACP) for the years 2024-2027. This new cycle was introduced during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Swiss Embassy in Tunis. The NACP in its 2nd Cycle is a four-year initiative (2024-2027) dedicated to artistic institutions, spaces, and associations in five North African countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. It comprises two support mechanisms: the National Fund for Cultural Opportunities (FNOC) and the Regional Competitive Creativity Fund (RCCF). The FNOC programme focuses on providing support to artistic and cultural institutions and spaces in each of the five targeted North African countries, offering assistance in institutional and programmatic domains. The Regional Competitive Creativity Fund (RCCF) supports collaboration projects established through partnerships involving at le ast one entity based in North Africa and one or more entities present on the African continent and/or in the Arab region. During its first cycle (2019-2023), the NACP awarded 40 grants, supporting 28 organisations at the institutional and programmatic levels, and 12 collaborative projects in North Africa. The programme also offered professional and technical support, meeting spaces, as well as a digital platform providing information, resources, and progress tracking for supported entities and projects. The NACP originated from an international tender issued by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, secured by AFAC in mid-2018. It aligns with the aspirations of both AFAC and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, addressing recommendations from various sectoral studies, meetings, and discussions groups. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse The Kwahu East Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held a community engagement session with farmers on the repercussions of fire outbreaks and how collective action can help prevent them. The event was organised in partnership with the Forestry Commission, Ghana National Fire Service, and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to raise awareness among the public about preventive measures against bush and domestic fires as the harmattan season approaches. Ms. Roberta Essilfua Koah, the Director of Kwahu East District NCCE, pointed out the importance of preventing bushfires and domestic fires and highlighted the responsibility of everyone to protect and safeguard the environment. The various community members were informed about the harmful effects of indiscriminate burning of bushes and its adverse impact on the environment. She said bushfires could contribute to worsening environmental degradation and pose a threat to farming, agriculture, and human sustenance in t he long run. Ms. Koah said there are statutory obligations outlined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Chapter 6, Article 41(k), of which laws have been put in place to address bushfires and offenders. She listed several communities, including Abisu No. 1/2, Ankomah, Kwahu Pepease, Kwahu Abetifi, Kwahu Tafo, Borukruwa, Kwahu Tarkwa, Mamfe, Oboyan, Abene, Hweehwee, Suminakese, and Yaw Tenkorang, where there was an on-going education to this effect. She said the NCCE was determined to cover a wide area to address the issue effectively. She said the benefits of this educational initiatives will help to discourage individuals from participating in harmful activities and deepen public awareness about the serious risks posed by bushfires. Source: Ghana News Agency