12 June 2020 PROJECT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Project Data Project Title Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School – DAAS And Aswan Music Project – AMP Organisation name Aga Khan Music Programme – AKMP Registration number The Aga Khan Trust for Culture – AKTC: CHE-100.893.333 Address 1-3 Avenue de la Paix, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Landline telephone number +41 22 909 7233 Email address [email protected] Contact person Egypt Ashraf Kenawy Mobile phone number +201281611228 Email address [email protected] Starting date of the project 1st April 2021 End date of the project 31 March 2023 1. Starting Situation / Context The Problem: Al Darb Al Ahmar is a district in Historic Cairo that has been an important part of the city’s urban fabric dating back to the tenth century, and many of its residents have lived in the area for generations. Located south of Al-Azhar mosque and the Khan al-Khalili bazaar, the district constitutes approximately one third of Historic Cairo, and stands out because of its mix of residential property and small workshops. Less than two centuries ago, Darb Al-Ahmar was one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Historic Cairo, and in more recent times, this densely populated urban community flourished with artisans and small enterprises. The approximately 100,000 inhabitants of the district are among Cairo’s poorest. While featuring one of the highest concentrations of historic Islamic architecture in the world, the district suffers from a lack of adequate basic infrastructure and services such as water and sanitation. Subsequently, poverty continues to prevail. Al Darb al-Ahmar households live on the equivalent of one and a half US dollar per capacity per day. The district suffers from a number of associated negative social, economic and physical factors and lags behind other parts of Cairo. The absence of essential facilities and services and substandard education leads to only minimal private sector investments. Children are obliged to contribute to the family income from a very early age onward, thereby discontinuing their education. This traps them in a cycle of poverty, in which their lack of basic education and limited training keeps them from developing the ability to earn a decent living. The minimal level of education, social services, and health care along with limited economic opportunities have also led to drug abuse, poor health and destabilized family structures. This insecure physical and social environment has a significant impact on the behavior of the children of this district. Aswan has a rich musical heritage and is a crossroads of Nile Valley cultures in Upper Egypt. The music scene uses traditional Arab musical instruments such as the oud, kawala, duff, and tabla, as well as local instruments such as the tambour (lyre) and global instruments such as brass. There is a legacy of Nubian music ranging from traditional village drumbeats to newer urban sounds influenced by jazz and other global genres. Musical knowledge and skills have been passed down orally through the generations; this heritage is at risk of being lost. Tourism has been the main driver of Aswan’s economy and musical production, over the past decades, Egypt has heavily relied on the tourism industry as a means for economic development. After the 2011 political transition, the number of tourists visiting Aswan dropped dramatically and has not since recovered. There are limited employment opportunities, especially for youth, and poverty is on the rise. Nubian communities in Aswan, who have historically been marginalized and were particularly reliant on tourism, have been disproportionately affected. As job opportunities in Aswan decrease, youth have immigrated to larger cities for work, which severs the familial ties and social cohesion upon which musical heritage has historically relied. Compounding these challenges is the lack of institutions with sufficient space for musical training and collaboration, particularly in the more remote areas of Aswan governorate. Individuals who wish to train in music encounter high costs that are out of reach for middle and low income families. In addition to the above, centralisation has affected the arts and culture sector. Festivals and concerts have become largely limited to Cairo and Alexandria only, depriving the people of Aswan of the opportunity to attend live concerts and celebrate local music. Aswan Music Project - AMP is an attempt to harness music’s tremendous power to mobilize and promote socio connection towards stronger social integration with a particular focus on the youth. Potentials: (Cairo), Since the opening of Al-Azhar Park in 2005, which is located directly east of Al Darb Al Ahmar, a number of promising development initiatives have been set in motion by local entities – often supported by external funds. Agencies have focused on socio-economic programs in the neighborhood, addressing basic social services (health, education and sanitation), economic development, rehabilitation of key historic monuments and infrastructural improvements, thereby aiming at long-lasting improvements in the socio-economic living conditions of the population of the area. This has already led to improved housing, restoration and rehabilitation of a number of historic monuments, introduction of visitor routes through the area, revitalization of traditional crafts and, through DAAS, revival of traditional and introduction of new elements to the living culture – which is the subject of this proposal. (Aswan), Om Habibeh Foundation – OHF, a locally registered NGO established since 1991, is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the implementing partner of the Aga Khan Foundation (Egypt). OHF supports the social, economic and civil society development of disadvantaged communities in Aswan Governorate. The Foundation empowers local capacity to advance healthcare, education and income generation initiatives. Om Habibeh Foundation – OHF began its long-term development activities in 2005. As a result of studies conducted in the Governorate, OHF began working with communities in Kom Ombo – the poorest district in the Governorate. AKDN’s work globally has shown quality of life improves faster and more sustainably when a number of community development needs are addressed simultaneously. OHF therefore undertakes a Multi-Input Area Development (MIAD) approach to community development. This involves working with communities to address Health, Education and other community needs including sanitation and local services. Working closely with communities has enabled OHF to develop community relevant solutions, and where appropriate, has shared these across the Governorate. OHF also works to address Governorate-wide issues – such as improving the quality of Nursing Education and employability. Project rationale: Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School (DAAS) and Aswan Music Project – AMP are projects for educating youth between the ages of 8-18 in Cairo’s Al Darb Al Ahmar district and up to 25 years in Aswan in artistic disciplines that can lead to future employment opportunities as performing artists. The new employment prospects that will be created for children and youth in both cities through their training in the fields of art and creativity will provide them with the means for securing a substantial level of financial independence and avoiding harsh working conditions, unemployment, poor lifestyle choices, and exploitation. The project also aims to raise the level of awareness of the value of the arts and their role in community and economic development among the people in the two cities. 2. Project Outline Overall goal: The main goal of the projects is to provide children and youth of Al Darb Al Ahmar and Aswan, with the ability to become engaged in the fields of art and creativity in order to enlarge their future base for income generation and to prevent them from working in abusive professions that limited their development. Objectives: 1. Raising the awareness of citizens and people of Al Darb Al Ahmar and Aswan of the value of art and its economic role in community development. 2. Reviving the cultural sector of Aswan by improving the provision and participation of cultural Interventions, enhancing the role of cultural institutions to increase cultural awareness and interest in the cultural heritage of Aswan. 3. Revitalize the cultural and artistic scene in Aswan and strive to revive Aswan's performing arts in a sustainable manner. 4. Strengthening the role of girls in the musical scene to be an active party and a maker of artistic events. 5. Strengthen the capacity of local CSOs to jointly delivered sustainable cultural and socio- economic programming. 6. Enhance the communities’ access to livelihood and seek to revive performing arts, enhance social cohesion, and generate new possibilities for future employment in the Art sector. 7. Improve livelihoods of budding artists by increasing income levels from art-related activities. Expected results: 1. Admission of 150 children and youth from Al Darb Al Ahmar and Aswan of both genders, to the school annually. 2. 100 talented youth have been selected and are being fast-tracked to become professional artists in the future. 3. Improved health conditions and social climate for all 100 participants. 4. 50 trainees have participated in public events 5. Partnerships with 4 institutions involved in child welfare related to art have been established 6. Students have obtained basic computer skills, English language skills and social skills in an effort