Culture can play an important role in both humanitarian and development interventions, is a useful vector for dialogue and social cohesion, can drive societal and political transformation, and can unlock economic opportunities, particularly in creative industries. To help develop these areas in the Horn of Africa, SDC developed the Horn of Africa Culture for Peace (HoAC4P), a long-term culture programme to be implemented in three phases of four years each.

The HoAC4P programme fosters a functional ecosystem supporting Somali culture's preservation and evolution. HoAC4P will support SDC’s development objectives in the region, while contributing to building the capacities and enhancing the outreach of culture sector actors in the Horn of Africa. By fostering collaboration between artists and cultural professionals from diverse regions, the HoAC4P catalyses social change and promote sustainable development.

The programme works with artists, craftsmen, small cultural enterprises and cultural associations, cooperatives, and networks, including those of minority clans. HoAC4P influences policies and regulatory frameworks that support the creative industries, ensuring that the cultural sector is recognized as a key contributor to economic growth and social cohesion. This may involve advocating for the integration of cultural policies into national development plans, promoting public-private partnerships, and supporting the establishment of cultural hubs and institutions that can serve as centres. of innovation and cultural preservation. HoAC4P also addresses marginalization by supporting cultural institutions and initiatives that contribute to income generation and sustainability within the region.

The overall programme goal is to enhance social cohesion, promote peacebuilding and strengthen local and regional cultural identities in the Horn of Africa, through fostering greater awareness, appreciation, and preservation of shared regional cultural heritage. The results include:

- Preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

- Provision of economic growth opportunities to creatives and market actors in the culture ecosystem within the region.