RIYADH: Nama’ Accelerators, a pioneering initiative to foster the growth of cultural enterprises, has been launched by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Quality of Life Program.
The project, featuring a comprehensive training and development program, will include several sector-specific tracks. The first of these is the flagship handicrafts track, with the aim of amplifying the economic, social and creative impact of the 2025 — Year of Handicrafts initiative.
It targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand across 11 diverse fields within the sector, including pottery, textiles and woodworking.
Benefits on offer include specialized training in modern craft techniques, intensive workshops on marketing and business management, and improved market access both locally and internationally. It also provides financial incentives to support sustainable growth and expansion.
Through this inaugural track, Nama’ Accelerators intends to transform the Kingdom’s rich artisanal heritage into sustainable economic ventures that foster community development, encourage innovation within the handicraft industries and enrich the national identity.
The Cultural Development Fund seeks to advance the handicrafts sector by maximizing its economic and social impact, fostering innovation across its diverse fields, and cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that nurtures creativity and growth.
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Quality of Life Program — a key component of Saudi Vision 2030—has unveiled “Nama’ Accelerators.” (Supplied)
Nama’ Accelerators represents a strategic milestone in the fund’s ambition to position itself as the financial center of excellence for the cultural sector. As a key financial enabler for entrepreneurs and enterprises, it fuels the sustainable and profitable growth of their ventures.
The initiative also strengthens the fund’s collaboration with key players across the cultural ecosystem, supporting its continued progress toward fulfilling the objectives of the National Culture Strategy within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework.
Khalid Al-Baker, CEO of the Quality of Life Program, told Arab News: “Promoting and sustaining national culture hinges on transforming the cultural sector into an economically productive industry. This transformation involves expanding cultural offerings — including cultural days, events, and activities — and streamlining the permit issuance process for cultural projects.”
He added that, as part of the Quality of Life Program’s efforts to fulfill Vision 2030’s objectives: “We have implemented programs targeting these key pathways, including the launch of Nama’ Accelerators.”
Nama’ Accelerators will actively elevate the role of handicrafts in society, transforming them from museum artifacts into a vibrant, economically sustainable sector. The initiative promotes creativity and innovation while safeguarding a living cultural heritage for current and future generations, Al-Baker said.
