Levy on Technical Devices calls blind, partially sighted
In a first-of-its-kind initiative to foster inclusivity within the creative industries, the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) has announced an open call for the Levy on Technical Devices Fund (LTDF) for people who are blind or partially sighted.
CIPA said in a recent statement that it is collaborating with the Botswana Association for the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS) to ensure that its members have full information on the open call, the fund objectives and to facilitate their participation. The closing date for this open call is May 10 and Braille application forms may be collected at the CIPA or BABPS offices.
CIPA Caretaker Registrar-General, Joel Ramaphoi, said they intend to build a more vibrant creative sector where all members of the society, including the blind or partially sighted, can celebrate and make a living out of their God-given talents.
“We hope that the target group will take advantage of this incredible opportunity and use the LTDF grants to undertake projects that will enrich their lives and allow them to participate in the creative economy fully,” Ramaphoi said.
The LTDF is a fund administered by CIPA, which provides grants of up to P1 million for projects aimed at developing Botswana’s copyright-based industries (art, music, film, photography, performing arts, software and apps, and architecture).
This initiative follows an open call for the general public that closed in February 2024. CIPA says applicants for this open call will undergo the normal screening process and will be evaluated on how well aligned the proposed project is to the fund objectives.