LENGGONG, 13 September 2022 – Due to the overwhelming response in applications for the first cycle of the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme, Think City has opened a call for application for the second cycle of the grants programme where the application period began on 23 August 2022. The grants programme that was announced as part of the Budget 2022 initiative, will leverage Malaysia’s unique tangible and intangible assets as enablers for re-generative socio-economic growth and development of community’s cultural, economic and social capital as it would create employment and investment opportunities. This is in line with the objectives of the Northern Region Archaeotourism Network & Local Economic Development programme, a Think City initiative, under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance .
As Malaysia sits at the confluence of history and geography, as evidenced by the oldest prehistoric settlement in the world after Africa, signifying two million years of human evolution, Think City and MoF with the support of the state governments and local councils hope to encourage an exploration and discovery of unhidden gems along the northern Malaysia cultural corridors. This would also activate local community development resources, stimulate culture-based tourism, community enterprises, and boost public interest in a network of archaeological, cultural, and natural sites and stories.
In a special announcement programme held in Lenggong today, Think City announced the 23 diverse and ambitious applicants who were successfully selected to benefit from the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme. The initial areas of focus for the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme included Lenggong, Kuala Kangsar and Taiping. To continue the momentum, Think City hopes to encourage applications from other significant sites such as Guar Kepah, Sungai Batu, Lembah Bujang, Alor Setar, mangrove reserves such as Sungai Prai, nature reserves such as Royal Belum, and Perlis, to contribute creative and innovative ideas on bolstering the historical and cultural significances of these places and how these projects will benefit the local community.
The first cycle of the grants programme saw 53% approved for Content Creation, 32% for Capacity Building and Advocacy, and 15% for Demonstration. More than 40% female participants received funding from this cycle.
Overall, the funding will support 7 individual applications and 16 organisations. YB Dato' Nolee Ashilin binti Mohamed Radzi, Perak State Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee Chairman who graced the event congratulated all successful grant recipients in what was a highly competitive round.
Dato’ Nolee said, “The northern region including Perak is rich in history and culture and we are immensely proud to note that that there is history dating back almost two million years ago right here at our doorstep. All culturally significant assets remain important network nodes within the northern region including sites such as Lenggong, Kuala Kangsar and Taiping and their relation to other significant cultural sites in our neighbouring states. We welcome this continued effort under Think City which will certainly provide a boost to cultural-based tourism in the region, giving community-based projects and small players a chance to be more self-sustaining to contribute to local tourism.”
Think City’s Managing Director, Hamdan Abdul Majeed said, “Throughout history, people have been attracted to cities as centres of culture, learning and economic opportunity. The northern region is exactly that, a two million year old story waiting to be explored and discovered. The cultural, natural and archaeological significant sites is rich in history and has the potential to be an international cultural and natural environment showcase, set to grow into a key curated and sustainable cultural destination. Think City has identified potential nodes in the northern region to enhance culture-based experiences and will continue to support grantees who can deepen and diversify visitors' journeys and broaden the public's understanding of the region's cultural significance via the second cycle of the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme.”
