Optimising culture and development partnerships

Culture is increasingly recognised as part of sustainable development, reflected in growing research and innovative approaches in policymaking, interventions and national strategies. The UN has declared 2027–2036 the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development. In ASEAN, the 2025 Creative Economy Sustainability Framework recognises the contribution of the creative economy to social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes, and calls for cross-sectoral and multistakeholder collaboration.  

Yet collaboration between culture and development sectors remains uneven, particularly in shaping programmes and agendas. Organisations may lack the understanding, networks or experience needed to work across sectors. This can mean missed opportunities in funding and partnerships, as well as opportunities to strengthen programme impact and develop new approaches to tackling global challenges. 

EXPLORING NEW APPROACHES, LINKING CULTURE, DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY

Against this background, artlink, the INGO Network (INN) and Helvetas Laos are organising the webinar ‘Optimising culture and development partnerships: New approaches and opportunities in the Mekong' on 4 November 2026. The event will examine what culture can contribute to development practice and what makes collaboration across the two sectors possible. 

The discussion will combine conceptual framing, practical examples and an open exchange around four questions: what culture-led approaches in development can mean in practice; when they can make a difference; what makes culture–development partnerships work; and where there are opportunities for stronger partnerships and scale in Laos, the Mekong, ASEAN and with international partners.  

EVENT DETAILS

• Wednesday, 4 November 2026
• 15:00 - 16:30 (Vientiane, Laos) / 09:00 - 10:30 (Zurich, Switzerland)
• Online via Zoom

➜ Register here. Registration is open until 2 November 2026. 
 

THREE ORGANISATIONS, THREE PERSPECTIVES

artlink, the INGO Network (INN) and Helvetas Laos bring complementary perspectives from the cultural and development sectors and from civil society in Laos. The webinar provides a space to examine where these perspectives intersect, what can be learned from existing experience, and where there may be scope to work differently. 

artlink was founded in 1984 by six Swiss development organisations and works at the intersection of culture, sustainable development and inclusion. It connects Switzerland’s cultural landscape with the world and supports artists and cultural practitioners, particularly from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Through its programmes and partnerships, artlink creates spaces for dialogue, strengthens access to networks and opportunities, and advocates for cultural diversity at political and societal level. Its work includes international cultural cooperation and partnerships with actors in culture, inclusion and international cooperation.  

The INGO Network (INN) has brought together more than 70 international NGOs working in Lao PDR for more than 20 years. The Network strengthens collective action and connects its members with government, civil society, development partners and wider networks through dialogue, knowledge sharing, learning and collaboration. As the development landscape changes, INN provides a space to consider how development networks can remain relevant, adaptive and connected, including through new perspectives and forms of collaboration.  

Helvetas Laos has worked in Lao PDR since 2001, partnering with public institutions, civil society organisations, academia and the private sector. Its work has included environmentally sustainable value chains, inclusive economic development and trade, youth entrepreneurship and skills, and social dialogue among communities, civil society and local authorities. With its long-standing presence in Laos and connections across the Mekong and ASEAN region, Helvetas brings experience of locally owned solutions, cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration around development priorities.