This March marked the launch of the first takween residency, an eight-month residency for designers based in Jordan. Out of the 48 applications, four designers were selected by a jury of experts from the creative sector, to be that year’s takween residents.

The selected designers took part in a comprehensive learning program and a personal creative mentorship program run by local and international industry professionals. In addition, they received a grant of up to 8000 JOD aimed at kick-starting their personal businesses and launching their creative ideas. The residents had access to a free workspace and facilities in the takween creative space in Jabal Amman.

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the Goethe-Institut promote the emerging market of cultural and creative industries in Africa and in the Middle East.

takween residency
The takween residency offered selected designers to be enrolled in a comprehensive learning program and a personal creative mentorship program run by local and international industry professionals. Participants also received grants aimed at kick-starting their personal businesses and positioning them for success.

takween learning program
The takween learning program aimed to build creative capacity by offering modules in design research, writing and storytelling, image production, and value creation, with access to resources and skills in product development, making, prototyping, and materials. The hands-on workshops were interactive, and assignment based, led by local and international experts in the field, and followed a variety of formats including seminars, lectures, working groups, tours, and activities.

The learning program targeted designers in the field of furniture, fashion, craft, product, and graphic design.

takween train-the-trainer program
The takween train-the-trainer program offered professionals from the creative industry a chance to develop their facilitation, evaluation, and creative mentorship skills.

Targeted specifically at creative industries, the workshop introduced experiential learning processes, how to enhance empathic listening, self-reflection, as well as practical skills in facilitation and how to spark the journey of growth in young designers. This process was coupled with conversational sessions, to give valuable insights on how to support designers through all stages of the creative process.

takween grants
takween grants supported designers, artisans and organizations in the creative industry in implementing their innovative business or project ideas. Besides receiving a start-up grant, selected participants had access to the takween creative space and benefited from our network of local and international experts.

takween announced its small grants program for early- to mid-career designers based in Jordan, working in fashion, product, interior, furniture, graphic or urban design. We were looking for individuals who were working on new and innovative ideas that required support in order to accelerate their practice into a creative enterprise.

Designers could apply with a full project idea, or a specific aspect of the project which might have been necessary to implement or further their project. Small grants ranged between 500 JOD and 3000 JOD.

Announcements on our grants were shared accordingly.

takween networks
takween offered travel grants to aspiring designers, makers or artisans to conduct an internship or training in an initiative/organization within the creative industries in Jordan or abroad.