Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
For many young people in Ethiopia, the circus is not just an art form; it is also a source of pride. Therefore, the Ethiopian National Circus Association (ENCA) strongly believes that engaging young people and teenagers in this field would facilitate a safe environment in supporting themselves physically as well as mentally fit and healthy. By recruiting 10,500 new youths and teenagers from Amhara, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, as well as Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations, skill development training, were provided in various circus art techniques, including juggling, balance, acrobatics, contortion, hand voltage act, and Ekran circus.
In order to make the Ethiopian circus artists popular in the International market of contemporary circus, ENCA has worked in collaboration with international trainers to increase
the level of professionalism of the Ethiopian circus artists operating in all circus groups throughout the country. This initiative supported thousands of Ethiopian circus artists sign
contracts with various major circus companies, including Cirque du Soleil, the largest circus
company in the world. As a result, Ethiopian circus artists are able to earn a living for
themselves and their families. They have also contributed to increasing the country’s foreign
exchange earnings.
To make this initiative inclusive, The Ethiopian National Circus Association has developed and promoted performance ideas to have people with disabilities involve equally in all shows. As result, two Ethiopian circus artists with disabilities were cultivated and become world-renowned circus performers.
Playing its role in solving the shortage of circus performance materials in the country, ENCA provided training and workshops to its member to support the design and produce circus materials locally. In addition, standards and designs to manufacture circus mattresses have been provided to local mattress manufacturers to make performing materials available in local markets. Overall, the implementation of this initiative has contributed tremendously to the development of circus art in Ethiopia.
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
As a result of this initiative, circus art skill development training has been offered to 10,500 circus artists working under 53 circus groups, of which 6,510 of them were women. Also, skill development training in music, dance, and circus have been designed and offered to 150 people with disabilities, which two of them are now world-renowned circus performers and serve as role models for others.
In addition, 588 circus artists have been recruited from 13 world-class circus shows that have been produced locally. These artists have been offered short and long-term contracts in the international circus market. They have also participated in numerous international festivals and won 12 gold, 14 silver, and 9 bronze medals as individuals as well as 9 silver and 6 bronze medals as a team.
Following the international standard, circus training and performing materials have been manufactured locally and donated to 13 circus groups operating throughout the country. Furthermore, training mattresses were collected from charitable organizations and distributed
to additional four circus groups under the consortium.