EAVE is set to introduce a new on-demand training programme, called Inclusive Production Practices, in 2026, designed to embed equity, inclusion and ethical approaches across the full production life cycle. The initiative was co-developed and co-curated by producer and EAVE consultant Tamara Dawit, building on the outcomes of the EAVE Impact Think Tanks on equity and inclusion in recent years.

Dawit, a producer with more than 20 years’ experience designing programmes and policies to strengthen the creative sector, is also the founder of Gobez Media, producing East African projects that advance narrative sovereignty, ethical collaboration and diasporic exchange. Her films have screened at Cannes, TIFF, Tribeca and Hot Docs, and have been broadcast internationally on CBC, MTV, PBS, Al Jazeera, NHK and ARTE.

Dawit explained that the programme seeks to “disrupt the default”, challenging the traditional ways productions have been conducted. She emphasised that while producers often operate in survival mode, focusing on their own company’s stability and growth, the training encourages a broader perspective: considering the stability and success of co-producers, writers and directors. “It’s about creating processes where everyone reaches the finish line stronger and more stable than when they started,” she said in a recent interview with EAVE.

The programme is designed to foster long-term, equitable partnerships, particularly between producers from high- and low-capacity countries. Too often, collaborations are viewed through a “charity lens”, Dawit explained, with one partner bringing money while the other provides the story. By treating all partners as equal contributors, producers from lower-capacity regions gain experience, visibility and credit that enable access to future funding, ultimately benefiting all collaborators. Small but meaningful interventions, such as budgeting for translators or cultural mediators when working across regions, are emphasised to ensure effective communication and collaboration.

Inclusive co-production is applied throughout the project life cycle, from development to financing, production and distribution. During development, participants learn to safeguard stories and work respectfully with communities, while the financing component addresses fair compensation, shared ownership and strategies for navigating currency imbalances in international co-productions. Ethical production practices are explored in detail, including inclusive hiring, culturally sensitive scheduling, accessible workflows and power-sharing approaches. The programme also engages participants in designing equitable distribution strategies that prioritise access, audience engagement, and fair sharing of rights and revenue.

The workshop is delivered in one- to three-day modules through plenary lectures, peer discussions, one-on-one mentoring and case-study exercises, allowing participants to apply concepts directly to their own projects. While primarily aimed at producers, the training is relevant for funders, institutions and commissioners seeking to understand inclusive production practices and integrate them into their support frameworks. Dawit emphasised that the programme is for all producers, noting that inclusion must be planned from the start to be meaningful.

The first bookings for Inclusive Production Practices will be available in 2026. Costs vary depending on the number of sessions, requested experts, workshop length and delivery format, which can be residential or online, with tailor-made proposals provided following initial consultation. The programme is initiated by EAVE CEO Kristina Trapp and Dawit, involving a range of experts depending on the scope of each workshop, and they encourage producers to embrace this opportunity to embed equity, care and stability across all aspects of their work. More information can be found on EAVE’s website.