In 2005, IBBY launched a campaign to draw attention to the right of every child to become a reader. With the generous funding of the Yamada Bee Farm, the IBBY-Yamada Fund was established to provide funds for IBBY projects that help develop a book culture for children in all regions of the world.
Each year projects are developed by IBBY Members and presented to the Executive Committee. The projects selected thus far have included reading promotion programs, establishing libraries in schools and community centres, training teachers and parents in maintaining libraries and storytelling as well as workshops for writers, illustrators and editors of children’s books.
Book Dash is one of the projects that have been awarded the 2020 IBBY Yamada Fund. Book Dash gathers volunteer creative professionals to create new, high-quality African storybooks that anyone can freely translate and distribute.