What is the Cultural Protection
Fund?
The Cultural Protection Fund is the UK's main response to international cultural heritage protection
Its role is to safeguard cultural heritage at risk due to conflict and/or climate change and to contribute to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity.
The Cultural Protection Fund was founded in 2016. It is led by the British Council in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The fund to date:
c.£50m
in grants awarded
19
countries
159
projects supported
Putting people at the heart of cultural heritage protection, the fund supports organisations to safeguard cultural heritage whilst seeking to strengthen individual, community and societal identity.
By restoring and safeguarding heritage which might otherwise have been lost, the fund’s projects help communities to reconnect with one another and create new forms of cultural expression inspired by their own lives and identities.
Integrating Cultural Heritage in Conservation in Soqotra project © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Integrating Cultural Heritage in Conservation in Soqotra project © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Through training, education and professional opportunities, Cultural Protection Fund projects empower people with the skills and knowledge to learn from the past and shape a better future for themselves and their families.
With this work, the fund contributes to advancements in cultural heritage protection practice worldwide, helps to counteract illicit trade of artefacts and creates a range of positive outcomes in its target countries.
Protecting heritage at the Macmillan Library © Project led by Book Bunk Trust
Protecting heritage at the Macmillan Library © Project led by Book Bunk Trust
9429 sites, monuments and objects restored
27,000 people accessed training and educational activities
83,000 people engaged in events and exhibitions and millions more online
£2.9m income generated for local economies
Where does the fund operate?
At times when funding rounds are open, The Cultural Protection Fund welcomes applications from anywhere in the world, but all applicants must either be based in, or work with, a local partner in one of our target countries.
See where the fund is currently supporting projects below.
The Middle East and North Africa
We currently support projects in:
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
Life Jacket project © Riwaq
Life Jacket project © Riwaq
East Africa
We currently support projects in:
Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Western Sudan Community Museums project © Yoohoo Media
Western Sudan Community Museums project © Yoohoo Media
To date, the fund has awarded c.£50m in grants to 149 projects in 17 countries in North Africa, East Africa and the Middle East.
These projects have helped protect a range of cultural heritage including buildings and monuments, paintings, artefacts, language, traditions, music and culinary heritage.
Syrian Dome Houses project © Arcenciel
Syrian Dome Houses project © Arcenciel
See how projects are making a difference
‘I can’t tell you how impressed I am by the Cultural Protection Fund… it is again of even greater importance to ensure we have something left in the face of all the challenges and disasters around the world.’
Find out more
Check out the latest opportunities and open calls.
Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news from the Cultural Protection Fund.
Built with Shorthand