Stories | British Council

With CPF projects across the Middle East, North and East Africa and parts of South Asia, there are a wide range of stories about cultural heritage to explore.

Celebrating Intangible Cultural Heritage Day 2025

Hear from Stephanie Grant, CPF Director, on how intangible cultural heritage is 'a valuable asset that can tackle global challenges and enhance resilience in communities.'

Photograph of a woman stood speaking at a podium, with other seated panelists on stage.

ICCROM Forum underlines women and young people as catalysts for cultural heritage protection in the Middle East

Read the highlights from this three day conference which includes CPF projects in Palestine.

Image of a man next to a large, ancient Buddhist engraving on a boulder that is five times his height

The community spirit championing Swat Valley’s ancient Buddhist rock carvings

Discover the international and local efforts spearheaded by Essanoor Associates to protect a vital part of the ancient Gandharan civilisation.

Professor Iyas Hassan speaking during the Master Class presentation on the Epic (Sira) of King Al-Thaher Baybars

From coffee houses to YouTube: Ettijahat brews a medieval Arabic epic to life

Dive into how Ettijahat has connected global fans of Arabic medieval literature and political drama by reviving the legend of King Al-Thaher Baybars.

Looking ahead as the Dessie Museum reopens

From being at risk to further damage, discover how the Dessie Museum has become a new hub for education and tourism development in Northern Ethiopia.

A study group visiting Porthdinllaen beach in Wales

Three Hopes For MONDIACULT 2025

Hear from Stephen Stenning, Director of Culture in Action, on what he hopes will happen at MONDIACULT 2025.

Culture Grows: A Global Conversation in Nairobi

Recap the conversation held at the National Museums Kenya and find out what's happening next in London on 9 September

Several people sit in a traditional Meshouf canoe on water. One smiles at the camera, one is paddling and one reaches to touch the water.

Behind the ten-year journey to revive Iraq’s maritime heritage

Next month, Safina Projects will celebrate a decade of their pioneering initiative that has preserved and revitalised Iraq's ancient boatbuilding traditions.

Photograph of five women of the Bajuni community performing ‘Vugo’, a sacred and rhythmic pre-wedding performance that is traditionally sung and danced by women in the bride’s home as she prepares for marriage

Landmark move introduces the Bajuni language to Kenya’s curriculum

In celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, discover the advocacy work behind Twaweza Communications.

Photo of a building a dome on the right, and at the lower level is a small court with benches and greenery

Treasured historic Cairo sites reopen after cimate-change restoration

July 2025 marks the formal reopening of two medieval Islamic monuments to the local community in Historic Cairo, after they were closed due to climate-change related threats.

A graphic scan of a building against a black background.

Inside the digital and community-led push to protect Lebanon’s endangered coastal heritage

Discover HeritageWatch.AI's pioneering efforts to protect Lebanon's coastal castles and medieval heritage from climate change

Photo of four seated women, where one person is holding the mic as the rest listen.

CPF's Nairobi Showcase as part of the UK/Kenya Season 2025

See some of our CPF projects and explore the intersection of cultural heritage and digital technology in Nairobi

Man standing and talking to a group of people

'Recovery Lab of Port Said' wins Egypt’s major heritage conservation award

Egypt’s construction industry has hailed CPF’s ‘Recovery Lab of Port Said’ as 2025’s ‘Conservation & Heritage Initiative of the Year.’

Photograph of CPF Grants Manager Mona Habeb. She is wearing sunglasses, a coat and a headscarf. In the background is the temple of Zeus.

CPF in Libya: 'Unmistakably heritage in motion’

Hear from Mona Habeb, CPF Grants Manager, on the impact of CPF projects in Libya.

Photograph of three women harvesting wild thyme, in the background are mountains

Cultural Protection Fund enters its 10th year of protecting vital cultural heritage at risk

'This funding extension is an acknowledgement of the increasing demand for a UK response to the challenges facing our global cultural heritage.' - Stephanie Grant, Director of CPF.

Balancing Lofi and Hifi: CPF reports on the future of Digital Cultural Heritage

The British Council has published a new milestone report, ‘Digital Cultural Heritage: Imagination, innovation and opportunity.’

No Other Land wins Best Documentary Feature Oscar

No Other Land has won Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film was co-directed by two alumni of a project supported by the Cultural Protection Fund.