UNESCO has launched the call for applications to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) to generate concrete and lasting results towards the development of the creative sectors in developing countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention.
Its purpose is to foster the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors in developing countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention, through strengthening the means to create, produce, distribute and have access to diverse cultural goods and services. As a multi-donor fund, the IFCD promotes South-South and North-South cooperation, while contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality and poverty reduction.
The IFCD invests in projects that lead to structural and sustainable change through:
The introduction and/or elaboration of policies and mesures that have a direct effect on the creation, production, distribution of and access to a diversity of cultural expressions, including cultural goods, services and activities
The reinforcement of human and institutional capacities of public sector and civil society organizations deemed necessary to support viable local and regional cultural industries and markets in developing countries.
Sectors of Intervention
Projects may have a transversal (cultural policies or strategies, copyright, etc.) or sectoral focus. There are seven eligible sectors:
US$ 100,000 is the maximum amount that can be requested
Allocations will be sent in several installments:
Beginning of the project: 50%
Mid-way through the project: 30 %
Completion of the project: 20%
Duration: 12 to 24 months
Eligible Projects
Projects submitted by public authorities and institutions that:
Develop tools that contribute to decision-making and planning (mappings, sustainable statistical collection and processing systems, sectoral strategies, etc.)
Create and/or strengthen public cultural agencies and institutions essential to the development of cultural industries, including developing the expertise of civil servants
Establish and/or strengthen financing and market development mechanisms for cultural goods and services
Implement international cooperation agreements and treaties aimed at a more balanced exchange of cultural goods and services
Create and/or strengthen the pedagogical and organizational capacities of educational, vocational and technical training institutes in the cultural and creative sectors
Promote the development of cultural industries in the digital environment, in accordance with the roadmap for the Implementation of Guidelines to Promote the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
Strengthen participation in cultural life, in particular measures to promote engagement of vulnerable groups (including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples) in the creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions
Create and implement measures or policies to promote gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors
Projects submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that:
Strengthen capacities of civil society focusing on policy participation, communication and/or networking
Contribute to inform policy making, including monitoring and evaluation activities todetermine the impact of cultural policies and measures to promote cultural industries
Strengthen the pedagogical and organizational capacities of educational, vocational and technical training institutes in the cultural and creative sectors
Create new financing opportunities and promote access to national and international markets for cultural goods and services
Promote the development of cultural industries in the digital environment, in accordance with the roadmap for the Implementation of Guidelines to Promote the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
Strengthen participation in cultural life, including measures to promote engagement of vulnerable groups (including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples) in the creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions
Create and implement measures to promote gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors
Develop tools that contribute to decision-making and planning (mappings, sustainable statistical collection and processing systems, sectoral strategies, etc.)
Create and/or strengthen public cultural agencies and institutions essential to the development of cultural industries, including developing the expertise of civil servants
Establish and/or strengthen financing and market development mechanisms for cultural goods and services
Implement international cooperation agreements and treaties aimed at a more balanced exchange of cultural goods and services
Create and/or strengthen the pedagogical and organizational capacities of educational, vocational and technical training institutes in the cultural and creative sectors
Promote the development of cultural industries in the digital environment, in accordance with the roadmap for the Implementation of Guidelines to Promote the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
Strengthen participation in cultural life, in particular measures to promote engagement of vulnerable groups (including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples) in the creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions
Create and implement measures or policies to promote gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors
Ineligible Projects
Projects exclusively aiming at the production of cultural and artistic works and events
Projects related to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
Projects related to tangible cultural heritage including World Heritage sites
Projects aimed at offsetting a deficit, repaying a debt or paying interest
Projects exclusively financing permanent working spaces and/or equipment
Projects that are conceived as scholarships or grants for personal needs
Projects financing the physical construction or the restoration of buildings
Projects that focus on primary and secondary school environments
Projects sustaining ongoing activities with recurring costs
Projects that focus on cultural tourism
Who can apply?
Public authorities and institutions from eligible countries (developing countries, Parties to the 2005 Convention).
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from eligible countries (developing countries, Parties to the 2005 Convention).
International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) registered in countries Parties to the 2005 Convention.
