Call for applications: 2020 UNESCO cultural diversity fund

Launched in 2010 by UNESCO, the IFCD is part of the adaptation of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. It seeks to foster the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors in developing countries through strengthening the means to create, produce, distribute and have access to diverse cultural goods and services.

NGOs and public authorities and institutions can submit project proposals geared towards the development and implementation of cultural policies, provide capacity building for cultural entrepreneurs, map cultural industries and create new cultural industry business models.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to institutions from the eligible countries that are involved in the following creative sectors:

• Music
• Audiovisual/cinema
• Visual arts
• Design
• Media arts
• Performing arts
• Publishing

The application deadline is 27 May (GMT+1).

Project eligibility

Projects submitted by public authorities and institutions should:

• Promote the development of cultural industries in the digital environment, in accordance with the guidelines to promote the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment.
• Develop tools that contribute to decision making and planning (mappings, sustainable statistical collection and processing systems, sectoral strategies, etc.)
• Create/strengthen public cultural agencies and institutions essential to the development of cultural industries, including developing the expertise of civil servants.
• Establish/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/strengthen the pedagogical and organisational capacities of educational, vocational and technical training institutes in the cultural industry sectors.
• Strengthen participation in cultural life, including measures to promote access for 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 industries.

Projects submitted by NGOs should:

• Strengthen capacities of civil society focusing on policy participation, communication and/or networking.
• Contribute to inform policymaking, including monitoring and evaluation activities to determine the impact of cultural policies and measures to promote the cultural industries.
• Develop advocacy strategies and activities to raise awareness of the convention among civil society organisations including those outside the culture sector.
• Strengthen the pedagogical and organisational capacities of educational, vocational and technical training institutes in the cultural industry 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, per the guidelines to promote the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment.
• Strengthen participation in cultural life, including measures to promote access for vulnerable groups (including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples) in the creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions.
• Support activities that promote gender equality in the cultural and creative industries.

Requirements and mandatory documents

• The application and its complementary documents must be in English or French.
• Download and complete the project framework form. 
• Projects must be implemented and/or benefit-eligible countries.

Disbursement of funds

The maximum amount that can be requested is $100 000. The project implementation period shall be between 12 and 24 months.

Payment of funds shall be made in three installments as follows:

• 50% of the total amount approved at the beginning of the project.
• 30% midway through the project and the remaining.
• 20% once all activities have been completed and the final reports are submitted.

Applicants should carefully read the full guidelines before submitting a project proposal. 

To apply, applicants should create an account here before accessing the online application forms.

View the original call here.