Cultural Protection Fund — 2026 — Heritage Preservation

The Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) is a British Council programme that safeguards cultural heritage at risk primarily due to conflict and/or climate change. Established in 2016, the CPF has opened its 2026-2029 funding round, which will support 27 projects. The programme aims to protect cultural heritage to contribute to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity, with a focus on 17 countries

Overview

The Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) was established in 2016 and is led by the British Council in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The fund's role is to protect cultural heritage at risk, primarily due to conflict and/or climate change, and to contribute to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity.

• Conflict: deliberate targeting of cultural heritage during conflict, including destruction of sacred places and suppression of narratives
• Climate change: destruction of buildings and sites, threatening ancient objects and records, and restricting communities from passing on skills and traditions
• Protecting cultural heritage at risk, not merely preserving the past
• Supporting projects that demonstrate evidence of local demand and support for proposed activities

Eligibility

The Cultural Protection Fund is looking for projects protecting cultural heritage at risk in 17 countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Yemen. Projects must be submitted by one lead organisation, and while organisations can be registered anywhere in the world, projects must include partners registered in CPF's target countries

• Projects must demonstrate evidence of local demand and support for proposed activities
• Organisations can be registered anywhere in the world, but must include partners registered in CPF's target countries

Benefits

• Funding of £100,000 to £500,000 for 7 projects
• Funding of under £100,000 for 20 projects
• Contribution to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity

How to Apply

The application process involves submitting an expression of interest, followed by a full application. The expression of interest deadline is Monday, July 20, 2026, 23:59 BST, and the full application deadline is Friday, August 28, 2026, 23:59 BST

• Submit an expression of interest by July 20, 2026
• Submit a full application by August 28, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Cultural Protection Fund?

The Cultural Protection Fund aims to safeguard cultural heritage at risk primarily due to conflict and/or climate change, and to contribute to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity.

Which countries are eligible for the Cultural Protection Fund?

The fund is looking for projects protecting cultural heritage at risk in 17 countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Yemen.

What is the funding range for the Cultural Protection Fund?

The fund will support 7 projects with grant values between £100,000 and £500,000, and 20 projects with grant values under £100,000.

What are the application deadlines for the Cultural Protection Fund?

The expression of interest deadline is Monday, July 20, 2026, 23:59 BST, and the full application deadline is Friday, August 28, 2026, 23:59 BST

Do projects need to have partners registered in the target countries?

Yes, while organisations can be registered anywhere in the world, projects must include partners registered in CPF's target countries

What type of projects will the Cultural Protection Fund support?

The fund will support projects that protect cultural heritage at risk, not merely preserving the past, and that demonstrate evidence of local demand and support for proposed activities