UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity 2026 (up to $100,000)

Deadline: May 6, 2026

The UNESCO 2026 Call for Funding Requests to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) is now open! This call welcomes projects aimed at fostering the emergence of dynamic cultural and creative sectors in developing countries, in alignment with the objectives of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Since 2010, the IFCD has invested US$13.6 million across 175 projects in 77 developing countries. These various initiatives have contributed to developing and implementing cultural policies, strengthening cultural entrepreneurship, facilitating access to new markets for cultural goods and services, and reinforcing the participation and inclusion of populations in cultural life.

Through this 17^th call for funding requests, UNESCO reaffirms its support to initiatives that translate its normative instruments into concrete actions at the local level. They fund innovative projects with up to US$ 100,000, implemented over a 12–24-month period. The projects are evaluated based on their relevance, feasibility, financial management capacity and expected results.

Funding

Maximum 100,000 USD

Implementation period: Minimum 12 months – maximum 24 months

Eligibility

• 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

The proposed projects should contribute to:

• The implementation and/or elaboration of policies and measures that have a direct, structural impact on the creation, production, distribution and access to a diversity of cultural goods and services, and/or
• The strengthening of capacities in public institutions and civil society organizations to support viable local and regional cultural industries and markets.

IFCD Countries

• Africa: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• Latin America & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.
• Asia & Pacific: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam.
• Europe: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine.
• Arab States: Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia. 

Application

Click here to apply.

For more information, visit UNESCO.