British Council opens £500,000 Cultural Heritage Grant Programme for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – British Council announced new round of funding under its Cultural Protection Fund (CPF), making grants of up to £500,000 available for projects aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage threatened by conflict and climate change in Pakistan and 16 other countries. Now in its tenth year, the Cultural Protection Fund supports initiatives that protect vulnerable heritage sites, traditions and cultural assets while strengthening communities’ connections to their history, identity and shared heritage. In Pakistan, CPF-backed projects have contributed to the conservation of Buddhist rock heritage in Swat, preservation of historic Silk Route buildings in Gilgit-Baltistan, restoration work at Karachi’s Khalikdina Hall, protection of maritime heritage in the Indus Delta, and efforts to document and preserve Hazara cultural traditions. James Hampson, Country Director of British Council Pakistan, said the programme continues to support organisations and communities across the country in protecting and preserving cultural heritage. He said the British Council looks forward to supporting a new generation of projects through this year’s funding cycle. Application Process and Key Dates Organisations interested in applying must submit their Expressions of Interest by July 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. BST. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the 2026 application guidelines and frequently asked questions available through the Cultural Protection Fund before submitting proposals. To help prospective applicants understand the programme requirements and strengthen their submissions, the British Council will hold an online information session on July 1, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. BST. Eligibility The latest funding round is open to projects focused on protecting cultural heritage at risk in the following countries: South Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yeme