The British Council has officially opened the 2026 funding round for its Cultural Protection Fund (CPF), inviting eligible organisations to apply for grants of up to £500,000 to protect cultural heritage at risk from conflict and climate change in 17 countries, including Bangladesh.

Now in its 10th year, the Cultural Protection Fund has supported projects in Bangladesh that empower communities and safeguard heritage that connects people to history, identity and each other, said a media statement on Wednesday.

Recent projects in Bangladesh include modernising collections care and celebrating local history at the Varendra Research Museum. By delivering comprehensive collections management and oral tradition safeguarding training for the entire museum staff, the initiative built crucial local capacity to protect irreplaceable artefacts.

British Council Country Director for Bangladesh Stephen Forbes said, "We at the British Council are so pleased with what has already been achieved by Bangladesh and UK partners with the support of the Cultural Protection Fund. Our latest funding round marks a renewed commitment to safeguard endangered heritage by empowering the communities who live alongside it. With grants of up to £500k now available, we are supporting vital new work that enables local practitioners to sharpen their expertise, forge international networks, and spearhead the future of cultural protection in our communities."

The Expressions of Interests for CPF close on July 20. Applicants are strongly advised to consult the official 2026 application guidance and comprehensive FAQs, available on the Cultural Protection Fund website, prior to submission.

Projects must protect cultural heritage at risk in one or more of the following countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia or Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda.