Deadline: 14-Apr-2026
The Small Grants Programme provides targeted funding and capacity-building to civil society organizations protecting cultural heritage in regions affected by conflict, climate stress, and institutional instability. Grants of up to £5,000 support locally led, community-driven interventions that document, protect, and preserve at-risk heritage in countries including Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine (Gaza), and Ethiopia (Tigray).
What is the Small Grants Programme?
The Small Grants Programme, implemented by the ANSCH Network and funded by the British Council, aims to strengthen locally led efforts to safeguard cultural heritage under immediate threat. It combines financial support, specialized training, monitoring, and collaboration to ensure practical and sustainable interventions.
Key Focus Areas Include:
- Protection of cultural heritage at immediate risk
- Strengthening local civil society leadership where international access is limited
- Community engagement, prioritizing women and youth participation
- Developing practical skills in project delivery, documentation, and reporting
- Facilitating shared learning and knowledge exchange across the ANSCH network
Why the Programme Matters
Cultural heritage in conflict- and climate-affected regions faces destruction, disasters, and social disruption. Locally driven initiatives are crucial because:
- Civil society organizations are often the most active and responsive actors on the ground
- Communities benefit from direct engagement and inclusion of local knowledge
- Small-scale interventions allow for rapid, innovative responses to urgent risks
- Sustainable preservation practices are more effective when locally led
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Civil society organizations based in or working with communities in target countries
- Non-profit organizations with demonstrated experience in cultural heritage protection
Eligibility emphasizes local leadership, community engagement, and practical, pilot-level project approaches.
How the Programme Works
Funding and Implementation:
- Total funding pool: up to £75,000
- Grants per project: up to £5,000
- Projects funded: 12–15 initiatives per cycle
- Project duration: 3–4 months, allowing rapid response to urgent heritage risks
Project Activities May Include:
- Documenting endangered cultural heritage sites or practices
- Implementing emergency protection measures
- Preserving traditional knowledge and practices
- Engaging communities, including women and youth, in heritage preservation
- Sharing lessons and examples within the ANSCH network
Programme Structure:
- Financial support combined with specialized training
- Monitoring, evaluation, and capacity-building for participating organizations
- Collaboration among local organizations to exchange expertise and best practices
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects that are large-scale conservation efforts instead of pilot interventions
- Proposals lacking clear community engagement strategies
- Ignoring local leadership and participatory approaches
- Failing to demonstrate practical, rapid-response interventions
How to Apply
- Identify a heritage site, practice, or cultural asset under immediate threat
- Design a locally led, community-focused pilot intervention
- Draft a proposal detailing: target communities, proposed activities, practical outcomes, and engagement strategies
- Ensure alignment with programme goals: rapid response, practical interventions, and capacity-building
- Submit the application through the ANSCH Network’s Small Grants portal before the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which countries are eligible for the programme? Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine (Gaza), and Ethiopia (Tigray).
- What is the maximum grant amount per project? Up to £5,000.
- How long should projects last? 3–4 months for rapid implementation.
- Can large-scale conservation projects apply? No. The programme supports small, innovative, pilot interventions.
- Who can apply? Civil society and non-profit organizations based in or working with communities in the target countries.
- Is community engagement required? Yes, proposals must actively involve local communities, including women and youth.
- How is success measured? Through effective risk mitigation, practical interventions, community engagement, and knowledge sharing within the ANSCH network.
Conclusion
The Small Grants Programme empowers civil society organizations to act swiftly in protecting cultural heritage under threat from conflict, climate, and institutional instability. By combining funding, training, and collaboration, the programme enables locally led, innovative, and sustainable interventions that preserve history, engage communities, and strengthen resilience in fragile contexts.
For more information, visit ANSCH.