International Funds Supporting Culture
The UNESCO Culture Sector, through its Conventions and programmes, maintains several international funds, which aim to promote culture, protect heritage and foster creativity in a variety of ways. Each fund has a distinct scope of application and regime for making contributions or submitting requests for support. The activities financed generate positive changes for local communities and developing countries, and contribute to sustainable development that is both social and economic. UNESCO appreciates the generous contributions, whether they are of obligatory or voluntary nature, to these funds made by governments, individuals and the public and private sectors. Keep your contributions coming!
2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
The IFCD supports activities decided on by the Intergovernmental Committee that aim to foster the emergence of a dynamic cultural sector in developing countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention.
2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage grants assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for activities aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as defined in the 2003 Convention.
1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
The World Heritage Fund supports activities decided by the World Heritage Committee related to international assistance, state of conservation and nominations, helping States Parties to the 1972 Convention protect World Cultural or Natural Heritage.
This Fund aims to support Member States in their efforts to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property effectively, in particular concerning the verification of cultural objects by experts, their transport, insurance costs, the establishment of facilities for their proper display, and the training of museum professionals from the countries of origin of cultural property.
This Fund aims to support States in their efforts to fight effectively against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, in particular regarding capacity-building, the awareness and communication, the inventory work and the monitoring of auction houses. This Fund is also used to allow representatives of developing countries to participate in the sessions of the Meeting of States Parties and its Subsidiary Committee.
1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
The Fund provides financial assistance for preparatory measures to be taken in peacetime, as well as measures to protect cultural property during periods of armed conflict, as decided by the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
This multi-donor fund enables UNESCO to assist its Member States in protecting heritage in emergency situations, disasters and conflicts.
The IFPC aims to support the creativity of artists and creators, public bodies and NGOs as well as international and regional cultural cooperation through cultural and artistic projects that demonstrate the contribution of culture and creativity to sustainable development across UNESCO Member States in line with the UN 2030 Global Agenda for sustainable Development.