CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
UNDER THE 17th CALL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY(IFCD) ADMINISTERED BY UNESCO
The Department of Arts in the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture wishes to notify the general public that UNESCO has announced the 17th Call for Proposals for the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).
Through this Call, creatives, cultural organizations and public institutions are being invited to apply for funding of up to USD 100,000 to implement initiatives that strengthen the cultural and creative industries through policies, systems and initiatives that improve creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions in developing countries.
As a State Party to the 2005 Convention, Malawian organizations and entities are eligible to submit proposals under this call. The Department, therefore, strongly invites Malawian NGOs, creative enterprises and public institutions involved in arts and culture to submit their request for funding. The key details of the call are as below:
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
- Creative and cultural organisations
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the arts and culture sector
- International non-govemmental organisations (INGOs] registered in Malawi
- Public authorities and institutions in the cultural and creative sector
WHAT CAN BE FUNDED
The IFCD funds projects that create lasting, structural change in the cultural and creative sectors of developing countries. Eligible projects include initiatives that:
- Develop evidence-based planning tools such as mappings, statistical systems and sectoral strategies to support informed cultural policy decision-making
- Establish or strengthen public cultural institutions, agencies and financing mechanisms that support the growth of local cultural industries and markets Build the capacity of educational, vocational and technical training institutions serving the cultural and creative sectors
- Promote access to national and international markets for cultural goods and services, including through the implementation of international cooperation agreements
- Support the growth of cultural industries in the digital environment, in line with UNESCO’s Guidelines on Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
- Strengthen civil society participation in cultural policy dialogue, including through research, monitoring and evaluation of cultural policies and their impact
- Promote the meaningful involvement of vulnerable groups including minorities and Indigenous Peoples, in the creation, production, distribution and access to diverse cultural expressions
- Develop and implement policies and measures that advance gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors
Type of eligible projects specific for each category of applicants is outlined on this link: IFCD_ 17_ call_2026_en.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be submitted online through the IFCD online platform. Paper or email submissions will not be accepted. To register and access the application form, visit: www.unesco.org/creativity/en/ifcd/apply
DEADLINE
Applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, 6th May 2026, 12:00 noon (Paris time).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact: juliomagomelo@gmail.com; humphrey. mpondamingo@local.gov.mw;
mortonsibale@gmail.com or the UNESCO Secretariat at convention2005.ifcd@unesco.org
Post expires at 11:00am on Wednesday May 6th, 2026