The British Council has unveiled the latest projects to receive support through its International Collaboration Grants, a programme dedicated to fostering new cultural connections worldwide.

This £1 million initiative provides grants ranging from £25,000 to £75,000, supporting collaborative ventures between artists, arts professionals, and organisations in the UK and their international counterparts. For NI artists, this funding presents a unique opportunity to expand their work and engage with diverse global communities. The projects selected exemplify a spirit of cross-cultural exchange, bringing together talents and ideas to inspire and unite audiences.

Some of the projects that may resonate with NI artists include:

  • Belfast International Arts Festival (UK) & Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (Egypt) – This collaboration promises to blend the world-class musical landscape of our UNESCO City of Music, Belfast, with the dynamic cultural landscape of Cairo.
  • Jazz re:freshed (UK) & Llorona Records / Discos Pacifico (Colombia) – Fusing UK jazz with Colombian sounds, this partnership seeks to bridge the musical traditions of two vibrant regions.
  • FABRIC (UK) & Corpo Rastreado (Brazil) – A partnership to explore the connections between dance and cultural heritage in the UK and Brazil.
  • Abandon Normal Devices (UK) & Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival (South Africa) – Combining digital innovation with African artistic perspectives, this initiative will appeal to artists interested in technology and cultural fusion.
  • Settle Stories (UK) & Msitu Wa Ndoto (Kenya) – Aiming to capture unique narratives from both regions, this project supports storytelling across borders.

To explore the full list of grantees and find out how they’re connecting people across the globe, visit the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants page.