Frequently Asked Questions about the IFCD Application Process
This FAQ section is based on the 2005 Convention’s Guidelines on the Use of the Resources of the IFCD and decisions taken by the Intergovernmental Committee on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
TYPE OF APPLICANT
Yes. For funding requests from Parties (public authority/institution) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the applicant must be from a developing country that is Party to the 2005 Convention.
No. If the applicant is an international NGO (INGO), it does not have to be registered in a country eligible for funding from the IFCD. However, all countries benefiting from the project must be eligible, otherwise the project will not be considered for funding.
No. Funding requests cannot be submitted by regional authorities. In the context of the IFCD funding process, “regional” refers to a group or cluster of countries, not a territory within a single country.
However, projects that are designed to encourage or support regional cooperation are eligible to apply to the IFCD.
If the applicant is an international NGO (INGO), it is expected to demonstrate the international character of its organization through the following elements:
- Statutes specifying that the NGO is international;
- International membership (both institutional and individual);
- Recent activities that have been carried out in several countries around the world.
In case the INGO meets these criteria, it can apply to the IFCD, ensuring that its funding request has sub-regional, regional or inter-regional impact and the application is accompanied by the following complementary documents:
- The official document proving legal status as an international NGO.
- An official document showing the list of members and their country(ies) of origin and demonstrating the international membership of the organization (both institutional and individual).
- An official document proving that recent activities (less than 5 years from the application date) have been carried out in several countries around the world.
- One letter of support from governmental authorities or public institutions from each of the beneficiary countries, ensuring that the project is relevant and meets the beneficiary’s needs and priorities.
ON-LINE APPLICATION FORM
APPLICATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
Therefore, requests for projects related to intangible cultural heritage should be made to the Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, whereas requests regarding tangible cultural heritage (e.g. World Heritage sites) should be addressed to the World Heritage Fund.
FUNDING
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
If the project is approved for funding, a contract will be signed both by UNESCO and the applicant in March following the year of the application submission. All the payments that will be made by UNESCO to finance the project will be transferred in US dollars in three separate instalments:
1) 50% of the total amount approved at the start of the contract;
2) Another 30% mid-way through project implementation;
3) The remaining 20% when all activities have been completed and the final reports (narrative and financial) have been submitted.
Please note that when submitting the request for IFCD funding, the applicant commits to a financial management plan and to devising a preliminary monthly plan of cash inflow and outflow to ensure that the necessary funds are available and can be advanced by the applicant for the timely implementation of project activities.
Contact us
UNESCO
Section for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CLT/CRE/DCE)
7 place Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP - France
email: convention2005.ifcd@unesco.org