About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational
opportunities. We were founded in 1934 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940.
We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries.
We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing
lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
We work with more than 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English
language, education and civil society. Last year, we reached more than 75 million people directly and
758 million people overall, including online, through broadcasts and publications.
About Prince Claus Fund
The Prince Claus Fund was established on 6 September 1996 as a tribute to HRH Prince Claus's
dedication to culture and development. Since then, the Fund has created opportunities for connection
and exchange and stimulated cultural expression, primarily in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the
Caribbean and Eastern Europe.
The Fund honours the outstanding achievement of visionaries at the front-line of culture and
development with annual Prince Claus Awards; protects cultural heritage by providing ‘first aid’ to
rescue heritage threatened by man-made or natural disasters; supports innovative, high-quality cultural
initiatives through grants and mentoring, especially where opportunities are limited, whether by
poverty, conflict, marginalisation or political repression; works for and with youth through our Next
Generation programme and create networks of exchange.
The Prince Claus Fund is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Postcode
Lottery, and private individuals and corporations.