KATHMANDU, JULY 3 The British Council has opened a new funding round under its Cultural Protection Fund, offering grants of up to £500,000 to organisations working to safeguard cultural heritage threatened by conflict and climate change in Nepal and other South Asian countries. The programme, now in its tenth year, supports projects aimed at protecting heritage while strengthening local capacity and international collaboration. In Nepal, previous grants have supported the preservation of Maithil women's wall painting, conservation efforts in Shey Phoksundo National Park, documentation of the Kusunda language and the preservation of indigenous food heritage. British Council Nepal Country Director Rustom Mody said protecting cultural heritage is essential for preserving the identity and history of communities. 'These grants will help organisations safeguard vulnerable heritage while building skills, strengthening partnerships and enabling communities to play a leading role in cultural protection,' he said. Eligible organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, along with selected countries in the Middle East and East Africa, can apply for grants of up to £500,000. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is July 20, 2026.