Organizer Information
The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. In Malaysia, their arts program focuses on building creative communities that inspire innovation and inclusion. Human-Nature is their flagship three-year initiative designed to explore the relationship between humans and the natural environment. The program bridges the gap between the UK and Malaysia by fostering partnerships between artists, scientists, and communities to highlight the vital role of arts and culture in addressing climate adaptation and sustainability.
Title & Description
Human-Nature: Alternative Narratives Creative Collaboration Grants
This grant program invites UK and Malaysian practitioners to collaborate on creative works that challenge traditional climate stories and reflect on "alternative narratives." The initiative seeks to elevate voices often marginalized in climate discourse—specifically those from Indigenous communities and individuals most affected by environmental shifts. The goal is to produce tangible creative outputs (physical or digital) that imagine sustainable, preferable futures through storytelling, community engagement, and collaborative practice.
Categories
The call is highly interdisciplinary and accepts a broad range of creative mediums, including:
- Visual Arts: Painting, Photography, Installation, Land Art.
- Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Theatre, Sound Art.
- Literature & Media: Writing, Publishing, Film, Creative Use of Archives.
- Innovation: Digital Innovation, Creative Tech, Architecture, and Built Cultural Heritage.
- Cross-Disciplinary: Projects merging Art + Science or Art + Technology.
Eligibility
- Mandatory Partnership: Each application must include at least one UK partner and one Malaysian partner.
- Applicant Types: Individuals, organizations, cultural practitioners, CSOs, researchers, academics, or collectives/networks may apply.
- Residency: UK partners must be living/working in the UK during the project; Malaysian partners must be residents of Malaysia.
- Focus: Applicants should demonstrate experience or a strong interest in the intersection of arts and climate action.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Financial Grant: Three (3) grants are available, each valued at £20,000 (GBP).
- Scope of Funding: The grant covers professional fees, travel, accommodation, production/material costs, marketing, and evaluation.
- International Exposure: Opportunities to showcase creative outputs to physical and digital audiences in both countries.
- Networking: Integration into the British Council’s global network of climate-focused creative professionals.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Lead Applicant: One partner must be designated as the lead for contracting purposes.
- Collaborative Proposal: A joint project description outlining the creative vision, climate narrative focus, and intended impact.
- Budget Plan: A detailed breakdown of how the £20,000 will be allocated.
- Supporting Evidence: Portfolios or CVs for both the UK and Malaysian partners.
- Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: A strategy for reporting on the project’s success and community engagement.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
- Selection Announcement: February 2026
- Grant Period: March 1 – October 31, 2026
- Public Sharing/Exhibition: November 2026
- Final Reporting Deadline: December 31, 2026
Location
UK, Malaysia
Additional Details
The selection panel prioritizes projects that demonstrate a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability (e.g., carbon footprint awareness in travel). Special consideration is given to proposals that foreground "lived experience" and traditional knowledge as tools for climate resilience.