Frequently Asked Questions

The Circular Culture 2025 call is open to the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.

Cultural festival organisers in Latin America and the Caribbean who: 

• Are ready to transform their cultural festival, reduce its environmental impact, and embrace innovation.  
• Are willing to develop a proposal for sustainable practices for their application and work on it during the mentorship sessions, while also demonstrating care for the environment.  
• Are eager to learn and collaborate. This programme is designed for those who want deepen connections with experts from the United Kingdom, receive mentorship, and connect with professionals from various artistic disciplines in LATAC. 
• Include the participation of a British artist or organisation in their proposal, actively contributing to the festival’s activities and promoting ecological artwork.

1. Is it mandatory to have participated in previous editions to apply? No, it’s not necessary. It’s an open call for all festivals, whether new or existing. The registration requirements include your previous experience in the section where background, past work, and the experience of the collective/organisation or the festival producers are requested. 
2. Can I apply for two grants for two separate activities within the programme? No, only one grant per application is allowed. 
3. Do festivals need to focus on a single artistic discipline? No, you can apply to a multidisciplinary festival that includes at least one of the following disciplines: visual arts, digital arts, film festivals, theater festivals, music festivals, dance festivals, literature festivals, fashion festivals, or design/ architecture festivals. 
4. Does the festival need to be in-person only? No, festival activities can be in-person, online, or hybrid. 

1. Can the grant be complemented with other sponsors or prizes? Yes, you can receive support from other institutions or additional funding sources without restrictions. Effective financial planning will help you optimise these resources. 
2. Can I use the funds to cover costs for local artists, or only for UK artists? The funds can cover the fees and production costs for both, as long as they participate in the same proposed activity. This ensures equitable distribution of financial support and encourages inclusive practices. 
3. Will I receive the exact amount I requested based on the table in the Terms of Reference? The table indicates the maximum amount, but you may receive a lower amount after evaluating all proposals. 
4. How will the funding be provided if my festival is selected? A collaboration agreement will be signed between the British Council and the beneficiary, stipulating the payment of funds in accordance with the regulations and legislation in force in each LATAC country.
5. When will the funds be transferred? Processing payments can take up to 90 days, depending on how quickly you submit the required documentation and the completion of any necessary due diligence and compliance procedures.  
6. Is it possible to cover the fees of participants from the Americas as part of a programme of activities in the United Kingdom? No, the call focuses on activities in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. We will not support or cover activities that take place in the United Kingdom. 
7. Does the budget included in my proposal need to account for local taxes? Yes, all local tax obligations must be considered within the budget submitted to support the proposal.  
8. Can the funds cover flights and accommodation? Yes, the funds can be used for these expenses related to festival activities. 
9. What are project financials? Project financials refer to the analysis and management of a festival’s costs, revenues, and resources. For example, Circular Culture encourages festivals to use financial tools to evaluate expenses and profitability, ensuring effective allocation of resources. 
10. Is the grant linked to audience impact? Yes, one of the criteria for receiving the grant is based on the total number of people impacted (in-person, online, or hybrid). Successful proposals should incorporate sustainable practices to align with audience engagement goals and programme objectives. 

Group 1 (Categories A to F): Festivals expecting up to 10,000 attendees and requesting funds of up to £12,000

Festival proposals in this group must include an artistic collaboration with the United Kingdom and a commitment to participate in the training and mentorship activities provided by the programme.  

While it is desirable to demonstrate initiatives to improve sustainable practices for festivals seeking funds in this category, there is no specific requirement to allocate a certain percentage of the funds received to such activities. These can be proposals that can be worked on with the Culture Circular mentors to be implemented in the future. 

Group 2 (Categories G and H): Festivals expecting more than 10,000 attendees and requesting funds between £15,000 to £20,000 

Proposals within this group must include an artistic collaboration with the United Kingdom and a commitment to participate in the training and mentoring activities offered through the programme. Additionally, festivals in this category must allocate 20% of their funds to sustainable operations, such as transportation, food, water, energy, waste management, local biodiversity, air quality, or responsible marketing initiatives. 

1. What types of sustainable actions are expected? Refer to this guide for advice on drafting proposals for sustainable actions. 
2. Is it mandatory to allocate part of the grant to sustainable activities? All festivals must submit a proposal for sustainable operations. Festivals applying for £15,000 or £20,000 must allocate at least 20% to these activities. 

1. Is collaboration with a UK artist or organisation mandatory? Yes, the funds must be invested in a collaborative festival with an artist, professional, or organisation from the United Kingdom. The British Council will not provide a directory. The application documents must include a letter or email of confirmation/commitment signed by the UK counterpart for the collaboration. 
2. What type of collaboration is required with UK artists? Collaborations may include performances, talks, exhibitions, artistic residencies, or workshops, among other activities. These activities can take place in digital, in-person, or hybrid formats. The British guest may participate in more than one festival activity, either individually or alongside other artists from different countries. 
3. How can I find my UK partner? The British Council does not maintain a central directory of artists, and festivals have the freedom to approach relevant artists or organisations. However, you can find tips on how to locate your partner here. 

1. How should I report the success of my festival to the British Council? You must submit a report that includes a summary of the activities, details of the British content, information about the audience reached, and a photographic or video record. 
2. What are the festival's commitments upon receiving the funds? You commit to using the funds for the described activity, submitting a final report, sharing photographic and audiovisual content from the activities, and participating in sustainability training provided by a British expert.