The UK Branch’s new strategy aims to strengthen arts and civil society ecosystems in the UK, Portugal – where the Foundation is headquartered – and in other global communities where the Foundation has a presence.

Our grant-making will focus on three core areas:

Arts Opportunities and Exchange: Strengthening artistic exchange and collaboration between Portugal, Portuguese-speaking African countries, the Armenian Diaspora and the UK for international visibility and professional growth.

NGO Capacity-Building: Enabling non-governmental organisations in Portugal and the UK to learn and develop from each other’s expertise.

Climate-Health: Responding to the health impacts of climate change, in Portugal and the UK through joint research and international collaborations.

The strategy is an evolution of the UK Branch’s work to date and builds on its legacy championing civic participation in the arts, nurturing cross-border collaborations, and promoting effective and equitable climate action.

As the Foundation approaches its 70^th anniversary in 2026, the UK Branch is maximising its international connections to help strengthen civil society and arts and culture in and beyond Europe. This commitment to collaboration across Europe is increasingly important, given the shared challenges that civil society is facing. The refocused strategy aims to better support the arts, climate and non-profit sectors in the UK and Portugal, spark new partnerships and ideas and help nurture the best practices.

Activities for the three grant-making areas are being co-designed by the UK Branch and other units of the Foundation, and aim to bring mutual benefits to organisations and communities in the countries where we operate. They will apply lessons from our previous grant-making and the impactful work of our partners over the years.

Activities for 2026 will include support for arts organisations in the UK showcasing artists from Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries, NGO exchange programmes, study visits, and multi-sector, multi-country pilot projects.

The UK Branch will continue to work on international initiatives of the Foundation, including the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity and the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts. The UK office in London will continue to provide a vibrant convening space to our partners and civil society peers for events, meetings and artistic activations.

The new strategy was developed following a period of review to assess where the UK Branch could have the most impact and help deliver on the Foundation’s broader work, which continues to be driven by the twin pillars of sustainability and equity.

Read more about our grant-making priorities and our team.