UNESCO's International Fund for Cultural Diversity invests in the cultural and creative industries to empower countries in the Global South, to overcome inequalities, and enrich the entire world.

Funding is provided for innovative projects that aim to develop stronger cultural and creative industries in developing countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention. 

Project should lead to structural and sustainable change through: 

• the implementation or elaboration of policies and strategies that have a direct effect on the creation, production, distribution of, and access to a diversity of cultural goods, services, and activities; and,
   
• the reinforcement of human and institutional capacities of public sector and civil society organizations deemed necessary to support viable local and regional cultural industries and markets in developing countries. 

Eligible industries include: 

• audio/visual and cinema;
• performing arts;
• visual arts;
• media arts;
• design;
• music; and,
• publishing.

Eligible applicants include public authorities and institutions as well as non-governmental organizations (including international non-governmental organizations) from countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention. International non-governmental organizations must present projects that have an impact in developing countries at the sub-regional, regional, or inter-regional level.

Support is provided through calls for proposals.