The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has announced a major transition in the way it will operate in the UK. The changes have been outlined in its new strategic plan.

To achieve a greater impact, the Foundation will be supporting fewer organisations with larger amounts of money and will be proactive in identifying potential partners. This will enable the Foundation to focus funding on those projects that best meet the shared ambitions of the Foundation and its partners. Partnerships and activities will be supported from one to four years.

In a change to the way the Foundation has worked recently, only one strand of funding – the Innovation Programme – will be open to applications. This will support genuinely innovative ideas and unusual partnerships across the Foundation’s cultural, educational and social interests.

The 2009 plan outlines the three key issues on which the Foundation will focus:

* Encouraging understanding between people of different cultures.

* Assisting individuals, especially the vulnerable, to fulfil their potential and contribute to society.

* Protecting and caring for the environment.

For further information, see: http://www.gulbenkian.org.uk