Creating positive change in the Baltics

Through our People-to-People programme we work with governments and partner organisations in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to build social cohesion through the arts, education and action in local communities.  

This has helped to develop social enterprise networks, provide a voice for diverse communities and build connections between communities and harder-to reach groups. 

Sharing creativity and innovation with France

With France in the global spotlight, as host of the Olympics, our partners from across the UK will collaborate with their peers in France through the UK/France season of culture.

Our programme of festivals and seasons celebrate and deepen the UK’s relationship with a partner countries, enabling new international collaborations and providing a global platform for UK culture.

Building young people’s skills in Europe

Our EU/UK Youth Stronger Together project offers young people aged 15–30 from the EU and the UK opportunities to connect, co-operate, influence and implement change together on issues of common interest.

It builds close and sustainable relationship between young people in the UK and the EU for Europe’s collective benefit.

Providing life-changing opportunities

The International English Language Testing System, more usually known as IELTS, is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration.

Each year, millions of test-takers open opportunities to study, travel, and progress their career through IELTS. It is accepted by more than 10,000 universities, schools, employers and immigration bodies.

Promoting the UK as a study destination

Our Study UK campaign promotes the whole of the UK as a destination of choice for international students. We work closely with the UK higher education sector, as well as education agents overseas.

Nine out of ten prospective international students say that they are more likely to consider the UK as a study destination having seen the Study UK campaign.

Sharing best practice in the schools sector

Schools Connect is our programme for schools in the UK and around the world. We work with education policymakers to explore effective practices from other countries and help teachers to bring an international perspective to the curriculum. 

This supports all young people to build the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to respond to global challenges and develop international understanding. 

Protecting heritage at risk

The Cultural Protection Fund safeguards heritage at risk due to conflict and/or climate change and contributes to sustainable social stability and economic prosperity. Projects include the revival of Islamic monuments in Cairo, protection of an endangered dialect of Swahili in Kenya and the rehabilitation of a 19th century palace in Yemen. 

The fund’s projects help communities to reconnect with one another and create new forms of cultural expression inspired by their own lives and identities. It is led by the British Council in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  

Supporting Ukrainian teachers and students

We launched the Teaching and Learning in Difficult Times course in response to the immediate needs of Ukrainian teachers following the war in Ukraine. The course offers practical approaches to teaching in challenging times. 

Aimed at displaced teachers and teachers who work with displaced learners, it helps strengthen resilience and enriches teaching practice with effective strategies and techniques. 

Building peace education in Ethiopia and Sudan

Our Enabling University Peace Education project supports young people in Sudan and Ethiopia to participate more effectively in peace processes, helping them to make a difference in their own communities.

Co-funded by the EU, the project works with almost 5,000 students and 120 peace researchers in Sudan and Ethiopia. Despite the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in 2023, the project continues to support peace in Sudan.

Supporting creative enterprise in Africa

Our Creative DNA programme promotes alternative and innovative approaches to the global fashion system. It aims to demonstrate that the fashion sector across Sub-Saharan Africa is a viable career option for young people and a valuable contributor to the creative economy and growth.

Participants receive training, financial support, access to market opportunities and connections to professional networks to develop their careers.

Celebrating creative collaborations

The £1 million International Collaboration Grants programme supports the creation of new cultural collaborations between UK artists, arts professionals and organisations and their peers around the world. The fund encourages new bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Grant recipients benefit from international collaboration by learning new skills from their partners. It also raises the profile of creative professionals giving them international visibility and access to new audiences.

Pioneering innovation in English teaching

For over ten years the British Council managed Plan Ceibal programme has delivered English lessons via video conferencing to schools in Uruguay. 

To date, almost 300,000 students have received English lessons. The programme has revolutionised English teaching in Uruguay. It not only provides a solution for the shortage of teachers, but also lays the groundwork for a long-term transformation in the education system.  

Empowering women and girls in South Asia

 Working with partners, our English and Digital for Girls' Education (EDGE) focuses on improving life prospects and building English, ICT and social skills among girls aged 14–19 across South Asia.

We specifically work with girls who are either currently out of school or living in socio-economically marginalised communities to support adolescent girls to make more informed and independent life choices so that they can contribute more fully to the family, the economy and society.

Opening dialogue in international education

In 2022 the Going Global Asia Pacific conference combined in-person and online sessions to bring together almost 300 senior leaders from the tertiary education sector. The primary focus of the conference was the pursuit of equity in international education against the backdrop of changing, volatile and inequitable interrelated challenges.

Running since 2004, Going Global is a vital fixture on the global education calendar. The 2024 conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Equipping young people with climate skills

Climate Skills, a partnership with HSBC, is a global programme working with young people to provide them with the resources needed to be resilient to the impacts of climate change. The programme focuses on equipping young people with green skills through training, mentorship and grants.  

We connect young people with experts working on climate issues so they can work together to inspire a fairer and more sustainable future.