Global Engagement Scheme: Grant-In-Aid To Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies

The scheme "Global Engagement Scheme: Grant-In-Aid To Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies" component of the Global Engagement Scheme by the ICR Division, Ministry of Culture, Government of India aims to generate greater understanding of India's culture and foster closer friendship with people of other countries. Through this component, financial grants are provided to Indo-Foreign Friendship/Cultural Societies actively functioning in foreign countries. The component is implemented by the Ministry of Culture through Indian Missions abroad, with grants authorised via the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and proposals examined by an Expert Committee.

Objectives:

• Generate greater understanding of India's culture.
• Foster closer friendship with people of other countries.
• Promote interaction between eminent Indian scholars and their foreign counterparts through holding of seminars on related topics.

Activities for which the Grant is given to the Cultural Societies recommended by the Indian Mission:

Grants under the scheme will be given primarily to cover expenses of the grantees on activities which help projection of India's cultural image and generation of greater understanding of its cultural heritage, and for promoting bilateral cultural contacts by organising the following:

• Dance (classical, folk and workshops).

• Music (vocal, instrumental, Sufi, classical, semi-classical, Carnatic, contemporary, workshops, etc.).

• Photo Exhibitions on culture-related topics.

• Exhibitions on Books and other culture-related topics/material.

• Publication of Books/journals on culture.

• Promotion of Hindi and other Indian languages by organising activities like Workshops, Essay Competition, Dictation and Valedictory Session, Kavi Sammelan and publication of a regional language magazine, etc.

• Furnishing the premises of societies having adequate space with replicas of exhibits sourced from the Indian Mission in lieu of cash grant.

• Visual Arts and Crafts such as such ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.

• Contemporary and Modern/Fine Art exhibitions.

• Theatre: Drama, Skit, Mime, Mimicry and workshops.

• Activities to promote Folk Arts viz Mehendi, Puppetry and Rangoli.

• Classes/Courses in Yoga art.

• Organisation of Literary events like Debate, Elocution, Creative Writing workshops, Book reading sessions, etc.

• Organisation of lecture-demonstrations, seminars, symposiums and conferences on culture-related topics.

• Discussions on Indian culture, history, civilisation by inviting eminent scholars, artists, etc. who are interested in Indian affairs can be sponsored.

• Promoting interaction between distinguished visiting Indian academics, artists etc with their local counterparts, etc.

• Celebrations of Indian festivals

• Celebration of National days like India's Republic Day, International Day of Yoga, Indian Independence Day, Hindi Diwas, Gandhi Jayanti, etc.

• Celebrations of Anniversaries and centenaries of great Indian personalities and other commemorations of National importance. In this regard, the following activities may be organised.

  • Organise plays on the theme
  • Use the theme for activities planned for National Days.
  • The Works of the personality be translated into major world languages and
  • Digital Library promotion through Indian Embassies.
  • Kavi Sammelans in regional languages.
  • Indian Vegetarian Food Festival to be organised by Indian Embassies abroad.
  • Commemorative postage stamp on Gandhi to be released. VII. Release of Commemorative coin.
  • Exhibitions of paintings, rare photographs, books, sculptures, artefacts.
  • National/International seminars, workshops, competitions, lectures.
  • Illumination of iconic buildings.

Please Note: This Scheme does not grant any funds for operational/ maintenance/capital creation cost of the societies.

Amount of Grant:

• The grant shall not ordinarily exceed ₹10,00,000/- (ten lakh) per annum per society.
• There is no limit specified on funds authorised to the Mission, as this depends on the funds the Mission can utilise for cultural promotion as per the available number of societies.
• An additional amount over and above the maximum limit, up to ₹25,00,000/- (twenty-five lakh), may be granted at the discretion of the Secretary (Culture) in consultation with the Financial Adviser (Culture), where the Ministry proposes to organise the Festival of India/culture weeks to enable expenditure towards hosting cultural troupes, etc.

1. The applicant (society) should be an Indo-Foreign Friendship/Cultural Society actively functioning in a foreign country, with the object of fostering closer friendship and cultural contacts between India and the foreign country concerned.
2. The applicant should be actively engaged in the task of fostering friendly relations and projecting India's culture in the country concerned.
3. The applicant should have a definite and well-planned programme of activities, for which financial assistance by the Government of India is considered necessary.
4. The applicant should have gainfully utilised the earlier grant, if any, sanctioned by the Government of India.

Offline

1. The Indian Mission ensures the society meets eligibility criteria that it is actively engaged in fostering friendly relations and projecting India's culture, has a well-planned programme of activities, and has gainfully utilised any earlier grant.
2. The Mission compiles and submits the proposal, comprising Details of the Society (Annexure A), Plan of Activities for the Current Financial Year (Annexure B), Certificate of No Corrupt Practices (Annexure C), Certificate of No Sectarian Activities (Annexure D), and the Utilisation Certificate (GFR 12-A) for any grant last sanctioned.
3. The Expert Committee, chaired by the Bureau Head In-charge of the ICR Division, with members from IFD, ICCR, and Sangeet Natak Akademi, and convened by the Director/DS (ICR), examines the proposal and recommends the quantum of grant for each society.
4. The competent authority sanctions the grant to the Bureau Head In-charge of the concerned Division for amounts up to ₹10,00,000/-, or, at the discretion of the Secretary (Culture) in consultation with the Financial Adviser (Culture), up to ₹25,00,000/- in special cases relating to Festival of India/culture weeks.
5. The grant is issued as an authorisation to the Indian Mission through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the amount is placed with the Mission in their accounts.
6. The Mission informally checks the accounts of the grantee to satisfy itself that the grant has been properly utilised.
7. After utilising the grant, the society/Mission furnishes the Event Review Report (Annexure E) and a performance-cum-achievement report (2 copies) to the Ministry; video/photo/newspaper clips/audio material may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected].
8. Any unspent balance with the grantee is surrendered to the Government without delay.

1. Details of the Society (Annexure A)
2. Plan of Activities for the Current Financial Year (Annexure B)
3. Certificate Stating that the Society Is Not Involved in Corrupt Practices (Annexure C)
4. Certificate Stating that the Society Recommended for Grant Does Not Indulge in Sectarian Activities (Annexure D)
5. Event Review Report — to be furnished after utilising the grant (Annexure E)
6. Utilisation Certificate for the Grant Last Sanctioned (Form GFR 12-A) (required if a previous grant was sanctioned)

1. The scheme does not grant funds for operational, maintenance, or capital creation costs of the societies.
2. The applicant should not have been sanctioned grant-in-aid for the same activity/purpose from any other source.
3. No other bill for the same purpose and instalment should have already been paid earlier to the grantee.
4. The applicant (society) should not indulge in activities which are sectarian in nature.
5. Grants should normally be utilised for the activities of the society, and not for the direct activities of the Missions.