The British Council has announced two open calls under the global movement "WOW – Women of the World", inviting artists and cultural practitioners in Bangladesh and the UK, as well as arts organisations in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, to submit proposals exploring gender equality through creative expression.
The deadline for applications is 16 November 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (BST). Full details are available on the British Council Bangladesh website. An online information webinar for registered participants will be held on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at 5:30 p.m. BST.
WOW – Women of the World is a global initiative celebrating women, girls, and non-binary people, advocating for gender equality through creativity, dialogue, and collaboration. In Bangladesh, WOW has grown since 2017 through divisional festivals, culminating in the national WOW Dhaka in 2019.
For WOW Bangladesh 2025–2026, participants are encouraged to propose artistic or cultural projects connected to one or more of the following themes:
Under the first open call, 'WOW Bangladesh Commissions 2025', grants of up to £12,000 (in BDT equivalent) will support artists and cultural practitioners in developing, producing, and presenting new creative works in Bangladesh in 2026.
The second open call, 'WOW Bangladesh Chapters 2026', offers grants of up to £23,000 (in BDT equivalent) to arts organisations in Chattogram, Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Sylhet to host day-long WOW Chapter events between 1 January and 30 August 2026.
Both calls are open to all cultural disciplines, encouraging bold, collaborative, and publicly engaging proposals through exhibitions, performances, screenings, and discussions that explore the intersections of gender and society.
For registration, eligibility details, and application guidelines, visit: www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/programmes/arts
Explore past editions of WOW Bangladesh: www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/programmes/arts/wow-women-world