Cultural associations are vital platforms for knowledge production, talent support, and bridges that connect society with its heritage, identity, and a more prosperous cultural future. The program targets registered cultural associations in the state, including associations of folk arts, theaters, and musical bands. Those interested in obtaining these grants can apply electronically through the Ministry of Culture's website, provided that the application includes a detailed plan for the project or program, in addition to the required documents according to the conditions published on the website. It is worth noting that applications are subject to a rigorous evaluation process based on governance, cultural impact, sustainability, and innovation criteria to ensure the selection of the most influential projects capable of serving the community. Last December, the list of projects that received grants from the cultural associations of public benefit for the year 2025 was announced, which included a number of distinguished initiatives as part of its keenness to empower cultural associations and support their quality initiatives in various fields of arts, heritage, and creativity. Mubarak Al-Nakhi: The Ministry of Culture announced the launch of the new cycle of the cultural associations of public benefit projects grants program for the year 2026, aiming to enhance the role of cultural associations and artistic bands and empower them to implement quality projects that contribute to strengthening the national identity, providing new platforms for talents, and expanding cultural participation across the country's emirates. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Mubarak Al-Nakhi, said: "The launch of the cultural associations grants program is a strategic step within a broader vision that aims to build a renewable cultural system capable of keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the creative scene, as cultural associations are vital platforms for knowledge production, talent support, and bridges that connect society with its heritage, identity, and a more prosperous cultural future." He added: "We view these associations as a key partner in shaping the national cultural landscape and supporting the creative economy, and through this new cycle of the grants program, we work on empowering associations to develop quality projects that contribute to enhancing the presence of arts, expanding community participation, and innovating initiatives capable of creating a sustainable cultural impact across the country's emirates." The cultural associations grants program constitutes one of the main pillars on which the Ministry relies to support the local cultural movement, as it provides direct funding to public benefit cultural associations and licensed artistic bands, enabling them to implement their annual quality programs and initiatives, and enhances their contribution to enriching the cultural life and serving the community. The program includes grants dedicated to supporting innovative projects that align with the associations' plans in multiple fields such as cultural festivals, cultural education, creative production, and international participation. It also includes fields of literature and the Arabic language, music, film and cinema, cultural heritage and national identity, design and architecture, visual and digital arts, animation and video games, and culinary arts.
