The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965 is the main intergovernmental agency of the Commonwealth, facilitating consultation and co-operation among member governments and countries.

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The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation, resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments, and guided by Commonwealth values and priorities.

Our mandate is to strengthen civil society in the achievement of Commonwealth priorities, particularly those related to democracy and good governance, respect for human rights and gender equality, poverty eradication and sustainable, people-centred development, and to promote arts and culture.

The Foundation’s responsive grants enable people from the Commonwealth to participate in activities such as short training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, cultural festivals, exchanges and study visits in other Commonwealth countries.

The aim of the Commonwealth Arts and Craft Awards is to enable artists and crafts people to develop their art and share their practice in another Commonwealth Country. Ten awards of up to £8,000 are open to professional artists and crafts people aged between 20 and 45 from Commonwealth Countries. Each award will be given for residencies of between three and nine months.

For more information regarding the awards please visit www.commonwealthfoundation.com/culturediversity/craftawards

Courtesy of the High Commission for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund

Since 1925 the Commonwealth Countries League has worked to promote the development, education and empowerment of women. Through its charity, the CCL Education Fund, formed in the 1960's, it sponsors girls of proven potential enabling them to complete their secondary or high school education where, without such help, they would be unable to do so.

The main funding for the charity comes from Food and Crafts of the Commonwealth held in London during November.