Beyond Literature Borders

Independent literature organisation Speaking Volumes is partnering with the British Council on a new pilot scheme offering four grants of £7,000 each. Beyond Literature Borders is designed to give UK-based arts organisations the opportunity to develop and deliver a discrete literature project in collaboration with an international partner. 

To apply, organisations must be diverse-led and/or working with underrepresented voices and with limited or no experience of working internationally. They will be expected to work with a partner based in one of 44 different countries listed which range across continents — from Nigeria to North Macedonia, from Syria to Sri Lanka. 

As well as the £7,000 grant, Beyond Literature Borders organisations will have the support and advice of both the British Council and Speaking Volumes for their year-long projects. The awardees will be encouraged to use this opportunity to develop further international work in the future.

This partnership brings Speaking Volumes' extensive experience of working with underrepresented voices in literature and running complex international programmes together with the British Council’s mission to build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and worldwide.

 Sinéad Russell of the British Council said:

‘We are delighted to be collaborating with Speaking Volumes on this new international grants opportunity. We know that building connections and collaborations with peers worldwide can be transformative and we hope that this pilot programme will support a wider diversity of literature organisations to benefit from the opportunities presented by international working.’

Sharmilla Beezmohun, co-founder of Speaking Volumes, said:

‘We relish the chance to add to our experience by helping to run this pilot programme, where we’ll also be able to pass on many of the valuable lessons that we’ve learned from our own international projects.’