Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme - Grants

Grants

Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme

Do you have a brilliant idea to transform Downtown Kuala Lumpur into a thriving creative and cultural hub?

The Creative Kuala Lumpur (Creative KL) Grants Programme conceived in 2020, is designed to revitalise the historical city centre towards the creation of a creative, liveable, and thriving hub. By empowering communities and providing opportunities for creative district revitalisation and economic development, the programme aims to enhance social and environmental resilience within Downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Think City, with the support of Ministry of Finance, Malaysia has continued the Creative KL Grants Programme initiative under Budget 2024, to achieve that vision and address the urban challenges present within Downtown Kuala Lumpur.

For more information on the grants, please download the Terms of Reference (TOR) below:

view terms of reference (PDF)

Focus Areas

The programme prioritises projects within the core area of Downtown KL i.e. 250m radius surrounding the Dataran Merdeka Area, Masjid Jamek LRT Station, Jalan Hang Lekiu Area and Pasar Seni Transit Hub. These areas are primarily within Downtown Kuala Lumpur (highlighted in red) and its other significant areas (outlined in blue). Nevertheless, applicants are welcome to propose projects within the KLCCD coverage area. (outined in grey).

Source: Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District (KLCCD) Strategic Masterplan

Grant Themes

The Creative KL Grants Programme seeks to support projects associated to six themes:

Space Rejuvenation

To revitalise and repurpose unutilised heritage assets and spaces around Downtown Kuala Lumpur. This will preserve our urban heritage, create positive spaces, and make the area appealing for residents and visitors.

Restoration and adaptive reuse
Technical support
Creative and cultural space enhancements

Creative & Cultural Seeding and Expansion

To support the establishment and growth of creative and cultural businesses to enhance socioeconomic development, ecosystem and community building whilst strengthening Downtown Kuala Lumpur’s identity as a thriving hub.

Business seeding
Business expansion

Creative Content and/or Activation

To support and strengthen the creative ecosystem by creating opportunities for artisans, cultural workers, and creative practitioners in Downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Research and publication
Activation and programming

Environmental Resilience

To foster vibrant, and liveable environments that attract people to live, work and play, by demonstrating effective urban greening, nature-based practices and innovative solutions.

Greening interventions
Innovative mitigations

Digitalisation

To promote innovative digital solutions, to engage the community, celebrate heritage assets, exchange knowledge and enhance visitor experiences.

Content digitalisation and gamification
Tech-enabled urban solutions

Capacity Building

To strengthen resilience, and community participation via programmes that are designed for local communities.

Professional development
Youth empowerment

For more information, please refer to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

What does the grant support?

The Creative KL Grants Programme provides funding for direct expenses related to proposed project, with grant amounts ranging from RM30,000 to RM300,000 per application.

It is important to note that the programme:

prioritises projects that have a RM1:RM1 co-investment;

prioritises projects with high impact potential;

supports projects that are inclusive to all communities, attract new users to the space, introduce new creative content, or diversify the usage of spaces; and

prioritises projects that can be completed by 30 June 2025.*

*A written request must be submitted to Think City by 1 May 2025 for any extension beyond deadline.

Application

When can you apply?

The grants programme is open for application from 8 May 2024 till 29 July 2024, with two (2) approval rounds in between.

8 May 2024

Application opens

21 June 2024

Application closes

5 AUGUST 2024

Applicants notified

29 July 2024

Applicants closes

9 September 2024

Applicants notified

1 Week post notification

Workshop for approved applicants

Who Can Apply?

The grants programme welcome individuals, collectives, community-based organisations, businesses and non-governmental organisations* with project ideas that can diversify the visitor experience, create culturally aligned local economic outcome and contribute to the rejuvenation efforts of Downtown Kuala Lumpur.

The lead applicant must take on full administrative responsibility and actively participate in the entire process.

*Organisations registered under Registrar of Companies, Registrar of Societies and/or Registrar of Businesses are welcome to apply.

How to apply?

Interested applicants are required to attend at least one of our outreach sessions (open days or info sessions). Dates for these sessions will be announced on the Think City website and communicated through all relevant Think City platforms.
Submit your application and relevant documents at Creative KL Grants application platform.

Visit Grant Application Platform

What does the grant support?

*Note: The examples provided above may not be exhaustive. Please contact Think City should you require further clarification.

The programme supports costs to mobilise the following activities or works:

Project mobilisation and preliminary works;
Materials and supplies;
Equipment and technology;
Professional services; and
Marketing and promotional activities.

The programme does not support costs to mobilise the following activities or works:

Past expenditures
Registration of affiliation fees or licenses;
Accommodation;
Cost of routine repair and maintenances;
Purchase and acquisition of physical assets;
Existing organisational overheads;
Fines, financial penalties and expenses of litigation;
Sales and Services Tax (SST)

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email us at downtownkl@thinkcity.com.my or message us via WhatsApp at +60 10-201 8930 .

FAQs

ELIGIBILITY

Can international applicants apply for this grant?
Priority will be given to Malaysians and Malaysia PR holders. However, we welcome international applications should you be residing in Malaysia and have a stake in a local business, property or project in Downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Can I still apply for this grant even though I am not part of the Creative Kuala Lumpur community, do not work and/or live in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, you are welcome to apply if your proposal targets to benefit the community within the defined Downtown Kuala Lumpur area and is within the grant themes outlined in the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme Terms of Reference.
I am currently a Think City Grants Programme recipient. Am I still eligible to apply for the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme?
Yes, you are welcome to apply. If your application for the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme is successful, you will need to fulfill the remaining requirements of the Think City funding programme and reporting. Only after successfully completing the outstanding Think City funding programme can you commence the project supported by the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme. Additionally, you must complete the projects funded by the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme within the specified timeline.
I have successfully secured grants from other donors, but I am still short of funds to realise my project. Am I eligible to apply for the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme?
Yes, you are welcome to apply. We highly encourage co-investments in projects. Please be sure to share the secured funding in the budget template of the application form and provide a letter of confirmation as supporting document.
Can I submit multiple applications for the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme?
You may if you would like but we would only approve one project per applicant per grant programme.
Can an individual or partnership of two or more organisations apply for the grant?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for the grant. However, the lead applicant must assume full administrative responsibility as well as be actively involved in the whole process.

APPLICATION

How can I apply for this grant?
Applications and relevant documents can be submitted at the Creative KL Grants application platform at https://creative-kl.grantplatform.com/ . Should you have any difficulties in the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Think City at downtownkl@thinkcity.com.my or drop a Whatsapp message at +60 10-201 8930.

Interested applicants are required to attend at least one of our outreach sessions. Dates of these sessions will be announced on the Think City website and communicated through all relevant Think City platforms.
Can I submit my application via e-mail?
We appreciate your interest in our grant programme. However, we’re unable to accept applications sent via e-mail. Please submit your application through our dedicated grant platform at https://creative-kl.grantplatform.com/. If you run into any issues while accessing the platform, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What are the documents that I need to submit for the application?
You will need to submit several documents, including a project proposal, as part of your application. For a comprehensive list of all required documents, please refer to the Terms of Reference.
What projects does the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme support?
The grant can support projects within Creative Kuala Lumpur of the following categories:

Space rejuvenation
Creative & cultural business seeding and/or expansion
Creative content and/or activation
Environmental resilience
Digitalisation
Capacity building

For more information, please refer to the Terms of Reference and attend the outreach sessions organised by Think City and its appointed community partners.
What is the deadline for grant applications? Can I apply for the grants at any time?
Submissions will be accepted beginning 8 May 2024 until 29 July 2024, with two approval rounds within this period.
What happens after I’ve submitted the application?
All applications are jointly assessed and approved through a highly competitive evaluation process. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified within six (6) weeks of every application deadline.
Will I be called in for a presentation or participate in a pitching session regarding my project upon submitting my application?
No, we will evaluate your application based on the submission provided. If we need further clarification on your project, we will contact you.
How long do we have to complete our project proposed in our application?
All projects must be completed before 30 June 2025. However, if the project is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, you can request for an extension of your grant term which must be submitted to Think City by 1 May 2025.
Are we allowed to submit an appeal if our application is rejected?
Think City will not be able to accept appeals. All decisions are final.

FUNDING

How much funding is available in the Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme?
All project funding will be considered on a case-to-case basis, based on the proposed outputs and its potential impact.
Does the grant fully fund our project?
The Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme supports direct expenses for project implementation that may range from RM30,000 to RM300,000 per application.

However, it is important to note that the programme:

prioritises projects that have a RM1:RM1 co-investment; and
prioritises projects with high impact potential and/ or publicly accessible;
prioritises projects that can be completed by 30 June 2025.
What does the grant support?
The total amount allocated to grantees is meant to support expenses and execution of the project within the stipulated time period outlined in the Grant Agreement.

For more information on eligible expenses, please refer to the Terms of Reference or contact Think City should you require further clarification.
Can we use this grant to pay employee salary or to pay for rent of my business premises?
No. The grant programme is aimed to support direct expenses of projects that will aid in driving creative and culture-based economy development and strengthening social, economic and environmental resilience within Downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Implementing Partners