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:

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?

  1. 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.

  2. Submit your application and relevant documents at Creative KL Grants 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 [email protected] or message us via WhatsApp at +60 10-201 8930.

FAQs
ELIGIBILITY
APPLICATION
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.

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