In July 2008, the Historic Port Cities in the Straits of Malacca, George Town and Melaka were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their living culture, history, architecture and multiculturalism.

The fourth round of the George Town Grants Programme (GTGP), will be utilized to carry out programmes jointly with civil society and the private sector, capacity building and capability development for the protection and development of the living heritage, culture and architecture and to provide support for the re-generation of the George Town area.

The operating principles of the GTGP are to:

• Develop community-level strategies and implement programmes that enhances George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values over time.


• Gather lessons from community-level experience and initiate the sharing of successful strategies and innovations among stakeholders.


• Build partnerships and networks of stakeholders to support and strengthen the community, particularly promoting sustainable development.


• Ensure that conservation and sustainable development strategies and projects that protect the World Heritage Site are understood and practised by communities and other key stakeholders.


• Stimulate public-private partnerships especially in heritage-related projects.


• Provide incentives to property owners to adopt heritage conservation as a way of life.

Submitted proposals should be catalytic and creative in nature, sustainable, inclusive and developmental within the key focus areas.

Project selection would be on a competitive basis in order to:

• Generate best ideas.


• Spark synergies and forge collaborations e.g. between individuals, NGOs, the public & private sectors.


• Mobilize additional resources, e.g. via matching grants & partnerships.

Download application form

Source: Think City