We are the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations with other countries. Our approach to cultural relations is a broad one. It covers governance and human rights as well as the arts, science, education and inter-cultural dialogue - and we set out deliberately to break down the boundaries between them. The British Council's mission in Europe is to create partnerships and networks in Europe for the United Kingdom’s benefit in the world. Our vision is to work together to build next generation Europe.

Our work includes designing bilateral or multilateral projects, providing information and advice and brokering partnerships, and fits within the following strategic themes:

• Open Europe: intercultural networks and partnerships for a more tolerant and inclusive Europe
• Competitive Europe: education and skills for a globalising Europe
• Creative Europe: networks and partnerships for a knowledge based Europe
• World Europe: European networks and partnerships mobilised for global agendas

With the support of our specialist colleagues in the UK and in other British Council offices, we work with European professionals and decision-makers, building relationships and creating opportunities to share experience and ideas through long-term programmes in education, science, the arts and governance. These programmes are carried out in partnership with European organisations and are of mutual relevance. Usually, we plan our project involvement at least one year in advance.

working with us
If you have a proposal for collaboration, please contact the responsible manager with details of your plan. Be aware though that we are not a funding organisation, but are happy to help in many other ways. All potential activities are assessed in light of our current priorities, both local and international. Have a look at some of our activities to give you an idea of the type of work we are involved with. Even though we may not be able to be directly involved in a project, we may be able to suggest other organisations for collaboration.

how we came to be
The British Council was founded in 1934. The Netherlands’ office opened in Amsterdam in 1945. In 2002 we moved to our current location on the Weteringschans. As a result of this move, we have closed our Education Information Centre and are no longer open to the public.

our relation with UK policy
We work closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, but operate at arm's length from the government. This enables the relationships we build to endure despite changes in government or policy. We contribute in a distinctive but integral way to the United Kingdom’s international relations, supporting and complementing its diplomatic, commercial and development efforts.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY
The British Council is committed to equality of opportunity and positive action to promote equality of opportunity. It believes that an Equal Opportunities Policy helps to ensure that there is no unjustified discrimination in the recruitment, retention, training and development of staff on the basis of gender, marital status, sexual identity, religious belief, political opinion, race, work pattern, age, disability or HIV/AIDS status, socio-economic background, spent convictions, trade union activity or membership, or on the basis of having or not having dependants. It also believes that an Equal Opportunities Policy benefits employees and potential employees and helps achieve dignity at work and contributes to providing the best possible services to partners and clients.
For more information, read our Equal Opportunities and Diversity page.