The Commonwealth Writers' Prize is a significant award for fictional literature, first presented in 1987. Organized and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation, the prize aims to promote new fictional works from the 53 member countries of the Commonwealth and ensure that outstanding literature reaches a wider audience beyond its country of origin. The Commonwealth Foundation, an intergovernmental organization, supports civil society organizations in Commonwealth countries and promotes democracy, development, and cultural understanding. The prize has established itself as an important annual event in the literary calendar, attracting both media and literary interest. Since 2006, the regional sections of the prize have been open for sponsorship, with the regions of Canada/Caribbean and Africa still seeking partners.