i have some experience of small grant applications… but not much

art council money distrbution really depends on which panel reviews your application… at work i put in for a photography project that was rejected.. we got the money elsewhere anyway and when the exhibition was up in the local art centre, the chair of the arts council said that if was doing anything similar in future, i should apply to them. i told him we had, but had ben rejected and he was furious with the panel that had reviewed the application

so a bit of priming can help oil the wheels

awards for all could work, after all you’re young (under 25?) and unemployed

are you still in france? if you’re back in UK you could try your local council for voluntary service… they vary from place to place, but they do have a role to provide funding advice and supporting applications… some are quite forward-thinking and developed, while others are old ladies in tweed and flat shoes… postcode lottery there

IM me with a bit more about what you need, exactly and I can use something at work called Grantfinder, which might open some other avenues for you