Call for Grant Applications – UNESCO Creative Cities Network – 2025 Call for Applications
About Organisation
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting international collaboration in education, science, and culture. As part of its mission to foster creativity and cultural exchange, UNESCO has created the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). This network brings together cities from diverse regions and backgrounds, working together to make culture and creativity central to urban development. The UCCN helps cities become more sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and future-proof, aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By fostering cooperation, solidarity, and dialogue, the network strengthens local communities and promotes the exchange of ideas to support cultural diversity and creativity worldwide. Through this initiative, UNESCO recognizes and supports cities that have demonstrated a commitment to cultural and creative industries, ultimately contributing to the global effort of creating safer, more vibrant, and future-ready cities.
About the Grant
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) invites cities from UNESCO’s Member States and Associate Members to apply for designation in recognition of their contributions to culture and creativity. This program aims to integrate culture and creativity into urban development plans, making cities more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UCCN supports cities that have a well-defined action plan for fostering cultural and creative industries, focusing on diverse creative fields. Each city selected will join a global network that works together on shared objectives to promote solidarity, cooperation, and cultural exchange. The 2025 Call for Applications is open to cities from all regions, with an emphasis on encouraging applications from under-represented areas like Africa and Arab States. UNESCO aims to designate cities that contribute to the Network’s mission, promoting creativity while ensuring that urban areas are safe, inclusive, and sustainable for future generations.
Who can Apply?
Applications are open to all cities in UNESCO’s Member States and Associate Members. However, UNESCO reserves the right to limit the number of designations based on geographic or thematic priorities. For the 2025 Call, only two applications per country can be submitted, and they must be in different creative fields. UNESCO particularly encourages applications from under-represented regions, such as Africa and Arab States, to enhance the diversity and geographic representation of the Network. Cities that have submitted two consecutive unsuccessful applications must observe a moratorium of four years before submitting a new application. To be considered, cities must demonstrate their commitment to promoting culture and creativity, fostering cooperation, and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Applicants must also present an action plan that reflects the city’s potential contribution to the Network’s objectives and UNESCO’s overall priorities, including the promotion of cultural dialogue, solidarity, and collaboration at all levels.
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted through the dedicated online platform. Prepare in advance by forming a management team, involving relevant local stakeholders, and reviewing the UCCN Mission Statement and Application Guidelines.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is January 31, 2025.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
