Organizer Information
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the specialized UN agency dedicated to building peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences, and Culture. This specific initiative is managed under the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals, generously supported by the Kingdom of Norway. The programme is a key instrument in implementing the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, focusing on the socio-economic rights of creators and the protection of artistic freedom.
Title & Description
Call for Projects: UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals
This call aims to address the structural vulnerabilities and precarious working conditions faced by artists globally. It supports initiatives that ensure artists can earn a stable living, secure social protection, and create without fear of censorship. The programme is divided into two distinct tracks:
- Track 1 (For Governments & Public Institutions): Offers technical assistance to design or revise laws, regulations, and policies that improve the status of the artist.
- Track 2 (For Civil Society Organisations): Provides financial assistance for innovative projects—such as capacity building, advocacy, and research—that advance artistic freedom and the status of artists at local, national, or regional levels.
Categories
The call is open to all sectors of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). This includes, but is not limited to:
- Visual Arts & Design: Painting, sculpture, photography, and fashion.
- Performing Arts: Music, dance, and theatre.
- Audiovisual & Digital Media: Film, television, and projects addressing the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on creativity.
- Literature & Publishing: Writing and related professional activities.
- Cross-disciplinary: Projects focusing on artistic freedom, mobility, and social protection across all artistic mediums.
Eligibility
- Track 1: Governments and public institutions from UNESCO Member States (national ministries, arts councils, parliaments, etc.).
- Track 2: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), professional associations, foundations, networks, and unions of artists and cultural professionals.
- Priority: Specific attention is given to projects from the Global South, Africa, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as those addressing the "double vulnerability" of women and youth in the creative sector.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Technical Assistance (Track 1): Access to high-level expertise and consultancy to help draft and implement legislative reforms.
- Financial Assistance (Track 2): Grants for projects that demonstrate innovation in protecting the socio-economic rights of artists.
- Capacity Building: Training and workshops facilitated by UNESCO to strengthen local institutions.
- Global Visibility: Selected projects become part of a global network and are featured in UNESCO monitoring reports.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Electronic Application Form: Available for download on the UNESCO website (specific forms for Gov or CSO).
- Language: Form must be completed in either English or French.
- Supporting Documents: Evidence of legal status (for CSOs), detailed project budget, and work plan.
- Signature: The form must be signed and dated by the authorised representative.
How to Apply?
Download the application form and apply by email to aschberg@unesco.org.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 23 February 2026
- Implementation Window: Projects are expected to be executed during the 2026–2027 cycle.
Location
Paris, France
Additional Details
The 2025 call places a new emphasis on the accelerating digital transformation, specifically the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative sector and the importance of safeguarding cultural rights in emergency situations. Applicants are encouraged to align their projects with the commitments made during the MONDIACULT 2025 World Conference.