Call for applications: UNESCO-Aschberg programme for artists and cultural pros

The call is designed to support states and key actors in their efforts to promote the status of the artist and the diversity of cultural expressions. It seeks to improve the social and economic protection of artists, decent employment and the balanced circulation of cultural goods and services.

The programme was launched by UNESCO in 2020, with more than 270 debates involving artists, policymakers and cultural organisations from 110 countries. The consultations were aimed at highlighting the gap in legal, policy and regulatory frameworks related to the status of the artist. They also reaffirmed the importance of the staartists for economic growth, social cohesion and sustainable development.

General eligibility conditions

Eligible entities/organisations

• Governmental and national institutions dealing with the status of the artist and cultural professionals.
• National ministries (Culture, Finance, Labour, Tourism, Communication and Social Affairs, etc.).
• National arts council and specialised committees dealing with arts, cultural and creative industries National Parliament and/or its special thematic commissions.
• Universities and research centres.
• Municipalities and cities’ councils.

Civil society organisations

• National, regional and international organisations, professional associations and foundations that are active in the cultural and creative industries.
• Groups that support the work of artists and cultural communities.
• Artist’s networks or unions, cultural associations

Criteria for evaluating proposals

Evaluation will be carried out according to seven main criteria:

• Relevance of the proposal to the advancement of the status of the artist and cultural professionals and alignment with the 2005 Convention’s and the 1980 recommendation’s objectives.
• The ability of the applicant to carry out proposed interventions and experience managing similar projects.
• Design of the proposal and ability to reach expected results within the proposed timeline, including clarity of identified needs and theory of change.
• Implementation modality, including methodology and gender approach.
• Cost-effectiveness of the proposal, as well as ability to mobilise in-kind contributions.
• Partnerships, including involvement of both government institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as other relevant groups.
• Communication and visibility strategy.

The applications are designed for CSOs and government institutions in the cultural sector. Government institutions and CSOs can download the application form here and here respectively. All applications should be submitted via email to aschberg@unesco.org before 3 December.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the entire cultural ecosystem and has further highlighted its fragility,” UNESCO assistant director-general for culture Ernesto Ramirez said. “As the recent UNESCO report on cultural and creative industries in the face of COVID-19 demonstrates, job losses in this area are conservatively estimated at 10 million worldwide, suggesting a rapid decline in employment that is profoundly affecting the livelihoods of creative workers.”

Secretary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions Toussaint Tiendrebeogo said: “With this call for projects, UNESCO aims to reinforce its technical assistance through a cutting-edge expertise to support the development of a more robust creative sector in line with the objectives of the 1980 Recommendation concerning the status of the artist and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.”

View the original call here.