Call for Applications: Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites (Deadline: 26 April 2023)

Eligible UNESCO sites are Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks, and Natural and Mixed World Heritage sites.

The project will work through a total of 15 sites in 3 years. Each year, UNESCO and the Advisory Board of the project will select 5 sites at the beginning of each one-year cycle. Each selected site will be expected to work on all 3 expected results and to focus on one topic throughout the project (for example, if the chosen topic is biodiversity, the site will implement research, education and innovative solutions dedicated to biodiversity).

For this second year of the project, sites must be located in the Europe and North America region. Sites under the direct purview of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe will be prioritized. Multi-designated areas, i.e. areas having obtained more than one UNESCO designation will be considered favourably. Two sites (such as a Global Geopark and a Biosphere Reserve) that are situated in a same geographical area may also decide to submit a joint proposal.

Each selected site will receive funding from the project to implement activities under the three expected results for a total amount of up to 25,000 USD per site. The selected sites will need to provide a detailed budget with itemized costs and an implementation plan.

Sites will be working closely with UNESCO for the implementation of the three expected results on the ground. In particular, UNESCO will work with the selected sites to ensure the work proposed is linked closely to UNESCO priorities (notably MAB, IHP, IGGP and IOC) and is scalable at the regional and global levels. UNESCO will also work closely with the communities involved in the activities (for example with the schools).

The 5 selected sites (per year) will have the opportunity to exchange and support each other throughout the 3-year project. Sites will be invited to present the results of their activities to UNESCO and the aCF as well as at international events organized by UNESCO.

The application must be submitted by 26 April 2023 at 23.59 CET as PDF file(s) in English or French, dated, stamped and signed with all necessary attachments by e-mail to the following address:  Regional.Bureau-SC@unesco.org. Applicants may direct questions related to the preparation of the application to the same e-mail address.