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Call for Applications: Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites (Extended deadline: 9 May 2024)
The UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and the abrdn Charitable Foundation (aCF) are launching the third call for applications for UNESCO designated sites in Europe and North America, as a part of the 3-year project “Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites”.
This year, 5 new sites will be selected by the UNESCO and the Advisory Board of the project. Eligible UNESCO sites are Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks, and Natural and Mixed World Heritage sites 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 prioritised.
The application for funding will need to focus on 3 main expected results within the selected sites: 1) the promotion of scientific research activities in the areas of biodiversity, water, earth sciences, ocean, climate change and disasters linked with UNESCO priorities; 2) the promotion of education for sustainable development, water education and ocean literacy; 3) the innovative solutions within the sites, involving key stakeholders, such as local businesses, NGOs and youth.
Sites will be working closely with UNESCO for the implementation of the 3 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 regional and global levels. UNESCO will also collaborate with the communities involved in the activities (for example with the schools). Each selected site will receive funding from the project of a total of up to 25,000 USD per site to implement activities under the three expected results.
In addition, the selected sites of each 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.
The application must be submitted by 9 May 2024 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.
