Empowering the next generation of creative talent to unlock innovative approaches to our global sustainability challenges.
Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future is a global education and grant programme designed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships to identify and accelerate the next generation of creatives in sustainable development.
Applications for the next edition of the Creatives For Our Future programme have now closed, successful applicants will be notified and publicly announced in April 2025 in New York.
Overview
The programme is open to creatives worldwide aged 21 to 30 at the time of application from areas such as fashion, design, art, architecture, and engineering. Applicants should be working on a project or product that uses creativity to accelerate awareness, technology, or solutions to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Successful participants will receive financial support paired with an education programme, one-on-one mentorship, masterclasses, network connections, and industry event access. The programme equips creatives with the education, tools, and relationships to make their groundbreaking ideas a reality.
We seek young sustainability trailblazers to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Impact
The impact vision for our Creatives for Our Future programme is to empower young, conscious creatives to make a sustainable difference through their innovative professional practices.
By supporting a select group of emerging change-makers across the world to push their work further, we provide them with the resources they need to take vital steps in their careers that advance their creative practices toward global sustainable development.
1500
Applications
92
Countries
21
Cohort Members
Our timeline for the this year
Below are key dates to keep in mind, click on any of them for more information.
The fourth edition of the Creatives For Our Future programme will officially open for applications on 3rd September 2024 via the programme's website (www.sfcreatives.org). All necessary information, including application guidelines, can be found on the 'Application' page of the website.
The application deadline for the fourth edition of the Creatives For Our Future programme is 15th October 2024 (11:59 PM BST). Submit your application through the programme's 'Application' page on the website before the deadline.
Successful applicants for the fourth edition of the Creatives For Our Future programme will be selected by the Swarovski Foundation Selection Committee and notified by email in January 2025 (exact date to be confirmed). You are required to respond within 4 days of receiving notification of being successful to keep your position.
All successful applicants selected for the fourth edition of the Creatives For Our Future programme are required to participate in the New York trip and attend the announcement event at the United Nations Headquarters in April 2025. This event will serve as a significant milestone in the programme, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders, network with fellow creatives, and showcase their work on an international stage.
The fourth edition of the Creatives for Our Future programme is set to officially commence in May 2025. At the start of this exciting phase, each successful applicant will be awarded a €20,000 grant to support their creative projects. Additionally, they will be matched with a mentor who has experience in a similar creative industry, providing valuable guidance and support. Furthermore, the programme will kick off with a series of online educational masterclasses designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their creative endeavors.
In October 2025, the programme will feature a mid-year check-in with each cohort member to assess their progress and ensure they are on track with their projects. This period will also include a virtual roundtable event, providing the cohort with a valuable opportunity to connect with alumni from the programme, exchange insights, and gain inspiration from those who have previously participated.
In April 2026, coinciding with World Creativity and Innovation Day, the cohort will conclude their participation in the Creatives For Our Future programme. To mark the end of this transformative journey, they will take part in a virtual graduation event where they will present their completed projects to their peers and programme advocates, celebrating their achievements and the impact of their creative work.
Latest news
Established in 2013, the Swarovski Foundation is inspired by a long history of philanthropy initiated by the company founder Daniel Swarovski who believed that “to achieve lasting change, you must think not only of yourself but also of others”.
The Swarovski Foundation's mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality by supporting initiatives focusing on Equity, Water, and Creativity and through programmes: Waterschool and Creatives for Our Future.
Since its inception, the Swarovski Foundation has reached over 2 million people in 93 countries through 85 partnerships to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.
