Sustainability ICOM Award: Candidates Call for Applications

This groundbreaking initiative seeks to spotlight and celebrate your innovative initiatives and exemplary practices that contribute significantly to sustainable development within the museum sector. 

The ICOM Award is the first global award organised by ICOM that specifically acknowledges and honors sustainable development practices within the museum community. We believe in the power of museums to drive positive change and contribute meaningfully to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

The award aims to encourage the participation of Museums in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and shed light on the concrete actions undertaken in that direction. The award process aims to be a platform to communicate the diverse ways that museums are working towards sustainable development and the SDGs.  

The upcoming award ceremony will take place at the 2025 ICOM General Conference. 

If your museum has successfully implemented sustainable development actions and completed the project, ICOM wants to hear from you!

• Submissions will be judged based on the impact created by the project. Initiatives should demonstrate clear results, outcomes,or impact.
• ICOM is looking for a diverse range of submissions, from different museum types, addressing different sustainable development challenges. 
• Submissions are especially encouraged from small museums, small projects, and those that have pushed the boundaries of ‘standard’ museum practice.
  

Museums that are ICOM Members in good standing for the years 2023 and 2024 can apply for the Award. 

If you are not a member: 

If a museum is not yet an ICOM Member and belongs to Categories 1 and 2 (see the ICOM Membership grid), the museum can first apply for institutional membership in its own country to its National Committee. Once the membership application has been approved by its National Committee, it can be attached to the application for the Award together with the receipt of the first membership fee payment. You will find more information on the ICOM institutional membership here: 

Information on ICOM membership
Directory of ICOM National Committees

If a museum is not an ICOM Institutional Member and if the museum belongs to Categories 3, 4 and 5 (see the ICOM Membership grid), an ICOM Individual Member can apply for the Award. In that case, it must be done on behalf of the museum where they work, attaching a Letter of Support from the institution. 

Who cannot apply: 

ICOM Individual Members in Categories 1 and 2.
ICOM Individual Members in Categories 3, 4 and 5 without the support of the museum where they work.’

• Global Recognition: Showcase your institution or initiative on the world stage as a leader in sustainable development, particularly during the award ceremony at the 2025 General Conference. 
• Network Building: Connect with like-minded professionals, institutions, and experts from around the globe, fostering collaboration and shared learning. 
• Inspire Change: Demonstrate the impact of your efforts and inspire others in the museum sector to embrace and strengthen their commitment to sustainable development. 

 Before submitting your application 

• Get acquainted with the project submission portal 
• Consult the list of ICOM Bodies eligible to support your project
• Download the Project Description document to be uploaded via the submission portal
• Download the Endorsement letter to be completed and signed by your ICOM entity
• Learn more about Agenda 2030 and the SDG Targets

• Before 1 October 2024: Pre-fill the first section of the form and send it, along with the completed project description document, to your  ICOM entity to request an endorsement.
• Complete the information on the submission portal and upload the project description document together with the signed endorsement letter
• Deadline for submission: 1 November 2024

Apply

For more information

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

• Can I submit an ongoing project? 

The ICOM Award accepts projects that are already completed. Your project needs to be implemented between the 1st of January 2022 and the 1st of September 2024. 

• What is the Endorsement Process and how is it carried out? 

For ICOM Bodies: You can access the Endorsement Letter, Informative and promotional materials via your ICOM Member Space. If you do not have access to them, feel free to contact us. 

For Candidates: The Endorsement Process is a requirement to submit a valid application. Candidates will have to upload the “ICOM Award Endorsement letter” signed by the chair and Representative of the ICOM Body with their application. 

For more inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us at mas@icom.museum

Press release