Foreword
In recent years, cutting-edge digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain have been widely applied to cultural activities, products, and services. Their role in promoting the diversity of cultural expressions has become increasingly prominent, reshaping the entire value chain of the cultural industry, from creation and production to dissemination and consumption. This has injected new vitality into the protection, inheritance, and innovation of world cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions continues to focus on the profound impact of digital technologies on the protection of cultural resources, cross-cultural interaction and the development of cultural diversity.
The International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO (ICCSD) launched the first Protecting and Promoting of Cultural Diversity in the Digital Environment case collection in 2024, which received an encouraging public response. In 2025, to address the global demand for digital transformation and advance international cooperation in the integration of culture and technology, the ICCSD is launching a new round of case submissions. This round focuses on soliciting cases from enterprises and organizations worldwide that are dedicated to driving cultural development through technological innovation. The initiative aims to gather global innovative best practices in the fusion of technology and culture, the protection and transmission of cultural heritage, thereby promoting experience exchange and mutual learning between domestic and international entities and injecting sustainable momentum into the protection of the diversity of cultural expressions in the global digital environment.
Organizer
International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO (ICCSD)
Theme
Protecting and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
Submission Details
Submission Period: From now until January 31, 2026
Scope of Submission: Submitted cases should focus on one of the following tracks:
Track 1: Technology Empowering the Development of Cultural Industries
Focuses on application cases of digital technology in cultural industries such as film and television, performing arts, and gaming, covering aspects like content creation, production upgrades, and dissemination innovation. This includes AI-empowered content creation, production upgrades like metaverse cultural tourism game development, dissemination innovations such as digital libraries, and consumption upgrades like immersive performing arts.
Track 2: Technology Empowering the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Focuses on application cases of digital technology in the synergistic development of cultural heritage protection and the diversity of cultural expressions. This includes the digital collection and storage of cultural heritage, monitoring and restoration of cultural heritage, revitalization and dissemination of cultural heritage, and cross-regional collaboration on cultural heritage.
Track 3: Technology Empowering the Inheritance and Innovation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Focuses on application cases of digital technology in the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and innovation in the diversity of cultural expressions. This includes the digital documentation of ICH, innovation in ICH inheritance, copyright protection and value transformation of ICH, and community-based transmission.
Submission Requirements
1. Submitted cases must be closely related to the theme "Protecting and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment" and align with one of the three submission tracks mentioned above.
2. Please complete the application form (available on the official ICCSD website: https://city.cri.cn/unesco-iccsd) and provide necessary supporting materials such as images, videos, audio files, systems, or applications to support the case description and ensure effective case presentation.
3. Eligible cases must be works, technologies, services, or projects that were completed, published, or patented between 2022 and 2025.
4. Applicants must ensure the authenticity and legality of the submitted case and either own the full intellectual property rights or have obtained authorization from the relevant rights holders.
5. The copyright owner and other participants of the same case can apply jointly.
Evaluation Criteria
·Innovation
·Impact
·Sustainability
·Compliance and authenticity
·International adaptability and regional balance
·Replicability and scalability
Promotion
Outstanding cases will be showcased and promoted on the official website of ICCSD and relevant media platforms to further enhance their visibility and impact.
Recipients of outstanding cases will receive certificates issued by ICCSD.
Online and offline exchange activities will be organized with case representatives to promote the protection and dissemination of the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment.
Submission Method
Applicants (individuals or teams) must download the electronic application form from the official ICCSD website (https://city.cri.cn/unesco-iccsd), complete it truthfully based on the specifics of the project, and submit the following materials in a compressed file to media@unesco-iccsd.com
no later than 12:00 (Beijing Time) on January 31, 2026:
1. Electronic application form (Word source file and scanned PDF copy with signature/seal)
2. Electronic version of the case description (Word format)
3. Relevant supporting materials, including images, audio/video files, software, systems, databases, etc.
The email subject line and the compressed file should be named in the format: "Country + City + Case Name" (e.g., "China Beijing XXX Project").
Contact and Consultation
Updates and relevant information regarding this call for submissions will be released on the official ICCSD website.
For inquiries or assistance, please contact the International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO:
Email: media@unesco-iccsd.com
Tel: +86-10-8788-8202 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00)
