Swarovski Foundation Offers €20,000 Grant to Young Creatives — Apply Now
Young creatives around the world with innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental challenges can now apply for the 2026 Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future Programme.
This is a global initiative offering financial support, mentorship and educational opportunities.
The fifth cycle of the programme opened applications on September 9, 2026, and is designed to identify and support emerging creative talents using their work to advance sustainable development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme is organised by the Swarovski Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships. It is open to creatives from around the world working across disciplines including fashion, jewellery, art, design, architecture, videography, photography, science, technology and engineering.
What Successful Applicants Will Receive
Selected participants will each receive a €20,000 grant, or the equivalent amount in an agreed local currency, to support the creative project submitted as part of their application.
Beyond the financial award, participants will gain access to a range of professional development opportunities, including:
- One-on-one mentorship with experienced professionals;
- Educational masterclasses and online learning;
- Industry networking opportunities;
- Communication and professional visibility opportunities;
- Access to programme events and an international creative network; and
- A planned trip to London for programme-related events, subject to final arrangements and UK entry requirements.
The €20,000 grant is intended to help successful participants develop their proposed creative project. According to the programme’s terms, the grant will be paid in two instalments, with 75 per cent paid initially and the remaining 25 per cent released following submission of a project progress report.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to individual creatives aged 21 to 30 at the time of the application deadline.
Applicants must be working on a project, product, research or creative practice that uses creativity to develop awareness, technology or practical solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
Applicants do not need to be based in a particular country, and they do not have to own a registered business or be enrolled in an educational institution to qualify. However, applications must be submitted by individuals rather than groups or co-founders applying jointly.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their creative work has the potential to contribute to sustainable development and explain how the programme’s funding, education and mentorship would help advance their project.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants will need to complete the online application in English and provide supporting materials, including:
- A creative portfolio of no more than 50MB;
- A two-minute introductory video presenting the applicant and their project;
- Proof of age;
- A valid passport;
- One academic or professional reference; and
- Other supporting documents requested through the application process.
Applicants should also have a clear plan for delivering tangible outcomes from their proposed project by September 2028.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026 cycle will close on November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. GMT.
Following the application period, submissions will undergo a review and selection process. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited for interviews in January 2027, while successful applicants will be notified by email in April 2027.
The programme is scheduled to commence in Fall 2027, when successful participants will receive their grants, begin mentorship and take part in educational masterclasses. The cohort is expected to complete the programme in September 2028.
How to Apply
Interested creatives can review the eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the official Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future application portal.
Apply for Creatives For Our Future 2026
With applications open globally, the programme provides an opportunity for young creatives to combine their artistic or technical practices with sustainable development while gaining access to funding, mentorship, education and international networks.
