Kickoff ceremony for the competitive bidding phase of our city's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Design

On August 26th, 2025, Essen kicked off its bid to join the prestigious ranks of UNESCO Creative Cities of Design (UCCD). This ambitious move forms part of the 2027 application cycle and, if successful, would see Essen become part of a worldwide network of design cities.

The city's application is an open invitation to Essen's cultural and creative scene to actively shape this opportunity. The goal is to make Essen's identity as a design city visible to other cities and countries, with a focus on improving the living space of citizens through design.

The bid is a collaborative effort, with representatives from culture, business, science, and the city coming together in the first meeting of the steering committee. Partners from Essen's cultural and creative scene involved in actively shaping the city's application include representatives from the city administration, economy, science, and key actors like the Folkwang University of the Arts, the University of Fine Arts (HBK), the Red Dot Design Museum, and various active cultural and design branches.

The application process is issued by the city portal's Press and Communications Office, and interested parties are encouraged to reach out via telephone at +49 201 88-0, email at presse@our website, or visit www.our website/presse for more information.

Culture and creativity will be centrally anchored in urban development, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Essen aspires to be a significant national and global hub for the cultural and creative industries, with a commitment to active participation to shape the application for UNESCO Creative City of Design as a sustainable and inclusive process.

The journey itself brings valuable impulses. The focus of the initial meeting was on aligning objectives, discussing current status, identifying challenges, setting a timeline, and considering potential cooperations, including international ones. Essen aims to engage with UNESCO goals for international cooperation, democracy promotion, and peacebuilding through culture and creativity.

The bid also aims to increase international visibility and cooperation. By becoming a UCCD, Essen hopes to make a significant contribution to the global design community, fostering collaboration and exchange between cities, and promoting barrier-free, inclusive, diverse, and sustainable design practices. The city's commitment to this cause is evident in its goal to make art and design an integral part of all development processes.

In a bid to ensure transparency and inclusivity, the application process is open to all, with the city's identity being shaped not just by the city administration, but by its diverse cultural and creative scene. This approach reflects Essen's commitment to becoming a city in its diversity, not just a city administration.

In conclusion, Essen's bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Design is more than just an application; it's a journey towards becoming a global hub for design and creativity, a commitment to sustainable and inclusive urban development, and a step towards fostering international cooperation and peacebuilding through culture and creativity.

Kickoff ceremony for the competitive bidding phase of our city's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Design