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Transcultura receives the UN SIDS Partnerships Awards 2024 in an official ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York
On 10 July 2024, the programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, implemented by UNESCO and funded by the European Union, received the United Nations Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Partnerships Awards 2024 in the ‘Social’ category, during an official ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event took place during the Global Multi-Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue, held in parallel with the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The award jury recognized the transformative impact of the Transcultura programme, which, in its four years of implementation, has benefited over 1,600 young people, more than 50% of whom are women, from 17 Caribbean SIDS. Additionally, the programme has driven the creation of the first Caribbean Cultural Training Hub, establishing connections with seven significant educational institutions in Cuba and the Caribbean to professionalize the cultural and creative sector in the Caribbean.
The United Nations Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Partnerships Awards offer a platform to recognize and reward the efforts of the most noteworthy, genuine and durable partnerships. These awards highlight the best practices, increase the visibility of the SIDS Partnership Framework and foster the creation of new collaborations.
Upon receiving the award, Alessandra Borchi, Coordinator of the Transcultura programme at UNESCO, highlighted its innovative approach and the close relationship between capacity-building and career opportunities for Caribbean culture professionals.
Transcultura is a springboard for young creators in the Caribbean. Through training initiatives, entrepreneurship support and exchange activities, the programme promotes the professionalization of the cultural and creative industries in the region, while helping young artists and culture professionals to build their future.
Each year, these awards are given in line with the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, environmental and social. Transcultura directly contributes to the ‘Social Development’ priority by promoting cultural diversity, safeguarding cultural heritage and advancing sustainable tourism.
With 15 million euros (16.5 million US dollars) provided by the European Union, Transcultura is UNESCO’s largest programme in Latin America and the Caribbean and the most significant EU investment in culture in the region. Aiming to boost opportunities for Caribbean youth, it has promoted collaborative cultural exchanges involving more than 200 organizations from the Caribbean and Europe.
The SIDS Partnerships Awards were established by the Member States of the United Nations in 2021 to recognize the efforts of the best and most notable partnerships in the implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
