Swarovski Foundation – Creatives for Our Future Grant (2026)

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€20,000 Global Grants for Young Creatives Advancing Sustainable Development

The Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future program provides €20,000 grants to emerging creatives ages 21–30 who are developing innovative projects, products, research, or creative practices that advance sustainable development.

The global program, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, is open to applicants worldwide — including creatives based in the United States.

In addition to grant funding, selected participants receive one-on-one mentorship, educational masterclasses, industry networking opportunities, and access to an international community of creative leaders.

Applications open September 9, 2026 and are due November 9, 2026.

Organization: Swarovski Foundation
Support Type: Individual creative grants / professional development
Funding Amount: €20,000 per recipient
Geographic Focus: Worldwide, including the United States
Age Requirement: 21–30
Deadline: November 9, 2026

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Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

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About the Funder

The Swarovski Foundation is an international charitable foundation established in 2013 and inspired by the philanthropic legacy of Swarovski founder Daniel Swarovski.

The Foundation focuses on promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing inequality through initiatives centered on:

Equity
Creativity
Water
Education
Sustainable development

Its Creatives for Our Future program was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships to identify and accelerate the next generation of creative talent working toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

About Creatives for Our Future

Creatives for Our Future combines grant funding with a year-long education and mentorship program.

The initiative is designed for emerging creatives who are using their work to address social or environmental challenges and develop innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development.

Applicants may be working on:

A project
A product
Research
A creative practice
An innovative material
A new design concept
A technology or device
Another tangible creative solution

Projects should use creativity to increase awareness, advance technology, develop solutions, or otherwise contribute to progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to creatives worldwide, including residents of the United States.

Applicants must:

Be between 21 and 30 years old at the time of application and by the application deadline
Apply as an individual, sole proprietor, or through a company they wholly own
Be working on a creative project or practice connected to sustainable development
Have a plan to produce tangible project outcomes by September 2028
Have a valid passport
Be able to meet applicable travel and entry requirements for participation in an expected UK program event
Submit all required application materials in English

Applicants do not need to:

Be enrolled in school
Have a registered nonprofit
Have an established business
Be based in Europe
Work with Swarovski crystal

Eligible Creative Fields

The program is open to a broad range of creative disciplines.

Examples include:

Fashion

Projects may explore areas such as:

Sustainable textiles
Circular fashion
Materials innovation
Responsible supply chains
Waste reduction
Sustainable manufacturing

Design

Eligible projects may involve:

Product design
Industrial design
Sustainable materials
Social impact design
Circular economy solutions
Systems design

Art

Creative visual practices may be eligible when they contribute to sustainable development and lead to tangible outcomes.

Architecture

Projects may address:

Sustainable buildings
Affordable or innovative housing
Resilient communities
Materials
Resource efficiency
Climate adaptation

Engineering

Engineering-focused applicants may develop:

Devices
Technologies
New production systems
Environmental solutions
Resource conservation tools
Other innovations supporting sustainable development

Jewelry

Jewelry and materials-focused creatives may apply, but projects do not need to incorporate Swarovski crystal.

Photography & Videography

Projects using visual media to address sustainability or social and environmental issues may also qualify.

Creative Categories Not Supported

The program does not support all creative disciplines.

The Swarovski Foundation specifically states that the following are not supported:

Performing arts
Music
Dance
Theatre
Literature
Creative writing
Journalism
Novels
Stories
Poems
Screenplays
Essays
Song lyrics

The program is primarily interested in creative work that produces tangible solutions, innovations, projects, products, or practices connected to sustainable development.

Funding Amount

💰 Grant Amount: €20,000 per selected participant

Successful applicants receive €20,000 or the equivalent in an agreed local currency.

Grant funds must be used to develop the project submitted through the Creatives for Our Future application.

Funding may not be redirected to an unrelated project after selection.

The grant also may not be used to finance:

University tuition or general university costs
End-of-degree projects

Applicants should clearly explain how the funding will advance the proposed creative project and contribute to sustainable development.

More Than a Grant

Selected participants receive a significant professional development package in addition to the €20,000 award.

Benefits include:

One-on-One Mentorship

Each participant will be paired with an experienced mentor from a relevant creative or sustainability field.

Educational Masterclasses

Participants will take part in online learning opportunities covering topics designed to help advance their creative practice and project.

Industry Networking

The program provides access to:

Industry professionals
Sustainability leaders
Other creatives
Program advisors
International networks

International Program Event

Selected participants are expected to travel to the United Kingdom in Fall 2027, with the specific location still to be confirmed.

Applicants therefore need a valid passport and must be able to satisfy any applicable visa or entry requirements.

Program Commitment

This is not a one-time cash award.

Successful applicants must participate in the Creatives for Our Future program from approximately Fall 2027 through Fall 2028.

Participants should expect program activities approximately two to three times per month.

These may include:

Mentor sessions
Masterclasses
Group programming
Networking
Project check-ins
Progress reporting
Communications and media activities

Participants will also be expected to deliver tangible outcomes from their funded projects by the end of the program.

What Applicants Need to Submit

Applicants should prepare several materials before beginning the application.

Application Form

The full application must be completed online and in English.

Creative Portfolio

Applicants must submit a portfolio showcasing previous and current creative work.

📎 Maximum File Size: 50MB

Two-Minute Introduction Video

Applicants must submit a video of up to two minutes introducing themselves and their proposed project.

📎 Maximum File Size: 150MB

Academic or Professional Reference

Applicants must provide one academic or professional reference.

Proof of Age

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the program’s 21–30 age requirement.

Valid Passport

Applicants must have a valid passport because selected participants are expected to travel internationally for program activities.

What Swarovski Is Looking For

Applications are evaluated using several key criteria.

Design & Creativity

How creative and compelling is the applicant’s idea, project, practice, or concept?

Innovation

Does the work introduce an original or innovative approach?

Potential

Does the applicant demonstrate meaningful potential to develop their creative practice and increase impact?

Feasibility & Scalability

Is the proposed project realistic?

Could the concept grow, scale, or be replicated?

Impact

What measurable social or environmental impact could result from the project?

Sustainable Development

How clearly does the proposal contribute to one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

Funding Transparency

Applicants should clearly explain:

How they will use the €20,000 grant
Why those expenses are necessary
How the funding will advance the project
How the proposed spending supports sustainable development

Selection Process

Applications are first screened for basic eligibility and completeness.

This includes confirming:

Applicant age
Completed application
Creative portfolio
Valid passport
Required supporting materials

Application quality also matters.

Swarovski cautions that incomplete responses or very brief answers without context may result in disqualification.

Eligible applications are then reviewed by the Swarovski Foundation Selection Committee and a jury of creative and sustainable development experts.

Interviews

Top candidates will be invited to participate in online interviews.

📅 Expected Interviews: January 2027

Final Selection

Successful applicants are expected to be notified by April 2027.

Selected participants must respond promptly to the offer in order to retain their position in the cohort.

Timeline & Deadline

📅 Applications Open: September 9, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: November 9, 2026
📅 Interviews: Expected January 2027
📅 Recipients Notified: By April 2027
📅 Program Begins: Fall 2027
📅 UK Program Event: Fall 2027
📅 Grant Awarded: Fall 2027
📅 Program Completion: September 2028

Application / Request Process

Applicants should:

Confirm that they meet the age and eligibility requirements.
Identify the specific creative project they want to develop.
Clearly connect the project to sustainable development.
Prepare a creative portfolio.
Record a two-minute introduction video.
Obtain an academic or professional reference.
Develop a clear plan for using the €20,000 grant.
Submit the complete application online by November 9, 2026.

Apply

➡️ https://swarovskifoundation.formstack.com/forms/cfof_2026

Learn More

➡️ https://creatives.swarovskifoundation.org/

Application Guidelines

➡️ https://creatives.swarovskifoundation.org/application

Frequently Asked Questions

➡️ https://creatives.swarovskifoundation.org/faqs

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly strong for young creatives who:

Are based in the United States or elsewhere in the world
Are between ages 21 and 30
Work in fashion, design, art, architecture, engineering, jewelry, photography, or related creative fields
Have an innovative project addressing a social or environmental challenge
Want funding to develop a tangible product, project, or solution
Can clearly connect their work to the Sustainable Development Goals
Would benefit from mentorship and professional development
Want access to international creative and sustainability networks
Are available for a year-long program beginning in Fall 2027

The €20,000 award combined with mentorship, masterclasses, industry connections, and international exposuremakes this substantially more valuable than a traditional one-time individual grant.

The program is also notable because applicants do not need a nonprofit organization, registered business, or academic affiliation to participate.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Deadline: November 9, 2026
Applications Open: September 9, 2026
Funding Amount: €20,000 per recipient
Geographic Focus: Global — U.S. applicants eligible
Eligible Applicants: Individual creatives ages 21–30
Nonprofit Required: No
Business Required: No
Focus: Creativity + sustainable development
Program Benefits: Grant funding, mentorship, masterclasses, networking, and industry access
Interviews: Expected January 2027
Recipients Notified: By April 2027
Program Period: Fall 2027–September 2028
Best Suited For: Emerging designers, artists, architects, engineers, fashion creatives, jewelry designers, photographers, videographers, and other young innovators developing tangible solutions to sustainability challenges

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