Safeguarding Initiative
Call for proposals
The UNESCO Memory of the World Initiative to Safeguard Documentary Heritage at Risk aims to protect the world's documentary items and collections at risk of loss as a result of natural or human-induced threats by granting financial support to cover specific needs on the ground.
At a time of increasing environmental issues caused by climate change and escalating conflicts, documents of universal value are not exempt from being permanently damaged or destroyed. Documentary heritage items at risk include many forms of paper-based and audiovisual materials, yet physical collections and digital repositories are also vulnerable to rising global challenges.
In this context, the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme provides financial support for projects of national, regional, or international scope that address specific needs for safeguarding all forms of endangered documentary heritage and ensuring its accessibility, including in a post-crisis scenario.
A disaster risk reduction approach is therefore central to the initiative. Projects focusing on the main areas of disaster management - mitigation, emergency preparedness, emergency response and recovery - are strongly encouraged to participate in this initiative through the Call for proposals.
The Call for proposals is now closed.
Participate in the Call for proposals
Please read the essential information on the Memory of the World Initiative to Safeguard Documentary Heritage at Risk and its participation requirements.
Submit a project proposal
To participate in the Call for proposals:
- Download the Project Proposal Form via the link below.
- Open the Word file to start completing the Form by selecting No when prompted.
- Complete the Form entirely without omitting any fields. Incomplete proposals cannot be processed.
- Send your Project Proposal Form by e-mail to mowjfit@unesco.org. Include in the subject your country and project title.
The application process is now closed.
Should you have any inquiries, please contact mowjfit@unesco.org.
General guidelines
This Call for Proposals is open to legal entities who must comply with the “General terms and conditions for implementation partners” in the Implementation Partners Agreement with UNESCO.
We encourage documentary heritage holders, custodians and experts from any of the institutions below to participate in the call for proposals:
- Memory institutions (public and private)
- Professional associations
- Academic and research institutions
- NGOs
Please consult more eligibility requirements in the Call for proposals.
It is strongly encouraged that projects with a scope of one or more of the following main areas of disaster risk reduction participate in the Call:
- Mitigation and emergency preparedness
- Emergency response
- Disaster recovery
The initiative supports regional and international project proposals, it prioritises a national approach, particularly in LDCs and SIDS, seeking to respond to localised needs to safeguard documentary heritage by integrating mitigation and preparedness measures, as well as response and recovery strategies against imminent risks and disasters.
Proposals with a focus on developed countries are discouraged in principle, unless they contain innovative elements which may, in turn, prove useful to LDCs and SIDS.
For more information on LDCs and SIDS, please refer to the 'Global Priorities' link below.
The activities described in the proposal must cover a minimum 6 months and a maximum 18 months of implementation.
Please be sure to follow these steps for an eligible submission:
- Know about the Memory of the World Programme, its vision and mission
- Have an awareness of the need to integrate disaster management into documentary heritage preservation.
- Download the Project Proposal Form and complete all required fields.
The deadline for submitting your Project Proposal Form is 16 February 2024 at 23:59 (CET). Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Priority Groups
