Institutional Leadership
Government engagement, legitimacy, and institutional partnerships.
Year of Creativity 2027 · Host Country Bidding Program
Become the Host Country of the Year of Creativity 2027
An invitation to nations ready to place creativity at the heart of their development, innovation, education, and international cooperation agendas.
ONE YEAR. ONE HOST COUNTRY.
A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
01 / About the program
One Year. One Host Country. A Global Movement.
The Year of Creativity is an international initiative promoted by the World Creativity Organization (WCO) to recognize creativity as a driving force for human development, economic transformation, education, innovation, cultural expression, and sustainable prosperity.
Each edition creates opportunities to mobilize governments, businesses, universities, creative communities, and civil society around a shared agenda for creativity.
Through the Host Country Bidding Program, WCO invites eligible national institutions and authorized representatives to express their interest in leading the official host country edition of the Year of Creativity 2027.
The selected Host Country will have the opportunity to coordinate a national program of activities, promote international cooperation, mobilize strategic stakeholders, and develop a lasting legacy for its creative ecosystem.
02 / What is a bidding program?
Understanding the Bidding Process
A bidding program is a structured international selection process through which eligible candidates express their interest, demonstrate their institutional capacity, and submit proposals to obtain the right to host a designated international initiative.
The Year of Creativity Host Country Bidding Program is designed to identify a country capable of advancing the global creativity agenda through national leadership, stakeholder engagement, international collaboration, and measurable impact.
The selection process considers institutional commitment, strategic vision, implementation capacity, proposed partnerships, financial feasibility, and long-term legacy.
- Stage 01
Registration of Interest
Eligible institutions submit preliminary information about their country, organization, representatives, and motivations for hosting the Year of Creativity 2027.
- Stage 02
Eligibility Review
WCO reviews registrations and assesses the institutional profile, representation, and preliminary capacity of interested candidates.
- Stage 03
Official Bid Invitation
Eligible applicants may be invited to submit a comprehensive Host Country Bid Proposal, including national objectives, stakeholder engagement, governance, operational planning, financial commitments, and expected legacy.
- Stage 04
Evaluation & Selection
WCO evaluates qualified proposals according to published selection criteria and its applicable governance procedures.
- Stage 05
Hosting Agreement
The selected candidate enters into a formal agreement with WCO defining hosting rights, responsibilities, institutional commitments, program delivery, brand usage, and reporting obligations.
Registration of interest does not constitute an official bid, guarantee eligibility, or confer hosting rights. Formal candidacy and selection remain subject to WCO review and approval.
03 / Who can apply?
Eligibility & Institutional Representation
Expressions of interest may be submitted by:
- National government ministries or agencies.
- Public institutions responsible for culture, education, innovation, economic development, or international cooperation.
- National creative economy councils, commissions, or authorized bodies.
- National associations, foundations, or nonprofit organizations with demonstrated institutional capacity.
- Public-private coalitions with appropriate national-level representation.
- Other organizations authorized to coordinate a national hosting proposal.
Private individuals and organizations without national authorization may register their interest as prospective partners but cannot automatically represent a country in the formal bidding process.
All applicants must identify their institutional affiliation and disclose whether they currently hold formal authorization to represent the proposed Host Country.
04 / Preliminary bidding rules
Participation Rules & Requirements
- Rule 01
Country Representation
Each official bid must identify the country, lead institution, authorized representative, and proposed governance structure.
- Rule 02
Institutional Commitment
Formal bids must demonstrate credible institutional support and an appropriate framework for national coordination.
- Rule 03
National Scope
The proposal must demonstrate the capacity to mobilize multiple stakeholders, sectors, and territories rather than being limited to a single isolated event.
- Rule 04
Strategic Alignment
Proposals must align with WCO's mission and the principles of creativity, inclusion, education, innovation, international cooperation, and sustainable development.
- Rule 05
Operational and Financial Feasibility
Formal bidders must demonstrate a viable implementation strategy, resource mobilization plan, and financial capacity appropriate to their proposed activities.
- Rule 06
Governance and Accountability
Applicants must establish transparent decision-making, clearly defined responsibilities, appropriate safeguarding practices, and measurable performance indicators.
- Rule 07
Intellectual Property and Brand Protection
All Year of Creativity and WCO names, marks, and associated intellectual property remain subject to applicable ownership rights and formal licensing agreements.
- Rule 08
Evaluation and Approval
WCO retains responsibility for administering the process and selecting the Host Country under its formally adopted bidding rules.
- Rule 09
No Automatic Rights
Submitting a registration or proposal does not grant authorization to use official Host Country titles, marks, or representations.
- Rule 10
Final Agreement
Hosting rights become effective only after execution of the applicable written Hosting Agreement.
These preliminary requirements describe the proposed participation framework. Detailed bidding regulations, submission deadlines, financial terms, evaluation procedures, and contractual obligations will be communicated through the official bidding documentation approved by WCO.
05 / Selection criteria
How Host Country Proposals Are Evaluated
National Mobilization
Capacity to engage cities, regions, universities, businesses, and civil society.
Strategic Vision
Alignment with creativity, education, innovation, and development priorities.
Operational Capacity
Governance, team, infrastructure, and implementation feasibility.
Financial Sustainability
Credible funding strategy and resource mobilization.
Impact & Legacy
Measurable outcomes and long-term contributions to the national creative ecosystem.
06 / Benefits
Why Host the Year of Creativity?
01
Global Recognition
Position the country within an international creativity agenda.
02
Creative Economy Development
Strengthen national creative industries, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems.
03
International Cooperation
Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among international institutions and networks.
04
National Engagement
Connect public institutions, businesses, academia, and communities around shared objectives.
05
Talent & Education
Encourage creativity-driven learning, leadership, and capacity building.
06
Long-Term Legacy
Establish foundations for programs, partnerships, and initiatives beyond the hosting year.
07 / Registration
Register Your Country's Interest
Take the first step toward becoming the Official Host Country of the Year of Creativity 2027. The preliminary registration form opens in a new tab. The WCO team will review your submission and communicate the next steps when applicable.
Registrations are now open08 / FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about becoming the Host Country of the Year of Creativity 2027.
Ready to Lead the Year of Creativity 2027?
Represent your country in a global movement advancing creativity, innovation, and the creative economy.
Apply to Become Host Country09 / Next chapter
Lead the Next Chapter of Global Creativity
Bring your country's institutions, creative communities, and development ambitions together to help shape the Year of Creativity 2027.
Register Your Country