Expertise
Partnering towards Common Goals
The UNESCO-European Union partnership has positively impacted millions of lives worldwide through programs that advance education, culture, inclusion, respect for diversity, freedom of expression, sustainable environmental initiatives, and human rights-centered digital transformation.
Together, we are committed to accelerating the at global, regional, and national levels, ensuring that no one is left behind. This shared commitment is further strengthened by the adopted at the 2024 Summit for the Future, along with its annexes—the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Our efforts place at the forefront women and youth as essential actors in sustainable development, and prioritise gender-transformative actions across all UNESCO areas of expertise.
Discover our joint projects
Accelerating quality education
Together with the EU, UNESCO is committed to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, by strengthening global, regional and national-level cooperation to accelerate the realization of SDG4. 
The EU is a key partner in global coordination and monitoring efforts, as a member of the  brought together by UNESCO, which ensures follow-up on all commitments made at the Transforming Education Summit 2022.  The EU also contributes to UNESCO’s global monitoring efforts on education, by supporting the Global Education Monitoring Report which offers critical data and insights to guide policy and strengthen educational systems worldwide.
At regional and country level, we work with the EU to improve the quality of education, notably by reinforcing education systems, offering trainings to teachers, and creating new learning opportunities, particularly for young people, girls, and women. Together, we champion evidence-based approaches and global advocacy, promoting skills development and vocational education, while ensuring schools have the essential resources to support effective learning.
Protecting our heritage and fostering creativity
As a party to the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the EU supports the formulation of inclusive cultural policies through the EU-UNESCO Expert Facility on the Governance of Culture in Developing Countries, which aims at providing technical assistance to developing countries in this field. 
The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022 highlighted the international community’s commitment to harness the power of culture for sustainable development. This is in line with UNESCO work, in partnership with the EU, to generate evidence of the contribution of culture to sustainable development through the   Looking ahead, MONDIACULT 2025 will bring together a wide array of participants to address key challenges and opportunities and to set the global agenda for culture in the years to come.
At regional and country level, UNESCO is partnering with the EU to empower artists, cultural heritage professionals, as well as communities to be at the heart of sustainable development and peace-building efforts. Preserving cultural heritage is another critical area of focus, ensuring that our shared heritage is protected even in the face of crisis.
Building inclusive societies and shaping ethical governance of emerging technologies
In a complex world confronted with major societal transitions, UNESCO and the EU are committed to building inclusive and sustainable societies and economies. The UNESCO-EU partnership works to ensure that science and technology are human-centered and ethics-sound. Together, we promote the implementation of a universal framework of values and principles in the formulation of legislation, policies and any other instruments inherent to Artificial Intelligence - As set-up in the UNESCO’s landmark Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence of 2021, and in compliance with international law.
Promoting inclusion and tackling inequalities, racism and discrimination are at the core of the UNESCO’s mandate to build inclusive and sustainable societies and economies, in line with the 2030 Agenda’s commitment to leave no one behind. This includes addressing gender-based stereotypes and promoting positive social norms, advancing the youth empowerment agenda and unlocking the power of sport to drive social transformations.
Moreover, UNESCO and the EU join forces to strengthen the connection between research and policy and to leverage knowledge and expertise to tackle policy reform challenges, from preparation and design to development and implementation.
Advancing the green and blue agenda through science and innovation
UNESCO leverages its global scientific networks and expertise to promote sustainable societies and environmental protection, closely aligning with the EU's green and blue agendas.
UNESCO is entrusted by its Member States to lead global efforts in the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034).
The cooperation between UNESCO and the EU strengthens evidence-based approaches to global environmental and societal challenges and enhances community resilience. Through comprehensive natural sciences programs and networks of natural designated sites, UNESCO contributes significantly to the EU's environmental priorities.
91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ partnered with the EU over the past decade through more than 50 EU-funded projects, encompassing areas such as research and innovation in ocean and marine sciences, climate change adaptation, technological advancement, soil literacy, and disaster risk reduction. UNESCO’s role focuses on establishing science-policy dialogues, conducting policy analyses, and implementing capacity-building initiatives that foster North-South cooperation.
Promoting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists
With support from the EU, UNESCO is committed to promoting freedom of expression and ensuring access to information for all. Together, we uphold human rights and empower key stakeholders to protect journalists, strengthen media development, drive inclusive digital transformation, and foster media and information literacy.
We address the challenges faced by journalists by promoting free, independent and pluralistic media worldwide and working to end impunity for violence against them. In crisis situations, notably in Ukraine and Afghanistan, we provide essential support to journalists ensuring their safety and ability to report freely.
Through the and the Global Forum of Networks (GFN) of regulators, we aim to collectively sustain an enabling environment for freedom of expression and the right to information. These efforts are crucial in fostering a transparent and accountable digital ecosystem that protects fundamental rights.
Our partnership extends to empowering the public with critical media skills, reinforcing our commitment to combat harmful content, including disinformation and hate speech. Media and information literacy is a vital tool for building trust and resilience, particularly within vulnerable communities. Therefore, we empower key stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and digital content creators, who can effectively disseminate their knowledge to specific groups and communities.
Through these collaborative initiatives, we strive to create a media ecosystem that prioritizes transparency and public trust, advancing freedom of expression both online and offline.
