Deadline: New Call for Participation – EURBICA / ICDH Korea Workshop on UNESCO Memory of the World Joint Nominations

The International Council on Archives (ICA) is pleased to share a new opportunity for European archival institutions to strengthen international cooperation and advance documentary heritage recognition.

The International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH) Korea, under the auspices of UNESCO, in cooperation with ICA’s European Regional Branch (EURBICA) and the Subdirectorate General of the Spanish State Archives, is organising a specialised workshop to support the development of joint nominations to the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) International Register that will be held from 20 to 22 April 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

About the Workshop

This workshop is designed for European archival institutions that are preparing — or have begun conceptualising — a joint nomination to the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register with one or more partner countries (within or beyond Europe).

Participants will work directly with specialists experienced in evaluating MoW nominations. The workshop will provide expert guidance to help institutions refine, strengthen and develop their joint submissions.

Participants will also contribute data to a digital platform developed by ICDH Korea, aimed at increasing the visibility of existing and forthcoming MoW registrations.

Scholarships Available 

To facilitate participation, ICDH Korea will award 20 scholarships to representatives of European archives that are members of EURBICA. 

Scholarships will cover: 

• Return economy airfare from the participant’s country’s capital city to Madrid 

• Lunches during the workshop 

• One gala dinner 

Participants are responsible for: 

• Hotel accommodation 

• Any expenses not explicitly listed above 

Who Should Apply 

Applications are invited from European archival institutions that are members of EURBICA and that: 

• Have identified the concept of a joint MoW nomination with one or more partner countries 

• Are committed to developing this nomination in the next MoW cycle 

Application Requirements

Institutions must submit a motivation document (free format) by 22 February 2026, 23:59 CET, to eurbica@ica.org

The document must include:

1. Joint Nomination Concept

• The national archive of origin
• The archive(s) with which the joint nomination will be submitted
• A description of the documentary heritage proposed for registration.
• It is recommended that Part 7 of the MoW nomination form be completed at the time of application. If Part 7 is not yet available, applicants must commit in the motivation letter to having it ready by 22 February 2026

2. Existing MoW Inscriptions

• Information on any documentary heritage from the institution already inscribed on the MoW International Register

3. Designated Representative

• The nomination of one representative selected by the National Archives (e.g. director or MoW coordinator)
• A brief professional profile outlining their activities related to the Memory of the World Programme
• If the designated person is not the director, a letter of support from the director must be included

Further Information

For additional details, please contact:

• Juhee Yang

Programme Specialist, ICDH

yjh@unescoicdh.org

• Cristina Díaz Martínez

Head of International Cooperation, Spanish State Archives

Vice-President of EURBICA

cooperacion.archivos@cultura.gob.es

European national archives committed to strengthening international cooperation and contributing to the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme are warmly encouraged to apply.

This call for participation is funded by ICDH Korea for EURBICA members, in collaboration with the Subdirectorate General of State Archives of the Spanish Ministry of Culture.