FAQs

What is the Swarovski Foundation?

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The Swarovski Foundation is a UK registered charity, founded by Nadja Swarovski in 2013. It supports charities and initiatives in three areas of focus: culture & creativity, human empowerment, and environment. You can find out more about it at www.swarovskifoundation.org.

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Where is the Swarovski Foundation located?

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The Swarovski Foundation is a UK registered charity, which operates globally. Our teams are based in London, Wattens (Austria) and New York. It is chaired by Nadja Swarovski, Chairperson of the Swarovski Foundation and Member of the Swarovski Executive Board.

The Swarovski Foundation operates through a network of international partners and stakeholders which includes the United Nations Office for Partnerships.

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What is the Swarovski Foundation: Creatives for our Future program?

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Swarovski Foundation: Creatives for Our Future is a new program designed by the Swarovski Foundation to identify and accelerate the next generation of creative leaders in the sustainability space.

The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as an advisor for the program.

The program is open to all creatives aged 18-25, across all creative disciplines including but not limited to fashion, art, design, architecture and engineering.

Selected grantees will receive a bursary, personal mentorship, educational training and industry networking access in support of their developing practices and will be invited to present in September 2021 – around the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly – with the program commencing in December 2021.

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How is this programme connected to your mission as a Foundation?

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As part of its mission, the Swarovski Foundation is committed to fostering emerging creative talent by funding educational charities and institutions working across fashion, jewelry, design and sustainable innovation.

The work of the Foundation work reflects the founding values of Swarovski, a family business built on innovation, care and to bring light to people's lives.

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What criteria will be employed for the selection of successful applicants?

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Successful applicants will have a keen interest in, demonstration of, or exemplary potential to use the creative process to accelerate awareness, technologies or solutions for sustainable development.

The selection criteria will take into account the application of creative processes in examining social and environmental issues and accelerating sustainable development, within communities or globally, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework.

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How long will the program last?

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The first edition of the program will run from March to December 2021.

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What is the deadline for applications? When will successful participants be announced?

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Online applications will be open until 9th April 2021 (11.59pm GMT) on the website sfcreatives.org

The successful cohort will be announced on 21st April, to coincide with the United Nation’s World Creativity and Innovation Day.

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How much is the grant funding?

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The individual grants will be $15,000 USD each.

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Will selected participants have access to Swarovski research/ development/ manufacturing facilities?

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The program will allow successful participants to access a broad network of partners across the creative industries, not limited to Swarovski facilities. Wherever possible, the program will try to arrange for participants to get access to the resources and facilities they need to develop their research.

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Do the projects or practices need to work with crystal in any way?

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No, the project or creative practice does not need to focus on crystal.

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How have the advocates and mentors been selected?

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This diverse group of mentors and advocates will include internationally renowned figures in disciplines such as materials science, water conservation, social justice, business strategy, engineering, climate action, academia, sustainable development and supply chain management.

Throughout the program, grantees will be provided support to develop the innovations and practices outlined in their applications and drive progress toward the Decade of Action to Deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The grantees will be invited to present in September 2021 – around the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly - 2021 was declared the International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development by the United Nations.

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What is the connection of the program with the UN?

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Within the program framework, participants will collectively drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, the blueprint for a better world by 2030 as laid out by the United Nations in 2015. The Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations recognize the creative industry’s potential for generational leadership in sustainable development.

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How are the masterclasses going to be delivered?

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The masterclasses are going to be delivered online. During the masterclasses, participants will be able to present their work, network with industry peers, ask questions and receive feedback from their respective mentors. Pending the easing of lockdown restrictions globally, additional in person events may be organised.

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How is the progress with my work going to be monitored? Will I need to provide monthly updates?

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The Swarovski Foundation Institute team will follow the progress of each participant through regular touch base meetings, and work with them on documenting their work step by step throughout the program.

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Will I be able to contact my mentors directly?

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Your 1:1 sessions with your mentors, as well as all the other planned activities, will be scheduled by the Swarovski Foundation Institute team. We will of course be regularly in touch with you to ensure that they fit your personal schedule and work commitments.
The Swarovski Foundation Institute team will facilitate all aspects of communications with your mentors and creative partners.

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I have not received a confirmation email for my application. Who can I contact?

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If you have submitted your application but have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact foundationoffice@swarovskifoundation.org

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Do I need to have a registered business or be in education to apply?

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No, you don’t need to. The only requirement is that you provide all the information and supporting materials outlined in the application form and that your age is between 18-25 at the time of the application. You will also need to provide one academic, professional, or character reference.

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I am turning 26 after the application deadline. Can I still apply?

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Yes, you can. Your age must be between 18 and 25 before the deadline for applications on 9th April 2021 (11.59PM GMT).

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I am turning 18 after the application deadline. Can I still apply?

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No, your age must be between 18 and 25 by the deadline for applications on the 9th April (11.59PM GMT).

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What is the Selection criteria and process?

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The selection process will follow the criteria listed below: - compliance with age requirements - potential for creative practice, research, or project to further the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals[BB3] - how applicant’s work/research aims to generate positive impact in sustainability - the impact of the grant to the effective development of the applicant’s creative practice or project (intention for how the grant will be spent) - quality of application answers and the readiness of the applicant to achieve highly in their research/studies
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the Swarovski Foundation Institute team to schedule an online interview.

The Application Panel will include leadership from the Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships as well as program advocates.
The Application Panel will make their final selections by marking the quality of application (demonstration of creativity and/or innovation), the applicant’s ability to articulate how the grant, education and mentorship will contribute to their project(s), research, or creative practice, and the applicant’s exemplary potential to contribute to sustainable development.
Successful applicants will be confirmed by 21st April 2021.

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Do I need to submit anything else after application?

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In order to record cohort member participation and project or creative practice development throughout the course of the program, the Swarovski Foundation Institute team will get in touch with selected applicants to request and support content development and communications assets such as images.

These will be used to promote and showcase the work of the creative cohort across global communications and digital campaigns (including the Swarovski Foundation Institute website and the Swarovski Foundation website, social media platforms and newsletter, and media outreach).
The requested assets will initially include:
· a short biography · a link to a personal website (if applicable) · 5-10 images of creative work · Potential further content
Throughout the course of the program, the SFI team will offer further guidance and support for the cohort to produce a digital portfolio for visibility through digital storytelling, the inclusion in news stories for the website and dedicated newsletters. Images and assets may also be used for program progress reports.

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What types of creative projects or practises does the Swarovski Foundation prefer to see in an application?

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Creative practices, research, projects, concepts, or objects reflecting an exemplary dedication and potential to drive sustainable development

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