SHIFT CULTURE is a collaboration of European cultural networks and platforms. Together, these organisations run an eco-certification scheme and offer training and peer-to-peer learning for their community of partner organisations. They are committed to eco-responsible behaviour and seek to raise awareness on green issues through arts in society at large. SHIFT CULTURE partners are representative organisations with over 3000 member organisations based all across Europe and beyond.
Context and Current State of Affairs
The SHIFT Eco-Certification programme is the legacy of an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership in which European cultural networks and platforms collaborated to address several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through structural change in their own organisations and sectors. Building on this foundation, the programme operationalised the SHIFT Eco-Guidelines for Cultural Networks: a tailor-made framework addressing the environmental footprint of international cultural network and platform organisations, with particular attention to travel, events, governance, operations, and policy. Following a three-year pilot phase, the scheme has matured into a fully operational eco-certification programme combining guideline implementation, expert-led teaching and content, peer-to-peer learning, and independent auditing. Coordination is currently carried out by Culture for Climate Scotland, with external auditing provided by Vector42. Participating networks collaborate through a shared collaboration agreement and jointly contract the external parties involved; a full list of participating networks is included in the annex. As Culture for Climate Scotland will step down from the coordinating role after 2026 due to a shift in organisational priorities, the SHIFT CULTURE community is now seeking a new coordinating organisation to lead the next phase of consolidation, development, and growth of the eco-certification scheme.
What are we looking for?
SHIFT CULTURE community is seeking a new coordinator by January 1, 2027 at the latest, ideally allowing for a smooth transition period starting in the second half of 2026. Applicants should be a legal entity with a central structure able to coordinate SHIFT CULTURE legally and financially. They should have a strong background in the cultural sector and solid knowledge of eco-certification requirements. The working language is English, other languages would be an asset.
Interested candidates are welcome to outline their own vision of how the SHIFT CULTURE eco-certification scheme could be developed, including:
- Governance structure of the community
- Financially viable model
- Development of the scheme and the SHIFT CULTURE eco-guidelines
- Development of peer-to-peer learning, workshops and other trainings
- Advancement of eco-responsibility amongst partners
- Communication plan
Online info sessions: 18 February 2026 11:00-13:00 CET and 20 February 2026 14:00-16:00 CET
Deadline for submission: 6 March 2026 18:00 CET
