The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has shared a shortlist of 25 sustainable museum initiatives in the running for the ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums.
Launched in 2023, the ICOM Award recognises innovative initiatives and practices that contribute to sustainable development within the museums sector.
The shortlisted projects were selected from a pool of 130 initiatives spanning 60 countries, which “demonstrates the museum sector‘s strong commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals”, said Emma Nardi, president of ICOM.
She added: “Today’s museums are active agents of environmental and social change.”
Shortlisted projects include the National Gallery of Victoria’s adaptive climate control strategy, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art’s Eco Art Lab, and Manchester Museum’s Roots & Branches carbon literacy training.
Exhibitions on the shortlist include an insects show at Paraguay’s Museo de Ciencias, the Urgence climatique exhibition by Universcience (France), and the Ghent City Museum’s Ghent’s Land presentation.
Museums to make the shortlist include the Museo Batallas de Cepeda in Argentina, the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, the Ars Aevi museum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Trapholt museum in Denmark, and the Museum of Iranian Dolls and Culture.
Medea Ekner, ICOM’s director general, said: “The ICOM Award is more than recognition – it’s a catalyst for transformation in the museum sector.
“These pioneering institutions are showing us that sustainable development and cultural heritage preservation aren’t competing priorities – they’re intrinsically linked.”
Sustainable development in the museums sector
The winners will be announced at the inaugural ceremony at the 27th ICOM General Conference (ICOM Dubai 2025), which takes place from 11 to 17 November.
Hala Badri, chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 organising committee, said: “At ICOM Dubai 2025, we are proud to celebrate museums as keepers of collective heritage and active agents of sustainable change.
“The ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums serve as a powerful reminder that museums can lead by example, shaping the future through innovation, inclusion, and impact.”
Images courtesy of ICOM
