Call for papers on creative industries

The creative economy accounts for over 6% of global Gross Value Added and is projected to reach 10% of global GDP by 2030. Recognizing its economic and social importance as a driver of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations declared 2021 the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. 

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a pivotal role in sustaining and advancing this dynamic sector.

Harnessing the potential of the creative economy – particularly through digital technologies – is essential to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. This includes strengthening MSMEs and opening new opportunities for employment, especially for women and youth in both rural and urban areas.

The International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is seeking original, unpublished research papers on the creative industries and their role in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth. 

The top three selected papers will be featured during the Experts Roundtable on the Role of Creative Industries for Development, to be held in March 2026 (date to be confirmed) in Geneva, Switzerland. The roundtable will provide a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas between researchers, scholars and policymakers. It aims to integrate research findings and innovative perspectives to better understand the role of creative industries in fostering inclusive and sustainable development.

Submission topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• The role of digital technologies in transforming the sector
• Skills for thriving: equipping workers and entrepreneurs with the right capabilities
• Barriers to entrepreneurship in creative industries
• Investment needs: bridging the investment gap and attracting investors to the sector
• The creative industries ecosystem: challenges and opportunities
• The role of intellectual property for economic growth and development in creative industries
• Foreign market opportunities for creative goods and services

Submission guidelines

• Full paper length: max. 8,000 words
• Language: English

Selection process

Submissions will be reviewed by a committee composed of experts from ITC, UNCTAD and WIPO, as well as academic institutions. Three papers will be selected based on quality, originality, and relevance to the roundtable themes.

• One author of each selected paper will be invited to present at the Experts Roundtable on the Role of Creative Industries for Development, to be held in March 2026 in Geneva.
• The invited author will receive economy-class travel and accommodation to attend the roundtable.

Important dates

• Deadline for submission of paper: 16 November 2025
• Notification of award: January 2026
• Roundtable: March 2026, Geneva

Submission and contact information

Please submit your paper by 16 November 2025 using the link below.

For any inquiries, please contact: [email protected]