In a world facing major global challenges, art and culture have the potential to make a significant contribution towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Europe’s cultural networks have a recognised structural effect on their specific areas. Even so, to take on these challenges, more specific training will be needed for cultural leaders. There are very few training programmes at Europe’s universities on SDGs and their application to the realm of culture, which is why transnational cultural networks towards a more sustainable future are unable to realise their full potential.

SHIFT aims to improve the training for transnational cultural-network leaders with regard to SDGs. The three most important SDGs for the cultural sector in Europe at this time have been selected as the starting point: SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and SDG 5 (gender equality and women’s empowerment).

SHIFT has therefore been re-implemented by nine European cultural networks such as music, the performing arts, higher artistic education, cultural centres and mobility.