The UCCN Network

Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) promotes cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. With the growth of this network, UNESCO aims to place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of city development plans and foster active cooperation among them.

Currently, there are 295 members from 90 countries covering seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music, and Digital Arts. In Gastronomy, there are 49 member cities.

In Portugal, the Creative Cities Network includes Amarante, Idanha-a-Nova, Leiria (Music), Óbidos (Literature), Barcelos, Caldas da Rainha (Crafts and Folk Art), Braga (Digital Arts), Covilhã (Design), and Santa Maria da Feira (Gastronomy).