Historic Decision: International Council of Design Headquarters Moves to Vilnius

Vilnius is set to become the new home of the International Council of Design (ICD), a move hailed as a significant international endorsement for Lithuania and the broader region. This decision marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in the organization's history that its headquarters will be located in the Baltic states. Previously, the ICD's secretariat operated from Montreal, Brussels, and London.

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By moving the International Council of Design's office to Vilnius, we are essentially saying that design should not be shaped from a safe distance, but from where geopolitical, social, and technological processes intersect.

Jonas Liugaila, a board member of the ICD and initiator of the move, stated that this relocation reflects Lithuania's increasing influence within the international design community. "By moving the International Council of Design's office to Vilnius, we are essentially saying that design should not be shaped from a safe distance, but from where geopolitical, social, and technological processes intersect," Liugaila explained. He described Vilnius as one of Europe's fastest-evolving creative and technological centers, making it an ideal location not only for the organization's operations but also as a living laboratory for observing and shaping the future of design.

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Vilnius is one of Europe's fastest-evolving creative and technological centers, making it an ideal location not only for the organization's operations but also as a living laboratory for observing and shaping the future of design.

The ICD President, Melike Taşcıoğlu Vaughan, expressed confidence in Vilnius as the new base, noting that the Lithuanian team presented a clear, long-term vision supported by a robust and growing design community. "Vilnius combines creativity, technology, and internationalism, and strong institutional support and a strategically convenient location create excellent conditions for the activities of an international organization," she said. Vaughan believes Vilnius will serve as a crucial platform for enhancing global design community collaboration and advancing the profession's future.

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Vilnius combines creativity, technology, and internationalism, and strong institutional support and a strategically convenient location create excellent conditions for the activities of an international organization.

The successful bid was the result of an international competition involving several countries. The Lithuanian proposal was developed by a consortium of partners, including the Lithuanian Design Association, Vilnius College of Design, the Museum of Applied Arts and Design, technology company Hostinger, Go Vilnius, and others. The establishment of the ICD headquarters in Vilnius is expected to boost Lithuania's international visibility in creative industries, innovation, and education, fostering new collaborative projects, professional exchanges, and international events.

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We believe that Vilnius will become an important platform for strengthening global design community cooperation and the future of the profession.