UN-Habitat Seeks Host for World Cleanup Day 2027
Organizations can submit expressions of interest to host the 2027 global observance of World Cleanup Day, held every year on 20 September.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Home Cleaning
UN-Habitat has opened a call for expressions of interest to host the 2027 global observance of World Cleanup Day. Submissions are accepted from 2 November 2026 to 15 February 2027.
Why it matters
The observance was established by the UN General Assembly in 2023 to draw attention to waste and cleanliness worldwide. The proposed 2027 theme focuses on community-led waste solutions and inclusive cities.
The submission window runs from 2 November 2026 to 15 February 2027, with World Cleanup Day observed each year on 20 September. Prior observances were hosted in Norway in 2024, Kenya in 2025 and China in 2026, and the host decision for 2027 remains pending.
The players
UN-Habitat
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, which leads global mobilization and outreach for the observance and issued the call for hosts.
United Nations General Assembly
The principal deliberative organ of the United Nations, which established World Cleanup Day in 2023.
The details
Eligible applicants include national, regional and local governments, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, foundations and educational institutions. Expressions of interest are submitted by email to wastewisecities@un.org, and prospective hosts must show relevant experience, organizational capacity and the ability to provide financial and in-kind contributions.
Timeline
20 September: Annual World Cleanup Day observance date.
2 November 2026: Call for expressions of interest opens.
15 February 2027: Deadline to submit expressions of interest.
Rotating Global Observance
The 2027 host call continues the rotation established after the UN General Assembly created World Cleanup Day in 2023, which has moved the observance through Norway, Kenya and China. It extends a multi-country model that spreads the global event across different national and community contexts.
Cities, organizations and community groups worldwide can apply to host the 2027 observance, which could bring cleanup events to their own neighborhoods. Individuals can join local cleanup activities tied to the 20 September observance date each year.
The takeaway
Community cleanup efforts tied to the 20 September observance can be joined by individuals in any city, offering a simple way to reduce local waste year-round.
What happens next
Expressions of interest for hosting World Cleanup Day 2027 close on 15 February 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Home Cleaning practices and community waste reduction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Unhabitat.
