OpenCharities

Edinburgh World City Of Literature Trust

Also known as: Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature

Country
Scotland
Charity number
SC035697
Status
Active
Reporting
Up to date Last filed Dec. 12, 2025. Filing history
Registered
July 12, 2004
Legal form
Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)

Address

Address
John Knox House
Top Floor Office
45 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SR

Contact

Website
cityofliterature.com
Screenshot of the Edinburgh World City Of Literature Trust website

Activities

'It carries out activities or services itself'

'the advancement of education','the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science'

In 2004, Edinburgh became the first UNESCO City of Literature in the world. The concept was created in Edinburgh, and as the founding Creative City, we play a leading role in the growth and diversification of the international network, encouraging others to join, assessing applications and supporting newly designated cities. We have grown to become a preeminent voice in the Scottish, UK and international literary scene. There are now 63 UNESCO Cities of Literature from six continents. The wider Creative Cities Network runs to 403 cities and seven creative art forms. We exist to inspire connection through writing, reading and the exploration of ideas. We are a driving force in the sector in Edinburgh and Scotland, creating campaigns and projects to develop Edinburgh as a literary city, devising new ways for us all to be inspired by books, and placing Edinburgh at the heart of the international literary community.

Beneficiaries: 'No specific group, or for the benefit of the community'

Objectives: The objects of the Trust are: (a) the furtherance of education by promoting knowledge and understanding about Scotland's and Edinburgh's literary heritage, and the historic and contemporary literary life of Scotland and Edmburgh. and (b) to promote such purposes, objects or institutions charitable in law and in such proportions and manner as the Trustees shall think fit.

Geography

Main operating location
City of Edinburgh
Geographical spread
Operations cover all or most of Scotland

Finances

Period end Filed Income Expenditure Employees
March 31, 2025 Dec. 12, 2025On time £118,967 £126,623 1
March 31, 2024 Jan. 15, 202515 days late £183,192 £249,522 2
March 31, 2023 Dec. 13, 2023On time £177,140 £234,170 2
March 31, 2022 Dec. 15, 2022On time £201,619 £140,984 2
March 31, 2021 Dec. 2, 2021On time £189,226 £121,984 1

Due dates are 9 months after the year end, OSCR's deadline, so they don't allow for any extension OSCR has granted.