Strengthening Ukraine's Capacities to Safeguard and Recover its Cultural Heritage

Amid the ongoing armed conflict, Ukraine’s cultural heritage faces unprecedented threats. With UNESCO confirming damage to 412 cultural heritage sites and Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Information Policy (MCIP) documenting the severe damage or destruction of 1,080 sites across 15 oblasts, there is an urgent need for a proactive strategy to safeguard heritage.

To address this critical situation, ICCROM’s flagship programme, First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR), supported by the European Commission Directorate-General of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC), and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine (MCIP), the Agency for Cultural Resilience (ACURE), the Maidan Museum, and the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative (HERI), has launched a capacity development project: “Enhancing Capacities in Ukraine for Cultural Heritage First Aid and Recovery Planning.

The project 

The project’s core component is a blended in-person course on First Aid, Early Recovery, and Risk Reduction for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis. This comprehensive training aims to equip a specialized national team of 23 cultural “first aiders” with the necessary skills to manage and mitigate risks to both tangible and intangible heritage. 

This training was launched online in April 2024, with the participation of the project partners. Following three online modules held previously in May and a foundational training held from 24-27 June 2024, participants from 9 oblasts in Ukraine are gathering in Kyiv from 5-14 July 2024 for a two-week in-person workshop. The training will equip participants with the skills and knowledge for providing first aid and planning recovery for movable, immovable, and intangible heritage. 

Participants will engage in simulations, hands-on activities, and practical exercises, as well as work in close collaboration with emergency management personnel, expert restorers from the National Restoration Centre of Ukraine, and humanitarian aid agencies. The training will also focus on enhancing crisis communication skills and ensuring personal safety in hazardous conditions. 

The diverse group of participants includes art historians, cultural anthropologists, archaeologists, curators, restorers, archivists, librarians, historians, museum and site managers, architects, and engineers. Additionally, experts from humanitarian aid, the military, and civil protection will contribute to the cross-disciplinary exchange. 

The ceremony

The in-person component of this project has been officially launched today, 5 July 2024, in Kyiv. Distinguished guests included speeches from representatives from ICCROM, the European Commission, MCIP, ACURE, and HERI, alongside cultural heritage professionals, emergency responders, and local community leaders. 

The “Enhancing Capacities in Ukraine for Cultural Heritage First Aid and Recovery Planning” project represents a significant advancement towards safeguarding Ukraine’s cultural heritage amidst ongoing challenges. By establishing a network of trained cultural first-aiders and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, this initiative aims to ensure the resilience and continuity of Ukraine’s rich cultural legacy.