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The European Heritage Hub, a pilot project co-funded by the EU connecting heritage stakeholders across Europe, has selected 14 heritage projects across 11 EU neighbouring countries – 7 of them in the Western Balkans – for its Small Grants Scheme. A total of around 250,000 EUR has been allocated to the selected initiatives led by civil society organisations, distributed among small, medium, and large-scale grants. The Scheme is run by Europa Nostra, as Project Leader of the European Heritage Hub, in consultation with other members of the Hub consortium, and is co-funded by ALIPH Foundation.
The Small Grants Scheme supports civil society-led heritage projects in EU neighbouring countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine), aimed at enhancing their capacity to respond to Europe’s green, digital, and social transformation, as well as fostering peace, stability, reconciliation, and intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Running from January to March 2024, the Scheme’s call received an impressive total of 600 eligible submissions, reflecting the imperative need for increased support in these regions.
Projects for the European Heritage Hub Small Grants Scheme 2024 selected from the Western Balkans:
- “TRUST: Transhumance Resilience and Utilisation for Sustainable Transformation”, Reinforce Sustainability – Resu, ALBANIA:
TRUST aims to preserve Albania’s Transhumance heritage by engaging stakeholders in climate-resilient solutions. Through documentation, workshops, and recommendations, the project fosters collaboration for sustainable management.
- “House of International Dialogue and Research (HIDR)”, International Forum Bosnia – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:
The House of International Dialogue and Research (HIDR) integrates authorised heritage discourse with grassroots practices, fostering inclusive social trust. Its cornerstone, the International Summer School Youth and Heritage (ISSYH19), offers global youth direct engagement with heritage to aid societal resilience. Held in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Stolac, activities include commemorating the Old bridge’s reconstruction anniversary. Participants gain insights into its implications and develop a project proposal integrating heritage conservation into climate adaptation in Stolac.
- “HeritageReady: Emergency Planning for Cultural Preservation”, Education for Development and Cultural Outreach – Educo – KOSOVO*:
Over the course of four months, this project aims to revitalise Prizren’s cultural heritage, particularly focusing on the first Hydropower Museum. An expert from a neighbouring country will provide specialised training to staff members on aspects of museum management, including curation techniques, emergency preparedness, and preservation strategies for the unique history and significance of the Hydropower Museum.
- “Reviving Hemp Heritage in Kosovo and Serbia”, GAIA – KOSOVO*/SERBIA:
This project aims at documenting traditional knowledge of hemp cultivation in Kosovo and Vojvodina (North Serbia) and promoting its potential in climate change mitigation, in particular in the construction and agricultural sectors. It includes research, a documentary production, a short publication, a study visit, and a workshop, with the objective to extract knowledge and wisdom from the past, for future utilisation of hemp production towards a more sustainable future.
- “Sveti Stefan – Cultural Heritage of Paštrovići”, NGO Sveti Stefan naš dom – MONTENEGRO / SERBIA:
This audiovisual project seeks to raise awareness about the endangered cultural property City Hotel Sveti Stefan and its Cultural Landscape. Through a dynamic narrative and stunning visuals, it will showcase the rich history of the island of Sveti Stefan and its significance to the cultural legacy of the Paštrovići region. Additionally, the project will empower the local community and promote the region’s gastronomic and cultural heritage as a cornerstone of sustainable development and cultural preservation, creating a bridge between the past, present, and future.
- “Monitoring of Macedonian Modernist Heritage”, Macedonian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) – NORTH MACEDONIA:
This project will map and monitor the state of conservation of modernist heritage properties in North Macedonia and set up a related digital inventory/database. A quantitative and qualitative mapping of the properties will be conducted, determining their heritage values and significance. In addition, a snapshot assessment of the current preservation condition of their elements will be made, creating the first-of-its kind attempt to outline the scope of the modernist architectural heritage and its state of conservation performed in North Macedonia.
- “Green Heritage Initiative”, Green Art Incubator – SERBIA:
This project focuses on advocating for the contribution of organisations dedicated to the management and protection of immovable cultural heritage in achieving the global goals of preventing the further escalation of challenges related to climate change and environmental degradation. It will provide support for their preparedness in facing and responding to the consequences of the expected harmful effects of these phenomena on nature, society, and heritage.
For more information about this announcement, please refer to the source: https://www.europeanheritagehub.eu/european-heritage-hub-announces-grants-to-14-heritage-projects-in-eu-neighbouring-countries-and-calls-for-increased-funding/