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UrduGlobal Heritage Fund and Europa Nostra are joining forces to support the communities protecting endangered cultural heritage, initially in Europe, and eventually around the world. Through this partnership, these leading heritage organizations will pool efforts and resources together to develop high-impact projects aimed at protecting cultural heritage and supporting community empowerment.
The work of both organizations is aligned and complementary with the common goal of ensuring the effective protection of cultural heritage and harnessing its potential for sustainable development. This transformational partnership will strengthen each other’s networks and enhance capacities through mutual support, shared expertise, and combined action.
“As we promote sustainable protection for historic sites and traditions around the globe, the experience of Europa Nostra over many years of successfully defending Europe’s cultural heritage will be invaluable. We look forward to working together for the preservation of heritage in Europe and throughout the world!” said Nada Hosking, Executive Director of Global Heritage Fund.
Launching the partnership in Sighisoara, Romania
Europa Nostra Secretary General Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, together with Global Heritage Fund Executive Director Nada Hosking and Chairman Daniel K. Thorne, announced the partnership on 12 April in the World Heritage town of Sighisoara in Romania on the occasion of the Conference “European Heritage: Shared Practices and Regional Specificities” organized by the Romanian Presidency of the European Union.
The European Conference in Romania provided a perfect setting to formalise this cooperation, as both organisations have strong ties in this country by virtue of ongoing programs and solid networks on-site. Currently, Global Heritage Fund is working in the commune of Daia, located in the heart of the Transylvanian Alps, to support the preservation of the threatened vernacular architecture and cultural landscape. The program includes documentation and restoration of heritage assets, supporting the implementation of a local heritage policy as well as public education activities and the revival of traditional building crafts.
Europa Nostra has also a strong presence in Romania, with eleven Member and Associate organizations active in the country and a network of excellence composed of elevent Romanian Laureates of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. In addition, three Romanian sites have been selected for the “7 Most Endangered” program, including the emblematic Roşia Montană mining landscape in Transylvania, which Europa Nostra has supported for over a decade and included in its very first list of the “7 Most Endangered” sites in Europe back in 2013.
From right: Global Heritage Fund Chairman Daniel K. Thorne, Europa Nostra Secretary General Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Cristoph Machat from ICOMOS Germany, Policy Officer at the EU Commission Erminia Sciacchitano, and Stefan Balici from the Romanian National Insitute of Patrimony.
The first steps of a mutually beneficial cooperation
In an effort to ensure synergies between the work of the two organizations, Global Heritage Fund Executive Director Nada Hosking has joined the international advisory panel of Europa Nostra’s “7 Most Endangered” program. Comprised of specialists in heritage conservation, restoration, and management, this advisory panel is in charge of evaluating the applications received for the program and shortlisting Europe’s most endangered monuments and sites. It will meet in November 2019 in the Hague to evaluate the nominations for the 2020 list of the seven most endangered sites in Europe.
In addition, Europa Nostra Secretary General Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović has been invited to join the “Women Leaders in World Heritage” celebration in September 2019. Hosted by Global Heritage Fund at St James’s Palace Royal Courts in London, the event will honor Europa Nostra Vice President Androulla Vasilliou. These are only the first steps towards a sustained, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two organizations.
“Our partnership is founded upon and driven by an ultimate common goal: that of protecting our shared cultural heritage in Europe and in the world. The world-wide outreach of the Global Heritage Fund will reinforce Europa Nostra’s capacities at an international scale, taking our citizens’ movement for cultural heritage one step further. Together we are stronger, and I am delighted to see this promising partnership already bearing fruits,” pointed out Quaedvlieg-Mihailović.
Europa Nostra and Global Heritage Fund will continue working together with the common goal of protecting and preserving our shared cultural heritage. Concretely, joint projects will be developed building on the expertise and know-how of each organisation. Together, the two organisations will promote the co-developed projects and will co-organise fundraising events to support them.
Both Europa Nostra and Global Heritage Fund are certain that this new partnership will enhance their impact and action through combined and more efficient use of resources. Both partners look forward to furthering heritage protection throughout Europe and the world.
More about Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund (GHF) empowers communities through historic preservation beyond monuments. Since 2002, GHF has helped local communities to save 28 sites in 19 countries with over 100 partner organizations. Using its Preservation by Design® methodology of community-based planning, conservation science, and strategic partnerships, GHF has invested over $30 million and secured $25 million in co-funding to ensure sustainable preservation and responsible development. Learn more at www.globalheritagefund.org.
More about Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra is the pan-European federation of heritage NGO’s which is supported by a wide network of public bodies, private companies and individuals. Covering more than 40 countries in Europe, the organisation is THE voice of civil society committed to safeguarding and promoting Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. Founded in 1963, it is today recognised as the most representative heritage network in Europe. Plácido Domingo, the world-renowned opera singer, is the President of the organisation. Europa Nostra campaigns to save Europe’s endangered monuments, sites and landscapes, in particular through the 7 Most Endangered program run in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It celebrates excellence through the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. It also contributes to the formulation and implementation of European strategies and policies related to heritage, through a structured dialogue with European Institutions and the coordination of the European Heritage Alliance 3.3. Europa Nostra has strongly promoted and actively contributed to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and is dedicated to working to ensure a lasting legacy of this year.
