The European Heritage Hub, an innovative pilot project co-funded by the EU, has announced the selection of 14 heritage projects across 11 neighboring countries for its Small Grants Scheme. This initiative, coordinated by Europa Nostra and supported by the ALIPH Foundation, aims to bolster civil society-led heritage projects. Here, we spotlight the selected projects from the Western Balkans and the Caucasus regions, grouped by thematic focus.
Cultural Heritage Preservation and Digitization
- Digitization and Inventory of Cultural Heritage of Truso Valley (Lead: NNLE Lomeki, GEORGIA): Inventory and digital access to Truso Valley’s monuments.The project involves the local community in heritage preservation efforts.
- Monitoring of Macedonian Modernist Heritage (Lead: ICOMOS, NORTH MACEDONIA): Mapping and digital inventory of modernist heritage properties.
- Sveti Stefan – Cultural Heritage of Paštrovići (Lead: NGO Sveti Stefan naš dom, MONTENEGRO/SERBIA): Raising awareness of cultural property and promoting regional heritage.
Emergency Preparedness and Resilience
- Guardians of Heritage: Strengthening Armenia’s Cultural Safeguards (Lead: Blue Shield Armenia, ARMENIA): Training for emergency preparedness. Workshops in the cities of Ijevan, Berd, Goris, and Kapan will equip participants with skills for protecting cultural heritage.
- HeritageReady: Emergency Planning for Cultural Preservation (Lead: Education for Development and Cultural Outreach – Educo, KOSOVO*): Training on museum management and preservation, focusing on emergency preparedness.
- Green Heritage Initiative (Lead: Green Art Incubator, SERBIA): Advocating heritage protection against climate change and environmental degradation.
Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience
- TRUST: Transhumance Resilience and Utilisation for Sustainable Transformation (Lead: Reinforce Sustainability – Resu, ALBANIA): Preserving Transhumance heritage through climate-resilient solutions.
- Caucasus Traditional Building Revival (Lead: Georgian Arts and Culture Center – GACC, GEORGIA / ARMENIA / AZERBAIJAN): Promoting traditional architecture using sustainable materials.Activities include stakeholder engagement, heritage site documentation, and a final conference to foster regional cooperation and cultural understanding.
- Reviving Hemp Heritage in Kosovo and Serbia (Lead: GAIA (KOSOVO*/SERBIA): Documenting and promoting traditional hemp cultivation in Kosovo and Vojvodina, promoting its potential for climate change mitigation in construction and agriculture.
Intercultural Dialogue, Social Inclusion & Youth